*This article may contain affiliate links. For full information, please see the disclaimer here.
Would you like to work from home? Would you like to be your own boss and choose when to work? Are you a native or near-native speaker of English? Do you have your own computer and a headset?
Then, being an online English teacher might just be the job for you!
Yes, you can teach English online while working at home or in a quiet area, and watch your income accumulate. There is definitely a need for online English teachers, especially in Asia.
In fact, if you type in “teach English online jobs” you would be amazed at the sheer number.
Now, I’m sure you are wondering how to go about it so we will help you by focusing on the requirements, certification, and best websites to teach ESL online.
What are the job requirements to teach English online?
Be a (near) native speaker
The majority of companies hiring English teachers require that you come from an English-speaking country and that you speak it natively.
There are a few exceptions out there but if you would like to be considered, then it is best if you speak English at a native level.
Have a teaching qualification
Companies or language schools prefer if you are certified to teach. There are a variety of accepted qualifications that are widely accepted and recognised. TESOL and TEFL certificates are the most widely accepted though.
Have a strong and reliable internet connection
This is such a crucial point. How can you teach if you don’t have a good internet connection? Well, you can’t! So always make sure that wherever you are, the WiFi has a strong signal that will not affect your online classes.
Previous experience vs having a degree
Many companies prefer that you have a degree. For online TEFL jobs, it doesn’t seem to matter what field your degree is in as long as it is a four-year one.
However, if you do not have a degree then having at least three years of teaching experience is also acceptable. But again, it depends on the company.
If you have neither a degree nor teaching experience but would still love to try, these are the best websites for entry-level online English tutors.
How to get ESL certified?
Let’s focus more on the teaching qualification previously mentioned. What teaching qualifications can you get?
- TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- CELTA: Certificate in English Language Teaching Adults
To obtain any one of these qualifications you can choose to do them on-site at a specialised institute which can be in the country of your choice. You can also sign up for online TEFL and TESOL courses at reputable sites like MyTEFL, TEFL Academy, The TEFL Institute, and International Open Academy, which offers level 3 and level 5 TEFL and TESOL courses and short top-up courses.
Make sure that the course is accredited by a recognised, independent body within the field.
A professional-level TEFL certification for teaching English online should incorporate a minimum of 120 hours. There are other options, so please research to find the one that suits you best.
The online courses tend to be more affordable and flexible but the on-site ones mean you can have richer communication, and perhaps build some good connections.
Both types of courses can lead to jobs being provided for you, depending on the institute you decide to go with. Make sure you ask the necessary questions.
We have answered the essential questions, so now, let’s look at the best websites to find you a few online ESL jobs of your dreams.
The best websites to teach English online
1. Preply
Preply has a huge pool of students, which means you can manage your schedule and the lessons without worrying about where to get students.
No specific certification or teaching experience is needed but you must have outstanding communication skills and love sharing your knowledge. Make sure you complete a fantastic profile to entice those students your way.
The downside to Preply is that they take a commission fee from your lessons. But they do guarantee to bring in more students, while also developing easy-to-use tools and learning materials for your lessons.
Hourly rate: You set your own hourly rate but on average, English tutors can earn between $15-$25 an hour.
How to apply: Sign up with your email, Facebook, or Google to provide some basic information, upload a photo with a description of your strengths, and record a short introductory video.
2. Italki
Italki is essentially a huge online language teacher marketplace. Whatever language you are fluent in, you can sign up to work at this company.
Lessons that are one-to-one and can be 30, 40, or 90 minutes long. Alternatively, group classes are between one hour to one and a half. You can be teaching kids, general and business English, exam prep, or holding basic conversation classes.
At Italki, you can apply to be either a community tutor or a professional teacher. For the latter, you need to have proven teaching experience and hold the necessary qualifications.
Community tutors, on the other hand, don’t need certificates or degrees but should be proficient enough to provide general lessons or conversation practice.
Hourly rate: You set your own rates but on average you can earn between $12-$25 an hour. Just remember if you set your rate too high, you will find it more challenging to get students.
How to apply: Create an account here.
3. Lingoda
Lingoda has classes around the clock. So, if you have a spare hour or so at a random time, you can include it in your schedule. Students can book a class anywhere from, just a few hours to several months, in advance.
You can teach everything from language basics to pronunciation to conversation practice in small or private classes. Again, it is not just for English but for other languages as well.
With Lingoda, you do not need to be a native English teacher. But you do need to be at C2 level, plus a certificate to teach your chosen language, and some experience you can teach at this company.
Hourly rate: It all depends on your location, the language you teach, and what qualifications you hold.
How to apply: You can become a teacher by filling up a form on their website.
4. Novakid
If you’re passionate about sharing your love of the English language with young learners, becoming a teacher at Novakid could be the perfect opportunity for you. This platform offers a flexible and rewarding work environment, allowing you to teach children aged 4-12 from the comfort of your own home.
To qualify, you’ll need to be a native or near-native English speaker with a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of teaching experience with children. Having a recognized teaching certificate like TESOL or TEFL is also required.
The application process involves submitting your resume, taking an equipment test, showcasing your teaching skills through a demo lesson, and completing a training course. After completing these steps, you’ll be ready to connect with students from around the world.
Hourly rate: Varies based on experience, credentials, performance, and time of day
How to apply: Check the openings here and apply with all the required materials.
5. AmazingTalker
At AmazingTalker, you can be your own boss. You can set your own schedule and hourly rate and have full control over creating your own lesson plans.
There are trial lessons and the standard lessons are 25 and 50 minutes long. It is not only for English tutors but teachers of other languages as well. You can teach adults, students, and kids as well as business and general English.
Ideally, they would like their tutors to have relevant experience and the students are the ones that get to choose their tutor.
There are a lot of teachers on this platform so make sure you create an eye-catching profile that draws those potential clients to you.
Hourly rate: The hourly rate ranges from US$ 10.00 – US$ 100.00. Incredible, eh? It all depends on how high or low you set it.
How to apply: You can sign up through Google, Facebook, Apple, or by simply using your phone number.
6. Berlitz Live Online
Berlitz is one of the oldest language education companies in the world, and they also have an online division, Berlitz Live Online.
It gives you the opportunity to interact with international students worldwide. You can choose your working hours, whether you want to teach adults, or both adults and children.
Though preferred, you do not need to have a TEFL certification or experience as they provide training and ongoing training. However, they require that you are a (near) speaker of English.
The course materials with lesson plans are all provided for you and you need only to master the “Berlitz Method”. Classes vary in length from 30 and 45 minutes for private lessons and 60-90 minutes for group classes.
Hourly rate: between $13 – $18 per hour
How to apply: Register an account on the website to apply for any of their jobs.
7. VivaLing
VivaLing is based in Singapore and offers English as well as other languages. Classes are 15, 25, 40, or 55 minutes long.
Adults and children from three years up are taught using the company’s learning method which is a combination of neuroscience, communicative pedagogy, and technology.
Even though VivaLing is constantly training its coaches, you still need to be a native speaker, hold a teaching certificate or a degree and have a minimum of two years of teaching experience.
In addition, you need to be available for a minimum of 12 hours per week during after-school hours in Europe and on weekends.
Hourly rate: A starting rate of $12-$14 per hour (depending on your performance during training). VivaLing then reviews the rate every six months.
How to apply: Click here to become a VivaLing coach.
8. Cambly
Cambly has students everywhere, so you can log in and teach whenever is convenient for you. English language skills are taught on a 1:1 basis to kids or adults.
A bonus point to remember is that no teaching certificate, bachelor’s degree, or prior teaching experience is needed. It’s an excellent opportunity for new teachers to earn some extra income.
There is no preparation, lesson planning, or minimum hour requirements! Amazing, huh?
Hourly rate: You can make $10.20 an hour teaching adults and $12 teaching kids. You get paid every Monday via Paypal.
How to apply: Simply create an account through Facebook, Google, Apple or use your own email address.
9. EF Education
Teaching with English First gives you a chance to interact with international students worldwide, though they have a lot of students from China and Latin America.
You can choose your working hours, whether you want to teach group or one-to-one classes. The course materials are all provided for you and classes are 20 and 40 minutes for private lessons and 45 minutes for group classes which are available throughout the day.
You need to have a TEFL certification and be educated to a degree level. They require that you are a fully fluent speaker of English, at least C2 level, however. And even though previous experience is a bonus, it is not necessary.
Hourly rate: between $12 – $19 an hour
How to apply: Check their website for online English teaching jobs and click on ‘apply’ to provide your details.
Also read: How to Teach English to Chinese Speakers
10. Englishunt
Englishunt has live video classes and live phone classes. Students range from young learners to adult learners. A single class is from 10 to 20 minutes.
Instructors who have a two-hour block of availability are preferred, and most teaching hours take place early in the morning or in the evening late at night.
If you are hired, you will have live training with one of the company’s trainers. Then you will be assigned a student list. All programs have their own curriculum and resources.
All live video class instructors must hold a four-year degree and should have a current or expired teaching certificate.
However, for the live phone classes, no previous teaching experience or certificate is required but a two-year degree from an accredited institution is necessary.
Englishunt recruits only from the United States and you must have a US bank account to receive your payment.
Hourly rate: $14 USD an hour
How to apply: Currently, their fall hiring session is closed but a new teaching program is set to start in August. Visit their website for more information.
11. FluentBe
FluentBe hires Polish and native English-speaking teachers to teach one-to-one or group classes with a maximum of four students.
Classes are for adults and young learners. The company recruits passionate instructors who are certified, have a degree, and have at least one year of teaching experience.
Hourly rate: $10-$12 USD an hour
How to apply: FluentBe is currently recruiting qualified English native speakers. Simply upload your resume on their website.
12. iTutor
iTutor is for qualified teachers of all subjects. They partner with hundreds of schools across the United States to ensure that each child has access to education.
Through iTutor’s technology platform, you can deliver virtual academic instruction to assigned students. You have to be able to commit to the completion of the course.
Bachelor’s degree or above is required, along with a teaching certificate and online teaching experience.
Hourly rate: $28 – $35 an hour
How to apply: All applicants must submit a resume and a copy of their certifications. A short demo lesson is also required. You can check their job openings by visiting their website.
13. iTutorGroup
iTutorGroup connects teachers from across the globe to students in Asia. It operates 24/7, which means you can set your schedule whenever you want.
You can teach younger learners and adults, with many lacking conversational skills.
To teach English online you need to speak it at an idiomatic level, have a bachelor’s degree, and have previous online experience. Even though a teaching certificate is preferred, it is not essential.
You must be able to commit to at least six peak hours a week.
Hourly rate: The base salary is between $3-$18 per hour. It depends on your location and where you are from.
How to apply: Sign up using Google or your personal email address.
14. Lyngo
Lyngo is a Japanese company whose goal is to accelerate and enhance the language learning experience.
You will be teaching students from Japan and all materials are provided by the company. Peak hours are between 8.00 pm and midnight Japan time.
This is ideal for those who want a career change or for new teachers as no teaching experience is required. They provide all the training you are going to need. However, you must be a native English teacher.
Hourly rate: 900JPY-1,500JPY (9-15 USD) an hour
How to apply: Fill out an application form on their website.
15. Myngle
Myngle offers individual lessons or lesson packages. The students are able to grade their teachers after every lesson.
The company provides its own materials and platform. Each lesson is 45 minutes long and most of the students are European.
Other languages can be taught as well. Myngle caters to adults only and prefers you to be from a native English-speaking country, and have both a degree and teaching certification.
Hourly rate: $18-$24 USD per hour
How to apply: Register an account here.
16. Palfish
Palfish provides one-to-one, 25-minute classes for kids 3 – 12 years old. You can even connect with a mobile device.
The curriculum is based on Pearson programs Big Fun and Big English so the lessons are fun and interactive. Teachers need a minimum of one certificate in English teaching and should commit at least 10 hours a week. You should also come from an English-speaking country.
Hourly rate: $10-$12 an hour
How to apply: Because of all the changes in China, check job boards or contact them through their website.
17. Qkids
Qkids connects teachers to international young learners between 4-12 years of age. The lesson curriculum is already organised for you, which means no need to plan your lessons!
You will be teaching through the Qkids interactive gaming-based learning platform and each lesson lasts for 30 minutes. You could be teaching between one to four students per class.
Your class schedule is set weekly and you get to use some cute characters and funny stories to teach and shape these young minds.
Teaching at Qkids makes for a great part-time job for teachers who reside in the U.S. and Canada. A bachelor’s degree and teaching license or certificate are required.
Hourly rate: Between $16-$20 an hour
How to apply: Register for an account on the Qkids website.
18. SkimaTalk
SkimaTalk is a Japan-based company providing predominately one-to-one online English classes on Skype.
Teachers can work as many hours as they like and can work from anywhere. You can also set your own rates. Just note that the company will retain 20% of your total earnings.
To be a teacher at SkimaTalk, you need to be a native English speaker and show commitment, passion, and professionalism. Prior teaching experience is not required.
Hourly rate: Minimum rate of $16 an hour
How to apply: Create a teacher profile and complete a few simple tests on the SkimaTalk website.
19. Skooli
If you are a former or retired teacher who wants to add a little extra to their income, then Skooli may be for you.
Here, you can set your own schedule to teach a range of school and university-aged students or teach one-to-one. Tutoring services are available around the clock, which means you can clock in anytime you want.
To become a Skooli tutor, you need to have one or more of the following: a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification, a master’s degree or PhD, a state or provincial teaching license, or an ESL or other language qualification.
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are also essential and you need to clear a national-level criminal background check.
Hourly rate: A competitive hourly rate that will be based on your qualifications and experience.
How to apply: Sign up with Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google to create a tutor account to submit an application.
20. Verbling
Verbling offers flexibility and connects the language learner to qualified language teachers for private online classes.
The company accepts teachers for over 70 languages. However, they require you to have a C2 level of the language you wish to teach.
You also need to have previous teaching experience and a formal teaching certificate is preferable. That said, a bonus to working here is that there are various methods to cash out, including PayPal, Wise, Payoneer, or Verbling Credit.
Hourly rate: You set your own hourly rate.
How to apply: Create a Verbling account, log in and submit your application.
21. VIPKID
VIPKID is one of the best-paid online teaching jobs. No lesson planning is needed and their mission is to inspire and empower every child for the future.
You can set your own schedule and as with most sites on this list, the more you work, the more money you will earn. You have to sign a 6-month contract but you can work as little or as much as you would like.
At least two years of teaching, mentoring or coaching experience is preferred along with a four-year degree from a university. Only US and Canadian citizens can apply.
Hourly rate: Teachers can make between $14-$22 an hour.
How to apply: Sign up by using your email, Google or Facebook.
Final thoughts
So, there you have it! Those are my top 20 but there are a lot more online English teaching websites out there.
My advice for aspiring online English teachers is this: Make sure you thoroughly check the website’s features, requirements, and policies, among others so you can choose the one(s) that fit you the best. You may find just one is not enough, but if you use multiple sites, be careful about double-booking yourself.
All the best with your future online English teaching job!