Ever had a friend who thinks their clever because they learnt about the Serial comma also known more famously as the Oxford comma.
Well, they aren’t sorry. Make sure you point it out.
Simply put – You don’t need it.
Put the pitchforks down grammar police and hear me out…
It is a very useful comma and helps to improve readability. That being said…You don’t need it.
Now, raise your hands, how many of you have used the Serial comma just to say “Well I use the Oxford comma, you really should too you know”, you smug little…. anyway.
For those of you who don’t know the Serial comma, also known as the Oxford or Harvard comma, is a grammar style choice that helps with breaking up text to be more easily readable. In it’s simplest explanation…
Putting a commabefore the and in a list. For example:
“I wrote a letter my parents, David and Santa Claus.”…
Your parents are David and Santa Claus? Perhaps you meant…
“I wrote a letter to my parents, David, and Santa Claus.” This leads to four separate people, not 2 people being named.
While this maybe very useful in explaining yourself more clearly, you could also argue you’re being lazy by not simply rewording the sentence…
“I wrote a letter to Santa Claus, David and my parents.”…
In American English is can be a mandatory requirement depending on your region, as well as at some universities such as, you guessed it: Oxford and Harvard as a part of their referencing style guide.
It really doesn’t matter if you want to use it or not, however, if you do use it, like all good grammar, you must use it. You don’t spell some words in British English and others in American English, so don’t do it with grammar either. Consistency is what is key to good grammar…ignore mine…what?…
Anyway, that’s my venting done for another day.
What do you all think? Serial comma, yea or nah?
Despite my works I am quite fond of the serial comma…never seen a hypocrite before…anyway…
Whatever you want to call it its about “imparting wisdom” to others through the magic of the internet and, most importantly, it’s super easy to get started.
Step 1 – What to teacher
Languages – Skills – Etc
What ever you want, simple.
Yes, you can literally teach anything. If there is something you are good at, there is someone willing to pay for you to teach it to them. If you’re a computer wiz, have a degree in something interesting or even just good at playing an instrument, people will pay to see how you do it. Places such as Udemy and Skillshare are a prime example of this.
For me, I happen to be better than 80% of the global populous at the English language, and that’s not arrogance as only 20% of people actually speak English, so we’re off to a great start already.
Languages are also something that are in very high demand as the world becomes a much smaller place through the use of web based meetings and even faster and simpler travel. People want to learn another language for work or travel and English being the Business Language of the World does make a great starting place.
Step 2 – What Do I need.
Internet – Computer – Headset
Depending where you look at working this list may be a little shorter or longer but these 3 are the average. You need a decent internet connection if you are to teach face to face lessons, for obvious reasons, students won’t stick with you for long if they can’t see you clearly or you keep dropping out of class.
Companies such as EF, and Whales English have their own standard set curriculum so it’s as easy as “reading off a PowerPoint with a smile on your face“.
Most companies have the option to teach children or adults so you decide which is best for you.
If you have gone a longer way into teaching then you may decide to look for a higher earner. These will require you to produce your own curriculum.
Qualifications are much more helpful than not. Don’t worry, this can be done online, too through companies such as tefl.org and i-to-i. Find a reputable service and purchase a course. They can be a little pricy but do your research. I would recommend a 120hr course. This will be enough for any school and, if you wanted, this will also be enough for those with degrees to try their luck abroad, too. Some companies however, only require a 40hr course or even just a good knowledge of English.
If English isn’t for you then might I recommend a camera. You can try out recording your own lessons and uploading them to places such as the fore mentioned Udemy and Skillshare and have a steady income as people purchase your course. Be warned, you will need a full curriculum. Might I suggest breaking your skill down into bite-sized chunks.
Step 3 – Where to teach it.
Online – Worldwide
Now, depending on your nationality this can be different(ish). You can teach with no problems online through hundreds of different companies big and small. However, some do have some requirements such as location with companies like Qkids and Magic Ears needing North American teachers or others like EF-kids needing someone who doesn’t travel.
I would recommended perusing through the well known companies that are super easy to find with a basic search and seeing what you actually want. What has a bigger influence on your choices; money, 1 to 1 lessons, group lessons, adults, children, hours or even curriculum.
I looked at several different companies including EF, Qkids, Magic Ears, Whales English, etc and decided what I wanted to do. I was comparatively young so I thought teaching kids would be better, some adults don’t like having a teacher younger than them and companies like someone who is energetic for children, so I’ll have a better chance there.
Money was important, obviously, but not as important as being able to actually do the job. I chose a company with a fully set curriculum so I wouldn’t have to worry about planning until I had more experience.
I wanted a steady time schedule, which actually most do have now so, no issues there. That in mind I did choose a company with a minimum hours per week, my logic being that if they have a minimum hours per week they must have a larger number of students with teachers being in high demand, meaning more work…and more money!
Any who, I sent in my application and the next day I received an email asking me to book a slot for an interview in an ‘online timetable thingy‘ that every company uses nowadays. I booked a slot for the next day where I chatted to the interviewer, they didn’t ask me too much on teaching as most are expecting lesser experienced people. We just talked about my interests and had a general conversation. Don’t let this throw you, it’s a simple but effective technique to see how enthusiastic you are in unknown or mundane situations. Are you enjoyable to speak to and easy to understand.
When I say general conversation I mean we chatted for 20 minutes about different movies we liked because I added ‘movies’ as a hobby, easy no.
I had to do only a small “test” to see if I could actually teach a lesson and how I deliver the information. Be enthusiastic with lots of praise and you will have no problems at all. Others I have done simply want to understand what you would do and why. Lots do however, want you to do a full lesson, with the interviewer as the student, even as a child which can feel weird let me tell you. But, they are very supportive and give you very good and obvious points to pick them up on.
Once the interview was over I received an email with an offer. I then booked an appointment for a short orientation on how the companies teaching portal worked. Other companies do the orientation and interview in one, easy.
Step 5 – Let me know
Interested – Nervous – Unsure
I hope this was even remotely helpful to someone. Please, do drop a comment here, on Facebook or Twitter and let me know how it went or if you are interested in TEFL.
