You have a skill that’s in demand all over the world.
Thanks, English! Thanks, internet!
Finding a job teaching English as a second language online has never been easier.
For decades, globe-trotting word nerds have been teaching English for beer money. For good reason! Demand is high, and there’s plenty of work, especially for native speakers; there are currently umpteen gazillion language schools scattered across the planet. The training is quick, straightforward and relatively cheap. You don’t need any specialised equipment. You don’t have to be fluent in the language of the country you’re visiting to get a gig. And best of all, now you can do everything online!
After 12 years of teaching all kinds of students all kinds of ways, here’s my take on how to get started – and stay motivated – with the best side-hustle ever.
Do I need a certificate or special training?
Not always, but it really broadens your options. If you already have some prospects lined up, go for it! But if you’re planning to use a platform that doesn’t require certification, know that you’ll have to compete with teachers with more experience and training. That profile pic better be amazing.
Promote your skills (education or life) to make you stand out. Thanks to my science background, I’ve had the pleasure of working with aviation students, biologists, engineers, and psychologists.
TEFL certification
TEFL certificate shows potential employers that even if you haven’t taught before, you have the right training.
If you plan to teach abroad, TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification prepares you to teach the language in a non-English speaking country. Also known as TESL or TESOL, the course includes current methodologies, strategies for explaining grammar, observations, and lesson planning.
When shopping around, look for accredited schools that offer a 120-hour course. If you work hard, you can complete it in a month. Most employers (online or otherwise) will regard a TEFL certificate with fewer than 120 hours of instruction for exactly what it is: a scam.
Tip: During training sessions, steal the best ideas, learn from the stinkers. Write them down!
What’s the function of a conjunction?
Don’t sweat it if you’re not entirely confident, grammar-wise. You use grammar all the time! The tricky part is explaining how it all comes together.
If you need to brush up on your grammar, the British Council LearnEnglish site has oodles of free explainers, with exercises. Do you find a short video with interesting graphics and carefully chosen examples helpful? So will your students. Check out BBC Learning English for tons of short vids. Feel free to go to YouTube or TikTok for grammar exercises, but vet them carefully first.
When I started out, I asked non-native speakers fluent in English how they tackled alien grammatical constructs. Valuable insight on how to navigate that time traveller tense, the present perfect simple.
Tip: Actually do grammar activities yourself before teaching them. That way you can pinpoint and prepare for the tricky bits.
I don’t have the right accent
Nobody does, because there’s no such thing.
Can people understand you? That’s what counts. Many platforms allow non-native speakers, as long as they can prove English fluency. (TEFL certification comes in really handy here)
What happens in language classrooms isn’t about nailing an accent. Aim for clarity!
While there is some focus on pronunciation, little things like grammar and vocabulary are important. Little skills like speaking, listening, reading and writing, too.
Tip: If you don’t feel confident pronouncing a word, use the pronunciation function in online dictionaries or a trusted translation app.
Finding a job
Before you start looking, think about how and how much you want to teach. Group lessons or one to one? Adults, teens or children? Do you want to work from a platform-issued lesson or create your own? Are you willing to commit to a certain number of hours per week?
Going solo
The informal route can be a fun way to meet locals (and mine them for information through lessons) I’ve found gigs just by chatting with shopkeepers and waitstaff, mentioning that I teach English. And would they like a free online lesson?
Finding your own students means that you set your own prices. Building a student base can be challenging at first, but word-of-mouth referrals from happy students really work.
Tip: Make online an option, even for local learners. Screen learning can be more convenient and less intimidating than face-to-face.
Platforms
Online platforms vary. Some require experience and certification; others take a more cowboy approach. All of them play the numbers game. The more students you attract and retain, the more lessons or higher ranked you get. To attract those first students, you need a memorable teacher profile. This means your profile pic/vid is as fantastic as you can make it. Mine other teachers’ bios to craft something special and personal.
TEFL has a handy chart that compares 23 top online language platforms. Categories include the hourly rate, whether or not the platform provides lessons for teachers, and if non-native speakers are accepted. Also, if any: certification and experience requirements, minimum hours per week. Below the chart there are descriptions of each platform with more details. You can check it out here (some scrolling down required) https://www.tefl.org/teach-english-online/
Tip: Most platforms offer a free or cheap first lesson. When shopping for potential platforms, get the lay of the land with a lesson from a highly ranked teacher.
Work for the language school you attend as a student
Taking language lessons locally? See if they need an English teacher. Found out about this by accident on one of my fact-finding trips to Berlin before I moved here. Jokingly asked the receptionist at my German school if they needed an online English teacher, and they did.
Working as an online teacher for a language school you’re attending, you already have a relationship with the staff. The pay will probably be better, but you’ll sacrifice some flexibility in schedulling. You’ll most likely need to have tax status in the country.
Tip: For a more stable job, look into language schools that offer English in your area. Many have online classes.
The pay
Don’t start shopping for Lambos yet, pal.
Some platforms allow teachers to set their own prices, then take a cut. Others operate on a scale, according to certifications and/or experience (and probably rankings)
Of course, if you skip the platforms, you can set your own price. It’s a good idea to have different prices for general English and lessons that require more preparation, like exam prep and technical English.
Tip: Read the Careers pages carefully for how much and how often you get paid. Then look through reviews of the platform to see if they honour these commitments.
The downsides
Teaching online can be lonely. I mix things up by meeting my local students for a live lesson in the wild. Not an option? English language meetups are a great to make friends with locals (i.e., potential students) who speak English.
The pay isn’t great. Most of my online German teachers live in places where their euros go a long way: Mexico, Vietnam, India. Online platforms usually work according to your currency and country of choice, so you decide how to handle payment and taxes. As you’re usually considered an independent contractor, read the T&Cs of payment carefully to understand your tax liabilities.
Dang you, internet! Tech stuff happens. If your internet connection takes a siesta at certain times of the day, don’t schedule lessons at that time. A mobile hotspot can work in a pinch, but that data adds up. Sometimes a different room may offer a stronger connection. Yes, I’ve taught lessons in the bathroom.
Getting students/moving up the rankings can take a while. Not getting enough work on one platform?Your bio and pic might just need juzhing. No joy? Diversify. Join a second platform and/or beat the bushes for local gigs.
Reviews can be devastating. It’s the internet. But bad reviews can be revealing, too. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
Why not just tend bar, like the cool kids do?
Teaching isn’t for everyone (neither is tending bar) And you won’t get rich doing it. But it’s something you can do anywhere with internet access. Hate commitment? The best thing about teaching online is the flexibility. You don’t have to be a certain age or have a certain look. You don’t have to be fluent in a second language. You don’t have to stick to a fixed schedule. Or employer. Or place.
You never know, that beer-money side hustle might even turn into a fulfilling career. And even though I don’t teach full time these days, I still work with a few inspiring long-term students (shoutout to Andrea, Nati, and Ketty) who keep my grammar skills sharp as we explore the English language.
