I recently resigned from work so while looking for a new job, I decided to try my luck as a part-time tutor in one of the best and most established online English as a Second Language (ESL) schools here in the Philippines — RareJob, Inc. Its main office is based in Tokyo but it has a branch in the Philippines. They have many Filipino tutors and cater to (mostly) Japanese students. I came across a Korean student who was based in Japan. Read more information about the company through this link.
I started by taking up the preliminary assessment wherein I indicated the type of Internet Connection that I have at home. Unfortunately, I cannot get a DSL connection in our area so I settled for a Broadband connection. Luckily, they allow such type. All I know is those are the only connections (DSL and Broadband) that can make you go through the assessment.
After that, I received an email asking me to take the English Proficiency Test (EPT). It is a four-part examination that aims to evaluate your grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and conversation skills. My English communication skills are just average but fortunately, I passed this test with a grade of B.
Another e-mail was then sent to me asking for my preferred schedule of Tutoring Skills Assessment (TSA). It also instructed me to wait for a phone interview to confirm my availability for the TSA. Now, this is the most tedious part of the procedure. I waited for more or less than two weeks before I decided to send a follow-up email and Skype message to the acquisition team regarding the conduct of my TSA. Because of the numerous applicants, you really have to wait for days before the team contacts you. You also have to note that the priority are those applicants who got the highest rating in the EPT. And because I was just grade B, I was not on the first part of the list. Good thing I was impatient, thus I had my TSA next day after I followed up. Haha!
No worries, guys – my brother just applied recently, and they now have a new process when it comes to TSA scheduling. After passing EPT, you’ll be redirected to a page where you can directly book a schedule. In this way, you’ll be assured that you already have a slot, unlike the former process in which you have to take chances for a certain time slot. After passing the EPT, my brother had his TSA in two days. Please take note that slots are immediately filled.
So now let’s talk about the TSA. Before my schedule, an email was sent to me containing the materials that I need to review together with the guidelines that I need to remember during the mock lesson/demo. I was really nervous, mind you! I just read all the instructions and the materials and luckily, I passed with a grade of A. Yay! I never expected it. My trainer said that I was confident and did not seem nervous at all. But truth be told, I was sweating all over while I was having the demo.
After passing the assessment, I submitted my requirements. Then voila! I had my first student last May 13. I’m now almost three months teaching and I have no regrets. I’m actually loving my students and I’m also learning from them every single day. This job is so fulfilling it feels like I’m not working at all. For this incredible experience and opportunity – I will always be grateful.
hi ate lexy .. tomorrow is my second time getting the TSA .. my first was around 9 months ago .. i failed the TSA because i was so nervous that my voice was shattering and i cant concentrate on the demo lesson .. so much for that, i finally had the second chance and i hope to pass it tomorrow .. thanks ate lexy š .. i think your article inspired me a little and reduced my nervousness hahaha
Hi Kristian! How did it go? I know you did well! š
Hi. How did you prepare for the part of the demo lesson wherein the tutor is supposed to send the meaning of a particular word, with sample sentence, link and picture? I already passed the EPT but failed to pass the demo lesson last may 16, 2014. It’s just so frustrating that during the mock lesson, I was asked by the examiner to tell the meaning of certain word that he can’t understand… I know its meaning but I can’t find the exact term during that time.
My plan now is to prepare for a file that contains all the words in the selection… with it’s meaning and everything. Just copy-paste it on the chat box then send it to the examiner. I have no problem with my confidence level because I have a good training in theater acting and school teaching.
Here’s the exact evaluation about my performance last time:
“English Proficiency (+) has a neutral to native like accent (-) committed more than 2 pronunciation errors (-) more than 2 grammatical errors were noted (+) fillers used were not distracting (+) 0-2 instance/s of dead air were noted Sufficient Lesson Preparation (+) started the lesson on time (-) did not end the lesson on time (-) wasn’t able to do smooth transition (+) followed the lesson flow (+) was able to wrap up the lesson Ability to adjust to student’s comprehension level (+) adjusted speech pace (+) used appropriate words & sentences Effective Explanation (-) gave some explanations that were either not clear or brief (+) was prompt in giving explanations Error Correction (-) wasn’t able to correct most of the student’s mistakes (+) was prompt in correcting the student’s mistakes Use of Chat Box (+) sent the URL of the material (-) sent some messages that were not properly formatted Teaching Useful Expression (+) introduced new words & expressions Less Teacher Talk-Time (+) observed less teacher talk-time Good Conversationalist (+) introduction/greeting was given at the start of the class (+) was lively and/or student-focused during the class (+) listened very well to the student’s statements Politeness to the student (+) used ‘san’ when addressing the student (+) did not use informal language during the lesson (+) no disrespectful actions were noted during the class Giving Praises (+) commented on the student’s correct answers Giving Feedback (+) feedback given was accurate (-) did not use the sandwich method.”
“The tutor applicant has to work on providing accurate, brief, clear, and prompt explanations. The tutor applicant has to work on maximizing the use of the chat box and sending appropriately formatted messages. Messages should be free from spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors. The tutor applicant has to provide a more specific feedback about the student’s strengths, areas for improvement, and suggestions to improve.”
As you can see, I did receive numbers of good points but since a mock demo lesson is supposed to be error free, I failed. Maybe I am just unfortunate or maybe, this online job is not my thing. Online tutorial is different from the normal teaching of students in a classroom setup. I used to be a teacher and did great in my job but failed in this online task. =(
Hello Beaglelover13! Online teaching is really different from face-to-face teaching, as you really have to adjust and explain elaborately to your students. Non-verbal cues are important thus if the lesson is just voice and not video, conveying messages is much more difficult. With regards to giving meanings of unfamiliar/vague words for the student, it is better to explain it in your own words. However, if you cannot immediately remember how to appropriately explain particular words, it is best to use an online dictionary. Use the one indicated in the instructions file. It will help you a lot. Looking at your evaluation, I think that you must concentrate in giving corrections and explanations in a properly formatted way. No spelling errors, and correct capitalization and complete punctuation. Also, never forget to use the Sandwich Method in giving evaluation towards the end as this is really important. That’s it. Good luck on your next demo. You can do it! Thank you!
hi Lexy.. i just want to ask some question with regard of the mock demo lesson in rarejob, i just want to know if the reading article is assumed to be read by the mock student already? or not yet? I’ll be having my demo lesson this January 6, I’m curios about it. your reply could be a great help . thankyou š
Hi Ruthie! As I remember, the student will be asked to read just few paragraphs of the article, and not the whole of it. There is no assumption that the student has already read the article. That is if my memory serves me right š Thanks! Good luck!
Hi Ms. Lexy!
I just want to ask if as soon as the video call starts for the demo lesson do I need to act as the teacher or wait for some instructions first? My demo lesson is on January 8 and I’m freaking out! Also I’m using a broadband connection as of now. I hope I won’t have any problem during the demo. Love your blog tho! It gave me the confidence I need.
Hello there! Your broadband connection must be wired. As long as you won’t get any Internet connection problems during the demo, then you’re fine. As for the demo, first call would be for technical details checking, second call would be your actual proctor/tester who will be telling you some instructions, then you’ll be allowed to disconnect the call. You will be asked to call your tester who will now be assuming the role of a student. So that’s it! Enjoy your demo! Good luck and thank you! š
Hi Lexy, i scheduled a demo lesson on January 5 and i reviewed the required tools, everything is all set except from the headphones. I bought one but i’m not sure if it’s allowed. The mic of the headphones that i bought is built-in and it’s located on the wire unlike the headphones that you’re using in the picture. Do i have to change my headphones or that will be good already? Thanks. š
Hi Roxanne. As indicated in the PPT that they sent you which contains all instructions, the microphone of your headset must be external. A technical staff will be calling you prior to your actual demo to check your equipment, so you must really be ready. How did your TSA go? I hope you did well. Thanks!
Hi Lexy Thanks for answering. I postponed it. I wasn’t sure they would allow me to use the headphones so i called them first and like what you said i really have to use a headset that has an external microphone. This time I want to make sure first that all of my tools are correct before i set up another schedule for the demo lesson. Also i have dsl connection but i don’t plug in the wire in my laptop so i asked them if it’s ok if don’t plug-in the LAN and just do it over wifi they said yes but i want to ask you opinion about that. Do you think i won’t have any problem with that? My internet is quite fast though coz whenever i do skype with my in-law it’s not hanging or buffering(if my term is right). And i reached the speed requirement aswell.
You won’t have any problems even if you’re using wifi as long as you’re sure that your connection is stable enough to hold video calls. If that’s the case, then you’re all set! Good luck!