Learning how to teach English online has grown rapidly in popularity for good reasons: it offers flexibility, high demand, and competitive pay. This opportunity works well as a side hustle, a remote job, or even a pathway to a full-time remote career.
You might already have heard personal accounts about teaching English online. Many people, including readers and bloggers, have shared success stories—earning meaningful supplemental income, sometimes around $1,000 a month working part-time. The good news is that you don’t need a background as a certified teacher or knowledge of another language; you only need to be a fluent English speaker. That makes online English teaching accessible for many people.
If you’re seeking ways to make extra money, want to work from home, or desire a job you can take with you while traveling, teaching English online is a viable option. Extra income can have transformative effects on your life: it can help pay down debt, build savings for big purchases or vacations, break a paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, accelerate retirement plans, and give you the confidence to explore alternative career paths.
Below is a practical guide covering earnings, common requirements, schedule flexibility, and recommended companies to help you get started teaching English online.
How to teach English online
How much can you make teaching English online?
Pay varies by company and experience, but most online English teachers earn approximately $14 to $22 per hour. Even a modest commitment—such as six hours per week—can translate into an additional $84–$132 weekly, or $336–$528 monthly. That added income can be applied to debt repayment, savings, or other financial goals.
Online English teaching is particularly appealing because it only requires a laptop and a reliable internet connection, allowing you to work from home or while traveling. Some people teach full-time, while others use it to supplement their income; you decide the level of involvement that fits your life.
Can anyone teach English online? What are the common requirements?
Most reputable companies have specific requirements, though many applicants will meet them. Common requirements include:
- Native or near-native English proficiency.
- Experience with children or young learners—examples include teaching, tutoring, mentoring, coaching, babysitting, or parenting.
- A stable internet connection and a computer with a webcam and microphone.
- A bachelor’s degree from a U.S. or Canadian university (the degree does not need to be in education).
You typically do not need to speak the students’ native language; instruction is conducted in English. Many platforms focus on students in China, though similar opportunities exist for learners in Korea, Taiwan, and other countries.
Can you teach online without a degree?
Most mainstream platforms require a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. or Canadian university, though hiring criteria do vary across companies and regions. However, you can often teach online without prior formal classroom experience; many companies accept a range of childcare and tutoring backgrounds.
How flexible is teaching English online?
Teaching English online is very flexible. Because many students are in different time zones—especially China—available lessons often fall outside typical business hours, making it ideal for early mornings, evenings, or weekends. Many platforms use 30-minute lesson blocks, and there is usually no strict minimum number of hours you must teach.
Ways to fit lessons into your schedule include:
- Waking up an hour earlier to teach morning classes.
- Working during a lunch break.
- Teaching for an hour after work.
- Scheduling lessons after your children go to bed.
Recommended companies for teaching English online
Several reputable companies connect English-speaking teachers with young learners around the world. Below are three well-known platforms frequently recommended by remote workers and by teachers who have used them:
- VIPKID
- Qkids
- Education First (EF)
Each of these companies has its own hiring process, pay scale, and scheduling system. Summaries of each follow to help you compare options.
VIPKID
VIPKID is a leading platform for teaching English to children in China. It provides a full curriculum and a user-friendly teaching environment. Teachers set their own schedules and can earn up to around $22 per hour, depending on experience, bonuses, and class performance. Requirements commonly include a bachelor’s degree, experience working with children, and a reliable internet connection with webcam and microphone. VIPKID is known for structured lessons and strong demand for teachers.
Qkids
Qkids connects native English speakers with children aged 4–12 using a game-based learning platform. Pay can reach up to about $20 per hour. Qkids classes are typically small group sessions (up to four students), and the company handles scheduling and student assignment through a coordination team. Requirements usually include a bachelor’s degree, experience with children, and the necessary technology. Teachers receive training and use a preset curriculum, so lesson planning is minimal.
Education First (EF)
Education First (EF) is an established and respected brand in language education with decades of experience. EF offers online teaching roles and typically pays up to around $16 per hour. They often require a bachelor’s degree and prior teaching or tutoring experience. EF’s reputation and longevity make it a solid choice if you want to work for a well-known, stable organization.
Is teaching English online worth it?
Yes—teaching English online can be worth the effort. Many teachers enjoy the work and value the added income and schedule flexibility. Earning roughly $14 to $22 per hour makes it a competitive side income or an entry point into a flexible remote career. If you’re interested in a flexible way to earn money from home or while traveling, teaching English online is a practical option to consider.
Are you interested in learning how to teach English online?