How does the whole thing work?
After you've become a tutor and installed the app on your mobile phone, you will start receiving
speaking requests from students online.
All you have to do is press the accept button and start the conversation session. Both sides may hang up at
any point although some courtesy
will be appreciated. You will find in the “earnings” section in the App how much you've been paid for this
session.
Becoming an Oralingo tutor
Is prior teaching experience necessary?
No, as long as you speak standard English with a fair amount of education, and have the patience to work with
learners of the language, that is sufficient. But it's definitely a bonus if you do have some teaching
experience, particularly working with international students.
How do you screen tutor applications?
We consider a selection of factors to decide if a candidate is suitable, which include but are not limited
to, the standard of spoken English, the self-intro video, education background etc.
What are the specialising tags?
Most of our students just want to practise general English with a native speaker. However, there are
those who have specific needs such as preparing for an IELTS exam, requiring academic English to support
an application to a British university etc. Basically, the "tags" are roles to meet custom needs.
I've applied for both General English and IELTS English which represent different pay rates. How does the system pay me?
If a student launches a conversation from the General English section, this is a request for a casual
chat to practise English. In this case, payment is at the General English rate. If the student launches
a conversation from the IELTS English section, this is a request for a conversation specifically about
the IELTS exam and payment is then at the IELTS English rate.
Pay and rates
Although no specific professional experience is required for you to start with, the hourly rate is based
on your experience and any particular expertise such as IELTS English etc.
The Rates are as follows -
How are my earnings calculated?
It's an earn-as-you-go scheme which pays the tutor based on the time spent online with students. Rates
are based on 1-minute unit, meaning your actual time spent will be rounded up to the 1-minute unit.
You may click the withdraw button any time in your "wallet" and follow the simple steps to instruct your withdrawl. Payouts are made on 1st and 15th of each month.
How do I get a higher rate?
You can achieve a higher rate by improving your star rating. Spending more time online with students is
the easiest path to a higher rating. Student feedback matters greatly too.
Use of the App and tutoring
The entire service is smart phone based, which offers flexibility for both learners and tutors in that they may get connected anywhere they wish, in a lounge, garden, even during a walk in the park. The speaking request may come in any time of the day as long as your Oralingo App is online.
This is fundamentally different from a pre booked conversation or a fixed time course where you can sit in front of a PC.
Do I get disturbed when I'm in the middle of something?
No, this will not happen. When you don't want to be disturbed by incoming requests, you simply switch
the App to off-line status, so students will not see you online and won't send you a request.
How do I start a conversation?
The app encourages the student to pick a topic before the practice begins, so you both know roughly what
to talk about. If the learner just wants a casual chat without a specific topic to start with, you just
follow the student's opening line, much the same as you chat to any friend.
Am I expected to correct the student during a conversation?
We appreciate you may not be a trained teacher of English. The student would expect you help lead the
practice conversation, and correct his/her pronunciation and grammar, occasionally and softly, all in a
fairly casual and friendly way.
How do I handle any unacceptable or abusive behaviour?
We take a firm stand against abusive behaviour and unacceptable language. In the case of abuse of any kind,
you simply cut off the conversation and press the complaint button to alert us. We'll get to it asap.
All conversations are recorded to assure quality.
Can I reach a student that I had conversation with?
No. We try to keep the App away from becoming a social media platform. In some countries where the
students live social media is strictly regulated and controlled.
Can I exchange phone numbers and emails with a student?
No. Sorry but we do not allow our tutors to do so. We intend to keep the App away from becoming a social
media platform as in some countries where the students live social media is strictly regulated and
controlled.
What if I really have to go in the middle of a conversation?
We would always prefer that you conclude any conversation. However, if you really have to leave, you
should say something courteous to the student and hang up. The students have all be made aware that
occasions like this may happen and won't take offence.