Join the Smart Teacher’s Library to:

#1 Teach languages in different formats, apart from 1:1 and group classes.
#2 Feel confident about marketing and selling your programs and courses.
#3 Collaborate with a network of creative teachers to reach new audiences faster.

When you start teaching online, big platforms tell you that 1:1 classes will help you find freedom.

Soon, you’ll discover that the freedom they promised feels more like prison and generates more burnout than money.

Working on your own, in a sustainable way is scary with all the marketing and selling, and social media, and content creation.

Here’s the problem.

The language teaching industry conditions you to believe that in order to succeed as an online language teacher, you need to:

1. Teach for a big company (or companies).
2. Create an online course and sell it using ads.
3. Start an online school and work with dozens of teachers and admins.

But none of these strategies help you experience freedom, flexibility and sustainable growth without getting into debt or giving up on teaching the language.

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The Smart Teacher’s Library is a place where online language teachers and coaches build their businesses in a gentle, manageable and sustainable way.

For us, #languagenerds:

Gentle means accepting where you are on the journey and still challenging your beliefs around what you’re capable of.

Manageable means step-by-step, without quantum leaps you’re not ready for (launching large courses, expensive advertising).

Sustainable means finding teaching formats that will help you impact more people and make the same (or higher) amount of money without racking up more hours.

The language learning industry is failing us.

overworked doodle
  • If 1:1 lessons felt like freedom, why would they create burnout? Why would we complain on Facebook forums about their evil exclusionary hiring practices and exploitative working environments?
  • If creating online courses did help you reach 5-6-figure launches without the audience, marketing or any sales experience, we wouldn’t have so many online teachers struggling to make their courses sell.
  • If creating an online language school was indeed a path to growing your business, you wouldn’t be faced with the truth of “I have to pay everyone their salary, and I’m not sure there’ll be enough left to pay myself.”
overworked doodle

What if…

This is possible for me doodle
  • You could move away from 1:1 classes seamlessly, slowly increasing your hourly rate while reducing the number of hours you teach?
  • You could challenge your limiting beliefs about money, marketing and promotion so you could show up more authentically and make offers without guilt or shame?
  • You learned systems that will allow you to grow your business revenue multiple times without hiring more teachers or admins?
This is possible for me doodle

You can switch to a completely different format of online language teaching using the apps available at yours and your students’ fingertips, without insane investments in course-hosting companies or ads.

You can use the self-coaching tools to help you shift your beliefs so you get excited about promotion, marketing and selling.

You can tap into the network of online language teachers and creators inside the Library to grow your reach even before you have a vibrant online presence. Those connections will give you a greater boost than the capricious Instagram algorithm.

You will learn to create a sustainable business on your own terms.

The Smart Teacher’s Library is

#1: A growing community of online language teachers building their sustainable online teaching business.

#2: A library of bite-sized actionable business learning materials updated monthly (something you can complete at your coffee break) + mindset-shifting lessons through doodles.

#3: Monthly group coaching + bi-monthly sales practice calls.

  • Forum + Co-working
  • Online courses, E-books, Templates
  • Group Coaching Sessions
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After enrolling, you’ll get invited to the Library party (or watch the recording) and learn:

  • How to use the library resources and doodle lessons.
  • How to use self-coaching tools to shift your mindset and get work done!
  • How to make the most out of group coaching and sales practice calls.
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Monthly Workflow

Each month, you get access to 4 things:

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Week 1: materials delivered via email

  • A new short audio/video lesson with a worksheet or a workbook on marketing, selling, content creation, webinars, advanced planning, financial basics, etc.
  • A new doodle lesson with a mindset-shifting exercise.
  • My behind-the-scenes report on what’s working in my business, what I’m trying and where I’ve failed or didn’t.
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Week 2 (and all other weeks): ongoing support

  • Access the forum (Mo-Fri) to ask questions and receive feedback on your project. You can also use it as a place to establish accountability.
  • Submit a question/questions for the monthly group coaching call (and/or ask to be coached).
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Week 3: join live calls (or make the time to watch the recordings for extra learning)

  • Group coaching call happening on a Monday at 1 PM Central Time (US)/7 PM London time. Recordings are always available.
  • Sales practice call (every other month) where you get to learn how to sell your program/coaching offer to a student. 2-3 teachers practice selling, 2-3 are prospective buyers and the rest are watching and taking notes. Lots of feedback and learning.
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Week 4: forum challenge

A 5-day challenge called Create Space for Change to learn how to use self-coaching tools that will help you get clarity on your next steps and change the way you think to increase productivity and stop procrastinating. We use a simple journaling technique called thought download and a couple of tools to look into your thoughts and emotions.

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Here’s what some members say about being in the Library…

Fabio Cerpelloni

What’s most valuable is the relationships I’ve created with the members…

I’ve been a member of the Library for over a year now. I found useful resources there but what’s most valuable is the relationships I’ve created with the members. This too has been helping me grow both as a teacher and solopreneur.

Fabio Cerpelloni, Nonfiction bookclubs for advanced learners of English at fabiocerpelloni.com

Trisha Traughber

I love having access to Elena’s ongoing quality content.

I have been a member of the library since it opened. So I’ve had the experience of going through Elena’s well-organized tutorials when I have practical needs. But the library is still relevant to me. There is always something new to learn and I love having access to Elena’s ongoing quality content.

Trisha Traughber, Copy writer and writing coach for multilingual creatives, teachers and interpreters at vagabondenglish.com

Phil Schiller

I can highly recommend becoming part of her community…

Elena is extremely passionate about supporting and helping people build their dream online language business.

Her positivity, experience, and genuine care have given me the courage and focus to dream big and go for it.

I can highly recommend becoming part of her community and taking advantage of all that she offers.

Phil Schiller, English Practice Coach

Maria Glazunova

I appreciate that lots of attention is placed on self-care…

I love Elena’s community. It is a non-judgmental, safe space where I can receive support and answers from different perspectives of business owners. Also, it’s beneficial to my mental health to see what it takes (and how long) to grow your business in reality as people are sharing their experiences. I no longer feel alone, lost, or the slowest person on earth.

I appreciate that lots of attention is placed on self-care – it is an excellent reminder to slow down, take more precise actions and connect with my authentic self. Working with Elena and being in the library changed my perception of a successful business on my own terms and what it means to be my best boss. On my way 🙂

Maria Glazunova, Teacher Trainer

María Eugenia Pellegrin headshot

A great community of people that are on a similar career path…

I joined the Smart Teacher’s Library 4 months ago. Not only have I found countless resources to learn from, but also a great community of people that are on a similar career path, eager to share both failure and success, enjoying the process of becoming a better professional and managing our businesses more sustainably.

I have launched my first product and I am experiencing a mindset shift, which is leading me towards delivering less 1:1 online sessions, with Elena’s support and feedback.

María Eugenia Pellegrin, Business English Language Coaching

Elfin Waters headshot

I learned the fundamentals of community creation…

I started out my journey at the STL hoping to increase my 1:1 prices at Italki and teach Italian. By the time I left it, I had a budding retreat business that allows me to keep my family and also to have time for myself.

The Library helped me broaden my horizons, dare to dream bigger, feel supported in my endeavors, but most of all, show up for myself. After I left, the things I learned helped me create supportive systems automatically.

Not a day goes by that something I learned during my time at the library, comes useful in taking some decisions. Last but not least, I learned the fundamentals of community creation and the connections I built in the library, are still with me six years later.

Elfin Waters, An Italian coach who offers slow living language retreats at allaboutitalian.com

In the past 7 years, we’ve helped 300+ language teachers move toward sustainable businesses.

Join The Smart Teacher’s Library to:

#1 Teach languages in different formats, apart from 1:1.

#2 Feel confident about marketing and selling your programs and courses.

#3 Collaborate with a network of creative teachers to reach new audiences faster.

More reviews from our Library members…

Francesca Corona headshot

The mindset change I had was fundamental in this achievement…

When I joined the library, I was shyly trying out offering async programs to a few of my students.

I’m now in the middle of my first group writing program: the mindset change I had with the help of the self-coaching tools available in the library, the group coaching as well as the challenges were fundamental in this achievement!

Francesca Corona, Italian teacher

Dina headshot

I would highly recommend Elena…

What I like most about joining the Smart Teacher’s Library are Elena’s psychological perspective of looking at things and their implementation. She makes you realize that everything comes from within, the person you are and how you can express your inner thoughts and take action. Her supportive feedback is priceless and she has made me look at my online business from a different perspective. I would highly recommend Elena to anyone who would like to progress, get new ideas from great resources in the library and be part of an amazing community of teachers. Thank you Elena!

Dina, ESL teacher for BMES and Pharma professionals at xtransform-your-english.newzenler.com

Masha Honcharova headshot

Invest in yourself and your business will grow…

To reach the goal faster you need only 3 things:

1. The right mindset
2. Making an effort
3. The right people

The STL provides them all and even more than you can expect. Invest in yourself and your business will grow. 🎯

Masha Honcharova, Going beyond English fluency through nonfiction books

Chris Pontiroli headshot

I strongly recommend you give yourself the chance to meet with Elena…

I’d been following Elena’s work for years before I finally decided to join the Library. Since I joined, not only has my outlook on my business changed, but also my business itself: I’ve been able to be more present for my students, have created some fantastic products, have noticed changes in mindset, and have worked on the stories that had me tied to my own stories about money and responsibility.

I have also made more money! I feel lighter, happier, and willing to do what I have always liked: serving my students to the best of my abilities. I strongly recommend you give yourself the chance to meet with Elena and a whole lot of teachers who are part of the community and enjoy being there. Believe me! I spent years thinking if I should spend money on the Library; what I did not know was that I was investing in myself!

Chris Pontiroli, ESL fluency teacher at www.chrispontiroli.com

Petra Bozoradi headshot

The tutorials, workbooks, checklists in the Library are just awesome…

I joined the Library in September 2021. After following plenty of coaches and trainers, I found the one – Elena – who says it’s ok to turtle along, and what I’m doing is valuable even if I don’t build an empire in 3 days. So I stopped the pointless like-hunting on social media and started to go my own way.

The tutorials, workbooks, checklists in the Library are just awesome, and help me a lot in my professional and personal development. They help me find my own way in my business, and stay on track. I love the forum and the monthly live meetings, they are like a virtual teacher’s room where we can share our questions, struggles – and wins!

Petra Bozoradi, Hungarian teacher and tutor for independent learners at Easy Hungarian 

Anne Haggerson headshot

Elena’s creative approach to asynchronous language study has allowed me to reach more clients…

The library has been a powerful tool for me to connect with other online language teachers and harness so many resources, ideas, and efficient ways of working that I wouldn’t have discovered in any other way. For example, we started a Linkedin thread where we share strategies and support each other’s posts.

Also, Elena’s creative approach to asynchronous language study has allowed me to reach more clients in a variety of time zones that I couldn’t have worked with in the past. Finally, the doodling and mindset work is such a lovely way to dig deeper into our motivations and passions and to push ourselves to continue to grow and I really look forward to the doodles as a creative outlet. I can’t recommend the library enough, especially since the content is always fresh, authentic, and transformational.

Anne Haggerson, TOEFL Exam Preparation at movingenglishlessons.com

Elena Mutonono image

I’m Elena Mutonono,

and I help burned out online teachers move beyond 1:1 Skype lessons to create a smarter system where you can teach your clients on your own terms.

After my first ESL teaching business fell apart in 2014 due to the war, I realized I had to make some drastic changes. I began working with the global market and found it challenging to stand out. How could I market in a language that’s not my mother tongue? How can I charge more?

I needed guidance but couldn’t justify the $500 investment in a 1.5-hour coaching session. Would it be enough? I wanted ongoing support for several years at an affordable monthly rate, which was unavailable. I wasted precious time looking for answers on YouTube or Google, trying to figure out who was more “legit.”

That’s why I have created the Smart Teacher’s Library – a place where online teachers and coaches can build sustainable businesses, support and cheer for each other and get guidance and coaching from people who have more experience.

Since launching it in 2017, my community has helped hundreds of online coaches find their niche, create new programs and build a sustainable business on their own terms.

Whether you’re done with 1:1 classes or want to skip the back-to-back classes altogether to build a more sustainable business, this community will help you grow, learn, promote your work, get referrals, collaborations and put your knowledge to action.

I can’t imagine running my business without the support of other teachers in the Library...

When I joined the Smart Teacher’s Library, I was feeling hopeless because I put a lot of energy into ideas that didn’t get results. I spent hours per week on my website, my social media accounts, and other “tasks” that filled up my day. I repeatedly struggled with burnout and was not sure how make a livable wage.

Since joining the Library and working with Elena, I’ve learned how to put aside perfectionism. This has helped me with marketing and creating new programs for students that are actually scaleable. It’s hard to list everything I’ve accomplished! To name a few, Elena helped me raise my prices (twice!), create an asynchronous speaking program, and record my first audio course. Now I feel confident about my programs and prices. I’m seeing better results.

I can’t imagine running my business without the support of other teachers in the Library. Many teachers have referred clients to me, and I’ve found ways to support my peers. When I feel lost in my business, I post a question in the group and immediately feel that I’m part of a community of people who get things done.

I now feel that I’m building a business that is smart and sustainable – financially and mentally.

Chiara Coombs, An ESL teacher for U.S. immigrants at www.clearlingo.us

I can highly recommend becoming part of her community...

The Smart Teacher’s Library has been an absolute game-changer for me and my business! It has become an invaluable lifeline that has propelled me forward in my journey as an English language coach and business owner. Through this platform, I have had the incredible opportunity to connect with passionate and talented teachers from all around the world, each with their own unique teaching models.

One of the most exciting discoveries I made in the Smart Teacher’s Library was finding a teacher who caters to a similar audience as mine. The collaboration and exchange of ideas with this like-minded professional have been awesome. We have been able to share insights, strategies, and best practices, which have significantly enhanced the quality of our teaching approaches. This partnership has not only deepened my understanding of effective language instruction models but also fueled my enthusiasm to explore new possibilities. Another incredible aspect of the Smart Teacher’s Library is the wealth of resources it offers. The courses provided have been instrumental in my professional growth. I have been able to develop my sales skills and explore innovative program models that have expanded the scope of my teaching business. In addition to the courses, the coaching I received has been transformative. The support I have received has made me increasingly aware of how my mindset influences the outcome of my efforts. This newfound self-awareness has boosted my confidence.

Furthermore, the Smart Teacher’s Library has facilitated meaningful connections with other teachers through networking opportunities. One of the highlights has been co-hosting LinkedIn live events with fellow members. These events have allowed me to showcase my expertise, share valuable insights, and engage with a wide audience of professionals and potential students. The exposure and recognition I have gained from these collaborations have been invaluable, opening doors to new opportunities and expanding my reach as a teacher. In just a few months of being part of the Smart Teacher’s Library, I have experienced exponential growth in my knowledge, skills, and connections. The support and resources provided have exceeded my expectations.

Kristine Knutter, English coach for IMG doctors and job seekers wanting to master clear, confident, and persuasive English to launch and advance careers in the US at express-to-impress.com

One of the best decisions I made for my teaching career.

I joined the Smart Teachers library in 2021 after attending a summit, and it was one of the best decisions I made for my teaching career.

Thanks to the library, and the community within Slack I gained the confidence and skills to quit working for a language school where I no longer felt valued and start my own medical English business, where I teach what I love and work with my ideal clients.

I recently took the brave step of running a virtual weekend for medical professionals, and with the support of Elena and the other teachers, I hope to develop my asynchronous programmes futher. None of which would be possible without the resources in the library, because before I started out, I had no idea how to create a landing page, plan a campaign or market my own work.

But mostly, being part of the library has meant that I’ve never felt like I’m doing this alone. Through the ups and downs I have felt supported, I’ve gained new perspectives, and I am now learning how to self-coach, which is a work in progress.

Rachel Williams, Medical English Teacher
www.fluentmedicalenglish.com

I wish I would have had the courage to invest in my ideas and business much earlier in my journey.

I came into the library through a speaking program that Elena facilitated to show teachers how an asynchronous speaking program can work.

I had been making courses for a while but really struggled with selling. I easily felt overwhelmed and had problems prioritizing. My days were full but I still didn’t see any results. I overdelivered for the courses and the paid offers I seeked to put out. I needed a major shift in the way I approached my work on a daily basis.
Starting to work asynchronous with many of my students freed up so much time which allowed me to refocus and spend more time creatively rather than chasing fast results.

I especially enjoy the variety and quantity of the library content as my brain jumps from one focus to the next. Whatever question I had was answered by Elena herself and other members – often even in personalized video coachings.

The closer I come to the edupreneur way of life the more important mindset work becomes and I really appreciate that the library does not only focus on hard information but also presents a lot of mindset work and coaching. I wish I would have had the courage to invest in my ideas and business much earlier in my journey. The library is a fantastic resource, a place to connect and mostly a big push to take the next step wherever you are on your path.

Nina Asseng, Business German
german4work.de

The Smart Teacher Library is a treasure trove of resources.

The Smart Teacher Library is a treasure trove of resources. With over 7 different categories, it covers various aspects of online business marketing, from creating a website to utilizing email and social media. Elena’s expertise shines through as she provides strategic guidance on setting up efficient systems based on her own experience and continuous learning from her mentors.

What sets Elena apart is her dedication to helping her clients with mindset matters, especially when it comes to money. She understands the impact money mindset can have on our businesses and provides valuable insights and strategies to overcome any challenges that arise.

Esther Ciganda, Basque Teacher for English Speakers
basquewithesther.com

I desperately needed a community where I could ask for advice and celebrate my successes.

When Elena launched the subscription for the Smart Teacher Library, I didn’t see what it would do
for me. It was “too good to be true.”

I desperately needed a community where I could ask for advice and celebrate my successes. And they are coming!

I know it’s a big commitment, but even if it’s only been a few months and I don’t have much to show for yet, I have the motivation and the keys to improve, in my own way and at my own pace. Without judgement or inappropriate or unsuitable advice and with kindness. And, now, I am on my way. Thank you Elena.

Aude Bellezanne

FAQ

“I’ve never invested in my business before”

For many of our community members, joining the Smart Teacher’s Library was also their first-time investment. Doing something for the first time is scary, especially if it’s about money. And you’re probably thinking that you first need to earn enough from your business to invest in it.

But if you’ve read that far, you want to find a better way to teach online, don’t you? Now, it’s up to you: To keep doing the same things you’ve been doing before and expecting a different result, or to join Smart Teacher’s Library for a small investment and start transforming your business today, like hundreds of our members have done before you.

Another encouragement is before you make the investment, take the time to browse through the free resources on the blog, listen to the OnlineBound podcast or sign up for the newsletter!

“I don’t have time”

Making time for things that matter is the first step towards building a business. It’s a long-haul journey, and we believe being a part of our community will help you regularly set aside some time, even if it’s only 30 minutes a day.

The Smart Teacher’s Library allows you to learn at your own pace and keep working on your business at the same time, applying what you’ve learned and transforming your business.

“I don’t have enough skills”

That’s ok. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to have it all together. You don’t need to “first learn just a biiit more” to join. Are you an online teacher or coach who is tired of the unpredictability and hustle and who wants to earn a stable income while working less? Then you are ready to join the Smart Teacher’s Library.

“I don’t want to join this community and then feel guilty for not keeping up with the tasks and challenges. I have so much on my plate.”

The beauty of the Library is that it helps you learn to take what you need when you need it. Treat this community as your neighborhood library: show up, check in, ask questions, do 1 tiny task and see the progress you make in your business.

Choose what you’ll focus on in advance and make peace with not completing everything. Nobody is there to grade you. If 1 piece of content and a series of coaching sessions transform your business, will you minimize your own transformation just because you “haven’t checked all the materials as done?”

Avoiding an opportunity to grow just because “you may feel guilty” is not going to solve the problem of overwhelm or guilt. There’re plenty of other things to “make you feel” that way. Let it be your first (of many) mindset shifts in running a business online – you cannot build a new future on the present limitations of your mind.

I was in the Library 4 years ago and I’d like to join again. Are the materials different?

If you were in the Library even 2 years ago, I can assure you that the materials, the coaching tools, and the concepts inside workbooks have dramatically changed to incorporate both strategic steps and mindset practices.

The Smart Teacher’s Library has evolved as the businesses of the teachers have grown and matured. As a coach, I am now a certified instructor with the Heartwork Journaling University, and I’m using tools that combine simple creativity and emotional intelligence to help you make business decisions that focus on growth.

Next enrollment opens in January 2025.

Join the list to find out the dates, prices and get early-bird bonuses!

We’d like all our new members to join at the same time so that we can bring them up to speed all at once, and they can join our usual activities faster. That’s why the enrollment is open only two times a year for a short period of time.

Next enrollment opens in January of 2025. The first 30 teachers to join will get 30% off of the monthly plan, and the first 10 teachers will get 10% off of an annual plan + a bonus strategy call with Elena. Want to be one of them? Jump on the waiting list now. As a bonus, we'll send several samples from the Library. It's a win-win-win!

Note: If you receive an error message when filling out this form, please check the spelling and try again. If that doesn't help, it's most likely because you're subscribing for the second time. In this case, please add +1 before the @ sign, e.g. (janedoe+1@gmail.com).