A little about me: When I’m not blogging about making money, I’m all about languages. I’ve been studying foreign languages in school, university, and even in my free time for as long as I can remember. This passion has taken me to places like Japan and Russia, where I also worked as an English teacher.
The idea of making money from home by teaching English online is really appealing to me. Teaching English to foreign students can be fun and rewarding. You get to interact with adorable kids, share your language and culture, and maybe even inspire someone to travel or live abroad someday. And the best part? You don’t even have to leave your house!
In this post, you’ll learn how to teach English online and get paid. We’ll cover what it takes to become an online English teacher and share several companies currently hiring in the UK. While I’m focusing on the UK, many of these companies hire globally, so it’s worth checking out even if you’re based elsewhere.
How does teaching English online work?
Most online English teaching jobs are through third-party companies that handle scheduling and payment. Some provide lesson plans and materials, while others leave it up to you. Lessons are usually one-on-one, allowing you to build great relationships with your students and avoid typical classroom discipline issues.
Most students prefer to book the same teacher each week for consistency, but some jobs let you log in and take available lessons as they come. Both you and your student will need a webcam and a headset with a microphone to communicate effectively.
You can teach students of all ages, from kids as young as six to adults. Each age group has its pros and cons. Adults are often more motivated, but teaching young kids can be incredibly fun with games and songs.
Advantages of teaching English online
Teaching English online is a fantastic work-from-home job for several reasons. It’s perfect for stay-at-home parents, carers, or anyone who needs to be at home. The job is flexible, allowing you to choose your hours (within reason) and decide how many lessons to take each week. Companies like Education First book lessons in blocks, letting you plan your schedule in advance.
This job is also a great way for teachers to make extra money during school holidays. Plus, it’s incredibly rewarding to make a real impact on someone’s life, potentially helping them get a job or inspiring them to travel or work abroad.
Requirements for teaching English online
The requirements vary by company, but generally, you need:
– Fluency in English
– A fast internet connection with a webcam and headset
– A quiet place to work
– Great communication skills and intercultural awareness
– Enjoy teaching and working with children
Some companies may also require:
– A Bachelor’s degree
– TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification
– Citizenship or residency in a particular country
– Experience working with kids
Teach English online to Chinese students with EF (Education First)
EF (Education First) is one of the best-known companies for teaching English, with a solid reputation and experience since 1965. They’re currently recruiting UK-based teachers to teach English to kids in China, aged 6-10, in 25-minute one-on-one classes. Peak lesson hours in China are weekday mornings and weekend mornings in the UK.
One of the perks of teaching with EF is their prepared lesson materials, saving you the time and effort of creating your own. If you want to teach with EF or other online schools, you’ll need a TEFL certificate. You can obtain this qualification online at a discounted rate.
Full requirements to work with EF include:
– Ability to connect with kids
– Being a native English speaker with a Bachelor’s degree
– A minimum 40-hour TEFL certification
– Experience in early childhood development, teaching, coaching, or mentoring is preferred
– Excellent cultural awareness, communication, and motivational skills
– Access to a headset, personal computer, and wired Ethernet connection
– Willingness to complete an online DBS check, reimbursed after probation
Does teaching English online pay well?
The pay varies, but EF starts at £8.50 per hour, with opportunities to earn up to £12.50 per hour, plus performance-based bonuses, holiday pay, and pension contributions. Other companies offer around £9-£10 per hour, but most don’t include holiday pay or pensions.
iTalki is another platform where you can set your own rates. Qualified TEFL teachers charge around £14-£20 per hour, while unqualified tutors charge about £8-£10. Your earnings depend on how many lessons you teach, and you might need to sign up with multiple companies to make a full-time income.
Is teaching English online legitimate?
Yes, teaching English online is a legitimate way to make money from home. Companies like EF have been around for years and have good reviews. However, always do your research, especially with lesser-known companies.
How to teach English online without a degree or qualification
If you don’t have a teaching qualification or degree, you can still find work providing English conversation practice. iTalki is a platform where you can work as a self-employed tutor, setting your own rates and hours. Community Tutors on iTalki offer informal tutoring and conversation practice, which can be a great way to get started.
Best online English teaching jobs
Some of the best online English teaching jobs in the UK include:
– iTalki (no qualification needed)
– Cambly (no qualification needed but must be a native speaker)
– PalFish (higher pay with TEFL/TESOL cert, lower pay without)
– DaDa (Bachelor’s degree and TEFL/TESOL cert required)
– GoGo Kid (requires Bachelor’s degree)
– TEFL UK (requires TEFL or TESOL certificate)
– Baron’s English (requires TEFL qualification and native British English)
– Lingoda (requires teaching experience)
– Voxy (requires teaching experience)
You can also consider freelancing and teaching your own private lessons. Facebook groups like Online English Teachers share regular job listings and provide a platform for feedback and opinions.
Earn money teaching English online
Teaching English online is a rewarding and potentially lucrative work-from-home job. If you’ve taught English online before, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments to help other readers!