Do you want to make money from home? Try teaching English online as a way to work from home or make a side income. Here are the best teaching English jobs and how much you can make with them.
Since the last year, remote jobs in all industries have become the new normal. One online work area that is exploding is teaching. Teaching English jobs for English speakers is a great extra income perk. Whether you are looking for under-the-table jobs or work from home jobs, this is for you.
Additional perks to teaching English online include:
You can work independently and be your own boss.
You can conveniently work remotely.
You can teach a language that you were born with.
English is simply one of the most dominant languages around the world. Many overseas businesses understand English is necessary, and many parents want their kids to learn English to become part of their vocabulary aside from their native language. While people can teach English to kids of all ages, teaching children English online is more popular between the ages of 4 and 12.
If you are adept with the English language and want to earn extra money, why not consider this? Do you want to know how? Let’s learn how.
How Can I Teach English Online?
Teaching English online is a lot easier than you think. There are several simple variables in learning how to land and teach English online jobs. Let’s start with what almost all companies require:
Native or near-native English speaker.
Reliable equipment, including a microphone, website, and stable internet connection.
Bachelor’s degree or currently studying – not every website requires this.
A TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certificate.
You’re from the USA, Canada, or the UK.
You need a friendly, patient, and flexible personality.
I get all the requirements. I understand that your English level must be sufficient, you should have a decent internet connection and reliable equipment. However, I disagree that many teaching companies require you to have a Bachelor’s degree. So let’s go into whether you need a Bachelor’s degree to teach English online.
Can You Teach English Online Without A Degree?
Yes, it is possible to teach English online without a degree. While some companies require a degree or student enrollment, some companies don’t. If you have a TEFL certification, that can be enough.
If you have a Bachelor’s degree, it makes teaching English online a little easier. But, guess what? You can teach English online without a degree. You do not need a degree to teach English online. Let’s look at different qualities and equipment required to teach English online without a degree:
English must be your first language.
Receive a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certificate
Experience as a mentor or tutor
Quality internet connection
Video/webcam streaming service
Patience and flexibility
Partner With An Existing Business
One option to teach English online jobs is to work with a company willing to hire you to teach English abroad to their international employees. Whether you have teaching experience or not, working for a business like this can be a great start to teaching English abroad.
Companies with overseas employees are willing to hire people to teach English. Find businesses that will work around your schedule and commitment times.
Many companies with international connections will help you with the proper remote software to teach English online to their employees. The company will provide all the support you need to get students, help with a lesson plan, and the goals they are looking for.
Can I Teach English Online Without Being TEFL Certified?
Most companies require a TEFL certificate to teach English online, especially the higher-paying companies. When you want to teach for companies that operate in China, a TEFL certification is a requirement. As more and more people are teaching English online, having a TEFL certification is an essential competitive advantage.
Teach English At A Foreign Language Center
Certified TEFL Centers are a great intro to how to teach English online without a degree. Acquiring a TEFL certificate is a relatively simple process. A certificate can be achieved in around 120 hours. Even if you do not have a degree, a TEFL certification opens online teaching doors.
The benefits of acquiring a TEFL certificate are:
You will get experience in different teaching methods.
You will learn how to plan and design curriculum lessons.
You will learn how to manage a virtual classroom.
You can add experience in teaching online to your resume.
If you want to get the best jobs and help aspiring English teachers, get your TEFL certification.
What Types Of Lessons Should I Teach?
It will depend on the company you are working with to find out which method is more successful. Below are standard English translation methods. Once you begin your online teaching, you can use one or a combination of translation methods that work the best for your students:
Role-Play: international students enjoy this form of learning English. Students learn English through role-play scenarios like interviewing for a job, learning games, and conversational lessons.
Audio-Lingual: students learn English through listening, speaking, reading, writing, and app technology.
Physical Response: students learn English by asking them to perform an activity like “sit down” or “to close the door.” It helps students to learn how to connect the action to English.
How Much Can I Make By Teaching English Online?
There are several good companies for teaching English online. The average annual pay for teaching English online is around $40,000 a year. English-speaking individuals can make more depending on the amount of time you invest in this job.
The hourly rate for teaching English online is anywhere from $10 to $25 an hour or more. Hourly rates will vary depending on the company you work for, your previous teaching experience, or whether you have other high-income skills.
Your hourly rate will vary depending on the company you choose to work for. Many online jobs to teach English can also provide different incentives and bonuses.
In addition to that, teaching English online means you’re free to live where you want. You can travel on a budget or move to a country with a low cost of living. Most teachers combine the job with others, like starting a blog, house sitting, testing websites, flipping things for profit, and more.
Imagine yourself teaching English while you’re traveling full-time, you can determine your own hours, and you can work from any place you like.
25 Best Companies To Teach English Online
There are a variety of companies for you to teach English online. However, they vary in what they are looking for online teaching requirements. These companies provide a myriad of experiences that will help you in your teaching career options. Let’s look at some leading examples:
1. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is one of the first places to look for teaching jobs. On FlexJobs, there are dozens of companies listed that are looking for a tutor.
The platform is not only focused on teaching English online, so fill in what jobs you’re looking for and see what pops up. There are enough jobs to keep you busy the rest of the year.
Start Earning Money On FlexJobs
2. Magic Ears
Magic Ears is a company that helps kids between 4 and 12 in China learn English. If you’re from North America, this is the perfect way to teach English online for you.
It’s easy to sign up with Magic Ears, you can determine your hours, and they have groups from 1 to 4 students.
To start at Magic Ears, you need to be currently enrolled at university or have proof of experience (TEFL certificate or teaching experience).
Magic Ears is one of the best-paid platforms out there since you will make up to $26 per hour on the platform.
3. PrePly
PrePly is a platform that teaches students from around the world of all ages. Teachers can choose their own schedules and rates.
You don’t need a TEFL certificate to teach on the platform, but it will help you book your sessions when you do. You can set your own schedule, and students can choose if they want to have you as their permanent teacher by purchasing a certain amount of lessons.
Preply will take a 100% commission fee for the first short demo lesson. After that, it will drop to 18%. The more you teach with the platform, the lower their commission will be.
4. Cambly
Cambly is a different platform where teachers will be teaching online students from anywhere in the world. As a teacher, you can set your schedule. A contract with Cambly is not required.
Online students are already familiar with English, and they simply want to practice conversational English. It means that you can log in to the platform and take any students currently online and looking for a teacher. Of course, you can still plan your hours if you prefer that.
Cambly offers around $10 per hour, and you’re paid weekly. You don’t need an online TEFL certification or Bachelor’s degree with their platform. It’s just chatting with students about casual topics.
One side note: I’ve heard that there can be some inappropriate students on the platform. You can ban the student, and someone suggested not to use your real identity when signing up.
5. GoGoKid
GoGoKid is a relatively new online platform gaining popularity since 2018 for teachers from the US and Canada. GoGoKid focuses on teaching Chinese students between ages 3 and 14. The online classes are around 25 minutes in length. They require you to have both a Bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate.
As a teacher, you can build regular clients to consistent work. Teachers can hold a Bachelor’s degree as well as a TEFL certification. The salary range for teachers is between $14 to $25 an hour. You will be considered an independent contractor with a service fee from $7 to $10 for each 25-minute class you choose to teach, plus a $2.50 additional incentive.
With GoGoKid, you get lesson plans, so you only focus on teaching. You don’t have to mark homework or deal with parents. If you love teaching, this platform is for you.
6. VIPKid
VIPKid is a great platform to teach Chinese students the English language. You acquire students through a “portal” used by parents. In the portal, you will introduce yourself and match with your parents.
You are categorized as an independent contractor with VIPKid, and a degree is required. As a contractor, teachers are asked to commit to six months at a time. VIPKid pays between $7 to $9 per 25-minute class. When you reach 45 classes each month, teachers receive an extra $2 per class. All VIPKid classes are 1-on-1 interactions. It means that you can earn $22 per hour.
VIPKid takes care of lesson plans, marking tests, and speaking with the parents. That is a huge plus for sure!
VIPKid is a top-rated platform. As such, they’re currently not open for new applications. Teachers don’t receive many teaching hours or don’t get accepted at all. If you want to make money with teaching jobs, try Preply ($25+/hour) or GoGoKid ($25/hour) first.
7. QKids
QKids is a similar platform to VIPKid. You can teach Chinese students English when you’re located in the United States or Canada. A couple of significant differences are:
You need to be in the United States or Canada to be eligible to teach English online.
You don’t need a degree, but you must be enrolled in university
You are teaching kids in groups of up to 4
You need to schedule a minimum of 6 hours per week
QKids provide all materials and lessons, and training is included in the platform, similar to VIPKid. As VIPKid is currently not accepting new teachers, QKids is an excellent alternative. Increase your chances of getting hired, work from home, and make extra money.
8. Italki
With Italki, you can set your pay rate. You are in charge of creating your own English lessons. If there are other languages that you’re fluent in, and you can teach them as well. These include German, Russian, or Japanese.
You can provide lessons through Skype, Google Hangouts, or Facetime. With a Bachelor’s degree, you can charge around $25 an hour. You will be teaching adults from around the world. The classes are a 1-on-1 platform design.
Be aware that Italki takes 15% commission on your completed lessons.
9. EF Education First
EF Education First teaches English to Chinese children. Only teachers from the UK and the USA are accepted into the application process. EF Education First has a track record of over 50 years and has a very high reputation in the industry.
Teachers can earn up to $20 an hour, plus you will get $30 just for completing the training. You will be teaching 1-on-1, you will teach the same students every class, and lessons are available to you. A Bachelor’s Degree or a TEFL certification is welcomed. Teachers can set their own schedules.
10. Verbling
With Verbling, teachers can teach adults or young students from around the world in private sessions. Teachers with a Bachelor’s degree or a TEFL certification are accepted. Verbling provides customized video chat software that you can use to teach students.
With Verbling, previous experience teaching is required. You have to give a reference or another way to prove that you have teaching experience.
Teachers set their own teaching schedules and rates. Verbling takes a 15% commission on your payments.
11. English Hunt
English Hunt is a platform where the jobs vary. At the moment, they are looking for English-speaking teachers from the USA who teach Japanese students. You need a degree or a TEFL certification.
Your pay will be around $14 per hour, and the lessons will be provided. You won’t see your students; instead, you will call them on your computer. Teachers are required to work between 8 and 12 hours per week.
The students of English Hunt are in the business and government industry and high school, elementary, junior, or college prep age. Students are from South Korea and Japan.
12. Open English
Open English is a teaching platform that teaches students from Latin America English since 2007. Teachers will teach online English to small groups or private students. Open English is a 24-hour interactive online classroom, where lessons are given on-demand.
You should have either a Bachelor’s degree or a TEFL certification. If you can speak Spanish or Portuguese, you have a preference over other candidates.
Teachers earn $15 per hour and have flexible schedules. Teachers are asked to commit a minimum of 10 hours weekly. You can work for a maximum of 36 hours per week.
Open English provides potential teachers with an online training platform. Students will consist of adults, as well as high school and college prep age. Conversational English is the required teaching format. Teachers must have at least one year of experience in teaching online classes.
13. Skooli
Skooli is an online tutoring platform that offers lessons to students from all over the world. The students range from elementary school to college, and they require a Bachelor’s degree.
Skooli technology consists of smartphone apps, a desktop computer, video conferencing, and a virtual whiteboard. Teachers are free to try different teaching styles and see what fits best with their students.
Teachers can earn up to $25 an hour. Potential teachers can make up their own training schedule. English is not the only course offered by Skooli to students around the world.
14. SkimaTalk
SkimaTalk hires English-speaking teachers with a background in Business English for their global students. Teachers can earn around $8 per 25-minute lesson and $20 per hour. You can determine how many hours you teach.
SkimaTalk requires no bachelor’s or TEFL certificate, which is a huge benefit for teachers without credentials. A downside of the platform is that the first three 25-minute sessions that you do are unpaid.
After you’ve made hours on this platform, you can set your hours. You can easily make over $1,000 per month with SkimaTalk, which can increase over time. Potential teachers can schedule their hours and workdays.
15. PalFish – Teach English Online As Non-Native Speaker
PalFish is a company started in 2015 that teaches English to students. You don’t need a university degree to teach with them, but you should have a TEFL certificate.
You can be from all over the world, with a preference for teachers from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand. If you’re a non-native English speaker, you should have a neutral accent.
With PalFish, you can earn up to $30 per hour, depending on what kind of teacher you become. In addition to that, you can earn bonuses and choose your own hours.
16. DaDa
Dada hires English teachers worldwide to teach English to Chinese students as long as you’re fluent. You get paid between $15-$25 depending on your interview performance, so make sure you come prepared.
Your minimum availability with the platform is two hours per day for two days per week. DaDa matches you with their students to teach online.
17. Lingoda
Lingoda is an online platform that teaches adult students around the clock. You can learn English, German, French, or Spanish on the platform. Lingoda provides you with lesson planning for your students, teaching in small groups, or giving private lessons.
To apply for Lingoda, you have to have at least two years of teaching experience, have a TEFL degree, and be a native English speaker. Lingoda is the most prominent language school in Europe, with pay varying from $8 to $15.
18. All Right
All Right is a European-based online English school that teaches young people from 4 to 12 years old. They provide services globally, though most students are from Spain, Russia, Italy, and Poland. Online classes may last up to 25 minutes or 55 minutes in length.
All Right gives 25 minutes trial lessons where you can meet your student and their parents. If the student is satisfied with the trial lesson, they can schedule a paid class with the teacher.
If you want to apply at All Right, they don’t require a degree, but they need a TEFL certification for you to be qualified. Once considered, you have to work for 15 hours per week which includes weekends. Pay starts at $8 per hour and can be increased up to $10 an hour after 6 months.
19. goFluent
goFluent is an online English tutoring company. They also offer other languages like Chinese, German, Spanish, and Dutch. You may choose from a one on one class to a group class.
You just need to have a college education to apply and earn up to $15 an hour.
20. 51 Talk
51 Talk is an English online platform from China. It provides live online English lessons for students ages 3 up to 18 years old. Classes are one on one, so you can really absorb and focus on your English class.
Teachers may not need a certification on applying but need a bachelor’s degree and 1 year of teaching experience. Salary starts from $7 to $11 an hour. They hire teachers mainly in the Philippines with a neutral accent.
21. Panda Abc
Panda ABC is an online English learning service provider for Chinese children. They offer 1-on-4 online courses for kids to boost their English communication skills.
Requirements should be a degree holder of the same field, with TEFL or TESOL certification, and a native English speaker to be considered for a teaching job in Panda ABC. Teachers can earn up to $12 an hour.
22. Tutlo
Tutlo is an online English tutoring platform based in Poland. They offer business English, grammar, and conversational English, to name a few. One-on-one class for young adults and professionals.
Teachers should be native speakers from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada. You should also have a TEFL certification with 6 months of teaching experience. Salary starts from $5 to $11 per hour.
23. Lingoda
Lingoda is a leading online language school in Europe where you can learn English, German, French, and Spanish. They offer one-on-one or in groups 24/7.
Teachers can choose their work schedule since it has no minimum work hours required.
Requirements to teach on the platform are that you must have 2-3 years of teaching experience and a TEFL certification to be qualified. Also, you need to have excellent English communication skills for you to teach.
24. Whales English
Whales English is an online English company that caters to Chinese students learning the language. They teach children as young as 3 years old up to 18 years old.
For you to be able to teach, you need to have 1-year experience, an education degree, and a teaching certification. You should be a native speaker from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Salary may vary depending on experience.
25.Learnlight
Learnlight is an EdTech company that provides language training programs for learners of all ages.
Teachers must have a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience for you to be accepted. Once you pass the initial interview, you need to undergo an initial training process. Once you successfully finish the training process, you will be assessed again if you qualify.
Salary starts at $12 up to $14 an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions – Teaching English Online
We have listed above the different platforms where you can apply for teaching English online. If there are things that you want to understand more, here are some of the frequently asked questions about teaching English online.
How Do I Find A Job Teaching English Online?
In this article, most platforms have links where you can apply and send your resume. There are also platforms like Fiverr where you can advertise your teaching services.
Make sure to send your comprehensive resume to attract employers so that eventually, they may hire you.
[Related Read: What Is The Best Font For Resume? Make Your Resume Stand Out]
How Much Do You Make Teaching English Online?
Generally, online English teachers can make $10 to $40 an hour, but of course, it may vary depending on the experience or your qualification. Teaching English online pays well over time as you gain more experience.
Is TEFL Certification Worth It?
Definitely yes. If you want online teaching as your chosen profession or just a side gig, getting a teaching certification is highly suggested. Most online schools require TEFL certification for you to be accepted and receive good pay.
What Are The Requirements To Teach English Online?
Here are the qualifications that most online English companies are requiring:
TEFL certification
Bachelor’s degree
Can speak English fluently
Some employers don’t require any certification, which may vary as per the company’s qualifications and standards.
All In All – Teaching English Online
We’ve discussed exactly what you need to teach English online successfully. The top 17 platforms that we listed have something special for everyone to select a platform based on their preferences. Once you decide to take on this challenge, you have a lot of options to choose from. But one thing is for sure. You will be able to earn more for yourself.
Not only will you be able to help out those in dire need to learn the English language, but you will also get to earn more money for yourself. This is such a win-win situation for anyone looking to broaden their monthly income.
So what are you waiting for? Your path to financial success is just a click away. Fire away that laptop and start spreading knowledge to those who need it the most.
Founder of Spark Nomad, Radical FIRE, Copywriter
Expertise: Personal finance and travel content
Education: Bachelor of Economics at Radboud University, Master in Finance at Radboud University, Minor in Economics at Chapman University
Over 200 articles, essays, and short stories published across the web.
Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Spark Nomad, a travel platform, and Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.
