This is the eighth interview in our thought-leadership series featuring teachers at 51Talk. Online job reviews often focus on negative stories, but many positive experiences go unreported. The interview below shares how teaching online for 51Talk made a meaningful difference in one educator’s life. For more teacher stories, see the list of previous interview titles at the end of this piece. If you have questions, please leave a comment below.
We are pleased to introduce Kelly Carson, an online educator with 51Talk.
Kelly, tell us about your educational background. Did you begin teaching in public school, and how was that transition?
I hold degrees in Deaf Education and Elementary Education from Barton College in North Carolina. During college I gained hands-on experience in both a Deaf Education classroom and a fourth-grade classroom, and I worked with a tutoring company teaching small groups of students across different levels. After graduating, I accepted a position in a public school working in deaf education, where I taught for two years before moving to a fifth-grade reading and language arts classroom. In total I spent three years as a full-time classroom teacher.
When my husband began his own teaching career we moved to another state and I stepped back from full-time teaching to work as a substitute. Substituting gave me classroom variety and fewer administrative duties, though a series of long-term substitute assignments later brought me back into heavier paperwork. Around that time my husband and I were also navigating infertility, buying a home, and adjusting to new family members. I needed time to recover emotionally while still contributing financially, and that period ultimately led me to explore other work options before I discovered 51Talk.
How did you discover the opportunity to teach for 51Talk?
I first saw a 51Talk advertisement on Facebook while trying to build a direct sales business. That business didn’t succeed, but being active online brought the 51Talk ad to my attention. Initially skeptical, my husband and I decided I should give it a try—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made.
What does a typical teaching day look like for you?
My workday starts very early. I wake around 3:00 a.m. and begin teaching at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time, usually finishing my core block around 10:30 a.m. Some mornings I work as a standby substitute for the first few hours, which means I often meet students I haven’t taught before and must jump into lessons with little prep time. After that, I teach a regular roster of students—children aged about four to twelve, with the occasional adult in my last time slot. Each class is 25 minutes long; I teach with energy, complete a quick memo after each session, then move on to the next student. This structure lets me focus on teaching without the administrative burden of a traditional classroom.
How does teaching ESL online differ from teaching in a live classroom?
Online ESL teaching is distinct from classroom instruction in several ways. Most of my lessons are one-on-one, which reduces distractions and allows me to tailor each session to the student’s pace and interests. The format keeps every class fresh and engaging; there’s a lot of variety day to day. Technical issues can occur, but I’ve become comfortable troubleshooting and have found that, with today’s classroom technology, some in-person tech problems can be worse. Overall, the online environment can be highly effective and emotionally rewarding, especially for teachers who enjoy building individualized connections with learners.
What advice would you give other educators considering a role with 51Talk?
Be prepared to work hard and stay flexible. Classroom experience helps: teachers who have handled the urgency and time management of live classrooms often adapt to 25-minute online lessons more easily. Start slowly—when I began I taught about seven lessons a day with breaks, and over time I increased my schedule. Relationship-building is essential. Students learn faster when they enjoy the lesson and like their teacher, so focus on rapport, enthusiasm, and fun.
What do you enjoy most about cross-cultural teaching?
I love learning how American and Chinese cultures are both different and similar. Teaching across cultures has reinforced my belief that people are more alike than we sometimes imagine. Those shared qualities make teaching fulfilling and help foster meaningful connections.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
“51Talk truly saved me.”
This role allowed me to continue doing what I love—teaching—without the emotional and administrative pressures of full-time classroom work. It gave me space to be present with family and to heal during a difficult period. For me, it has been the best job I’ve ever had.
About Kelly:
Kelly, Online Teacher at 51Talk
My name is Kelly Carson. I have worked with 51Talk since August 2016. I live in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with my husband, our pig, and our puggle. Before joining 51Talk I taught full-time for three years and worked as a substitute for three years. My academic background is in Deaf and Elementary Education.
Please note that these interviews are voluntary: teachers are not paid to share their experiences. If you have questions or comments, leave them below and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
Read more interview titles from our series:
– The Many Benefits of Teaching Online
– The Best Teachers Teach from the Heart, Not from the Book
– How This Teacher Is Finding True Joy in Her Profession
If you are interested in teaching for 51Talk, visit 51Talk’s information page to learn more about their application process and opportunities.