From Toilet Trips to Tunnels
Staying Motivated in the Wild World of PalFish Teaching
You know those picture-perfect online teaching adverts? Bright smiles, perfect lighting, a kid sitting politely at their desk?
Yeah… real life on PalFish is nothing like that.
In my world as an ESL Traveling Teacher, I’ve taught:
A student walking up a mountain with 2,000 other hikers.
A mum taking class instead of her kid because “he’s still on the bus.”
Kids being taken to the toilet mid-lesson like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
Students in airport departure lounges, complete with boarding announcements.
A student going through dark train tunnels so my screen turned into a black square every few seconds.
And yes… a class from a hospital bed.
This is PalFish life — unpredictable, sometimes hilarious, sometimes frustrating… and definitely never boring.
The Repetition Problem
Even with all that variety, the truth is online teaching can feel repetitive.
You log in, open the class, teach the slides, say goodbye… and repeat.
If you’re not careful, you can lose that spark that made you love teaching in the first place.
So how do you stay motivated when your job is the same day in, day out… but with students who might be learning from a train toilet?
How I Keep My Motivation (and Sanity)
1. Treat Each Student Like a New Episode
Think of your classes like a TV series — every “episode” (student) has its own plot twist.
The kid walking through a park? That’s today’s storyline.
The student with a cat on their head? That’s a surprise guest star.
2. Make It Your Game
I set myself little challenges:
How many new ways can I explain “good job”?
Can I get the shyest student to laugh today?
It turns routine lessons into personal victories.
3. Bring in the Outside World
If a student is on a train, ask them about it.
If they’re at the park, talk about the trees, the weather, or the snacks they see.
You turn distractions into lesson content.
4. Mix Up Your Props and Visuals
A silly hat, a new background, or a quick drawing can wake both you and your student up.
5. Remember Your “Why”
Some days I remind myself:
This isn’t just teaching English — it’s giving someone the confidence to use their skills in the real world.
Like the mum who realised her English was actually great… she just never used it until she joined my class.
The Bottom Line
Palfish isn’t your standard classroom. It’s a mix of planned lessons and unexpected chaos.
If you can lean into the unpredictability, treat every student like a unique story, and keep your own spark alive, you’ll not only stay motivated — you’ll thrive.
📌 Grab My Free Guide
Want more tips?
I’ve made a free guide: 5 Ways to Keep Your Classes Fresh — you can grab it here: Get the Guide
And if you’re thinking of joining PalFish, here’s my referral link: https://ipalfish.i2mi.com/main/teacher/invite?uid=3246174210&channel=30002&teacherregion=0&country=gb — I’ll even share my teacher tips once you’re in. days I remind myself:
This isn’t just teaching English — it’s giving someone the confidence to use their skills in the real world.
Like the mum who realised her English was actually great… she just never used it until she joined my class.
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