Equipment Requirements for Virtual Teaching English

Virtual teaching English cannot just happen without proper preparation. Your computer and your extra equipment should meet the requirements necessary in order to facilitate a proper learning environment. If your equipment doesn't meet requirements, you will not have a successful virtual teaching English business (and not be able to become a Digital Nomad).

Headset with Microphone for Virtual Teaching

You will need a good, quality headset with mircophone for effective virtual teaching. The headset earpieces should comfortably cover your ears and block out external noise. The earpiece should emit clear (not fuzzy) speech and sound so that you can offer the best virtual teaching possible. The headset should also contain a decent microphone in order to process clear conversation from internet phone and video calls.

The Logitech ClearChat Pro USB Headset to the right definitely meets the equipment requirements for virtual teaching English.

A webcam for virtual teaching English will add to the relationship factor between teacher and student. Not only that, but it will also allow more effective language teaching instruction by being able to communicate with visual cues and examples. By just being able to read the teacher's expressions, a student will pick up the language at a speedier pace.  A webcam that is a bit more expensive can be a good investment since a higher quality picture can be sent to the student.

A good webcam will have a decent magnification, process in low and high levels of light, and contain a decent resolution for videos and photos. The Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 to the right is a top-notch webcam that can be used for great virtual teaching and more!

Skype has to be one of the best features of modern technology. If both the teacher and student have a Skype account, they can use the headset and webcam to perform lessons for FREE. There is no cost for users to call another Skype user, and it is even possible to set up an actual phone number to assign to your Skype account for a small fee. Video calls are of a decent quality, and the messaging feature will make it so students are able to practice reading and writing.

Through Skype, teachers can send various files for use throughout the lesson. They can send everything from mp3s to pictures without needing to access an external resource, such as an email account.

Also, as in the video below, teachers can use a Skype feature to make quick recordings to send to their virtual students as part of homework.  What a great idea!

Both parties involved - virtual teacher and virtual student - should have access to high speed internet in order to participate in a successful virtual teaching experience. If one party does not have high quality internet, then the video, audio and other forms of communication may be delayed and cause a disruption to the learning process.

A choppy or unreliable connection should be addressed prior to taking on students so as to keep a positive virtual teaching reputation.

Both, the virtual teacher and student, need an updated computer in order to run the webcam and headsets. Make sure each party has all video drivers updated to the most recent versions to ensure that the video runs properly. In addition, at least 512mb of RAM should be available.

It is best to check the specifications on the hardware and software being used before purchasing to see if you are ready to enter the world of virtual teaching English.

Besides these equipment requirements for virtual teaching English, you will also need to make sure you have the proper online TEFL or online TESL certification.