Cracking the code to a successful career as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, Kinga Czernik's trailblazing entrepreneurial journey is a page-turner. The seamless integration of motherhood and a gratifying profession set the stage for this dynamic ESL teacher's enthralling narrative.
Kinga Czernik's journey as an ESL teacher began during her university days when she saw an opportunity to tutor English in Poland, where she was studying journalism. She quickly realized the potential of this career path and started to explore various opportunities that came her way. Eventually, she transitioned from working at a language school to teaching her own lessons for her own clients. This move provided her with the independence she desired as a mother, but it also came with its own set of challenges, such as face-to-face teaching and travelling across the city to meet her clients.
However, as Kinga's family grew and she moved to a smaller town, she realized that her current teaching model was not sustainable. This realization led her to explore the world of online teaching, which was booming at the time. In 2016, she attended a training on how to teach online and learned about the high rates and favourable working hours offered by Chinese companies. Intrigued by the possibilities, she decided to give it a try and was soon hired by a Chinese platform.
Working for a Chinese company provided Kinga with several advantages. The high rates and payments in US dollars were particularly appealing, especially as she was building her house and needed the extra income. The flexible working hours also allowed her to balance her teaching commitments with her responsibilities as a mother. She could work in the mornings and afternoons, leaving her evenings free to spend time with her children.
However, the demands of teaching for a Chinese company were intense. Kinga found herself teaching up to 70 hours per week, often back-to-back. While the financial rewards were significant, the workload took a toll on her physical and mental well-being. Nevertheless, she persevered because she believed that loyalty to one company would lead to long-term success.
According to Kinga, "I made a decision at that moment to go independent. Because I didn't want to be put in that position again where someone was going to take the money that I had earned or just put me in a risky situation. I just figured that taking the risk by going independent once and building that was enough instead of always depending on the next company."
Unfortunately, Kinga's loyalty and dedication were put to the test when the Chinese government implemented the double reduction policy, which effectively banned online tutoring overnight. This sudden policy change had far-reaching consequences for Kinga and many other teachers. The company she worked for started reducing wages, not paying teachers, and even exploiting them by forcing them to work for lower rates.
The implications of the double reduction policy were devastating. Teachers like Kinga, who had invested their time and energy into building their careers with Chinese companies, suddenly found themselves without a stable income. The uncertainty and financial strain were overwhelming, and many teachers were left feeling betrayed and exploited. Reflecting on this challenging period, Kinga shares, "The biggest challenge was definitely the uncertainty. And what's really interesting, in some ways were we blindsided by the double reduction policy? Yes. But now looking back, I could have seen the signs coming because there were always new requirements to be met.
Despite the challenges posed by the double reduction policy, Kinga demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. She refused to be defeated by the circumstances and decided to take matters into her own hands. Drawing on her experience and expertise, she set up her own English teaching business in the Chinese market. By leveraging her knowledge of the Chinese market and her understanding of the needs and preferences of aspiring teachers, Kinga was able to carve out a niche for herself. Through her Instagram page, she provides valuable guidance and support to aspiring teachers looking to navigate the Chinese market. Her success story serves as a beacon of hope for others who may find themselves in similar situations. Kinga's journey highlights the importance of adaptability in the face of unexpected policy changes.
When it comes to getting demo classes and converting potential students, Kinga emphasizes the importance of posting attractive content on social media platforms for the Chinese audience. She explains, "You can't market your classes. You can't just be like, 'Hey, I teach English, sign up for my classes.' You have to provide value first. You have to give them something that they find interesting or useful. And then they'll be more likely to want to learn from you."
Kinga also discusses the tools and resources she uses to streamline her teaching process. Kinga Czernik's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. Her story serves as an invaluable guide for teachers looking to embark on their entrepreneurial journey in the international ESL market. If you're as intrigued as we are by Kinga's compelling narrative and keen on unlocking more secrets to thriving as an entrepreneurial ESL teacher, tune into the full podcast episode of the Knowledge Entrepreneurs Show to hear her complete story and gain insights directly from the stalwart herself.
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