Conor Chaney interview: English teacher

Conor is an established freelance English teacher for years. His classes are always remote, since he can be considered a digital nomad. He is from Ireland but is currently living in Brazil and has plans to live throughout Southeast Asia for a time soon. These are the advantages that technology has allowed us, he can continue teaching classes by video call from anywhere in the world as long as he has access to the internet, today something quite simple. On the other hand, it is also very comfortable for students, from the sofa at home they can have personalised English classes with a native speaker, they simply have to contact him, see when it suits each one and click on the link for the class. 

Interview

Why did you decide to become a remote teacher? 

Becoming a remote teacher was never really part of my life’s plan

Becoming a remote teacher was never really part of my life’s plan. It sort of fell into it, as I was moving to Brazil in order to get married to my wife. I was looking to work online as I wanted to take as many precautions as I could in regards to the covid 19 situation. I also wanted to do something new, would challenge and keep me engaged. It just so happened that becoming a remote English teacher fit perfectly with all these goals. So I wasted no time jumping into it. It has been an incredibly exciting time for me, learning and progressing as a teacher. I couldn’t be happier with my choice.

What are the advantages for the student of giving the classes online?

The main advantage of an online class for students is that they can fit the classes around their own schedule. I have given classes successfully to people on their lunch breaks in work or literally wherever the students are I am able to be there. To help them with their English language goals.

How many hours of classes do you usually teach each week? 

I make myself available for about 45 hours a week and I normally teach between 40 or 43 hours each week. I try my best to spread the work-load over the entire week but It’s not easy arranging my schedule to match all my students. I am always aware of the possibility of over working and getting burnt out. It’s a constant threat to be managed.

What do you like most about your job?

The thing that I like most about my job is that I am able to set my own hours. I can just arrange my classes with my students. For example in my previous jobs it has always been difficult to get time-off. When working for myself I can communicate with my students my movements and we can arrange when the next class will be with no interruptions to their learning goals.

Through which platform do you prefer to teach the classes? 

I take advantage of the google platform for all my classes. I use Google Meets for video calling. I use google classrooms with my students to keep track of the material for the lessons as well as this I integrate the use of google slides for the lectures that take place in my classes. I also use google documents to help my students with their interview preparation.

What is the typical profile of your students? 

The profile of my students was at the start anyone, but now I have become more specific with the people that I teach. The type of student that I seek to attract are people who are at the level of B2 looking to go quickly to C1. I normally work with people who want to have some sort of professional career. I am able to quickly enhance their vocabulary as well as spot any mistakes that they make in relation to grammar. From there we work really hard at being able to confidently express yourself in English.

What do you think of the Leindu professionals website? 

It seems to me that it offers a very high quality service, it is incredible that it is totally free. It is a very easy way to get clients, you just have to register, give information about yourself and the service you are going to offer. On the one hand, there is nothing to lose, on the other the possibilities for success are endless. 

Conor has recently registered on Leindu offering their English classes service. You can contact him here.

Conor is an example of what you can find in in our website, qualified professionals from all over the world, offering face-to-face or remote services.