Do you want to turn your living room into a global learning hub?
Teaching English online gives you exactly that chance! Your classroom can be anywhere — from China to Italy, Germany to Vietnam — all while you connect with students around the world, right from home.
You can set your own schedule and teach when it suits you. Talk about a healthy work-life balance!
But before you sign up to join a teaching platform, let’s get you set up for success.
What qualifications do I need?
Do you speak English?
Tick ✅. You’re in.
Just kidding: not really!
But seriously: your English needs to be fluent and, for some platforms, you need to be a native speaker.
When it comes to qualifications, at the very least, you’ll need a 120-hour TEFL qualification. Some platforms may require a Bachelor’s degree (in any field). Extra qualifications will likely increase pay and attract more students, but it’s not essential.
For any online job, you’ll need a functional workspace. This should ideally be in place before you apply for jobs, since you’ll likely need to do a demo lesson.
Once your workspace is ready, it needs to be kitted out with the right equipment.
What equipment do I need?
You‘ll need:
- a decent laptop (e.g., Intel Core i5 or better, at least 8GB of RAM, and an HD camera),
- a trusty headset,
- a stable high-speed internet connection — fibre is preferred, and
- a back-up power supply — if you live in a country where power outages are common, a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or inverter is crucial.
You’ll need to meet internet speed requirements: a 20 Mbps upload speed is recommended, but you can get away with 10 Mbps on some platforms. Many platforms run regular connectivity tests to ensure your tech setup is up-to-scratch and maintain quality.
Make sure your computer can handle teaching software, which means running a modern operating system like Windows 10+ or macOS 10.15+.
A smooth-running tech setup is just the start. You’ll need a workspace that keeps you comfortable but still looks like you mean business.
Workspace essentials
Find your teaching zone
You’ll need a quiet, distraction-free space to teach online. No barking dogs or chatty housemates within “earshot”! Ideally, set up a desk with your back to a wall — it looks more professional on camera and stops your students from getting a sneak peek of your laundry pile.
Desk and chair
A good desk and comfortable chair are essential for lengthy teaching sessions. Your back (and tush) will thank you later.
Ergonomics and comfort are key:
- Choose a chair that supports your lower back.
- Make sure your desk is at a comfortable height to avoid slouching or straining your shoulders.
- Consider adding a small footrest or a cushion for extra comfort.
Decor
Decorate your space according to your students’ ages and interests. Keep a few props within arm’s reach and let your background reflect your style.
But don’t go overboard! You’re aiming for cool, calm, and collected so your students pick up on that energy and focus on the lesson, not what’s behind you.
Lighting
Good lighting helps your students see you clearly. Natural light is ideal, but a ring light or desk lamp works well too. Avoid harsh shadows or backlighting — your students should see a friendly, clear face, not a horror movie cameo!
Organisation tools
Sticky notes and whiteboards are great for reminders.
Digital calendars help you schedule and block out teaching time, and a simple file system keeps your lessons and student feedback organised.
Dress code
Your appearance is just as important as your set-up. Imagine two teachers: one is dressed in sportswear and the other in chinos and a smart blouse. Which one would you take more seriously?
It’s not about being judgemental; it’s about making sure your dress code says “ready to teach” and not “weekend mode.”
Read more: Does It Matter What You Wear To Teach Online?
Once you’re all set up and ready to teach, you’ll need those special beings to make the magic happen: students!
But where do you start?
That’s the beauty of online teaching platforms — they handle the marketing and bring the students to you. Many even provide pre-planned lessons, so all you need to do is review the material beforehand and show up ready to teach.
Without a platform, you’re on your own for finding students, planning lessons, scheduling, invoicing, chasing payments, and handling tech support, all on top of actually teaching.
So for those of you who would prefer to leave the business side of things to the experts, online teaching platforms are a lifesaver.
Here are our favourite platforms to get you started.
Our favourite online teaching platforms
Native Camp
Native Camp is a well-known Japanese company where teachers with English proficiency and a TEFL qualification can apply.
They provide:
✔️ lesson plans
✔️ virtual classroom
✔️ in-platform scheduling
✔️ online support
✔️ frequent incentives and bonuses
Plus, there are no minimum hour requirements, which is a real bonus for those multi-hyphenates (someone with multiple jobs) out there. You can teach on-demand students through strategic time slot selection by placing yourself on standby, a nice feature that Native Camp helps you with.
You’ll teach all ages, but mostly adults seeking conversational or Business English, as well as exam prep. Most of your students will be Japanese learners.
Lessons are generally short, conversational and sometimes on-demand.
The hiring process is simple:
- Apply
- Do an environment check.
- Take an AI speaking test (focuses on reading and speaking) and an English proficiency test (more comprehensive and includes writing).
- Work through a self-paced learning program in preparation for an online demo lesson. (They provide detailed demo lesson support, which helps you maximise your chances of getting hired.)
- Finalise your registration details.
The pay structure is tiered, so you know what to aim for. You can expect to earn around $2-$15 an hour, with payment dependent on your tutor rank. You can earn tips through their gratuity system, where students tip teachers to show their appreciation.
Read more: TEFL Interview Tips: What Recruiters Want to See
Preply
Preply is a very popular tutoring platform that welcomes teachers with English proficiency and a willingness to teach with open arms. No TEFL qualification or teaching experience is required.
They provide:
✔️ lesson plans
✔️ AI teaching tools for lesson planning
✔️ virtual classrooms
✔️ smart calendars for easy scheduling
✔️ training and free courses
✔️ a supportive community of tutors
Preply doesn’t require a minimum number of hours. You can set your own tutoring rates, but they bring the students to you.
You’ll be teaching a global audience, so expect a mix of kids, teens, uni students, adults and working professionals. They’ll have differing needs, so you get to switch it up, which keeps things fresh.
If you have creative flair, you can create your own lesson plans. But if you’re too busy or experiencing a creative block, just grab one of theirs, tweak it if you want, and you’re good to go.
Signing up is an easy three-step process:
- Sign up on the Preply website.
- Create your tutor profile.
- Wait for approval!
Now remember, even though a teaching qualification and teaching experience are not required, having this will attract more students and ultimately affect your earning potential. Expect to earn anywhere from $10 to $45 an hour.
FYI: Preply takes a cut, but don’t worry, this is done on a sliding scale. That means the more hours you work, the lower the commission rate.
Trial lessons are unpaid, but great for newbie TEFL teachers building up experience.
Twenix
Twenix is another great teaching platform that doesn’t require a teaching qualification, degree or teaching experience.
They provide:
✔️ lesson plans
✔️ virtual classrooms
✔️ flexible calendar system
✔️ ongoing training
✔️ tutor support
✔️ incentives and bonuses
There are no minimum hours required. When life gets in the way, you can transfer your classes to another teacher and minimise disruptions to your students’ learning.
Your students will mainly be professionals in Spain and Latin America. Lessons are short, conversational, with a focus on fluency and business.
You can expect payment in the region of $7.50 to $16 an hour, but this is location-dependent. So someone teaching from the United States would be paid at a different rate than someone teaching from Germany.
With Twenix, you’ll never miss a payday! Book at the last minute and get paid for trial classes.
To start teaching, you need to:
- Submit an application
- Record a video.
- Complete their onboarding program.
With the right teaching setup and several awesome teaching platforms to choose from, you’ll be teaching your first online class sooner than you can say “Thank you, come again.” Now that’s how you slay the online teaching game!
