Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Online English Teacher

🎯 Role Definition

As an Online English Teacher, you will design and deliver high-quality, student-centered English lessons in a virtual classroom environment, assess and report student progress, and cultivate a supportive learning atmosphere that drives measurable language gains. You will use pedagogical best practices and digital tools to teach grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading and writing to diverse learners—from young children to adults—often preparing students for standardized exams (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge) or for business communication. The role requires consistency, clear communication with students and guardians, and a commitment to ongoing professional development in online instruction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Classroom ESL/EFL teacher transitioning to remote delivery
TEFL/TESOL/CELTA-certified freelance tutor or online contractor
Graduate of Education, Linguistics, or English with internship teaching experience

Advancement To:

Senior / Lead Online Teacher or Pedagogical Lead
Curriculum Developer or Content Designer (ESL-focused)
Online Program Manager or Academic Director

Lateral Moves:

Student Success / Academic Support Specialist
Teacher Trainer or Mentor for new online instructors

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan and deliver interactive, outcome-focused online English lessons tailored to individual student proficiency levels, learning objectives, and age groups, using a mix of communicative activities, controlled practice, and formative assessment techniques.
Create clear, multi-week lesson plans and daily class agendas aligned with the program syllabus and learning outcomes, adjusting pacing and materials in real time to accommodate student needs and engagement.
Conduct initial language level assessments and regular progress evaluations using standardized rubrics, diagnostic tests, and formative checks to produce actionable feedback and measurable growth plans for each student.
Prepare learners for standardized English tests (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge FCE/CAE) and internal placement or progress checks by delivering targeted practice, exam strategies, and timed tasks while tracking score improvements.
Deliver one-on-one and group lessons with strong classroom management in the virtual environment, using breakout rooms, polls, whiteboards, and multimedia to maintain attention and promote interaction.
Design, adapt, and curate digital teaching materials (slides, worksheets, audio, video, quizzes) and upload them to the learning management system (LMS) or platform repository for consistent student access.
Provide timely, personalized written and verbal feedback after each lesson that highlights strengths, identifies errors, and prescribes concrete next steps and homework to accelerate language acquisition.
Monitor attendance, lesson completion, and homework submission; proactively contact students or parents about attendance, progress concerns, and strategies to improve engagement and retention.
Use platform tools and CRM systems to schedule lessons, manage bookings, process cancellations, and maintain accurate session logs and records of student interactions.
Track student metrics and learning outcomes in the LMS and generate periodic reports for academic managers, including recommendations for curriculum adjustments or extra support where necessary.
Tailor instruction to special learner needs, differentiating content and scaffolding support for beginner to advanced levels, young learners, adults, and learners with diverse cultural backgrounds.
Promote learner autonomy by setting clear learning goals, assigning purposeful homework, and coaching learners on self-study techniques and language practice outside scheduled lessons.
Participate in onboarding, calibration sessions, and regular teacher meetings to ensure alignment with program pedagogy, assessment standards, and quality assurance benchmarks.
Maintain professional conduct, punctual attendance for scheduled classes, and transparent communication with parents and program coordinators regarding student progress, behavior, and goals.
Implement safeguarding and child protection policies for sessions with minors, maintaining secure virtual environments and reporting concerns following company protocols.
Troubleshoot basic technical issues during lessons (audio/video connectivity, screen sharing, file uploads) and liaise with technical support when escalations are required to minimize lesson disruption.
Engage in continuous professional development by attending workshops, completing certification renewals (TEFL/TESOL/CELTA updates), and integrating evidence-based methodologies into lesson delivery.
Support trial lessons, demo classes, and initial consultations to assess fit, demonstrate teaching approach, and convert trial students into enrolled learners when required.
Contribute to the creation and iterative improvement of assessment items, rubrics, and curriculum modules by providing teacher-side feedback and insights based on classroom outcomes.
Uphold company policies related to privacy, data protection, academic integrity, and intellectual property when handling lesson materials and student information.
Manage classroom behavior and establish clear expectations for respect, participation, and online etiquette, using positive reinforcement strategies and escalation procedures as needed.
Collaborate with colleagues and cross-functional teams (marketing, ops, product) to provide input on course design, student needs, and product enhancements based on classroom experience.

Secondary Functions

Support curriculum pilots and beta testing of new course materials, providing detailed feedback on lesson flow, task difficulty, and learner engagement.
Mentor and peer-observe new or less experienced online teachers, offering constructive coaching on lesson planning, virtual classroom management, and feedback techniques.
Assist with content localization and cultural adaptation of teaching materials for target markets (e.g., Asia, Latin America, Europe) to improve relevance and uptake.
Help develop teacher resources such as rubric banks, homework templates, and multimedia libraries to promote consistency and quality across instructors.
Contribute to recruitment processes by conducting demo lessons for candidate evaluation and participating in interview panels for new teacher hires.
Participate in marketing initiatives such as webinars, open demo sessions, and sample lesson recordings to increase enrollments and brand visibility.
Collect and summarize student satisfaction feedback and learning outcome data to inform academic leadership and product teams.
Maintain up-to-date records of certifications, compliance training, and professional development hours for audit and performance review purposes.
Provide occasional after-hours or weekend classes to accommodate international student time zones, as required by program demand.
Support ad-hoc pilot programs (corporate English, exam prep intensives) by adapting lesson plans and delivering targeted modules upon short notice.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification (minimum 120-hour TEFL or equivalent) or demonstrable accredited training in ESL methodologies.
Proven experience designing and delivering online lessons via Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, or proprietary teaching platforms with integrated whiteboard and breakout room functionality.
Strong lesson planning skills that produce clear learning objectives, warm-ups, controlled and freer practice activities, and measurable outcomes.
Proficiency with Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Moodle, Canvas, or bespoke platforms for uploading materials, tracking progress, and grading assignments.
Experience preparing students for standardized tests (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge) including test format knowledge, scoring criteria, and targeted test strategies.
Ability to create and adapt digital teaching resources: slides, PDFs, interactive quizzes, audio recordings, and short video explainers.
Comfort using assessment tools, online quiz builders (Quizlet, Kahoot), and digital rubrics to evaluate and track learner performance.
Familiarity with CRM/scheduling tools used by online schools (Calendly, Acuity, proprietary booking systems) and accurate record keeping of lesson logs and billing notes.
Basic audio/video troubleshooting skills and familiarity with microphones, webcams, and bandwidth optimization for uninterrupted lessons.
Strong literacy in remote classroom management tools: virtual whiteboards, screen sharing, breakout rooms, and engagement features (polls, reactions).
Data-entry and reporting skills to maintain student profiles, attendance records, progress reports, and to generate analytics for academic review.

Soft Skills

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, able to explain complex grammar points in clear, accessible language.
Cultural sensitivity and the ability to adapt tone and examples to diverse international audiences.
Patience and empathy to support learners at different confidence and proficiency levels, including correcting errors constructively.
Strong time management and punctuality, managing multiple student schedules and delivering lessons on time across time zones.
Creativity in lesson design and the ability to make material engaging using games, role-play, and authentic materials.
Resilience and adaptability to iterate teaching approaches in response to feedback or shifting program needs.
Professionalism and reliability in communication with students, parents, and academic management.
Active listening and diagnostic skills to identify proficiency gaps and design targeted remediation.
Growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning, keeping up with ESL research and digital pedagogy trends.
Collaborative mindset to work closely with curriculum teams, mentors, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in any field required; preference for degrees in English, Education, Linguistics, or related disciplines.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Education, Applied Linguistics, TESOL, English Language or equivalent.
CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL preferred for roles focused on structured methodology and exam preparation.

Relevant Fields of Study:

English, Applied Linguistics, TESOL, Education
Communication Studies, Child Development, Psychology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of classroom or online ESL/EFL teaching experience; many employers accept 1 year of experience plus a recognized certification.

Preferred: 2+ years of online teaching experience with demonstrated success in lesson planning, virtual classroom management, and preparing students for exams or business English outcomes.