From Teacher to Edupreneur: An Economic Enabler in this Pandemic

Manila, Philippines - Like most millennials these days, Teacher Lyko starts a typical day browsing his social media feeds while sipping his favorite brew, trying to figure out how to juggle another busy day in front of him. And like most millennials, Lyko grew concerned about the negative economic impact the pandemic has brought with it, especially in Pampanga, his hometown. Having been raised with an entrepreneurial mindset, Lyko felt the need to do something to help out people in his community who are struggling to make ends meet.  

“I consider myself lucky because I have an online livelihood which was basically unaffected by the pandemic,” shared Lyko.  

Lyko has been an online English teacher for 51Talk for three years now and conducts live lessons for young English language learners from China. He learned about 51Talk through a friend after he came back to the Philippines from Australia where he studied post-graduate courses in Advanced Business and Individual Support from Stanley College for International Students.

51Talk is an NYSE-listed company and is the leading online English education platform in the Philippines and China. The platform has more than 30,000 home-based online English teachers in the Philippines.  

“51Talk is such a huge blessing not only to me but also to my family financially speaking,” Lyko said. “Having been a 51Talk teacher for a few years now, I’ve witnessed how being with 51Talk can help change lives by allowing people to earn through online English teaching,” he added.

“Teaching English online allowed me to earn throughout the pandemic. I know I had to introduce this opportunity to my community during these trying times especially when I learned that many of my friends lost their jobs. Honestly, I consider this a blessing for everyone,” explained Lyko.  

Lyko knew that many college graduates in his hometown can speak English well, so he ventured into establishing a facility that teachers can use to conduct lessons online, akin to a computer shop or an internet café. “I opened a center so that aspiring 51Talk teachers in my community who have the qualifications, the skills, and passion would be able to teach, develop their skills and earn,” Lyko shared.  

“51Talk is all about empowering Filipinos to be productive and to succeed in this new normal environment,” shared 51Talk Country Head Jennifer Que. “Aspiring teachers who don’t have the resources or means to conduct lessons at home can simply coordinate with one of the 100 plus 51Talk accredited third-party teaching centers across the Philippines to jumpstart their online English teaching journey.”

In early 2020, 51Talk started accrediting third-party centers owned by budding entrepreneurs such as Lyko who opted to invest in a teaching facility to bridge teachers and 51Talk students. The program was well-received in communities and has now grown to over 100 accredited third-party centers in less than a year. These community-based teaching centers are serving thousands of online English teachers nationwide.  

“Community-imposed lockdowns at the height of the pandemic affected many traditional businesses and industries. 51Talk accredited third-party centers, however, are located near or within residential areas which proved to be a successful model,” Ms. Que explained.

Through opening a center in his community, Lyko was able to help people get back on their feet. Aside from teaching, he also mentors new teachers so they can also become successful online English teachers themselves.  

Lyko ends with a hopeful note, as he believed in the spirit of “Bayanihan” through helping his fellow countrymen. “Perhaps one day, the teachers who use my center will be able to put up their own center so they can share this opportunity with others.”