How To Make Money By Teaching English Online
Hi there!
I’d love to share my experience finding online English teacher jobs. Although I didn’t teach personally, my husband did, and I supported him every step of the way. With his degree in English Literature, we were determined to explore work-from-home opportunities together.
Our journey began with researching companies that offered online teaching positions. We spent hours diving into various platforms that connect teachers with students for online language lessons.
However, we quickly realized one major obstacle: finding companies that accept non-native English speakers. It was a frustrating challenge, but we didn’t let it stop us.
We kept searching, staying persistent and hopeful. After many long hours and unwavering determination, we finally found a company that allowed my husband to teach English online. It was a game-changer for us!
I’m thrilled to share a list of companies offering English teaching jobs online in this article. The best part? Some of them welcome non-native English speakers! Whether you’re looking for extra income or a new career path, I hope this information inspires and helps you take the first step.
Why Teach English Online?
The demand for learning English is growing rapidly around the world, creating exciting opportunities for those who want to teach the language. English has become essential for business, travel, and global communication, making it a skill that many international students are eager to learn. As a result, there’s a high demand for qualified English teachers to help students achieve their goals.
Thanks to advancements in technology, teaching English has never been easier or more accessible. You no longer need to travel to another country to share your knowledge. Online teaching platforms have revolutionized the way we connect, enabling teachers to reach students worldwide through video conferencing and interactive tools. This means you can teach from the comfort of your own home while making a meaningful impact on students’ lives across the globe.
How to Teach English Online?
Can You Teach English Online Without a Degree?
The short answer is: absolutely, yes!
Teaching English online has become more accessible than ever, and having a degree in a related field isn’t always necessary. While a degree might be helpful in some cases, many online teaching platforms focus on other important qualities, such as fluency in English, strong communication skills, and prior teaching experience.
Earning a certification can be a smart move to boost your chances of getting hired and enhance your teaching skills. Certifications like TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, or CertTESOL provide thorough training in teaching methods, lesson planning, and classroom management. These credentials are widely respected and can open doors to teaching opportunities worldwide, both online and in-person.
Opportunities for Non-Native English Speakers to Teach English Online
If you’re a non-native English speaker, don’t let that stop you from pursuing a career as an online English teacher. Trust me, I know it can feel discouraging at first. My husband is a non-native English speaker, but he’s been successfully teaching English online for years. It wasn’t an easy journey, but with determination, we proved that it’s possible.
Many companies out there welcome non-native speakers who have achieved a high level of English proficiency. Showing that you have advanced skills—typically at the C2 level—can help you earn the trust of employers and students alike.
Getting certified can also make a huge difference. Certifications like TEFL or TESOL give you the tools you need to teach effectively, from lesson planning to classroom management.
As non-native speakers, we also have a unique advantage: we understand the challenges of learning English because we’ve been through it ourselves. This personal experience allows us to connect with students on a deeper level, guiding them with empathy and offering insights that only someone who’s walked the same path can provide.
Equipment for Online Teaching: What You Need As An Online English Teacher
You don’t need anything high-tech to start an English teaching career online, make sure you have the following essentials:
- Computer, travel-friendly laptop, or smartphone with webcam
- Headphones with microphone
- Stable and reliable WiFi
- A quiet, clean, and distraction-free workspace
- Teaching props such as flashcards, a reward system, stuffed animals, or other engaging tools, especially for teaching young children
Having the right tools in place not only helps you teach more effectively but also makes a positive impression on your students.
Top Companies to Teach English Online
1. VIPKid
VIPKid is one of the most well-known platforms for teaching English online, and it’s no surprise why. With over 1 million students and more than 200 million classes taught, the opportunities here are huge.
One of the standout features of VIPKid is the convenience it offers to teachers. They provide ready-made lesson plans, so there’s no need to spend hours preparing materials. This made it so much easier to focus on actually teaching and connecting with the students. The flexibility is also a big plus—you could set your schedule, picking hours that worked best for your family. Unlike some other platforms, VIPKid doesn’t require a minimum number of hours, which is perfect if juggling other commitments.
That said, there are a few requirements to keep in mind. To teach with VIPKid, you need to be legally eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada. They also require at least 2 years of teaching or tutoring experience (formal or informal), and you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in any major. The pay is competitive, ranging from $14 to $22 per hour, which makes it a great option if you’re looking to earn extra income or transition into teaching full-time.
If you meet the requirements, VIPKid could be a fantastic place to start or grow your online teaching career. You can apply here!
2. italki
italki is an amazing platform for language learning, offering opportunities to teach not just English but many other languages as well. If you’re multilingual, italki is a great option to teach more than just English and reach a wider audience.
What’s unique about italki is that it caters to two types of instructors: professional teachers and community tutors. Professional teachers need accredited certifications like TEFL or TESOL, or some prior teaching experience, to ensure they deliver top-notch lessons. But here’s the good news—if you don’t have formal qualifications, you can still join as a community tutor. This role is perfect for anyone passionate about sharing their language skills and helping others learn.
One of the biggest perks of teaching on italki is the freedom it gives you. You get to set your rates for lessons, which means you can charge based on your experience and expertise. Plus, you have complete control over how you design your lessons—you can create personalized materials and teaching approaches tailored to your student’s specific needs and goals.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers flexibility and the chance to truly connect with students, italki is worth considering! Apply here!
3. StarKid
StarKid is a fantastic platform for teaching English online, especially if you enjoy working with kids. Focused on students aged 4 to 12, the platform was initially established in Hong Kong and continues to primarily serve students from there. My husband taught younger learners on platforms like this, and I’ve seen how rewarding it can be to help kids build their confidence and skills in English.
One of the standout features of StarKid is its competitive pay. They offer between $12 and $25 per hour, which is a great rate, especially if you’re passionate about teaching young learners. This pay range reflects how much they value qualified and engaging teachers who can make a difference in a child’s language learning journey.
StarKid is open to teachers based in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. If you’re from one of these countries, this is a great opportunity to connect with students in Hong Kong, teach English, and gain valuable experience in an international teaching environment. From what we’ve seen, working with kids online can be both fun and incredibly fulfilling, and StarKid seems like a platform that truly supports that experience.
4. Amazing Talker
Amazing Talker is an excellent platform for teaching English—or even other languages—and earning a steady income. What makes it unique is the flexibility it offers, letting you use your teaching materials and create lessons tailored to your students.
To teach English on Amazing Talker, it’s essential to either have a degree in English or be a native English speaker. These requirements ensure that teachers bring a strong foundation in language proficiency. Prior teaching experience is also preferred, as it shows you’re capable of engaging with students and delivering high-quality lessons.
One of the best things about Amazing Talker is the freedom it gives you. You can set your rates and design your schedule, which is perfect if you want to balance teaching with other commitments. This flexibility allows you to decide how much your time and expertise are worthwhile also letting you work at times that suit you best.
5. Native Camp
Native Camp is a great option for non-native English speakers who want to start teaching English online. My husband and I, being non-native speakers ourselves, know how challenging it can be to find opportunities like this. Platforms like Native Camp are especially valuable because they welcome teachers from diverse backgrounds, which is something we appreciate.
The application process for Native Camp is fairly simple. It usually includes a demo lesson to show off your teaching skills. Once you’re approved, you’ll have access to all the teaching materials provided by the platform. This makes it easier to focus on what matters—connecting with your students and delivering meaningful lessons.
What we liked about Native Camp is that everything is handled directly on their platform. You don’t need to worry about downloading extra software or managing complicated tools. This user-friendly setup makes teaching straightforward and stress-free for both teachers and students.
As for pay, Native Camp offers $1.50 per half-hour lesson. While it might not sound like much at first, they also provide bonuses and incentives that can boost your earnings. If you’re consistent and dedicated, this platform can become a steady source of income.
Native Camp is a great starting point for non-native English speakers who are passionate about teaching and want to gain experience in the online teaching world!
6. Fluentbe
Fluentbe is an online language school that uses webcams and platforms like Zoom to teach small groups of up to four students. They focus on teaching English to Central European students across various age groups, which makes for a diverse and rewarding teaching experience.
What’s great about Fluentbe is that they’re open to hiring not just native English speakers but also those fluent in languages like Polish, Czech, Slovak, Spanish, Portuguese, or Hungarian.
The job comes with plenty of perks—working from home, flexible hours and lesson plans already prepared for you. This is such a relief, especially if you’re just starting out and don’t want to spend extra time creating lesson materials. New teachers even receive training and mentoring, which is an added bonus to help you feel confident in your role.
To qualify, you’ll need a stable internet connection, a minimum of one year’s experience teaching English to non-native speakers, and preferably some online teaching experience.
Fluentbe is a fantastic option if you want a flexible, structured teaching experience while helping Central European students improve their English skills.
7. Cambly
Cambly is one of the most well-known platforms for teaching English online, connecting tutors with students from over 130 countries through video chat. One of the things we love about Cambly is its diversity—you get to teach both children and adults, making it a great option if you enjoy working with different age groups. If you have a professional background, there’s even a chance to work with organizations or companies, which is an exciting way to grow your teaching experience.
The pay is quite reasonable too! For general tutoring sessions, Cambly pays $10.20 per hour, while Cambly Kids offers a slightly higher rate of $12 per hour. If you enjoy teaching children, Cambly Kids is a great way to specialize and earn a bit more.
One of the best parts of working with Cambly is the global reach—you’ll interact with students from so many cultural backgrounds, which makes every session unique and interesting. The video chat format makes it easy to engage in conversations, correct language mistakes, and help students build confidence in their English skills.
Cambly is also super flexible, allowing you to set your schedule and work whenever it suits you. The platform is user-friendly, so you can focus on teaching without worrying about tech challenges.
8. Engoo
Engoo is a fantastic platform for teaching English online, connecting tutors with students from Japan, Taiwan, and other parts of the world. If you’re interested in joining, all you need is a working computer (desktop or laptop), a stable internet connection, a good headset or earphones, and a webcam.
The great thing about Engoo is that you don’t need prior ESL teaching experience to get started. However, you do need a strong command of English and good teaching skills. Non-native speakers are welcome too, as long as you have solid English proficiency.
Speaking of applying, you’ll need to pass a language test to show your fluency. Once you’re in, scheduling is super flexible—you decide when you want to work! You can open teaching slots anytime, 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Plus, there’s no pressure to meet a minimum number of classes. Each lesson is one-on-one and lasts 25 minutes, with a 5-minute break in between.
Conclusion
The world of online English teaching is full of exciting opportunities for those ready to make a difference. With so many reputable platforms to choose from, you’re bound to find one that fits your needs and teaching style perfectly.
When deciding on a platform, consider your qualifications, the type of students you’d like to teach, the materials provided, scheduling flexibility, pay rates, and the technology or support offered. Taking the time to evaluate these aspects will help you start your teaching journey on the right foot.
From my husband’s experience as an online English teacher, I can say it’s more than just a job—it’s a truly rewarding journey. He loved meeting students from around the world, each with their own unique stories and cultural backgrounds. For him, it wasn’t just about teaching English; it was about exchanging knowledge and building meaningful connections.
Not only did teaching online give him a great way to earn extra income, but it also allowed him to expand his global network and grow personally and professionally. The excitement of meeting new students kept him motivated and made every class an adventure.
If you’re thinking about teaching English online, I hope your journey is just as fulfilling. Take the leap, connect with students from all corners of the world, and enjoy sharing your knowledge while learning from them in return. It’s an amazing opportunity to grow, make an impact, and have some fun along the way.
And hey, if you’re interested in learning about other online work opportunities, don’t forget to check out my other articles. I’ve written about how to make money with transcribing and translating online, so be sure to take a look—I’d love to help you explore new ways to thrive online!
Warm regards,
Sindi