When Challenge Drives Aspiration

A move that started out of curiosity became a way for teacher Celine to help her community. After becoming a 51Talk Third-Party Accredited Center owner, she built her teaching center called Jocelyn Training Center located in Roxas City, Capiz last March. Since then, the center has become a means for a few local teachers to work safely and earn during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, it was not easy to build and grow her center. Teacher Celine started as a TESDA student who also tried working as a teacher before teaching at 51Talk. Unfortunately, the pay was not enough for her, so she decided to resign. However, time passed and she felt bored. Coincidentally, one of her classmates introduced 51Talk to her.

Teacher Celine became interested and researched about the platform and how to get in. She also learned about 51Talk’s Third-Party Center Accreditation Program (TPCAP) where 51Talk partners with teachers or entrepreneurs to not only supply the high demand for online EFL teachers but also provide teaching opportunities to educators across the Philippines. Fortunately, teacher Celine has a huge space suitable for a teaching center. That’s when she decided to open a center and get it officially recognized as a 51Talk Third-Party Accredited Center.

However, getting her center certified was just the first of many challenges for teacher Celine. For one, getting the right equipment was a struggle for her in the beginning. Her friend already had five computers available, but they did not pass the technical check. Also, they had several applicants, but none of the applicants owned any computer equipment. To resolve this, teacher Celine had to borrow money to buy laptops so that the teachers could start teaching.

On top of these, it was a big challenge to get along with her fellow teachers due to their differences. However, teacher Celine is grateful that this is all in the past now. She says, “Since we began this journey, there have been a lot of changes [in] our teachers. We have gone through ups and downs together. That is why we stayed united despite our individual differences.” She also notes that her fellow teachers are now more driven and focused and that they have all grown as a whole.

Despite all of these difficulties, teacher Celine did not give up. Instead, these obstacles spurred her to grow her center. So after overcoming all the challenges at the start of their journey, teacher Celine is now successfully managing 25 teachers. Since the beginning, her center has provided teaching opportunities to all its teachers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The center’s biggest achievement is the fact that they can help their teachers earn a higher income and become financially stable. Because of the center, their teachers can provide sufficiently for their respective families. Ultimately, her center has been able to create work opportunities for her community.

For all aspiring center owners, teacher Celine has a few tips and words of encouragement.

“Strive hard! It’s good to have your own building for housing teachers, but it’s important to have computers first. It’s also important to have back-ups for equipment, Internet, and electricity. If it’s really for you, then it’s gonna come to you. Just remember to save money, get a back-up generator, and apply as a third-party center.”

As you can see from teacher Celine’s story, it’s not an easy feat to start your teaching center. Aside from all the requirements needed, it takes dedication and hard work to build your center, grow with your teachers, and help your community in turn.

In these trying times, 51Talk encourages entrepreneurs and teacher-entrepreneurs to be part of 51Talk’s Third-Party Center Accreditation Program. Together, you and 51Talk can help aspiring teachers to teach at home, work in a safe environment, and provide for their families. Become a 51Talk Third-Party Accredited Center owner today and create opportunities tomorrow.