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Teaching English online is among the most popular and lucrative jobs for those who are seeking flexible careers. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of websites where you can find teaching jobs. Some don’t even require a degree!
One of the well-known sites for online English classes is the Beijing-based VIPKid. Offering flexible hours and good pay, this tutoring platform is an attractive side gig for remote workers.
But there comes a time when you need to explore other options. Whatever your reasons are, there are fortunately several VIPKid alternatives that you can consider.
What is VIPKid?
VIPKid claims to be the world’s number 1 online English learning platform. While that’s subjective, the company does have a lot of positive reviews from both its clients (the parents) and its employees (the teachers). The teachers are from the U.S. and Canada and until 2021, most students come from China.
As a teacher, you can set your own schedule and there’s no minimum hour requirement. You also don’t need to create lesson plans as this is already provided, so you can just focus on teaching. Teachers are also properly compensated, with the base pay rate being $7-9 per 25-minute class.
Requirements are also straightforward, at least for people from the U.S. and Canada. At least two years of experience in teaching is required, along with a bachelor’s degree in any field or major, and reliable technology. And no, you don’t need to speak Chinese.
Also read: Teaching at VIPKid in 2022: An Honest Review From A Teacher
Why look for VIPKid alternatives?
Maybe you applied to VIPKid but didn’t get accepted. Maybe you’re not from the U.S. or Canada. Maybe you’re looking for a site that offers higher pay. Maybe you want to teach English and other languages.
It’s also very likely that the recent government-issued regulations for Chinese private education companies led you to look for alternatives to VIPKid.
These are all valid reasons. And assessing your choices is not a bad idea.
And so, let’s get right to the list!
The best VIPKid alternatives to teach English online
1. Preply
With students from over 180 countries, finding a student on Preply would be a breeze. In fact, a quick look at these English tutoring jobs shows that Preply is one of the most viable VIPKid alternatives.
Preply lets you work at the hours you prefer, and you don’t need to meet a minimum number of hours. Pay is decent and you don’t even need specific certifications or teaching experience.
To teach English online at Preply, simply create your account here and fill up an application form. Make a compelling description of your strengths as a tutor and record a short video introduction. Preply reviews applications within 5 business days.
Requirements:
- Must be a native or fluent English speaker
- Teaching experience and/or ESL teaching certificates are recommended but not required
- Outstanding communication skills
- Laptop or desktop computer, stable internet connection, a webcam, and a microphone
Pay: On average, English tutors charge $15-25 per hour. Some popular teachers earn up to $550/week. Do note that Preply takes a 100% commission fee for your first lesson payment with every new student. For all subsequent lessons, the commission varies from 18% to 33%. This means you can make more money by booking repeat students.
2. Italki
With millions of language learners from over 190 countries, there’s no shortage of students in italki. English is also one of the most popular languages on the platform. If you’re a native English speaker or at least be in level C2 proficiency, a teaching career on italki can be profitable.
When applying, you can choose between two teaching profiles (professional teacher or community tutor) depending on your credentials. The Community Tutor program is more relaxed as you don’t need a degree, certification, or prior teaching experience.
An important step when considering italki is to check the list of languages that are open for application. As of writing, English is closed for both professional and community tutors. However, the list is updated weekly.
Requirements:
- Native or C2 level English speaker
- Must be 18 years old or older
- 1- to 3-minute video introduction
- For professional teachers, additional proof showing your professional training or experience in teaching English. You may check the list of documents here.
Pay: You can set your own rates. Community tutors typically charge $5-10/hour while professional teachers make $15-20/hour. Note that italki takes 15% commission from all class fees.
3. Novakid
If you’re passionate about teaching English and enjoy working with children, becoming a teacher at Novakid could be a fulfilling opportunity. What’s great is that the curriculum and teaching materials are provided by Novakid, and you get access to regular students.
To qualify, you’ll need to be a native or near-native English speaker with a bachelor’s degree or higher. While online teaching experience isn’t mandatory, a minimum of one year teaching children, especially in an English language setting, is required. You’ll also need a recognized teaching certificate like TESOL or TEFL. (We recommend signing up for TEFL courses on reputable sites like the TEFL Academy and the TEFL Institute.)
The application process involves submitting your resume and required documents, taking an equipment test, conducting a demo lesson on the platform, and completing a self-paced training course.
Requirements:
- Native English speakers from the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australi, New Zealand, and South Africa, and near-native speakers from other countries with a BA degree or higher
- International teaching certificate (e.g., DELTA, CELTA, TESOL, TEFL)
- Minimum 1 year of teaching experience with children
- Online teaching experience not required but a plus
- Willing to teach at least 20 hours weekly
Pay: The teaching salary at Novakid is not a fixed amount and can vary based on credentials and demo lesson performance. Performance metrics (e.g., student satisfaction or completion rates) and time of day (i.e., teaching during peak hours) are also considered. You can withdraw your money whenever you like via PayPal or Payoneer.
4. Skooli
Created by the team behind Teach Away, Ontario-based Skooli is one of the most reputable VIPKid alternatives. This platform has over 10 years of experience in hiring top teachers and creating innovative learning technology for students.
Skooli accepts teachers for only four languages: English, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Because there’s an emphasis on having only the best online tutors, you can expect a strict application process. For one, it requires a degree, a teaching license, and criminal background check.
Once accepted, however, you can enjoy flexible working hours, an interactive digital classroom, and a competitive (but fixed) hourly rate.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills
- Teaching licenses (e.g. TEFL)
- Government-issued photo ID
- National-level criminal background check within the past 6 months
- Desktop or laptop with working camera and microphone
- Internet connection of at least 2mbps
Pay: Skooli did not disclose its hourly rate on its website. However, most review sites indicate that the hourly rate is $25.
5. Qkids
Xiamen-based Qkids is one of the many companies similar to VIPKids. It’s a leading online education platform that connects North American English teachers with over 1 million international students aged 4 to 12.
If you like unique teaching platforms, Qkids’ patented and interactive game-based platform is for you. You won’t need to create lesson plans; you simply have to study Qkids’ preset curricula and get to know the animated characters and games. You’ll be teaching 1 to 4 students per class.
Although you can enjoy flexible hours and set your own teaching schedules, Qkids has a 6-month contract term with a possibility of extending upon evaluation. This should provide a stable income if you’re into long-term work arrangements.
Requirements:
- Eligible to legally work in the U.S. or Canada
- Bachelor’s degree
- Teaching license or English teaching certificate (TESOL, TEFL, CELTA, ESL)
- Computer with webcam and microphone
- Minimum upload speed of 2Mbps and minimum download speed of 4Mbps
Pay: $8 per 30-minute lesson. Incentives are also available.
6. AmazingTalker
If you’re fluent in English, have experience in teaching English, and want to be your own boss, AmazingTalker is worth considering.
With AmazingTalker, you can work with students of all ages who need help with conversational English, business English, English for IELTS, or other specialized courses. The site offers flexibility, too, as there are no minimum work hours and you only have to input your weekly availability.
Because the platform values customized study plans for the learners, you will be asked to prepare learning materials that’ll match the student’s learning goals. That said, there are plenty of training videos at your disposal and you have access to a supportive group of teachers.
Requirements:
- Native English speaker or have a degree in English
- Experience in 1-on-1 English tutoring or related classroom experience
- Passion for teaching and the ability to create your lesson plan
Pay: English teachers typically charge $15–28 per 50-minute lesson and $6–10 per 25-minute trial lesson. AmazingTalker takes a commission fee of 0-15%. The fee decreases as you earn more.
7. Lingoda
If you love languages, have experience teaching, and have a minimum C2 level in English, why not teach English at Lingoda?
Unlike most VIPKid alternatives on this list, Lingoda allows you to teach small group classes with adults or 1-on-1 private classes. These are motivated students who are learning English either as a hobby or to progress in their careers — and you can help with that.
Classes are available 24/7 but you can create a schedule that works for you. Plus, you have access to expertly-designed and CEFR-aligned materials, minimizing class preparation.
Requirements:
- Native or C2 level in English
- A TEFL certification
- At least 2-3 years of teaching experience
- Must be comfortable speaking English
- High-speed internet connection, camera, and high-quality headset
Pay: $8-13/hour
8. Palfish
Like VIPKids, PalFish is also China-based and was greatly affected by China’s new regulations. However, it also serves students outside of China. In its latest Facebook post, Palfish announced that it’s recruiting English tutors for overseas English packages.
If you’re still interested, you can apply by downloading the PalFish app. Everything happens within the app — from account creation to application and submission of requirements to the interview. PalFish even notifies you of your application result through the app!
With PalFish, you can choose to be a Freetalk Teacher, where you can hold private or group lessons with no curriculum or time restraints; or an Official Course Instructor, where you’ll have to use a PalFish-design course material.
Requirements:
- Must be a native speaker
- Teaching licenses or certificates (e.g. TESOL, TEFL)
- Official course instructors must be from the U.S., U.K., Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, or Australia
Pay: PalFish Freetalk Teachers usually earn $12-18/hour. Official Course Instructors can earn as much as $22/hour.
9. Cambly
When it comes to teaching requirements, Cambly is one of the least strict. You do have to be a native speaker. But other than that, you don’t need a teaching certificate, bachelor’s degree, or prior teaching experience.
Cambly allows you to work as much or as little as you want. But you do need to be familiar with its specialized curriculum and interactive classroom.
Perhaps it’s also not surprising that despite having specialized courses, teachers are encouraged to be more conversational and conduct free-flowing rather than heavily structured lessons.
Requirements:
- Native English speaker
- Computer with good internet connection
- Love for teaching
Pay: Tutors make $0.17/min ($10.20/hour) on Cambly and $0.20/min ($12.00/hour) on Cambly Kids. Payment is released via Paypal every Monday.
10. Engoo
Based in Japan, Engoo is a TEFL tutoring platform with huge client bases in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. Teachers from all over the world are accepted, however.
Like Cambly, applying for a teaching job in Engoo is easy. You just need to be proficient in English. Plus, you can rely on Engoo’s lesson plans. One of the best VIPKid alternatives if you’re looking for entry-level work.
Lessons on Engoo last for 25 minutes. You can decide your own hours. But you can’t simply log in and hold a class whenever you want. You have to choose ahead of time when and how often you want to work.
Requirements:
- At least 18 years old
- Proficient in English
- Quality headset and webcam
- Laptop or desktop computer
- High-speed internet connection
Pay: $2.4-10/hour, with non-native speakers earning less than native speakers.
11. SkimaTalk
More Japan-based VIPKid alternatives! SkimaTalk specializes in 25-minute one-on-one English classes. Sessions are held via Skype.
SkimaTalk students are mostly adults and the company prefers informal, conversational teaching styles. Application is pretty much a piece of cake for native English speakers since the site doesn’t require a degree or TEFL certification.
The caveat? You have to conduct three classes for free before you can set your own rates. According to SkimaTalk, this is done to ensure that you’re a good fit for the site.
Requirements:
- Native English speaker
- Prior English teaching experience is preferred but not required
- Passion, commitment, and professionalism
Pay: You can set your own rates after 3 free sessions. New tutors typically charge $7-10 per class. SkimaTalk takes a 20% commission.
12. Verbling
One of the most popular VIPKid alternatives is the San Francisco-based Verbling. This one is known for providing private lessons in over 70 languages, including English. It also has a large client pool, which means you’ll get bookings frequently.
That said, competition is also high on Verbling. That’s partly because the site accepts non-native tutors as long as they have a good command (C2) of the language. Income is also attractive as you can set your own rates.
Another good thing about Verbling is its integrated platform. Lessons are done via Verbling Video and its built-in classroom setup that allows you and your student to upload files, message each other, and review vocabulary together. No need to download or install other apps!
Requirements:
- Previous teaching experience
- Native speaker or C2 level in English
- Teaching certificates are preferred but not required
Pay: You can set your own rates and cash out anytime through PayPal, TransferWise, Payoneer, or Verbling Credit. Verbling takes a 15% commission per lesson.
13. Open English
Looking for VIPKid alternatives targeting the other side of the planet? Open English, an ESL platform renowned in Latin America, deserves your attention.
Open English has more than 500,000 students who require access to English lessons 24/7. For native English speakers with a knack for teaching, this means lots of opportunities to make money from teaching.
This site is particularly attractive if you can speak Spanish or Portuguese or have ties to Latin America. These are not required though and in any case, getting a job here will give you the chance to get to know the Latin American culture better.
Requirements:
- Native English speaker (preferably with North American accent)
- 18 years old or older
- Experience in teaching English
- Have a Bachelor’s degree or TEFL/TESOL certificate (you can present only one)
- High-speed internet connection
- Availability to teach at least 10 hours/week
Pay: $7-13/hour depending on the time you teach. Peak times pay more.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap! This list of VIPKid alternatives is proof that you have plenty of options and your English skills can definitely help you land more income-generating opportunities.
Even better, teaching English is a great way to help your fellow language learners! What’s not to like?
Interested in teaching other languages besides English? This list of websites to teach languages online will come in handy!