Online Education: The hot new thing
Online education platforms are sprouting up everywhere nowadays. However, only a few have truly bloomed and boomed. I'll admit it right now, I'm biased towards one such site called Cafetalk - partly because it's amazing, and partly because I'm the loyal type.
Accessibility: Find work in tough times
Having moved to a new city and being unemployed several months ago, I flirted with the idea of online teaching and checked out some teaching platforms. Cafetalk was my first and only, I was immediately hooked, and I didn't bother trying other sites after I found it.
With limited options in a French speaking province, Cafetalk was the first place to give me a job. And trust me, I applied to loads of places but parce que je ne parle pas français, it was difficult to land anything. Also, my BC teaching licence was still not validated here, so the traditional classroom setting was not an option.
Customer Service: Exemplary
Now, let's talk about the customer service. Top drawer. Superb. The bee's knees. However you want to put it. I've always had a preconception that the Japanese know how to do customer service right, and corresponding with Cafetalk only solidified that preconception.
Once you sign up, they respond promptly with clear, simple instructions on how to set up a time for the interview. I was especially impressed with the automated reminders they send before the meeting. The interview is held over Skype, and whoever interviews you will give you tips and advice on how to succeed as a tutor. Admin and management really dedicate their time to making tutors feel appreciated, welcome, and satisfied - something that some other tutoring sites absolutely do not do. I won't name any names (COUGHbrainfuse! - ahem).
Every time I have a question, the Cafetalk team responds within minutes. They also rectify any problems immediately, and are quick to find answers for you if they don't know something. And do you know what the fat cherry on top is? Even the CEO and co-founder, Ken and Mat, take the time to communicate with tutors in a meaningful way. In what other company are the top guns so relatable and approachable? And for the record, Ken and Mat ain't no joke. They've had loads of big-time press attention in Japan already - watch Ken's interview with Bloomberg here.
Incentives: Fun, motivating and addictive
Now, let's talk incentives. Cafetalk is like a cross between Facebook and video games. They set achievable sales levels, and you basically get an automated raise once you hit certain targets. Another awesome thing is that you set your own base price. If you're a qualified teacher like myself, a good base price to start with is approximately $30/hr (2500 points per 50 minutes).
Other than monetary incentives, a tutor's stats are transparent and automatically updated. If a tutor's number of lessons conducted surpasses the number of students on his or her roster, it's a good sign because it means that students take multiple lessons with that one tutor. So in the beginning, one thing that tutors work toward is getting that favourable ratio going.
Online education platforms are sprouting up everywhere nowadays. However, only a few have truly bloomed and boomed. I'll admit it right now, I'm biased towards one such site called Cafetalk - partly because it's amazing, and partly because I'm the loyal type.
Accessibility: Find work in tough times
Having moved to a new city and being unemployed several months ago, I flirted with the idea of online teaching and checked out some teaching platforms. Cafetalk was my first and only, I was immediately hooked, and I didn't bother trying other sites after I found it.
With limited options in a French speaking province, Cafetalk was the first place to give me a job. And trust me, I applied to loads of places but parce que je ne parle pas français, it was difficult to land anything. Also, my BC teaching licence was still not validated here, so the traditional classroom setting was not an option.
Customer Service: Exemplary
Now, let's talk about the customer service. Top drawer. Superb. The bee's knees. However you want to put it. I've always had a preconception that the Japanese know how to do customer service right, and corresponding with Cafetalk only solidified that preconception.
Once you sign up, they respond promptly with clear, simple instructions on how to set up a time for the interview. I was especially impressed with the automated reminders they send before the meeting. The interview is held over Skype, and whoever interviews you will give you tips and advice on how to succeed as a tutor. Admin and management really dedicate their time to making tutors feel appreciated, welcome, and satisfied - something that some other tutoring sites absolutely do not do. I won't name any names (COUGHbrainfuse! - ahem).
Every time I have a question, the Cafetalk team responds within minutes. They also rectify any problems immediately, and are quick to find answers for you if they don't know something. And do you know what the fat cherry on top is? Even the CEO and co-founder, Ken and Mat, take the time to communicate with tutors in a meaningful way. In what other company are the top guns so relatable and approachable? And for the record, Ken and Mat ain't no joke. They've had loads of big-time press attention in Japan already - watch Ken's interview with Bloomberg here.
Incentives: Fun, motivating and addictive
Now, let's talk incentives. Cafetalk is like a cross between Facebook and video games. They set achievable sales levels, and you basically get an automated raise once you hit certain targets. Another awesome thing is that you set your own base price. If you're a qualified teacher like myself, a good base price to start with is approximately $30/hr (2500 points per 50 minutes).
Other than monetary incentives, a tutor's stats are transparent and automatically updated. If a tutor's number of lessons conducted surpasses the number of students on his or her roster, it's a good sign because it means that students take multiple lessons with that one tutor. So in the beginning, one thing that tutors work toward is getting that favourable ratio going.
Then, there are the tutor ribbons. The "premium" ribbon is the one that serious tutors work toward. If you get this ribbon, you pretty much don't have to worry about whether you'll get enough bookings to pay your bills. Other banners include "new," "recommended," "popular," and "hot" (this one is not what it sounds like, haha). To find out more about ribbons, click here.
Oh yeah, they also give out biannual awards based on a student voting system. Awesome possum, right? Find out more about awards here.
Conclusion: Take a look and have a browse!
There are many other incredible things about Cafetalk, but I've already teetered too close to writing a tome here. I hope this was useful, and happy teaching!
- Dani
Oh yeah, they also give out biannual awards based on a student voting system. Awesome possum, right? Find out more about awards here.
Conclusion: Take a look and have a browse!
There are many other incredible things about Cafetalk, but I've already teetered too close to writing a tome here. I hope this was useful, and happy teaching!
- Dani