Here at The TEFL Org it’s really important to us that we provide you with honest and accurate information. Knowing the full story will make it much easier for you to find work and avoid wasting time applying for positions you’re ineligible for – no one has time for that!
The information we’ve put together below is full of useful tips and advice to help you get started as an online EFL teacher and find paid work. We’ve taken a look at why a degree can be required by some companies, what you can do to make yourself a more competitive applicant, and where exactly to find jobs!
Top Online teaching companies that don’t require a degree
It can be a real pain trying to find out which online companies don’t ask for a degree, which is why we’ve done some of the hard work for you! The below table lists a number of companies that don’t require teachers to have a degree and also details their other requirements.
| Company | Hourly rate | Degree required | Lessons provided | Students | Min. hours per week | TEFL qualification required | Accepts non-native speakers | Previous teaching experience required? | Additional requirements | Application link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambly | £7.65 ($10.20) |
No | No | All ages | None | No | No | None | None | Apply |
| Engoo | £2 - £7.20 ($2.80 - $10) |
No | Yes | All ages | None | Preferred | Yes | None | Apply | |
| Ginseng English | £7.50 - £11.25 ($10 - $15) |
No | No | Young learners and teenagers | None | Preferred | Yes | Preferred | None | Apply |
| Italki* | Set your own hourly rate | No | No | All ages | None | Preferred | Yes | None | Apply | |
| Latin Hire | £5 - £9.50 ($7 - $13) |
No | Yes | All ages | 5 | Yes | Yes | 1 year | Elementary level Spanish or Portuguese required | Apply |
| Preply* | Set your own hourly rate | No | No | All ages | None | No | Yes | Preferred | Apply | |
| Rype | £6.50 - £8 ($9 - $11) |
No | No | All ages | 15 | Preferred | Yes | 1 year | None | Apply |
| Skyeng | £2.20 - £14.50 ($3 - $20) |
No | Yes | All ages | 15 | Yes | Yes | None | Apply | |
| Superprof | Set your own rate | No | No | All ages | None | Preferred | Yes | None | Apply |
*Online marketplace. Teachers set their own rates.
Information accurate as of August 2021.
Why would a degree be required for teaching English online?
When it comes to teaching English abroad, the main reason a degree is required by employers usually comes down to visa requirements. A number of countries require teachers seeking a work visa to have a BA degree. Online, however, visas aren’t an issue, so why do companies require one?
Changes in early 2019
The biggest TEFL market in the world is found in China and the same is true of the online TEFL market with many of the big online teaching platforms based there.
Due to changes brought in by China’s Ministry of Education at the start of 2019, online teaching platforms based in China are now required to ensure that their teachers have at least a 120-hour TEFL qualification from a suitably accredited provider as well as a BA degree. This brings the requirements more in line with visa requirements for EFL teachers working in the country.
The reality is, this change in legislation meant that the number of positions open to teachers without a degree shrunk.
Don’t despair, though, there are still opportunities to teach online out there for those who don’t have a degree! You just need to know where to look and how to put yourself in the best position for securing work.
What you need to teach English online
TEFL qualification
Most companies require teachers to have a 120-hour TEFL qualification. Unless you’re willing to work for next to nothing, it really is essential to have a TEFL qualification if you don’t have a degree.
And it’s something you don’t want to cut corners with. While you can find extremely cheap TEFL qualifications on discount sites such as Groupon and Wowcher, these can end up costing you rather than saving you.
Why? Aside from the fact, there are usually hidden fees involved, the most important thing when choosing a course is accreditation. Without proper accreditation, there’s no quality control, which means employers may not recognise the qualification. The easiest way to spot if a provider has adequate accreditation is to look out for accreditation from government and government-affiliated bodies.
Fluency in English
Another essential requirement for teaching English is an obvious one – fluency in English! It is possible for non-native English speakers without a degree to teach English online, but it can be more of a challenge.
Non-native English speakers will be expected to prove their proficiency in English. This means that employers may ask for an IELTS or Cambridge Proficiency qualification, as well as other evidence demonstrating English skills.
Tips on how to be successful without a degree
If you don’t have a degree then it’s really important to ensure your CV stands out. If you have a 120-hour TEFL qualification and you’re up against other applicants who have a 120-hour qualification AND a degree, then, realistically, it’s more likely the teacher with the degree will progress through the application process.
So, how do you boost your CV and compete with degree holders?
Advanced TEFL qualifications
The more TEFL hours you do doesn’t necessarily lead to better employment prospects unless it’s tailored to your goals. What we mean by this is that any study over 120 hours should ideally be focused on building your skills in specific areas, such as teaching English online.
Taking an advanced TEFL course can really help your CV stand out by showing an employer you have developed skills specific to the job offered. Qualifications like these, in addition to your 120-hour TEFL qualification, will put you in a much stronger position to compete against degree holders for positions.
Our Teaching English Online course is ideal for those looking to enter the online teaching market. You’ll learn about how to deliver online lessons as well as how to set up and market yourself as an online teacher.
Our Online Teaching Practicum
If you don’t have any previous teaching experience then the idea of taking your first lesson can feel a bit daunting. It’s why we recently launched our Online Teaching Practicum, which gives you the opportunity to develop and deliver your own online lessons in front of a TEFL professional and your peers.
By taking a practicum you gain practical experience conducting lessons online, which many people looking for their first online teaching job won’t have.
Set up your own online English teaching business
You don’t have to rely on online teaching platforms for work. In fact, if you don’t have a degree and you’re looking to make a full-time income then you should be aiming to build up your own business.
Setting yourself up with your own website and promoting your services online can be a great option for a number of reasons:
- No degree is required!
- You keep 100% of the fee you charge – online teaching companies take a cut of what the student pays and marketplaces will take a commission.
- You have even more control over your own schedule
We’ve previously posted some great tips to help you get started teaching English online as an independent teacher, which is a must-read.
Want more information about teaching English online? Check out our Definitive Guide and previous blog posts.Â
