BEYOND AND ACROSS ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL INQUIRY OF THE EXPERIENCES OF ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHERS FROM ESL COMPANIES

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to explore the lived experiences of online ESL (English as Second Language) Filipino teachers through a phenomenological inquiry. The participants of this study were seven (7) online ESL Filipino teachers who have been working in the ESL company for at least three years. It was determined from the findings of the study that, initially, what motivated the online ESL Filipino teachers to pursue online English teaching was the salary. But this changed when they got to immerse themselves more in the job, as this job increases their passion for teaching while maintaining their work-life balance. Despite the cultural differences and difficulty in handling their clients, they learned to be more adaptable and flexible in teaching diverse learners. Overall, the ESL teachers acknowledge their work for their holistic development (personal, social, and professional); thus, they find this work a fulfilling job. They further narrated that ESL learners prefer Filipinos' good personalities and language skills.