Teaching English online is a great way to make money from home or while traveling and living abroad. Learn about what it takes to Teach English Online in 2024. Including which certifications you need, the salary you can earn, and where to find the perfect remote gig.
Individual students may also hire online English teachers as independent contractors or private tutors.
Did you know there are thousands of people teaching English to international students from their living room and earning money online?
Thanks to Distance Learning Technology, such as:
- Zoom
- Skype
Teaching ESL (English as a Second language) online has become a rewarding hustle for many.
Teaching English online encompasses teaching English as a foreign language to a non-native English speaker over the internet through a computer and a webcam.
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Students can learn one-on-one or in small groups and the cost is usually cheaper than an in-person, face-to-face ESL class.
In many cases, both students and teachers can set their class times and schedules, and the teacher can teach from whatever location is convenient to them.
Many types of educational institutions offer online English classes, including grade schools, online teaching platforms, and even corporations.
If you’re interested in learning about new cultures. But now is not the time to move abroad. Or conversely, if you’ve formerly taught abroad and are looking for a way to make a little extra moolah and connect your experiences overseas to your life back home. Teaching English Online is a great option.
Plus, given the upsurge in demand for English teachers, it is increasingly feasible for teachers to take advantage of these unique tech-meets-education opportunities.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to start teaching English online, and how you can break into this growing industry in 2023. How To Teach English Online In 2024 and Make Extra Money.
How To Make Money Teaching English Online In 2024
Teaching English online is just one of the many jobs freelancers can do, always assuming they know the topic and have the skills to do it. Learn How To Teach English Online To Chinese Students and make money at home.
Teaching English online takes away the geographical restrictions, and it allows you, at least theoretically, to work from whatever you want as long as you have a stable Internet connection.
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If teaching online appeals to you, this article will give you the information you need to start working as an online English teacher.
Bear in mind:
If you want to teach English online, you must be prepared to face competition. For this reason, low paid jobs.
Make sure you set the foundation to be seen as a valuable professional since day 1 not to end up being paid peanuts.
Why Teach English Online?
The short answer: This Form of Teaching is Booming.
Online learning is so convenient. Both teacher and student can set their schedules and have classes when and where suits them, and neither wastes time traveling to classes.
In addition. Students can learn 1-on-1 or in a small group at a fraction of the cost of a comparable face-to-face course. And teachers save time on preparation since the online classes are generally discussion-based.
It’s easy to see the appeal for both teacher and student, and, as a result, there are many major employers in this industry.
Each is rapidly expanding to offer convenient and cost-effective classes.
At this point, learning English online is well established in countries worldwide, so you can choose the community in which you’d most like to connect.
While there are many small and medium-size recruiters, big names to look out for in the online English teaching industry are Teach Away and EF English First.
With the many employer options for those looking to teach English online.
It can get confusing to know what certifications you need and what to expect. Read this article for a comprehensive list of the 8 best companies for teaching English online.
How To Start Teaching English Online?
There are at least three ways to start teaching online:
- Signing-up on a third party’s website and become an official teacher for them;
- Open up a profile on specific platforms;
- Do it yourself as a pure freelancer.
These three methods guarantee a different outcome when it comes to authority, money, and career progression. Is it possible to teach English online with no experience? The answer is YES!
1. Go Freelance
Going freelancing is a good option if you want to invest in yourself, have a marketing plan, and want to really be in control of what you do and how you do it.
A good way to start teaching English online is by creating your own online school.
You can offer your services via your website or even create a course on a platform like Udemy to attract students and, at the same time, have a passive income.
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YouTube is another source if you’re willing to put your face out there to get students.
If you choose to go independent. Make sure you are aware that you will need time to plan branding activities and marketing promotions to get your name out there.
The outcome can be gratifying, but the effort at the beginning can be gigantic.
2. Become Part of A Language-Focused Company
If you have a solid background and credentials, you can become part of a company and start teaching within their platform and system.
Basically, you become part of the school in the same way you would if you were going to teach offline.
The company recruits the students and assigns them to teachers automatically, and in return, you need to give your availability and stick to it.
In this case, you’re almost like an employee, so you’ve rules to follow. In exchange, you may get students without doing much.
3. Create A Profile On Specific Platforms
If you want to be part of a company without being part of it and at the same time getting some benefits in terms of visibility, then signing up to platforms is the way to go.
- You only need to create a profile.
- Add a bio and a picture (in most cases, also an introductory video to show your skills).
- Set your own schedule and prices, and
- Then wait for the students to book a lesson.
In this case, you’re in charge of everything. But the platform may offer the visibility you may find hard to get if you work alone.
The truth is that the competition on these platforms is unbelievable, and you may end up getting meager fees to get some work.
Italki and Preply are two of the most used platforms where online teachers create profiles to get clients.
Who is a Good Fit For Teaching English Online?
Since teachers mainly set their schedules, many students and parents find teaching online very convenient.
Moreover, those who teach abroad in a conventional school can also teach online to fill in their timetable gaps or supplement their income.
There are also plenty of teachers who love having a variety of students and classes and make teaching online a full-time job.
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Variety is a crucial component. Classes 1-on-1 are likely to be 30 minutes in duration. While the norm for groups (usually 2-6 students) is 45-60 minutes.
Anyone interested in international education. And who wants to embrace new cultures from their own home would be a great fit as an online English teacher.
How Much Does Online English Teachers Make?
Identifying a salary for online English teachers is almost impossible.
Mostly because the pay scale varies between countries, services, companies, and apps.
On average, the range goes from 7 to 40 dollars per hour, but it can go higher in the case of highly skilled profiles or jobs.
For example, teaching English online to kids pay less than teaching business English online to professionals.
And it goes even deeper: being specialized in one industry gives an advantage in terms of rates or jobs’ availability.
The less specialized you are, the less money you make.
What Does An Online English Teacher Do?
You’ll usually lead a student or group of students through a theme-based discussion.
You will make corrections, encourage responses, and ensure that each student gets a fair turn to participate.
Materials are generally provided, but there can be some scope for using your own.
Many students may have studied English previously. But not with a private online English tutor so they lack fluency and the ability to converse naturally. These lessons are often conversational.
The themes you’ll discuss likely include hobbies, family, culture, sports, music, and films.
In addition, depending on the school. You may be expected to complete some admin work outside of lessons. Such as writing lesson summaries, sending corrections by email, and assigning homework.
What Do You Need To Teach English Online?
Depending on how you want to teach English on the Web, you may need more or fewer requirements to start doing so.
Companies have stricter requirements for onboarding new talents; if you work via an app such as Italki, you may be a bit more relaxed.
So said, to keep up with the competitors, you should always be able to provide:
- References,
- Certificates,
- Experience.
My advice is to provide as many documents as you can, to establish credibility and authority, no matter how you want to approach this thing.
To teach online successfully, you’ll need a secure and reliable Internet connection, a Zoom or Skype account, and a TESOL/TEFL certificate.
Generally, it’s also important to be a native English speaker. Finally, most important is a friendly, patient, and punctual personality.
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Many companies allow you to teach English online without a degree, as long as you have completed the proper certifications.
Like any ESL classroom, your subject matter has a lot of flexibility. You’ll cover the basics: grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
The lack of face-to-face communication means you may need to get creative in the classroom. There are many fun ESL games for English teachers that can adapt to an online classroom.
On a general note, these are the Things You Need To Start Teaching English Online:
-
Hold a Bachelor’s Degree:
companies definitely require one, while apps or working by yourself don’t. It’s good to show you have a degree because it shows people you’re willing to commit.
-
Be a Native English Speaker:
most companies will only accept candidates who hold a passport issued by an English-speaking country. Other forms of engagement may also hire non-natives, and you can always teach English by yourself even if you’re not a native, but this can affect the number of requests you get. The reason is simple: people want to learn from locals.
-
Have Access To Technology:
first of all, you need a stable Internet connection to pair with a good computer, camera, and headphones.
-
Be Available and Flexible:
availability is key in this industry. Very often this means working when other people in your time zone are sleeping because you’re working with someone in a different country.
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-
Have a Certification:
this may sound optional, but to show people that you’re serious about teaching English online, holding a TEFL certification is very important.
Last but not least, having prior experience helps.
It doesn’t mean you need to have been a teacher your whole life before starting a business teaching English on the Web.
It sure helps if you’ve had other experiences, even if just briefly.
How Do I Find English Students Online?
Finding English students is the hardest part of teaching English online.
Whether you signup with a company or decide to go 100% freelance. Clients are never guaranteed, and you need to put in the time and effort to succeed.
The key is “reputation”: the more people know about you, the better opportunities you have to find new clients.
Reviews are essential. So it’s your online presence. Having a website is not optional if you want to have more options. If you want to show your skills, a blog is also needed.
Show expertise in what you do, make sure you communicate with potential leads, and get more students.
What Collateral Skills Do You Need To Teach English Online?
Teaching English is not just about knowing the topic.
But also knowing how to approach people and their needs to get the most out of them and really improve their lives.
It would help if you were a good communicator and also someone patient with others.
Being organized is also crucial to make sure you don’t end up working too many hours for too little money or not working at all because you’re disorganized.
Ensure you know how to use technology. Or at least the basics. When a lesson starts, your customer doesn’t want to spend time waiting for you to get connected or get your camera working.
How To Find English Teaching Jobs Online in 2024
Once you complete your TEFL/TESOL certification, you’ll be eager to start teaching.
Finding jobs as an English teacher can seem daunting at first. But there are many ways to connect with employers looking for qualified English teachers.
Choose TEFL Course That Offers Job Search Assistance
Choosing programs that include jobs search assistance. Like International TEFL Academy provides several resources to help you find a job after completing your course.
Some even offer guaranteed job placement, though these programs are more expensive than others. If you’re intimidated by the job search process, this may be the right choice!
Apply For An Online Language Tutoring Platform
Working for a language tutoring platform is one of the easiest ways to teach English online.
The majority of tutoring companies will require you to hold a degree and native English proficiency.
However, there are some exceptions.
For example. Some companies allow teachers without a degree to teach with only an ESL certification. While others may allow non-native speakers with high proficiency levels.
Companies generally provide all materials and lesson plans, so little prep is required on your end!
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These are usually part-time jobs or hourly contracts. They’re perfect if you want to supplement your income or earn extra money.
Despite China’s crackdown on online English tutoring companies that left the big names like VIPKid and Gogokid out of business, other countries have stepped in to fill the demand.
Companies like Starkid out of Hong Kong and US-based Protostar are going strong and offering competitive rates to online English teachers.
If you want to discover more remote teaching opportunities, check out these 8 best companies for teaching English online to find employers looking for great teachers like you.
Consider Freelance Tutoring
Another option is to teach English online via freelance tutoring. This is a great way to be your boss, set your schedule and salary, and choose which students you want to teach.
Freelance tutoring is a great way to earn additional income.
However, if you have a teaching or tutoring background, you may find it easier to land your first few clients on websites like Cambly or Upwork.
But this comes with its challenges — you need to build a good profile and demonstrate that you have the skills for the job.
One way to stand out is by being able to offer more than just English instruction.
For example, consider adding more services, such as editing or proofreading essays, providing career advice, or helping students select courses they can take while learning English.
Building a personal website will help attract clients through your own unique branding.
Companies like Wix and WordPress have free templates that you can customize for a great looking site in no time.
The Best Companies To Teach English Online in 2024
If you want to start teaching English online and are looking for companies that allow you to do it, this list is perfect.
I’ve included the best companies that let you teach English online from home and that you can join if you meet their requirements.
Name | Hourly rate | Degree required | TEFL required | Non-native speakers | Link |
Amazing Talker | ($15 – $28) | No | No | Yes | Here |
Panda ABC | (up to $30) | Yes | Preferred | No | Here |
HelloKid | ($14 – $20) | No | Yes | Yes | Here |
Barons English | ($15 – $22) | Yes | Yes | No | Here |
VIPKid | ($14 – $22) | Yes | Yes | No | Here |
EF English Live | (up to $20) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Here |
Landi | ($10 – $18) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Here |
iTutorGroup | ($5 – $22) | Yes | Yes | No | Here |
Lingoda | ($8 – $13) | Yes | Yes | No | Here |
Magic Ears | (up to $26 per hour) | Yes | Yes | No | Here |
GoGoKid | ($14 – $25) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Here |
Qkids | up to $20 | No | Yes | No | Here |
Preply | up to $40 | No | No | Yes | Here |
Italki | up to $40 | No | No | Yes | Here |
Remember: signing up with a company doesn’t guarantee clients. You are put into a database with other teachers, and you may or may not be assigned students over time.
What Exactly Is a TEFL Certification?
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is a certification that gives teachers a chance to teach the English language to non-native English speakers especially in a country that does not use English as their primary language. Learn How To Teach English Online In 2023 to make money at home.
This certification is the most used and accepted qualification to teach English abroad.
Volunteering Solutions, in association with TEFL UK, has introduced the TEFL Certification Course for:
- Aspiring teachers,
- Gap year travelers,
- High school graduates,
- Mid-life career changers,
- As well as experienced teachers,
Who are keen to learn the art of teaching English while traveling the whole world and earning a living at the same time.
Why Should You Opt For an Online TEFL Course With Volunteering Solutions?
- We have tied up with TEFL UK, one of the most renowned organizations, with course rates of 4.60 out of 5 on Reviews.co.uk
- Ensuring more than 1,000s of job opportunities every month
- No prior teaching experience necessary to take our courses
- Once you join the course, you’ll have lifetime access to course materials You can teach English online, overseas, set up your own teaching company
- The possibilities with TEFL are endless!
- We support English Education in the world’s poorest communities
Can I Do TEFL Without a Degree?
FAQS – How To Teach English Online In 2024
1. Is Teaching English Online Worth It?
There are pros and cons of teaching English online, but if you’re looking for a job from home that allows you to be flexible, this may be a good choice for you.
Make sure you do it at your best and always improve to get the best out of it and make sure it will be worth it.
2. Can I Teach English Online Without TEFL?
3. Is It Easy To Become An Online English Teacher?
Working as an online English teacher is not easy.
Competition is fierce, and fees can very often be small. Also, the time differences when teaching people from other places can contribute to stress and fatigue.
It’s also worth mentioning that most online tutoring jobs don’t offer benefits.
So to become an online English teacher, you’ve to be committed and ready to challenge yourself.
4. Can I Make A Living Teaching English Online?
It is possible to make a living teaching online by planning carefully how many hours you want to work, who you want to work with, and how much you want to be paid.
Once again, reputation and specialization are keys, and these two things can unlock more benefits in terms of money, allowing you to make a living teaching English online.
Use more ways to promote your teaching business, make sure you are visible, and use marketing to promote what you do.
And do not forget to improve constantly also in terms of leadership, to give your current and potential students the knowledge they need.
5. What Qualifications Do I Need To Teach English Online?
6. How Difficult Is The TEFL Course?
In this way, you’ll also build a successful and profitable career out of your teaching skills. Now you have the tips on How To Teach English Online In 2023. Good Luck. Read More How To Make More Money Extra Income At Home
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