Are you an online teacher looking to attract higher-paying clients? Do you want to personalize your lessons efficiently, keep your students engaged, and maximize your income?
Let’s talk about how customizing your lessons helps you stand out and earn more—without burning out or spending hours planning.
Why Customization is Key
Most online teachers start out using company-provided, pre-made lessons from platforms like VIPKid or PalFish. While convenient, these materials often fall short when it comes to meeting the unique needs of each student.
But here’s the truth: not all students learn the same way.
Let’s say you have two students working through the same lesson. One needs two sessions to master it, while the other is done in half the time. Customizing your lessons helps you adapt, making sure every student gets what they need—and keeping them coming back.
Streamlining Lesson Preparation
Personalization doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Yes, tailoring lessons for every student sounds time-consuming—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools, you can save time and boost your value.
Many online teachers rely on curriculum platforms to strike a balance between structure and customization. You don’t have to create everything from scratch—just tweak what’s already working.
Where to Find Customizable Curriculum
Here are some trusted curriculum providers that allow for easy personalization:
- Abridge Academy – Interactive and flexible lessons designed specifically for online ESL teachers.
- Teachers Together English – Offers high-quality English curriculum designed with flexibility and personalization in mind.
- Young Learners Curriculum – Designed for young students, with engaging content you can adapt to fit each learner.
- Twinkl – A huge library of worksheets, presentations, and activities for a wide range of subjects and ages.
- Florentis Learning – Offers professional-level ESL courses with a structured, modern curriculum ideal for intermediate to advanced learners.
Mix and match resources from these sites to build a custom experience that fits your teaching style and your students’ needs.
Smart Personalization Strategies
Here are three simple strategies that help you personalize lessons efficiently:
1. Understand Student Goals
Start by asking: What does this student want to achieve? Conversational fluency? Exam prep? Reading confidence? Knowing their goal helps you shape the lesson from day one.
2. Check Progress Often
Don’t wait until the end of the lesson to evaluate. Quick check-ins and comprehension questions during class give you instant feedback—and let you adjust your approach on the fly.
3. Ask for Feedback
Students (and parents) can tell you what’s working and what’s not. A quick message asking “How did you like class today?” can give you insights that make the next lesson even better.
Common Customization Mistakes
Avoid these traps that can slow you down or turn students off:
- Relying too much on scripts: You’ll lose engagement if every class feels the same.
- Ignoring feedback: If a student is bored, confused, or struggling—it’s a sign to adapt.
- Overcomplicating things: Keep lessons focused. Too many goals = overwhelm for both of you.
The Role of Continuous Growth
Customization is a skill—and like any skill, it improves over time. Stay curious. Try new strategies. Keep an eye out for tools that make your life easier and your lessons better.
Some of my favorite tools include Book Creator and Twinkl. Start simple and build as you go.
Looking to take personalization even further? Try incorporating project-based learning (PBL) into your lessons. PBL encourages students to take ownership of their learning by solving real-world problems or completing creative projects. It’s a fantastic way to make your lessons more meaningful and memorable.
If you’re new to this approach, check out my blog post on How to Transform Your Online Lessons with Project-Based Learning for tips, examples, and inspiration.
Watch the Training
Want to see how to do it in real time? Watch this lesson breakdown on YouTube.
Your Next Steps
You’re ready to make your lessons stand out—so here’s what to do next:
- Check out the curriculum options above. Choose the ones that match your student goals and teaching style.
- Grab free trials or starter plans from the curriculum providers listed above. Most of them—including Abridge Academy, Teachers Together English, and Young Learners Curriculum—offer free plans or samples so you can test them out before committing. above.
- Start customizing small. Use your existing lessons and just tweak a few examples or activities to match student interests.
- Talk to your students. Ask about their goals, check in regularly, and adjust as needed.
This is how you grow your confidence, build better lessons, and attract the kinds of clients who stay long-term—and pay premium rates.
Final Thought
Customization isn’t just good for students—it’s good for you. It makes your job more rewarding, your teaching more effective, and your business more profitable.
You’ve got this. Let’s make your lessons unforgettable.
Disclaimer
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly believe in.
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