01 · Welcome
Who we are
Manfriday has taught Korean students English online since 2016. Every lesson is 1:1 on Zoom, with the same teacher at the same time every week. Students come to us to speak, not to memorize.
Video on, always. No audio-only lessons.
Korean learners from young kids to working adults.
You keep the same students on the same days and times.
Opinions, ideas and real talk. Short word and grammar help, then back to talking.
Students take 2, 3 or 5 lessons a week.
Negotiable, based on your experience and your videos or test lesson. Paid on the 10th.
Who does well here
- ✓You enjoy listening as much as talking, and you ask good follow-up questions.
- ✓You are punctual and reliable. Our students plan their week around you.
- ✓You can switch between an energetic kids' lesson and a thoughtful adult discussion.
- ✓You have a quiet room, a stable wired connection and a backup plan.
02 · How to Apply
Send one email. No interview.
We decide based on your videos, so good recordings are the fastest way in.
Who can apply
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor's degree (4-year college or higher) REQUIRED |
| Major | English or Education majors preferred |
| Certificate | TESOL, TEFL or a teaching license preferred |
| Experience | Not required. First-time teachers are welcome to apply |
What to send
| Item | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Resume | Updated, PDF or Word | REQUIRED |
| Self-introduction video | 1–2 minutes. Face on camera, speaking naturally. Tell us who you are and how you teach. New students watch this video before booking a demo lesson with you. If it isn't clear enough for students, we may ask you to record a new one. | REQUIRED |
| Real class video: adult student | A short clip of a real lesson with an adult learner | Highly recommended |
| Real class video: kid student | A short clip of a real lesson with a child | Highly recommended |
Where to send it
Subject line: [Application] Your Full Name – Manfriday Teacher
Large video files
Gmail attachments stop at 25 MB. For bigger files, upload the video to Google Drive and share the link with “Anyone with the link can view”, or upload it to YouTube as Unlisted and paste the link.
Before you hit send
Open each link in a private browser window to make sure it plays without asking for permission. Links we cannot open can't be reviewed.
What happens next
Apply
Email your resume and videos.
Review
We watch your videos and check your setup.
Test lesson
Only if needed. No interview.
Result by email
Pass or not, you'll hear from us.
Contract & start
Sign, get your timetable, meet your students.
03 · Schedule & Setup
Same students, same time, every week
This is a regular schedule, not a booking system. Once a student is assigned to you, that slot is yours every week. We always talk in Korea time (KST). KST is one hour ahead of Philippine time (PHT).
Working hours
| Slot | Days | Korea (KST) | Philippines (PHT) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak hours | Mon–Fri | 17:00 – 22:00 | 16:00 – 21:00 | MANDATORY |
| Morning & afternoon | Mon–Fri | Arranged with your manager | Optional | |
Korean public holidays
No lessons. You don't teach on Korean holidays.
Philippine holidays
Lessons continue as normal. To take the day off, tell your manager 2 weeks ahead (it counts as a day-off).
Your setup
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Platform | Zoom (latest version) |
| Internet | Wired DSL or fiber, at least 6 Mbps, plus a stable backup connection (e.g. pocket Wi-Fi or mobile data) |
| Headset | Noise-cancelling headset with microphone |
| Camera | HD webcam. Your face must be clearly visible for the whole lesson |
| Room | Quiet, well-lit home office. No background noise or people walking by |
| Power | A reliable backup power source (UPS, power bank for router, etc.) |
04 · How We Teach
Students talk. You listen, ask, and correct.
Most of our students have already studied vocabulary and grammar for years. They come to Manfriday to use English. Your job is to have a real conversation with them, get them speaking as much as possible, and show them how to say it better. Our lessons are a tool for that conversation, not a script.
Four ground rules
1. Camera on, always MUST
Every lesson is a 1:1 Zoom video call. Audio-only lessons are not allowed for you or the student.
2. Conversation first
Build every lesson around a real conversation. Word, pattern and grammar practice is fine, but keep it short and move back to talking.
3. Ask follow-up questions
Don't take a short answer and move on. Ask about what the student just said so they say more. The more they talk, the more you can correct with x) / o). The student should speak more than you do.
4. Correct in the chat MUST
Type the student's mistakes and the corrected sentence in the Zoom chat during the lesson. See the format below.
The correction format MUST
When a student says something wrong or unnatural, type what they said after x), then the correct or more natural version right below it after o). Keep the conversation going while you type, then review the list together at the end.
How many corrections?
| Student level | Per lesson |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 5 or more |
| Intermediate | 2 or more |
| Advanced | 1 or more |
The lower the level, the more corrections. These are the minimum per lesson: 5 for beginners, 2 for intermediate, 1 for advanced. For advanced students, correct toward more natural, native-like expressions, not just errors.
From the chat to the student's review
Your x) / o) lines don't stay in Zoom. You save them on our materials site, and the student can review them later.
Type in the Zoom chat
While the student talks, type x) what they said and o) the better sentence. Keep the conversation going.
Say it again
At the end, the student reads each o) sentence aloud.
Copy and paste
After class, copy the x) / o) lines from the chat and paste them into the box at the bottom of the lesson page. Tap Save to student summary.
Student reviews
The sentences appear in the student's account, in My classes and on that lesson, ready to review.
How a lesson feels
Every lesson is different. With or without our materials, a good lesson usually goes like this:
| Part | What you do |
|---|---|
| Start talking | Ask about their day, week or weekend. Get them talking right away. |
| Real conversation | Talk about the topic or the lesson. Follow the student's answers with real follow-up questions. Type corrections as they speak. |
| Review corrections | Go through the chat list. Have the student read each o) sentence aloud. |
| Wrap-up | Short praise with one specific thing to work on next time. |
Asking better questions
| Instead of… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Did you like the movie? | What was the best part of the movie, and why? |
| Is school fun? | If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be? |
| Do you like your job? | What's harder about your job than people think? |
| Is Seoul expensive? | How would you explain living costs in Seoul to a foreigner? |
Kids and adults
| Kids | Adults | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Bright, friendly, lots of praise | Calm, respectful, like a conversation partner |
| Questions | Short and concrete: school, friends, games, food | Opinions and experiences: work, travel, news, life in Korea |
| Corrections | Simple sentences, read aloud together | Natural, business-ready expressions |
| Watch out for | Short answers. Help them build full sentences | Shyness. Give them time to think before jumping in |
Do and don't
- ✓Be in Zoom and ready before the lesson starts
- ✓Let the student speak more than you
- ✓Type corrections in x) / o) format
- ✓Use the full lesson time
- ✓Speak about times in KST
- ✕Turn your camera off or teach audio-only
- ✕Give long grammar lectures or read long word lists
- ✕Ask for phone numbers or any personal contact
- ✕Talk about your contract, pay or company matters
- ✕Bring up sexual or violent content
05 · Demo Lessons
10 minutes to win a new student
New students watch your introduction video and book a 10-minute demo lesson with you. Demo lessons are not paid. After the demo, the student decides whether to sign up for regular lessons with you. Those 10 minutes are your chance to show why your lessons are worth it.
How a demo works
You get the info
Your manager sends “New Student Information” in the Zoom chat.
Add the student
Add the student as a Zoom contact right away.
Message 1
Tell your manager when the student accepts. Not yet? Check 1 day, 6 hours and 3 hours before.
Message 2
Call from the chat at the exact time. Tell your manager the demo started.
Message 3
Finish on time. Tell your manager the demo is finished.
The message you will get
[New Student Information] Name : Lee Seoyun Zoom ID : student@example.com Regular Class Schedule : Monday, Wednesday / 20:00-20:30 KST Age : Teenager (2nd year of middle school) 📌 Demo Lesson : Wednesday (16th) at 20:10-20:20 KST 10-minute demo class ➡️ Please add the student to Zoom in advance. 🔔 Kindly inform the manager at these times: When the student accepts the Zoom request When the demo lesson begins When the demo lesson is finished
| Line | What it means |
|---|---|
| Zoom ID | The student's Zoom email. Use it to add the student as a contact. |
| Regular Class Schedule | The time slot the student will take with you if they sign up. |
| Age | Plan your 10 minutes for this age and level. |
| Demo Lesson | The exact demo time, in KST. Start and end on time. |
Add the student as a Zoom contact RIGHT AWAY
We don't send meeting links. You add the student as a Zoom contact. When they accept, a one-on-one chat opens, and you call the student from that chat. Do this as soon as you get the message, not just before the demo.
Zoom desktop app
- 1Click the Contacts tab (if you don't see it, click More → Contacts).
- 2In the left panel, click the + (plus) icon.
- 3Choose Invite a new contact.
- 4Enter the student's Zoom ID (email) and click Send.
Zoom mobile app
Contacts tab → ⋯ (top right) → Invite new contact → enter the email → Send.
When the student accepts, they appear under External in your contacts, and your one-on-one chat is ready.
Start the demo from the chat
- 1At the demo time, open your one-on-one chat with the student and click the video icon at the top right.
- 2Click Meet. The student gets your call.
- 3Be in the chat, with camera and headset tested, a few minutes before the start time. Call at the exact start time.
Send your manager 3 messages MUST
Your manager checks every demo. Send these without being asked. If you don't, your manager has to keep asking you, and that wastes time for both of you. These 3 messages are for demo lessons only, not regular lessons.
[Demo] [Student name] accepted my Zoom contact request.
[Demo] [Student name] demo lesson started. ([time] KST)
[Demo] [Student name] demo lesson finished. ([time] KST)
Make the 10 minutes count
The student is deciding one thing: “Do I want to learn with this teacher?” Show them a real lesson, not a sales talk.
- Warm hello. Use their name. A quick, easy question about their day, school or work (from the student info).
- Level and goal. Ask why they want to learn English and what they want to get better at. Listen to their level.
- Mini lesson. A short real conversation on a topic they like. Type x) / o) corrections in the chat so they see what they will get in every lesson.
- Feedback. One thing they did well, one or two things to work on, and how regular lessons with you would help. End on time.
- ✓Camera on, bright and friendly from the first second
- ✓Let the student talk more than you
- ✓Give at least a few real corrections in the chat
- ✓Start and finish exactly on time
- ✕A long self-introduction
- ✕Only small talk with no learning
- ✕Talking about prices, schedules or contracts. Your manager handles these
- ✕Running over time
06 · Using Materials
Materials help you talk. They don't replace talking.
Every Manfriday lesson lives on one materials site. A lesson gives you a topic, words, a short reading and questions, so you don't have to prepare. Use it to start and support a natural conversation. When the student has something to say, follow the student.
The materials site
Lesson numbers
Two letters and three numbers, no dash. Students can type it in the search box, with or without zeros (kn1 opens KN001).
| Code | Materials | Students |
|---|---|---|
| DN001 | Daily News | Adults, teens |
| KN001 | Kids News | Kids |
| FT001 | Free Talking | Adults, teens |
| DB · EV · BZ · PT · EX | Debate · Everyday English · Business · Picture Talk · Expressions | By lesson |
| TA · TB · TC | Talk Ladder curriculum, Levels 1–3 (e.g. TB001 = Level 2, lesson 1) | Adults, teens |
| JA · JB | Talk Ladder Junior, Levels 1–2 | Kids |
| SA · SB · SC | Sound Street: phonics, Levels 1–3 | Kids 6–9 |
| RA · RB · RC | Story Corner: one story in 3 parts, Levels 1–3 | Kids 7–12 |
| WA · WB | Wonder Lab: science and the world, Levels 1–2 | Kids 7–12 |
Before class
Log in
Tap Log in and use your teacher account. Always use the same account. You see “TEACHER” at the top.
Choose the student
Select the student first. Check their level, past classes, feedback and your notes, then open the Next class lesson. If none is set, agree on one with the student.
Set the length
Tap 30 min or 50 min. 50 min adds more items, same flow.
Send the link
Tap Copy link for Zoom and paste it in the Zoom chat. It copies the student page only, without answers.
During class · talk first
The lesson is in parts: goal, warm-up, words, reading, check, talk and review. Go through them in your own way.
- ✓Spend most of the class talking. The words and reading are there to give the student something to say.
- ✓Shorten or skip parts the student already knows. You don't need to finish every item.
- ✓Don't take a short answer and move on. Ask a follow-up question about what the student just said, and correct with x) / o) as they talk. With kids and beginners, keep follow-up questions short and simple.
- ✓Some lessons have Need help?, Keep talking and Try together boxes. Open them when the student gets stuck or finishes early.
After class
Save the corrections
Copy the x) / o) lines from the Zoom chat, paste them into the box at the bottom of the lesson page, and tap Save to student summary. The student sees them in My classes.
Mark the class
Tap Mark class complete.
Set the next lesson
Choose the next lesson with Set as next.
- +Optional: write a private note in Teacher notes (students cannot see it), or tap Copy lesson summary and paste it in the Zoom chat.
Found a mistake in a lesson?
Every section has a small report button next to its title (Report a problem here).
Tap the button
Use the report button in the section with the mistake.
Pick the item
Tap the word, sentence or question. You can skip this.
Choose the type
Typo, Wrong answer, Hard to understand, Odd translation, or Other. Add a short note.
Send
We check your report and fix the lesson.
Good to know
The “한국어” button
Students see an English-only page. The button shows Korean meanings and translations for students who need help. It is hidden in Teacher view.
Free Talking
Just questions on a topic. 30 min shows 6 questions, 50 min shows 10. Follow the student's answers.
Kids lessons
Kids answer Check by choosing. Word cards have pictures: point, say, and have them repeat.
Talk Ladder
28 lessons per level: 12 units × 2 lessons, reviews at 9, 18 and 27, and a level-up check at 28. Go in order.
Kids courses
Sound Street (phonics), Story Corner (one story in 3 parts) and Wonder Lab (Learn + Explore lessons). 24 lessons per level. Warm-up is always date, weather and feelings.
07 · Pay & Bonus
Paid monthly, on the 10th
Your pay is based on the total time you actually teach in the month. Penalties are deducted and incentives are added before payment.
Negotiable, based on your experience and your videos or test lesson.
Covers the whole previous month.
Sent to you for checking before payment.
How your pay is calculated
We add up all the minutes you taught in the month, turn them into hours, and multiply by your hourly rate. There is no separate price per lesson.
Pay cycle example
| Lessons taught | Payslip | Paid on |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 1 – Sep 30 | Early October | Oct 10 |
| Oct 1 – Oct 31 | Early November | Nov 10 |
What counts
| Situation | Paid? |
|---|---|
| You teach the lesson | ✓ Paid |
| Student doesn't show up (and you followed the 3-call rule) | ✓ Paid |
| Student cancels or postpones less than 2 hours before (counts as a student absence) | ✓ Paid |
| Demo lesson (10 min) | ✕ Not paid |
| Lesson not taught (postponed, cancelled, holiday) | ✕ No lesson, no pay |
Incentives
| Incentive | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Rate increase | Every year | Based on your yearly evaluation (see below) |
| One-year bonus | After 1 year | 20–50% of your last monthly pay, based on your yearly evaluation |
| Birthday incentive | From your 2nd-year contract | On your birthday |
08 · Postpone & Leave
Trust is everything
Students plan their week around your lesson, so we protect the schedule. The company always puts the student's availability first. Here is exactly what you can change, and how far in advance.
Deadlines at a glance
| Situation | Notice needed | Tell | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Being late | Never allowed | — | Any lateness = penalty, no exceptions |
| You postpone a lesson | 3 hours before | Student + manager | Once a month per student. Uses 1 day-off |
| Power or internet outage (weather) | 30 min before | Student + manager | Proof required |
| Outage later than that, or during the lesson | Right away | Manager first, then student | Send a Teacher Report |
| Day-off, vacation or PH holiday | 2 weeks before | Manager | Max 3 days a month in total |
| Student postpones | 2 hours before | You report to manager | Always, even if your manager told you first. Less than 2 hours = student absence, you are paid |
Late: not allowed NO EXCEPTIONS
Being late to a lesson always results in a penalty, whatever the reason. Be in Zoom, with camera and headset tested, before the start time.
Postponing a lesson
- 1Message both the student and your manager at least 3 hours before the lesson.
- 2Each postponement uses 1 of your 3 day-offs for the month.
- 3Changes without 2 weeks' notice (postponing, or a day-off you didn't request ahead) are allowed only once a month per student.
- 4Your allowance is tracked in the Google Sheet timetable. It shows 1 when available and changes to 0 once used.
Power or internet outage from bad weather
[Teacher Report] 1. Teacher name: 2. Student name: 3. Lesson date and time (KST): 4. Time I messaged the student (KST): 5. Time the lesson stopped (KST): (or "did not start") 6. Reason:
Day-offs and vacation
Up to 3 days a month, in total
Day-offs, vacation, Philippine holidays and postponements all count toward the 3 days. Weekends are not counted. Tell your manager 2 weeks ahead and check your remaining days in the Google Sheet.
Korean holidays are free
No lessons on Korean public holidays. They don't use your day-offs.
When a student doesn't show up
After the third call and your message, you don't need to wait any longer. You don't need to report each no-show, but keep proof of all three calls and your messages (screenshots). Your manager may ask for it, and a no-show without proof can't be counted as paid.
Message templates
[Teacher postpone / cancel] Teacher name / Student name / Lesson date / Message time (KST) / Reason Ex) Jun / Minji / Jan 3 / Jan 3 10:47AM / Internet problem
Hi [student name], I'm so sorry, but I can't have our lesson today because [reason]. Sorry again, and thank you for understanding.
Hi [student name], I called you for our lesson today but couldn't reach you. I hope everything is okay. See you next time!
Teacher name / Student name / Lesson date / Message time (KST) Ex) Jun / Jessie / Jan 3 / Jan 3 10:47AM
09 · Rules & Penalties
Clear rules, applied the same to everyone
Penalties are reviewed by the company, including after student complaints. More than one penalty can apply to a single case, depending on how serious it is.
Lateness and absence
Any lateness, and any absence without the required notice (3 hours, or 30 minutes with proof for weather outages), leads to a penalty. The company decides the level from the table below. Outages reported with a Teacher Report are reviewed case by case.
Types of penalty
| Level | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 1 | Verbal warning and one unpaid lesson |
| 2 | Hourly pay deduction |
| 3 | Dismissal |
What leads to a penalty
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Contacting a student privately (outside Manfriday) | Immediate dismissal, no pay for that month |
| Asking for a student's personal information (phone number, etc.) | Penalty |
| Talking about your contract or company terms in class | Penalty |
| Sexual or violent content in class | Penalty |
| Lessons with little learning value (e.g. chatting with no follow-up questions or corrections, off-task time). Free Talking is fine: keep asking follow-up questions and correcting in the chat. | Penalty |
| Not following teacher duties (camera, corrections, schedule rules) | Penalty |
| Resigning before your contract ends (4 weeks' notice required) | Penalty decided by the company, deducted from your final pay |
10 · FAQ
Questions teachers ask us
Is there an interview?
No. We review your resume and videos. If we need to see more, we'll ask you for a short test lesson.
Do I need teaching experience?
No. You need a bachelor's degree (4-year college or higher). English or Education majors and a TESOL/TEFL certificate or teaching license are preferred, but first-time teachers are welcome.
How will I know if I'm hired?
By email only. Please check your spam folder too. We don't send results through Facebook Messenger.
What is a demo lesson?
A 10-minute trial lesson for a new student. Demo lessons are not paid, but they are how you get new regular students. The student chooses you from your introduction video, and after the demo decides whether to take regular lessons with you. This is different from the test lesson we may ask for when you apply. See Demo Lessons.
Do I need to prepare materials?
No. Every lesson on the Manfriday materials site is ready, with questions and answers for you. You can also use your own materials if they help the conversation. See Using Materials.
Can I choose my own schedule?
No. This is a fixed schedule, not a booking system. You teach the same students at the same times each week. Weekday peak hours (17:00–22:00 KST) are mandatory. Extra morning or afternoon slots can be arranged with your manager.
Who are the students?
Korean learners, roughly half kids and half adults. Lessons are 30 or 50 minutes, 2, 3 or 5 times a week.
How much will I earn?
The starting rate is 180–200 PHP per hour and is negotiable based on your experience and your videos or test lesson. Each month we add up all your lesson minutes, divide by 60 and multiply by your hourly rate. Pay is sent on the 10th of each month for the previous month, with a monthly payslip.
What if my internet goes down during a storm?
Tell your student and manager at least 30 minutes before the lesson and keep proof of the outage. Without enough proof, a penalty applies. If it happens later than that or during the lesson, send your manager a Teacher Report first. A backup connection and power source are required for this reason.
Can I take my own country's holidays off?
Yes, as a day-off, with 2 weeks' notice to your manager. Day-offs, vacation, holidays and postponements are 3 days a month in total. Korean holidays are automatically lesson-free.
How long is the contract?
One year. Each year we review student feedback, how actively you teach, and how many lessons you cancelled or postponed. This decides your rate increase and your one-year bonus. If you need to leave before the contract ends, tell us at least 4 weeks ahead. A penalty may apply, decided by the company and deducted from your final pay.
Which time zone do we use?
Always Korea time (KST). KST is 1 hour ahead of Philippine time.
Ready? Send your resume, a 1–2 minute intro video, and (recommended) class videos with an adult and a kid. We look forward to having you on the Manfriday team.