Embark on Learning with Tutor Linda Wehner at LingualNeeds

Adventurous souls are often born with a thirst for exploration, and Linda Wehner exemplifies this spirit. Her innate curiosity and openness to new experiences have not only taken her on remarkable journeys around the globe but also shaped her into a gifted educator.

Five years ago, Linda and her husband Kurt embarked on an adventure, leaving the United States to settle in a stunning off-grid archipelago in Central America. There, Linda found her passion as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, thriving in her new role. However, the onset of the pandemic brought unexpected challenges that transformed their idyllic life.

Today, Linda is embarking on an exciting new journey, and we had the privilege of chatting with her to uncover her inspiring story. In this interview, she shares her plans and reveals how she’s embracing her lifestyle by teaching English online with LingualNeeds.

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Saying goodbye to suburbia

Before embarking on her first major adventure, Linda earned a bilingual education degree with a focus on bicultural studies from the University of Texas. Following her marriage, she and her husband faced an important decision about their future. “We were at a crossroads,” Linda recalls. “Should we pursue the traditional dream of buying a house and settling down, or channel our energy, time, and resources into something more unconventional?”

The choice was challenging: should they embrace the comforts of suburban life or venture into the unknown? Ultimately, the call of adventure proved too enticing to ignore, leading them to the vibrant paradise of Bocas del Toro, Panama.

“We found ourselves in this remote, island-jungle home and community, relying on solar power and rainwater catchment,” she says. 

Naturally, they quickly embraced their new life, finding joy in the fresh experiences it offered. Inspired by her family’s legacy, Linda embarked on her own teaching journey. “Education runs in my veins—my father was a professor at Edison, and my brother teaches science,” she shares.

Linda dedicated her time as a volunteer English teacher for children who couldn’t afford an education. “It was an incredible and fulfilling experience,” she reflects.

The winds of change

Linda shares that teaching can often make you feel anchored in one place. Like many, she used to believe that being an educator meant being tied to a specific location.

“I have always dreamed of finding remote work that would enable me to travel and experience different cultures,” she shares. “It never occurred to me until recently that teaching could be the perfect remote job to help me achieve that dream.”

When the pandemic struck, everything changed. The arrival of coronavirus acted as a turning point for Linda, prompting her to reassess her career. “I joined the ranks of countless teachers who had to transition away from in-person instruction,” she shares. “It was clear that I needed to reinvent myself.”

That’s when she discovered LingualNeeds, a platform that empowered her to teach and work from a remote island—even during global lockdowns.

You can learn more about the benefits of teaching online in our article Why become an online teacher? 

But what attracted her to LingualNeeds? 

Linda emphasizes that the exceptional quality of LingualNeeds was a major draw for her. “Unlike other services, LingualNeeds stands out as a professional and reliable platform,” she explains.

Additionally, she appreciated the flexibility that LingualNeeds provides for its educators. “Unlike some tutoring platforms that monitor your every move and penalize you for not adhering strictly to their guidelines, LingualNeeds offers a wealth of excellent lessons and courses while allowing you the freedom to choose what to incorporate,” she explained. For a creative teacher like Linda, this autonomy is crucial, as it enables her to blend various resources and tailor her lessons to meet the unique needs of her students.

Linda appreciates the robust marketing support that LingualNeeds provides to its tutors. She notes, “The marketing strategy is superior compared to other platforms. With those, you often have to put in extra effort to find work. But with LingualNeeds, opportunities are always available—I owe a big thank you to their marketing team for that!”

You can read more about Linda’s experience teaching on LingualNeeds on her own blog. 

A new beginning on the open waves

When Linda transitioned to remote teaching, she gained the freedom to travel, fulfilling a long-held dream. The pandemic prompted her and her husband to reevaluate their future. “It made everything clearer. With so much uncertainty, we chose to move our plans forward,” she explains. “We’ve always dreamed of sailing around the world, so we decided to take the plunge and put our house on the market.”

Linda and her husband anticipated having several months to prepare for their boat purchase and upcoming trip, but they were taken by surprise.

“The house sold almost instantly—literally, in the blink of an eye,” Linda shares, still surprised by the quick turnaround. “We never saw it coming. Fortunately, we soon discovered the perfect boat, but it was located in Mexico. Even though we weren’t prepared to leave, we knew we had to seize the opportunity and set off.”

Linda has embraced a new lifestyle aboard her boat, sharing the adventure with her husband and their beloved golden retriever, Rigby, who completes their tight-knit family.

“This adventurous lifestyle is thrilling and liberating, yet having a steady income is essential,” she explains. Fortunately, with LingualNeeds, Linda can teach from any location with a reliable internet connection. The platform’s user-friendly scheduling system ensures that her students can easily book classes at times that suit her availability.

Linda has a passion for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. “Meeting individuals from around the globe is truly my favorite aspect of teaching with LingualNeeds,” she shares. “I relish immersing myself in different cultures and gaining authentic insights. Instead of just following the news, I prefer to teach classes and witness the world firsthand!”

At the same time, her students are having a blast! “Thanks to the platform’s flexibility, I can teach while showcasing the various places I’m exploring,” Linda explains. “It truly makes the world my classroom!”

Discover Linda’s amazing lifestyle by subscribing to her YouTube channel, La Vida Gypsea. Dive into her content to learn more about her journey and tips for living your best life. Don’t forget to check her out on Instagram for even more inspiration!

Linda’s advice for new LingualNeeds tutors

In her eight years of teaching, Linda has undergone significant growth as a tutor. “It would be quite ironic for someone who advocates for learning and development to remain unchanged,” she reflects. “I’ve restructured my priorities and transformed my lesson approach to enhance student engagement.”

Linda once leaned heavily on coursebooks during her English lessons. She recalls, “I was uncertain about teaching many topics back then. Now, I feel more at ease and authentic in my approach since I no longer rely on the books as much.”

As a result, she feels a stronger connection with her students, as her classes are customized to meet their unique needs. This personalized approach is essential for Linda, who teaches a diverse range of learners, from beginners to advanced students, including both adults and children, each with their own experiences, goals, and learning styles.

“Initially, managing a diverse group of students in a single day can be challenging,” she explains. “However, they all share a common goal: to gain confidence in their English speaking and interaction skills.”

For Linda, establishing trust from the outset is crucial. She focuses on understanding her students’ language learning goals, interests, and aspirations. “Many people had a negative experience with English in school and struggle with confidence, so I prioritize addressing those feelings right away,” she explains.

How does she foster confidence in her students? For Linda, it starts with positive energy. “Be consistently available to support them,” she emphasizes. “The goal is to help them thrive, learn, and reach their full potential.”

So how should new online tutors approach their lessons?

Pace yourself

“Focus on progress rather than perfection by taking things one step at a time. Start by teaching at a pace that feels comfortable for you. As your confidence grows, you can gradually challenge yourself with more advanced topics, such as business English or exam preparation.”

Reach out to the community

“Don’t go it alone! Join the LingualNeeds community on Facebook, where you can ask questions, seek support, and connect with fellow tutors. It’s a fantastic resource for building relationships and enhancing your tutoring journey!”

Set your own definition of success

“Embrace the journey!” Linda encourages. “When crafting a flexible life, don’t confine yourself to rigid mindsets or rules. Remember, success varies for everyone. For me, it’s about maintaining a lifestyle that allows me to travel the globe. What does success look like for you?”

Learn more about becoming an online tutor at LingualNeeds

Linda’s journey has truly inspired everyone at LingualNeeds. Her passion for exploring the world while enhancing her students’ lives as an online tutor showcases the transformative power of education and adventure.

Are you inspired to explore the globe while sharing your knowledge? If you’re eager to connect with people from diverse countries, we invite you to join our community! Nearly 50,000 tutors have already chosen LingualNeeds as their platform. Discover how you can start your online tutoring journey with us today!