My Online Teaching Chapter: Teaching English Without Borders

When I first stepped into a physical classroom in Taiwan more than twenty years ago, I never imagined that one day I’d be delivering thousands of English lessons to professionals around the globe—all from my home office.

Yet here I am, more than 8,300 online lessons later, firmly planted in what has become one of the most rewarding and impactful phases of my TEFL journey.

My online teaching journey began nearly seven years ago, when I decided to expand my teaching beyond the traditional classroom. I joined respected platforms like Education First, Hujiang Ed Tech (Hi Talk), and italki, delivering tailored ESL, EFL, and Business English lessons to students from Russia, China, the U.S., and beyond. These early years were invaluable—I mastered virtual classroom tools, learned how to adapt to different cultural expectations online, and refined the art of delivering high-impact training through a screen.

As a freelance ESL instructor and corporate language trainer, I collaborated with global giants in the EFL world. With Education First and Hujiang, I focused on providing customized English training for professionals who needed practical language skills they could use immediately—whether that meant mastering business presentations, preparing for international interviews, or handling complex negotiations in English. These partnerships strengthened my ability to tailor every lesson to the unique goals of each learner.

In 2019, I took the leap to specialize my online teaching even further by joining Skyeng, the largest Russian online English learning platform. Since then, I’ve delivered more than 7,300 lessons to over 185 Russian corporate professionals, primarily from the fast-paced IT sector. Many of my students come to me to sharpen their English for business meetings, presentations, job interviews, or even public speaking—critical skills in today’s global economy.

My students have included medical doctors, IT specialists, university lecturers, engineers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business owners from world-renowned companies such as:
Adidas Group, Atradius, ERG, Zeptolab, Behavox, Tabby, Krastsvetmet, Rocket Jump, Reckitt Benckiser, EPAM Systems, Flo Health, Nestlé, Align Technology, Miro, Luxoft, Deutsche Bank, McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, Novartis Pharma, Kraft Heinz, Decathlon, Kuehne + Nagel, Leroy Merlin, Playrix, IQ Option, Propeller Ads, Veeam — and so many more.

It has been an enriching experience guiding such a diverse group of learners, each with their own goals, challenges, and ambitions. Whether it’s refining business English, preparing for negotiations, building presentation skills, or mastering industry-specific vocabulary, I feel privileged to help these professionals grow, succeed, and connect globally through English.

Skyeng’s Interactive Vimbox platform has been key to my ability to deliver consistenSkyeng’s Vimbox platform has truly transformed how I teach online. Unlike typical setups that rely on third-party tools, Skyeng offers its own integrated video conferencing system, complete with interactive whiteboards, built-in homework, and real-time progress tracking.

Vimbox includes a comprehensive curriculum covering General English, Business English, Conversational English, and a wide range of ESP (English for Specific Purposes) courses—each packed with up-to-date, interactive lesson materials that keep students engaged.

This all-in-one system allows me to focus on what matters most: adapting every session to each learner’s goals and industry context, making sure every lesson is relevant, practical, and effective from start to finish.

What keeps this chapter exciting is the sheer diversity of the learners I meet. I’ve guided seasoned executives looking to expand internationally, young professionals preparing for life-changing interviews, and students wanting to boost their confidence in everyday conversation. Each story is unique—but they all share a common thread: the belief that mastering English can open doors and transform careers.

If the last few years have proven anything, it’s that online education is here to stay. The pandemic made virtual learning essential, but its benefits—flexibility, reach, and personalization—make it an enduring part of modern education. Teaching online has given me the freedom to work from anywhere, the stability to build long-term relationships with students, and the chance to keep innovating how I deliver value as an educator.

Today, I continue to coach corporate professionals, helping them communicate confidently, present persuasively, and take the next steps in their global careers. With over 8,300 lessons delivered and counting, this chapter is still unfolding—one learner, one lesson at a time.

If you’re curious about the bigger picture of my teaching journey—from my early days in Taiwan and China to the oilfields of Iraq and my remote classroom today—be sure to explore the rest of My TEFL Journey on my website.

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