With technology driving demand for online English learning, there are now huge opportunities for qualified English language teachers to teach online in this fast-growing sector of the TEFL industry.
Why teach English online?
The appeal of online English teaching is clear:
- Lesson preparation is minimal for most online teaching jobs
- Hours can often be arranged to suit the teacher
- It affords the opportunity to work from home while connecting to students all over the world
While pay in this area has historically been low, the increasing demand is pushing wages up as companies search for accomplished online teachers. So it has never been a better time to get formally qualified if you value the freedom and flexibility online teaching can bring.
What kind of online teaching jobs are available?
You could be teaching children or business people from Europe, Asia and beyond. You may be teaching one-to-one or to small groups online, or a mixture. You could even blend some online teaching in with a face-to-face EFL job.
At the lower end of the pay scale are students looking for English speaking partners.
At the higher end are very large organisations with sophisticated platforms, requiring teachers to have degrees and TESOL qualifications, so they can recruit the best teachers in order to meet their increasing demand.
In practice, most online English teachers work through one of three routes:
- Online teaching companies – you teach the company’s students, usually with set materials and set rates
- Marketplace platforms such as italki, Preply and Cambly – you create a profile and students choose you
- Independent freelancing – you find and keep your own students, set your own rates and keep everything you earn
There are also opportunities to freelance and work independently. See just some of the online teaching jobs for our Global English graduates here. For a full walkthrough of the freelance route, read our guide to how to start work teaching English online.
Which TESOL qualification do I need to teach online?
The better paying companies are looking for a TESOL qualification, although this doesn't need to be in depth and can be completed quite quickly. A 120 hour course will be fine for 90% of the teaching English online industry. Be aware that some companies may prefer native English speaking teachers with degrees - but certainly not all.
| Route | Typical qualification expectation |
|---|---|
| Marketplace platforms (italki, Preply, Cambly) | Requirements vary by platform and tutor category; a recognised TESOL/TEFL certificate strengthens your profile and supports a higher rate |
| Online teaching companies | An accredited 120-hour TESOL/TEFL is the standard ask; some also prefer a degree |
| Independent freelancing | No gatekeeper – but your qualifications underpin your credibility, your marketing and your pricing |
What does our 20-hour Teaching English Online course add?
In response to the increasing demand for online teachers, we launched our 20 hour Teaching English Online course, which is designed to follow on from a core TESOL, to equip you with the skills you need for this area, taking you through some of the online platforms, methodology and material. It also lists some of the major companies and their pay as well as preparing you to create your own profile so you can set up as an independent and attract and maintain your own students.
The benefits of taking our 20 hour Teaching English online course are obvious - as well as giving you an insight into the online teaching world, it will save you hours of research time, since we bring the best companies to you, highlighting their needs, pay and basic conditions. It also helps set you apart for the higher paying posts - after all, since most people only have the core TESOL, you’ll stand out with the skills and a qualification tailor-made for the online teaching world.
See the video which details what's covered in this course below, or check out the full course content here.
So what are you waiting for? Hop on over to our course page and enrol today.
How do you get started teaching English online?
If you’re starting from scratch, this is the order most of our graduates follow:
- Get an accredited core qualification – the 120 hour TESOL is the industry-standard starting point
- Add the specialist 20 hour Teaching English Online course to learn the platforms, tools and online methodology
- Choose your route: company, marketplace or independent teaching
- Build a strong profile – see our tips for acing your italki profile page – and prepare a great trial lesson
None of these steps takes long, and they compound: the qualification gets you considered, the specialist training gets you shortlisted, and a strong profile and trial lesson turn enquiries into regular students. Teachers who work through them in order tend to be earning within weeks rather than months.
Frequently asked questions
What equipment do I need to teach English online?
A reliable computer, a stable internet connection (wired if possible), a headset with a decent microphone, a webcam and good lighting, plus a quiet space with a tidy background. Add a video platform such as Zoom and a way to share materials on screen. Most new teachers start with equipment they already own and upgrade the headset and lighting first.
How much can I earn teaching English online?
Rates vary widely by route. Teachers on companies and marketplaces usually start at the lower end while they build reviews and experience, and rates rise with a recognised TESOL qualification and a specialism such as business or exam English. Independent teachers set their own prices and generally keep more per hour, because no platform commission is deducted.
Do I need a degree to teach English online?
Not necessarily. Some of the larger online teaching companies prefer degree-holders, but many platforms and most independent routes have no degree requirement at all. An accredited 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certificate is the qualification that appears most consistently across job adverts, and it carries more practical weight than a degree for online teaching work.
Where next?
Interested in teaching English online?
- Find out more about Magdalena's experience teaching English online for Palfish
- Discover how Liam's got started teaching for iTutorGroup as an online English teacher
- Why I love teaching English online - Louisa's story
- Get an initial 120 hour TESOL qualification, a prerequisite for the best paying online teaching jobs
For purchase:
- Our specialist course for anyone contemplating online English teaching
- A Teaching English Online Starter Pack comprising 20 ready-to-teach online English lessons, online teaching guide and grammar eBook
- Already teaching online but looking for inspiration?
Get our 20 online English lessons here >>