How to Start Teaching English Online
If you’re looking for a flexible way to earn money that you can do from anywhere with good Wi-Fi, teaching English online might be your ticket.
It’s not all rainbows, especially when you’re trying to be perky at 5 a.m. But it can be a solid income stream and a great way to ease into the digital nomad lifestyle.
I’ve done it myself. My first non-corporate gig was teaching English online to students in China. I taught both kids and adults.
It was a lot of fun, and most of the students were wonderful. But the hours were rough. Most of my lessons were early morning or late at night due to the time difference. And working on weekends is a must.
Of course, if you’re based in Asia or somewhere closer to your students’ time zone, it’s a lot easier.
Let’s break down how to start teaching English online and whether it’s a good fit for you.
Do You Need to Be a Teacher?
Short answer: no.
Most platforms want native English speakers (or fluent non-natives with a C1 or C2 certification) with a neutral accent.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to speak your students’ native language. Even if you could, you most likely wouldn’t be allowed to. They want the students to be immersed in English for the lessons.
A 120-hour TEFL or TESOL certificate is usually enough to get your foot in the door. You can get one online in a few weeks. I like Premier TEFL but there are a lot of options.
Some companies also want a bachelor’s degree (in any subject), but there are still options if you don’t have one. Cambly and Preply are two that don’t require it.
If you’re trying to land higher-paying roles or work for schools with stricter standards, look into CELTA or teaching licenses. Those aren’t required for most casual teaching gigs, but they can open up better opportunities.
Here’s what you really need:
- A clear, neutral English accent
- Patience and a sense of humor
- The ability to keep a conversation going with a shy 8-year-old or a nervous adult
- Confidence with tech (Zoom, online whiteboards, screen sharing)
Where to Teach Online
There are two main routes: working with a platform or freelancing.
Platforms do the heavy lifting for you. They find the students, provide lesson plans, and take care of payments. The tradeoff is lower pay and less control. Some of the big ones include:
- iTutorGroup – This is who I worked for. They serve students across Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan) and offer both adult and kid lessons. You’ll need a degree, but the materials are provided and the process is pretty streamlined. Pay is around $14–24/hour.
- Cambly – No degree or certificate required. Super flexible, but the pay is lower (around $10–12/hour). Great for casual conversation practice.
- Preply – You set your own rates and build a student base. No degree needed, but you’ll do your own marketing and lesson planning. Preply takes a commission.
- iTalki – Even more control. Set your rate, schedule, and teaching style. You can apply as a professional teacher (with qualifications) or a community tutor.
- AmazingTalker, Engoo, and others – These are smaller or newer platforms that are growing fast. Requirements and pay vary, but they’re often more flexible if you’re just getting started.
- Freelancing gives you total control — your schedule, your rate, your students –but you also have to market yourself, manage payments, and create your own materials.
Pick based on what matters most to you: structure vs. freedom, predictable pay vs. higher earning potential, full-time income vs. side hustle.
It may be best to start off working for a company and then branch off to do freelancing after you get some experience.
It’s also good to work for more than one company if you want to get a lot of hours.
Your Setup Matters More Than You Think
You don’t need a studio, but you do need a clean, quiet space and a decent setup.
Here’s what to have:
- Laptop or desktop with a reliable processor
- Stable internet (at least 10 Mbps upload/download)
- HD webcam (built-in is fine if it’s good quality)
- Headset with a noise-canceling mic (make sure it’s really good quality)
- A simple background (a plain wall, map, or bookshelf works but it depends on the agency)
Lighting makes a big difference. Get a ring light or desk lamp (or both) so your students can actually see you.
And don’t forget comfort. A decent chair and eye-level screen setup will save your back and neck.
What About Lesson Planning?
If you’re using a platform like VIPKid or Cambly Kids, lessons are often pre-made. You just follow the slides and make it fun.
If you’re freelancing, you’ll probably need to prep your own lessons. Don’t overcomplicate it. Focus on what your student wants to learn — conversation skills, grammar help, job interview prep — and build around that.
Keep lessons:
- Interactive, not lecture-style
- Structured (warm-up, main content, review)
- Tailored to the student’s goals
For kids, short activities, visuals, and songs work well. For adults, real-world topics and conversation-based lessons are best.
I used to bring in current news articles or roleplays about travel and work. It made the lessons more relevant and fun.
Marketing Yourself
Whether you’re freelancing or working for an agency, your profile matters. A lot.
Here’s what helps:
- A clear, friendly profile photo
- A short intro video where you smile, speak clearly, and sound natural
- A well-written bio that shows off your experience and personality
Ask happy students for reviews once you’ve built some rapport. These are social proof gold.
If you’re freelancing or using platforms like iTalki, sharing helpful tips on social media or joining ESL teacher groups can also bring in new students.
If you’re into it, you can even create a simple website with a booking calendar. Just don’t overthink it. Start small and grow from there.
Tips for Getting Started Teaching English Online
Start by joining Facebook groups. You’ll find general groups as well as some for teachers of individual platforms.
Then search YouTube for reviews done by teachers. There are a lot of teachers who give great advice on how to get hired by the different platforms.
They often get a referral bonus, so they want you to succeed. Plus, they tell you how it really is so you can decide which platform(s) you like best.
It takes some time to get everything set up. Don’t skimp on your application materials. A good intro video can make all the difference.
Is Teaching English Online Worth It?
Whether or not teaching English online is worth it depends on your goals.
If you’re looking for a flexible side hustle or a way to earn from anywhere while traveling, yes, it’s absolutely worth it.
You won’t get rich (most jobs pay $10–$25/hour), but it’s consistent, remote income with a low barrier to entry.
Just know what you’re signing up for. The pay is rarely enough to live on full-time unless you’re working a packed schedule or combining it with other income streams.
The hours can be rough if you’re not in the right time zone. And not every student is a joy to work with.
Still, it’s a great starting point for location independence. You can learn valuable skills, build confidence, and test out the remote lifestyle before making a bigger leap.
Want more real talk about online teaching and remote work? Check out my full post Is Teaching English Online Worth It? where I share more insights on whether it could be right for you.
Wrap-Up: How to Start Teaching English Online
Teaching English online isn’t just for certified teachers or digital nomads with years of experience.
If you’ve got strong Wi-Fi, a friendly attitude, and a willingness to learn, you can absolutely get started no matter your background.
It’s not always easy money or perfect hours (4 a.m. wakeups are brutal), but it’s a flexible way to earn from anywhere.
And it can be a great stepping stone into the remote work world if you’re still figuring out your next move.
It’s also a great side gig since you can easily work around your 9-5 job, as long as you’re okay with long hours and working on weekends.
Start small. Get certified, test out a few platforms, and don’t stress about being perfect from day one.
You’ll learn fast and figure out what works for you. Whether you teach a few hours a week or turn it into a full-time thing, it’s a skill that travels with you.
