What It Takes to Become a Professional Tutor

This week's listener question comes from Lee, a new online tutor looking for guidance on the difference between community and professional tutoring on italki.

After working at italki as a community tutor, I want to branch out and become a professional tutor. My lessons are extremely structured and informative although I am not a professional teacher so I was wondering as to whether or not I should move to a professional tutor. I think typically professional teachers are seen to be more prepared and knowledgeable. I’m not too sure to be honest. I just know that I love online education!

• What does it mean to act like a professional as a tutor?
• How good do you have to be at a language before you can teach it?
• Why are there community and professional tutors on italki?
• What qualification do you need to get their professional status?
• How can you start going full-time as a professional online language teacher?

Thank you to Gosia for this episode introduction.