Top 7 Places to Teach English Online
Teaching English online is one of the most flexible side hustles. You can work from anywhere, choose your own schedule, and decide how much you work. That said, it has a few startup costs you may need to incur.
What Does Teaching English Online Involve?
Students all over the world are eager to learn the English language. So, they connect with ESL (English as a Second Language) course providers to learn from the best — native English speakers like you.
In most cases, you’ll meet 1-on-1 with students virtually, walking them through specific course material designed to teach them the basics of English. You’ll teach them how to speak, read, and write the language.
Is it a Good Side Hustle?
Teaching online can be a solid side hustle. Typically, it allows you to set your own schedule and work from anywhere, which is ideal if you work another job. The pay is also decent and often guaranteed, which is different from some other side hustle options.
How Much Money Can You Make Teaching English Online?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average ESL teacher makes $54,804 per year in the United States. This is roughly $26 per hour. That said, some platforms may pay teachers less, and others may pay teachers more.
What Qualifications Do I Need to Teach English Online?
Nearly anyone can become an online English teacher. However, there are a few qualifications you’ll need to meet before you’re eligible.
Native English Speaker
You need to be fluent in the English language to teach it online.
TEFL Certification
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is a 120-hour certification designed to prove that you know English fluently and are able to teach it to others. Most online ESL providers will require teachers to obtain the certification before they can teach a course. However, there are a few platforms that don’t require it.
Keep in mind, this certification can cost anywhere from $99 to $3,000. Only invest in the certification if you seriously plan to teach consistently.
Equipment
You’ll need a functioning laptop, webcam, and high-speed wifi to pick up this side hustle. This is because students are paying for the class — they need a teacher that can teach uninterrupted.
Can I Teach English Online Without a Degree?
In most cases, a Bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required. You might, however, need the TEFL certification to teach English online.
7 Best Places to Teach English Online
Open English
Open English is an online ESL platform, primarily for Spanish speakers learning English. Lesson plans are prepared for you — you just need to show up and guide students through it. You’ll earn around $13 to $15 per hour.
Minimum Hours Per Week: 10
Degree Required: No
TEFL Qualification Required: Yes
Cambly
Teachers earn $0.17/minute on Cambly, or the equivalent of $10.20 per hour. While this isn’t as much as other platforms, you don’t need a degree or teaching certificate to teach here.
Minimum Hours Per Week: None
Degree Required: No
TEFL Qualification Required: No
Preply
Preply is an online learning platform where students can learn a variety of languages, including English. Tutors can set their own rate, but typically make $15 to $25 for English classes.
The own downside? They take anywhere from 15% to 33% of your hourly rate as a platform fee.
Minimum Hours Per Week: None
Degree Required: No
TEFL Qualification Required: No
VIPKid
VIPKid is one of the most well-known ESL platforms. You’ll earn around $14 to $22 per hour, based on reported teacher earnings. The benefit of this platform, in comparison to others, is that lessons are pre-planned. You won’t need to develop lessons on your own.
That said, VIPKid signs contracts with teachers for six months, so you’ll need to commit to that duration to work there.
Minimum Hours Per Week: None
Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree required
TEFL Qualification Required: Yes
General Teaching Platforms
If teaching English isn’t your jam, or if you’d prefer to avoid paying for the TEFL exam, teach a different topic on a more general platform.
Outschool
Outschool is a platform where students can learn about a variety of topics, not just English. From math to guitar to illustration, you can teach just about anything. Plus, you’ll earn around $40 per hour, on average.
One especially positive aspect of the platform — you only make money when they do. Outschool takes 30% of the student’s payment, and educators receive 70%. This means there are zero startup costs for you as a teacher.
Minimum Hours Per Week: None
Degree Required: No
TEFL Qualification Required: No
Varsity Tutors
This platform is a generic tutoring platform, allowing you to earn around $33 per hour teaching any subject to small groups and individual students.
Minimum Hours Per Week: None
Degree Required: No
TEFL Qualification Required: No
Superprof
Superprof has over 25,000 tutors, teaching in a variety of topics from piano to ESL to chemistry. According to Glassdoor, tutors on the platform make around $35,860 per year.
One unique aspect of Superprof is that you aren’t obligated to charge your lessons through the platform. If you do, you’ll incur a 10% processing fee, but you can charge clients through separate payment methods if you prefer.
Minimum Hours Per Week: None
Degree Required: No
TEFL Qualification Required: No, but preferred if teaching English
Bottom Line
Teaching online is one of the many ways to make money online. Unlike some other methods, you're able to set your own schedule and work when you want, making it ideal for people looking for a flexible side hustle.
