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How to Become an Online English Teacher?

Learn everything you need to become an online English teacher, from the necessary degree and experience to websites you can use to start earning online.

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How to Become an Online English Teacher?

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Do you have a passion for the English language, and want to know what the online teaching requirements are for English tutoring jobs? Have you ever thought about teaching online from the comfort of your home (or anywhere else, for that matter)?

If the answer to both of these questions is “Yes!” then you’re in the right place.

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) online is something almost every native English speaker can do. Not only is TEFL online accessible and in high demand right now, but it’s also one of the most rewarding careers you can embark on. Your students will feel inspired and confident, and you’ll see how you’re making a difference as you watch them grow.

But what if I have no relevant experience to show? What if I don’t have a degree of any kind? And how does my nationality limit or expand my opportunities?

We hear questions like these a lot, so if you’re wondering what the answers are, you’re not alone. This article was designed to answer these questions and more. We’ll take you through the different things you’ll need to meet the requirements and expectations of an online English teacher, so you can feel confident and take the next steps towards building your English teaching career.

What does it mean to "teach English online"?

Teaching English online involves instructing or tutoring someone less proficient in English over an online video call or live messaging software. Compared to teaching English in a physical school, there are four key differences when it comes to teaching English online.

TEFL opens many teaching opportunities you never thought you had, even if it has a few key differences when compared to teaching English in person. These days, hardly anyone wants to be in a cubicle from 9-5, so TEFL allows English teachers to work from anywhere, and make a decent living doing it!

4 key differences when teaching English online

Teach Without Homework: Teaching online doesn’t come with the usual pains of traditional teaching. There are no mounds of essays and tests to grade, no unruly or large classes to manage, and no cleaning up after students. Instead, you’ll spend 30 minutes or so on a video call with a student or a small group—completely focused on teaching them the English language.
Basic English Proficiency: The students you teach are typically learning English as their second or third language, which means they don't speak English regularly or in daily conversations. Compared to teaching those who live in English-speaking households and communities, your TEFL students will need much more guidance when it comes to grasping the new language.
Teaching Style Limitations: Because you teach through video calls, you can’t strictly rely on verbal and nonverbal cues (e.g., body language) in your teaching methods. You can smile and nod your head, but internet delays and technical limitations may limit your teaching style, especially if you normally teach in a hands-on setting.
Time Zone Differences: You interact with students from a variety of time zones, since most of them will come from a non-English speaking country. This can impact your work schedule significantly. For example, you may have to work during odd hours of the day to teach students in China if you live in the United States.

Why should you become an online English teacher?

Apart from the beauty of working without geographical constraints, work as an online English teacher is also a good financial decision. There’s a reason it's a career common choice for digital nomads!

Currently, online teaching is a multi-billion dollar industry. In fact, the global e-learning market is projected to grow from $226 billion in 2020 to $370 billion by 2026. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 8.56%.

Major factors that are driving this growth include the expansion of internet connectivity in emerging communities, the introduction of cloud infrastructures in the industry, and companies leveraging online tutoring and digital material delivery tools to upskill their employees.

What are the requirements to teach English online?

Despite what you might think, it’s not too difficult to start teaching online. Thankfully, most people are eligible since there are only a few requirements to become an online English teacher. And even if you fall short on some of these standards, there are alternative ways to still teach without them.

Let’s go through the five main requirements to become an online English teacher:

Experience
Degree or certification
English fluency
Location
Equipment

English Teaching Experience

You don’t need teaching experience to become an online English teacher, but it does help with setting yourself apart from other applicants. Many companies out there won’t ask you about previous teaching experience, especially if you already have a 120-hour TEFL qualification in your pocket. If you want to start teaching English without any experience, it’s certainly possible.

Here are some companies and online marketplaces that won’t require you to have previous teaching experience, along with their typical hourly rates and job description:

Apart from teaching experience, English instruction companies will also consider what other work experience you have. For example, if you worked as a server in a kid-filled restaurant, you probably have excellent skills in handling rowdy children. If you’ve given any kind of presentations in your past jobs, that’s also a relevant skill to highlight when applying for an English teaching role.

Company	Hourly rate	Students	Min. hours per week	TEFL qualification required	Previous teaching experience required?	Additional requirements	Application link
Cafetalk	£8 - £22 ($10 - $28)	Adults	None		None	None	Apply
Cambly	£7.65 ($10.20)	All ages	None		None	None	Apply
Engoo	£2 - £7.20 ($2.80 - $10)	All ages	None	Preferred	None		Apply
Italki*	Set your own hourly rate	All ages	None	Preferred	None		Apply

University Degree and/or TEFL Certification

It may seem shocking, but you actually can become an online English teacher without a degree. Though it’s true that a lot of major companies in the industry will likely require an associate or bachelor’s degree, plenty of others put more weight on an accredited English language certification, instead.

To make it easier for you, here are some companies and online marketplaces that don’t require their teachers to have a degree and/or a TEFL qualification:

Having an English language certification will significantly broaden your opportunities to teach English online. If you’re looking to get your English language certification, here are some of the programmes to consider:

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)
Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA)

All of these courses will help you acquire the necessary skills to become an excellent English teacher. However, the most widely accepted of them is the TEFL certification.

Company	Hourly rate	Students	Min. hours per week	TEFL qualification required	Previous teaching experience required?	Additional requirements	Application link
AmazingTalker	£12.62 - £78.87 ($16 - $100)	All ages	None		1 year		Apply
Cafetalk	£8 - £22 ($10 - $28)	Adults	None		None	None	Apply
Cambly	£7.65 ($10.20)	All ages	None		None	None	Apply
Engoo	£2 - £7.20 ($2.80 - $10)	All ages	None	Preferred	None		Apply
Italki*	Set your own hourly rate	All ages	None	Preferred	None		Apply
Latin Hire	£5 - £9.50 ($7 - $13)	All ages	5		1 year	Elementary level Spanish or Portuguese required	Apply
Learnlight	£9 - £10.50 ($12 - $14)	All ages	10		2 years		Apply

China has the largest market for online English teaching. However, the Chinese government recently announced a tightening of restrictions for online English teaching platforms, which will make it illegal for foreigners to teach Chinese students. That being said, some companies today allow those with at least a 120-hour, accredited TEFL certification to teach. This is because this accreditation proves that you are trained, knowledgeable, and qualified enough to be an English teacher.

English Fluency & Nationality

This pretty much goes without saying, but you need to be fluent in English to become an English as a Foreign Language teacher. So, as much as possible, you want to match the level of a native English speaker—if you're not already one yourself.

Some students and companies prefer native speakers, because they're looking for someone with superior knowledge of the language, a wide vocabulary, and technically correct pronunciations. It’s also important for English learners to get exposed to different English accents. If you’re not a native speaker, these requirements can be discouraging, but awareness has been increasing within the industry.

Many companies will only hire native English speakers or require them to have a passport from English-speaking countries: the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Depending on the company, South Africa may also be part of the list.

Below are some of the biggest English teaching companies and online marketplaces and their requirements regarding teacher nationality:

If you’re not a native speaker or passport holder from an English-speaking country, there are fewer job options in some cases. Nevertheless, some students and companies accept non-native English teachers if they meet the expectations of a good educator.

You should always brush up on your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills before applying for job opportunities. After all, you don't want to be caught off guard when a student or interviewer asks you about grammar, word definitions, or even slang. You need to have an excellent command of the language to stand out and get hired.

Company	Hourly rate	Students	Min. hours per week	TEFL qualification required	Previous teaching experience required?	Additional requirements	Application link
51Talk	£14 - £17 ($18 - $22)	Young Learners	10		Yes		Apply
AmazingTalker	£12.62 - £78.87 ($16 - $100)	All ages	None		1 year		Apply
Engoo	£2 - £7.20 ($2.80 - $10)	All ages	None	Preferred	None		Apply
Italki*	Set your own hourly rate	All ages	None	Preferred	None		Apply
Latin Hire	£5 - £9.50 ($7 - $13)	All ages	5		1 year	Elementary level Spanish or Portuguese required	Apply
Learnlight	£9 - £10.50 ($12 - $14)	All ages	10		2 years		Apply

Current Location

Being an online English teacher means you can work from anywhere in the world. You're not bound to a particular place, unlike school-based teaching jobs.

Some companies might have special requirements. For example, Zebra English teachers need to be legally eligible to work in the US or Canada. But, as long as you have a stable internet connection and a conducive place to hold a virtual class, many online teaching jobs allow you to live wherever you want.

Additionally, many of the teaching opportunities you’ll get are freelance-based, which means you can clock it at any time of the day or week, and work for as many hours as you want. Some companies or platforms may require a minimum number of hours (or for you to have availability during peak hours), but for the most part, your schedule is very flexible.

Online Teaching Equipment

Unlike traditional teaching, where you show up in a physical classroom, education in an online space requires the technology necessary to create a productive learning setting. Most established English teaching companies will provide you with software to use (e.g., the platform for a virtual classroom), but the hardware is up to you.

It’s crucial you have the following to teach English online:

Computer or laptop: Most laptops can handle basic video calling without failing, but still be sure it’s good quality when you’re shopping for one, with a good webcam and built-in microphone.
High-quality webcam: Having students see you clearly will help with conveying body language.
Headset and a microphone: Having students hear you clearly is the most essential aspect of teaching a new language—especially when they'll need to listen to the nuances in tone and pronunciation.
Strong internet connection: Online teaching needs to be uninterrupted and happening in real-time as much as possible. This means you’ll need a fast, stable and reliable internet connection—the free WiFi connection in a coffee shop might not cut it! As a rule, you want a minimum of 15 Mbps (at a stable speed) to host interruption-free video calls.

In addition to these things, you can also splurge on tools like a whiteboard, classroom decorations/props, and a proper light source to keep your face illuminated. While these are optional, it can improve your reputation and make teaching easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are there any sites that don’t require experience, a degree, or native English?

A. Yes, there are websites that don’t require English teachers to have any experience, a university diploma, or native English ability. Companies and online marketplaces such as Ginseng English, Preply, Cambly, SkimaTalk, and Italki
don’t require their teachers to have a degree, previous teaching experience, or be a native English speaker.

Q. Can I work as an English teacher with no degree if I have a TEFL certificate?

A. Yes, you can teach without a degree, as long as you have a TEFL certificate. Companies such as Hello Kid, PalFish, Open English, and Learnlight accept teachers without degrees, as long as they hold a TEFL certificate.

Q. How can I get TEFL certified?

You can get TEFL certified with our best-selling 120-hour Premier Online TEFL course. TEFL Org’s internationally-recognised programme comes with
personal tutor support and can be done at your own pace. Plus, you’ll have access to our TEFL Job Centre to find a job immediately after completing the course.