{"id":37763,"date":"2025-10-14T16:21:34","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T22:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/?p=37763"},"modified":"2026-02-06T19:16:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T02:16:32","slug":"jersey-from-philippines-thriving-online-english-teacher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/jersey-from-philippines-thriving-online-english-teacher\/","title":{"rendered":"Jersey, From the Philippines, Thriving as an Online English Teacher to Japanese EFL Learners"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Fueled by her passion for the English language and inspired by the teachers who shaped her journey, Bridge grad Jersey Cirineo, from the Philippines, embarked on a career in online English teaching. Currently teaching English for a Japanese online language school, she reflects on the most rewarding moments she has had with her students and shares how she continues to refine her teaching skills, from fostering class participation to selecting the right materials for various age groups to create a more engaging learning experience.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hi Jersey! Could you share a bit about yourself?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m from the Philippines. I grew up here and currently reside here. I have been teaching English online to Japanese learners for about six years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was introduced to online teaching by friends who are also English teachers. I found that I could work from home and part-time, which was preferable for me. When I’m not working, I like to spend my time either reading books or watching my favorite cooking channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also recently completed the 60-Hour Introductory Educator TEFL\/TESOL Certification<\/a> course to gain my first English teaching certificate. I\u2019m also currently using those points I learned from the course in my lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improve your teaching with these 11 tips for new TEFL teachers.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What inspired you to become an English teacher?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I developed an interest in teaching English back in my school days. I always enjoyed my English classes at school because of the group activities, essay-making, discussions, and class reporting. So, I think I have grown a great interest in learning another language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also looked up to my English teachers. Aside from being skillful in teaching the language, they were also very kind in commending my speaking skills. This feedback<\/a> has boosted my confidence in my potential, so I became interested in teaching English as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re new to teaching, you’ll want to get initial training and qualification with a TEFL certificate<\/a>. You can explore our online TEFL courses<\/a> to get started!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where have you taught English?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve taught English on two online English education platforms<\/a>. Currently, I\u2019m teaching for an online English school based in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a><\/div>
Ready to master the terms, technology, and teaching tools used in the virtual EFL classroom?<\/h5>

Specialized Certification in Teaching English Online<\/h3>

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How did you start teaching English in the online classroom?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having no prior professional English teaching experience<\/a>, I started by searching for companies that hire people like me. I applied to several companies, and unfortunately, some of my applications have failed. During the application process, the interviewer would usually provide feedback, and it greatly helped me examine the teaching points I needed to improve, so I kept learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first online English teaching school I got accepted into provided me with the right amount of training and materials during the onboarding process, which helped me succeed in teaching online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wondering how you can start teaching without experience? Read this next: The Ultimate Guide to Teaching English Without a Degree or Experience (Online and Abroad).<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jersey,
As an online English teacher, Jersey enjoys working from the comfort of her home.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How did you land your current English teaching job?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since this is my second English teaching job, I can say that my previous work experience helped me to successfully land this current one. I also prepared for each step in the application process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the screening process, I had to demonstrate my English skills and meet their requirement, which calls for preparation on my part as a non-native English speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After passing, they conducted an interview and had me undergo a demo lesson. Showing a genuine interest in growing and developing also helped. At that time, I hadn\u2019t been teaching English for very long. So I think that it was important to keep on training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn how to answer common online English teaching job interview questions.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you tell us more about your teaching job?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My students are mainly Japanese who seek to learn English for various reasons, such as work, school, immigration, or even just as a hobby. Some learners are children, grade school or high school students, and employees. For that reason, we provide various types of lessons based on the students’ needs or sometimes cater to their special requests. For example, if they have questions about a certain language point, they might request us to design a lesson about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of my students are children and company employees, so I give reading and speaking lessons. Many children begin their English learning by practicing phonology and reading, while adults need to acquire English communication skills for their job, business trips, getting promotions, or personal travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore ways to personalize your English lessons with these effective strategies.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you like best about teaching English online?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teaching English online has perks, and the one I like the most is the convenience. Working from the comfort of my own home saves me from the hassle of daily commuting. I also like that this type of work allows me to maintain a work-life balance and enjoy my other activities, such as volunteering. Of course, I\u2019d also like to experience teaching in a physical classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the moment, I continue to appreciate that I get to teach English to many people of other nationalities, which is something I couldn\u2019t do in my hometown without the opportunity of teaching online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interested in online teaching? Learn more about the Bridge Specialized Certificate in Teaching English Online.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a><\/div>
Kickstart your online teaching career with this free eBook <\/h5>

How to Teach English Online<\/h3>

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How would you describe yourself as an English teacher?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I honestly find it difficult to see what I\u2019m really like as an English teacher. My students often tell me that I speak calmly and gently. During lessons, I do my best to make my students happy by being friendly and creating a relaxed atmosphere to help them feel less nervous. I\u2019m also flexible in adapting new teaching techniques. If I feel that a certain lesson is unsuccessful, I try to reflect on my possible flaws and think of how things can be done better. Often, I apply punctuality at my work too. Though I\u2019m not naturally lively and extroverted, I try to make the lessons as engaging as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at these rules of etiquette for teaching English online and develop your soft skills.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you share a memorable or funny moment that you had as an English teacher?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most of my memorable moments happen when my students express appreciation for my help. I think it was also memorable when, for the first time, one of my students was finally able to read and pronounce a whole English passage independently after months of teaching her reading. She was in the first grade of elementary school and started from scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also find it funny when my young learners are so active in the middle of the lesson that I don’t even need to explain further because they act out the meaning of a word themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You took the 60-Hour Introductory Educator TEFL\/TESOL Certification course<\/a>. Why did you decide to take this course?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I wanted to become a qualified English tutor, so I thought that a TEFL\/TESOL certificate<\/a> would help me achieve that goal. I discovered Bridge\u2019s Introductory Educator course when I searched for the best TEFL courses online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I became interested in the Introductory Educator certification because the website lists the course details and curriculum, which align with my current needs and goals. It is also taken online, so I had the flexibility to complete it at my own pace.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jersey
Jersey teaches English online to her Japanese learners.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How has this course helped you professionally?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The course\u2019s curriculum has taught me the practices of more effective teaching. For example, certain modules in the course provided comprehensive lessons and written assignments on teaching language points using strategies and appropriate materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I especially find the lessons and assignments about the language focus stage helpful, which I have been applying in my lessons. I found it effective because I noticed that it increased my students\u2019 retention of lesson points. Also, applying the teaching points I learned from the course has been helping me see that there is much room for improvement, and it makes me enjoy this work even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also had a lot of takeaways from the course, but I\u2019ll list two:<\/p>\n\n\n