11 Best Places To Teach English Online [+11 Questions Answered]

Teaching English online is the very definition of flexible. 

Want to teach English from your mom’s couch? You can do that. Keen on teaching English to Taiwanese toddlers while you’re in Thailand? No problem. Are you a night owl who’d rather burn the midnight oil? Absolutely.

Teaching English online is having such a moment because you can teach who you want, when you want, from wherever you want (provided you have an internet connection, of course).

It’s a great option if you’re looking to earn extra money to supplement your income or support yourself while travelling. It’s also ideal if you want to be your own boss. 

It provides you with an income without the inconvenience of commuting or expensive set-up costs. And you can work in your yoga pants!

The bottom line when it comes to qualifying to teach English online is this: 

Get TEFL certified! 

To kickstart your online teaching career you will need to be qualified, at minimum, with an accredited Level 3 TEFL course. 

You can teach students online without a degree and without any teaching experience, but a TEFL qualification is your ticket to TEFL success.

Even native English speakers benefit from a TEFL course. Speaking a language is not the same as teaching it. A TEFL course gives you the essential teaching skills you need to be an effective teacher. You need a TEFL course to prepare you to plan lessons, understand theories of learning, get a grasp of effective teaching techniques, learn how to assess students – and so much more. 

Note: Some online companies have their own requirements for teaching with them:

• Bachelor’s degree: Some require a Bachelor’s degree but this can be a degree in any field. 
• Language fluency: If you’re not a native English speaker, you might need to show that your English is at level C1 on the CEFR (Advanced) or higher.
• Teaching experience: Teaching experience is sometimes preferred but there are many jobs which don’t require it. 

If you don’t have a degree or teaching experience and you really want to help yourself stand out from the crowd, be sure to write a kick-ass CV which showcases all your relevant skills and qualifications.

If you want another secret weapon, you could also look at doing one of our Top-Up Courses to give you the extra edge. When you sign up for a Level 3 120-hour TEFL course or a Level 5 168-hour TEFL course with The TEFL Academy, you’re given access to Teaching Business English, Teaching Young Learners, and Teaching Online and 1:1 – all absolutely free!

We recommend a Level 5 TEFL course – but not just any Level 5 TEFL course! 

Be wary of choosing a TEFL course which sounds too good to be true. Unfortunately there are some TEFL course providers who are happy to take your money and run, leaving you with a worthless piece of paper. 

Your TEFL course should be worth your time and money. It can be easy to fall for the cheap-as-chips options but we say, why? When you can do a Level 5 TEFL course with The TEFL Academy!

Our top tips for choosing a good TEFL course:

• Accreditation: Make sure it’s accredited, reputable and internationally recognised. 
• Comprehensive content: The TEFL course has to be at least 120 hours. It should be a comprehensive course which covers everything you need to know about teaching English as a foreign language.
• Expert support: There should be a team of qualified experts waiting to assist you with any technical or academic issues you might have.
• Testimonials and reviews: It should have good reviews from recent graduates.
• Value for money: Don’t be tempted by the lowest priced TEFL courses (<$100), and don’t fall for the excessively priced courses (>$1,000). Look for value while keeping an eye on your budget.

The TEFL Academy’s Level 5 TEFL Diploma is internationally recognised, regulated by Ofqual (UK government), accredited by Qualifi, and approved by the DEAC (U.S. Department of Education recognised awarding body). 

We were the world’s first TEFL course provider to have received official recognition from government-regulated awarding bodies both in the USA and the UK!

Our team of tutors are experienced TEFL teachers. We know what we are talking about! And we are just a click away to help you with any questions or queries you have during the course.

But you don’t have to believe what we say. Check out our online reviews and testimonials of The TEFL Academy graduates and you’ll see just how awesome they think we are. 

But let’s get back to business.

Teaching English online jobs can see you teaching all ages, nationalities and English levels, from kindergarten to pensioner, from Brazilian to Bahranian, and from Absolute Beginner to Advanced. 

Teaching English online can mean teaching General English, Business English, English for Exams, English for Specific Purposes or a wealth of other options. 

Online lessons can be 1:1 or group lessons.

Online English teachers can choose to work with an online company, a freelance platform, or go completely independent.  

Knowing what types of students you may encounter in your teaching journey can help you prepare better for your future classes. From Young Learners to adult professionals, students have varying levels of proficiency and learning objectives. Here are different types of students you may teach online:

1. Young learners and teenagers: Younger students can be as young as six years old, or you could teach 18 year-olds. You could have a Beginner teen or an Advanced 10 year-old!

2. Adults: More and more adults are turning to online learning to improve their English. This might be in place of face-to-face lessons or to complement other English classes.

3. Students: Some learners require a certain score in an English exam in order to study at an English-medium institution, or for immigration purposes. These learners are generally highly motivated.

4.  In-company: Many companies, especially international ones, require their staff to speak English. As the lingua franca of international business, English is great for customer service roles too.

The type of English you teach will depend on your students and their preferences. 

1. General or conversational English: This involves supporting students to improve their fluency in general everyday settings, without a clearly defined outcome such as an exam.

2. Business English: Business English covers topics like making presentations, writing emails, negotiating and proposals. 

3. English for exams: There is one end goal in mind here – passing an exam. Your students are all working towards this common goal so they are often more motivated and eager to succeed.

Anyone can be an online English teacher, but to be a successful – and effective – online teacher there are some requirements when it comes to equipment. In terms of technology, you’ll need:

• A laptop/desktop computer
• A stable internet connection
• A decent internet speed (at least 10 Mbps download/upload)
• A headset and microphone

Your internet connection and speed can be tested online. It’s a good idea to do this before you start applying for online teaching jobs as many employers ask for evidence of a good internet speed. 

Many of our online English teachers recommend getting an external webcam and extra lighting to ensure a good overall experience for your students. This is what will keep them coming back for more!

Besides technical equipment, online TEFL teachers need a quiet space where they can work free from distractions like ringing doorbells or crying babies. 

Good lighting is a must, while a whiteboard is a nice-to-have but not essential. A few classroom props like a map, soft toy or flashcards can come in  handy but this depends on your students. Your Japanese CEO might not appreciate Fluffy as much as 6 year-old Sergio! 

One last thing you’ll need is a method to receive payment, like PayPal. Once you’re all set, you’re ready for your first online lesson.

For starters, you can expect to earn between $12 – $15 per hour and this can go as high as $50 per hour for more experienced teachers.

The beauty of online teaching work is that you can earn as much or as little as you want. This is mostly because you can work as many hours as you can. As an independent online teacher you can even set your own rate so you’re really in control of your income. 

Bear in mind that if you work for an online company, they will take a commission every lesson. However, they are usually upfront about your potential earnings, possible bonuses and deductions. As an independent online English teacher, 100% of your earnings go to you (okay – you and the tax man!).

The first step is to identify what kind of online teaching job you want. In other words, decide if you want to work for an online company or be an independent online English teacher. 

Online English teaching company

If you choose to work for an online company, the difficulty is choosing which one!

1. Understand their requirements: Have a look at the different requirements of the different companies, fill out an application form or send through your CV… and catch up on Netflix while you wait to hear from them.

2. Sign up for more than one: A handy tip from The TEFL Academy tutors is to sign up with more than one company – provided it’s not against company policy. This way, you have more chances of getting students.

3. Upload an introductory video: If you sign up with an online platform, you’ll need to upload a (friggin’ amazing) introductory video or demo lesson to advertise your lessons to students. But once you’ve done the hard work, it’s up to your students to find you. 

Freelancing

If you choose to go the independent online English teacher route, there is a bit more elbow grease involved. You’ll need to think about marketing yourself online because you won’t have the benefit of students-on-demand that a company would provide. Here are some considerations:

1. Create an online presence: This can be done quite easily on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and even on LinkedIn. If you’re a little tech-savvy you can quickly throw together a website to show off your dazzling smile, sparkling personality and – of course – your excellent teaching style.

2. Set your rates: As an independent online English teacher, you’ll need to decide how much you’ll charge for your services. Do some research to see what other independent teachers are charging and set a competitive rate. It’s important to consider your qualifications, experience, and the value you bring to your students when determining your rates.

3. Lesson materials: As an independent online English teacher, you won’t have the benefit of lesson materials provided by online companies. However, there are many resources available online to help you plan lessons like a pro, so there’s no need to panic!

Teaching online is absolutely still in demand. 

The convenience and flexibility of online learning means it’s becoming more popular with both teachers and students. The recent surge in interest in online learning shows no sign of slowing down – and is only increasing with every year. More and more learners are realising the benefits of online learning, which means more and more online teaching jobs. 

But the same can be said of online English teachers! In other words, the boom in online learning has meant a boom in TEFL teachers training to be online teachers. This is why it’s especially important that your TEFL qualification is up to scratch.

If you choose to work for an online teaching platform, there are approximately 52,000 to choose from. Just kidding, but there are loads! Each company has its own requirements, expectations, application process, schedule and remuneration. Do some digging and find a company which suits your needs – and your time zone!

1. Cambly

Cambly doesn’t require a degree or teaching experience. You teach English online on a 1:1 basis. The students are based all over the world so you can find students anywhere – so you don’t have to teach at the crack of dawn if you don’t want to! 

• Pay rates: You get paid per minute, which adds up to $10.20 an hour with Cambly and $12 an hour with Cambly Kids. You are paid weekly through Paypal.
• Minimum hours: You set your own schedule – there are no minimum hours required to teach on Cambly.
• Teacher requirements: You don’t need a degree or prior teaching experience. Native English speakers from the United States, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand are preferred. 
• Technical requirements: A laptop or computer with a webcam, a headset with a microphone, and a strong internet connection.

2. Engoo

Engoo is an online platform for teachers to advertise their services. Students choose their teachers from a database and schedule a lesson. You don’t need a degree or teaching experience but you must be at least 18 years old.

As an Engoo teacher you teach 25-minute 1:1 lessons. Your students are all ages, mostly from Japan. Lesson materials are provided. 

• Pay rates: Rates are $2.80 an hour for non-native speakers up to $10 an hour for native speakers, with performance-based incentives.
• Minimum hours: You set your own schedule – there are no minimum hours required to teach on Engoo.
• Teacher requirements: You don’t need a degree or prior teaching experience. Engoo hires native and non-native English speakers. 
• Technical requirements: A laptop or computer with a webcam, a headset with a microphone, and a strong internet connection.

3. FluentBe

FluentBe is an online language school. Teachers who are native speakers of English and Advanced speakers of Hungarian, Czech, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish are preferred. Teachers must have at least one year teaching experience with foreign students.

As a teacher with FluentBe you teach classes of up to 4 students, usually children, teens and adults from central Europe. The lessons are conversation-based and all materials and lesson plans are provided. 

• Pay rate: Pay is from $7.50 to $12 an hour. 
• Minimum hours: You set your own schedule – there are no minimum hours required to teach on Engoo.
• Technical requirements: A laptop or computer with a webcam, a headset with a microphone, and a strong internet connection.

4. Latin Hire

Latin Hire is more like an agency than an online school. They recruit teachers for other educational companies. The educational companies Latin Hire work with are mostly located in South America and they recruit teachers for subjects like  English, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Accounting, Finance and Economy.

• Pay rates: $7 – $13 an hour.
• Minimum hours: You set your own schedule – there are no minimum hours required to teach on Latin Hire.
• Teacher requirements: You don’t need a degree or prior teaching experience. A TEFL certification of 120 hours is recommended, but not required. Native and non-native speakers of English are hired, but some companies might prefer native English speakers.
• Technical requirements: A laptop or computer with a webcam, a headset with a microphone, and a strong internet connection.

5. Lingoda

Lingoda is one of the most popular language learning platforms online for adult learners. The classes are small, usually three to five students, or private 1:1 lessons. Lessons are taught on Zoom and teachers are provided with in-house materials, so lesson preparation is a breeze. You can set your own schedule; there are no minimum hours required. 

To teach with Lingoda you need to have a TEFL certificate, a C2 level of English, and two to three years of teaching experience. 

• Pay rates: Teaching with Lingoda you’ll earn about $13 an hour.
• Minimum hours: The average Lingoda teacher teaches approximately 5-10 hours a week – but your own timing is entirely up to you.
• Teacher requirements: You need 2-3 years of prior teaching experience. You’ll also need C2 or above level of the language you would like to teach.
• Technical requirements: A laptop or computer with a webcam, a headset with a microphone, and a strong internet connection.

6. Preply

With Preply, you create a profile with an introductory video, upload it to the platform and students contact you directly. Lessons are an hour long. 

As a Preply teacher, you set your own rates. Preply takes a 100% commission from your first lesson, but the commission decreases with each lesson.

• Pay rates: $10 – $45 an hour. Preply takes commission on every class you teach. The more hours you teach, the less commission is charged, on a sliding scale. 
• Minimum hours: You have to teach a minimum of 8 hours a week.
• Teacher requirements: You don’t need a degree or prior teaching experience. Native English speakers are preferred but not required.
• Technical requirements: A laptop or computer with a webcam, a headset with a microphone, and a strong internet connection.

7. Verbling

Verbling has over 10,000 tutors on its platform, including teachers of English, Spanish, French and other languages. Students choose to book a lesson with a teacher and this is conducted 1:1 on video chat. 

Teachers set their own schedules and their own rates. To teach with Verbling you need to have teaching experience and preferably a teaching qualification. 

• Pay rates: Teachers set their own hourly tutoring rates individually.
• Minimum hours: Teachers can teach an unlimited amount of private sessions on Verbling.
• Teacher requirements: Teachers need to have previous experience teaching their target language to speakers of other languages.  
• Technical requirements: You need a laptop or desktop computer with a camera and microphone, the Google Chrome browser, and a strong internet connection.

8. iTutor

iTutorGroup is a Taiwanese and Chinese company. You teach children or adults (often business professionals) from China, Japan and Taiwan. All teaching materials are provided. 

Teachers need a Bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate or equivalent and at least 1 year teaching experience. Payment is in your local currency and it will increase the more you teach and the better your student reviews are. Rates start from about $10; some teachers have been known to make $30 an hour.

Whether you’re looking for a new career or a side gig to earn some extra moolah, teaching English online is a good idea. There is no better time than now to get involved in teaching English online.

At minimum you’ll need a Level 3 TEFL course to get started, but we highly recommend considering a Level 5 TEFL course to give you an edge in the competitive online teaching market. With a Level 5 Combined TEFL course, you’ll have the advantage of a practical teaching component, which will prepare you for the real-life challenges of teaching English online.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey to becoming an online English teacher today!

READ MORE:

11 Best Places To Teach English Online With No Degree [2024]

9 Best Places To Teach English Online With No Experience