Teach English Online
Get TEFL certified with OnTESOL and unlock the freedom to teach English from anywhere in the world.
Work From Home and Make Your Own Schedule
Teaching English online is a popular option for both entry-level and experienced English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers looking to earn a full-time or part-time income working from the comfort of their home.
There are thousands of jobs available! Certified ESL teachers are eligible to work for online ESL companies with established curriculum or offer private online ESL lessons through marketplace platforms or their own website.
Those who teach English online are able to set their own schedule, work as many or as little hours as they choose, and work from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection!
Online English teaching jobs are perfect for stay-at home parents who need a stable income, new TESOL graduates who want to gain some teaching experience before going abroad, or expats who need a well-paying job while traveling abroad.
Why Teach English Online?
Teaching English online offers a unique blend of flexibility, financial opportunity, and the ability to work from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re looking for a part-time gig to supplement your income or you’re ready to dive into full-time online teaching, this career path presents numerous advantages.
Professional Growth
Just as it is the case in a traditional classroom, the more you teach English online, the more you will develop your skills and grow as a professional teacher. In fact, online teaching can be a way for new teachers to gain the confidence needed to face a group of students in a classroom eventually.
Work From Home
Work flexible hours from the comfort of your home and earn between US$500 to US$3000 a month depending on the hours that you choose to work. By setting your own hours as online English teacher, you will be able to gain full control of your life-work balance and eventually, you will learn to enjoy the shortest commute in the world!
No Experience Required
You can start your online English teaching job even if you do not have any previous teaching experience. If you have a Bachelor degree, a good level of English (Native speaker or IELTS 7+), and a 120-hour TESOL or TEFL Certificate, you can get an online teaching job starting at US$20/hour.
Flexible Job Options
Online teaching offers both full-time and part-time opportunities with no mandatory minimum hours. You may choose to work 20 hours a week or 7 hours depending on your own preference. Teaching English online is also a great way for experienced ESL teachers in their home country or abroad to work extra part-time hours.
Financial Rewards
The potential for financial gain in online teaching is significant, especially as demand continues to rise. With consistent student scheduling, you can see substantial earnings.
Qualifications for Teaching English Online
If you are planning to be a self-employed private online tutor, you may not have to provide proof of any academic qualifications to many of your adult students. However, if your potential clients for online English teaching are children, their parents will probably want to be reassured that you know what you are doing and that you have been vetted by a professional organization.
On the other hand, if you are planning to offer your services to well-established tutoring companies, you can take it for granted that they will demand proof of academic qualifications before they hire you.
Minimum Requirements
The minimum certification requirement to teach English online is a 120+ hour TESOL or TEFL certificate.
You can start your online English teaching job even if you do not have any previous teaching experience. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, a good level of English (Native speaker or IELTS 7+), and a 120-hour TESOL or TEFL Certificate, you can get an online teaching job starting at US$20/hour.
Aiming for the minimum requirements is not the best option in terms of job satisfaction and career growth opportunities. This doesn’t just refer to the number of hours in your course, but also to the accreditation of the program and the practical, real-life skills you will gain. Opting for a quick and easy, fully automated TEFL course may leave you underprepared for the challenges of teaching and limit your potential for growth in the field.
TEFL or TESOL? TEFL, TESOL, and TESL are often used interchangeably, as they all share the same teaching methodology, primarily the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) method. So don’t be fooled by other school’s marketing departments that claim there is a difference. The key is choosing a course that teaches essential ESL lesson planning frameworks and is fully recognized for teaching positions globally. When it comes to certification, the accreditation of the institution is more important than the specific acronym on the certificate.
Why Add The Teaching English Online Specialist to Your TESOL / TEFL Course?
Teaching English online presents different challenges and considerations versus teaching in a classroom setting. Our 20-hour Teaching English Online specialization course will prepare you for working for an online language school and designing your private online ESL program.
Recommended
OnTESOL’s 168-hour Hybrid TEFL Certificate course (35% OFF) comes with a specialist module for those who are planning to teach English online.
- Includes the self-paced 120-hour Advanced course with personal tutor feedback and support
- Includes the virtual 10-hour Lesson Planning Workshop for a practical and interactive learning experience with other peers
- Includes three TEFL specialization courses to prepare you for teaching online and K-12 internationally
Online English Teaching Jobs
Explore the latest opportunities to teach English online and start your global teaching journey today!
How to Teach English Online
Teaching English Online: How to Get Started
While accepting a job placement abroad is usually a fairly lengthy process complete with interviews, visa procedures, flight bookings, accommodation considerations, and packing up and moving your entire life to another country, teaching English online is a far more simple process. But exactly how does someone start their online career? This OnTESOL Graduate blog will help you get started as an online ESL teacher.
How to Prepare Your Resume for an Online ESL Teaching Job
As home-based online ESL teaching jobs become increasingly more common, ESL companies are giving a lot of effort to recruit and screen new hires. One of the first places this begins is with your resume. This OnTESOL Graduate blog will show you how to prepare your resume for online ESL teaching jobs.
Applying and Interviewing for Online ESL Teaching Jobs
As online teaching has become increasingly more popular and convenient, the demand for certified ESL teachers is rising. This OnTESOL Graduate blog will show you how to apply and be better prepared for an interview for online ESL teaching positions.
Tips and Free Resources for the Online ESL Classroom
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Teaching English Online Certificate
Gain practical skills in using online tools, designing engaging lessons, and adapting your teaching strategies to the virtual world. Whether you’re looking to join an online ESL school or build your own online teaching platform, this course will set you up for success.
Add it to the 120-hour Advanced TESOL Certificate to boost your resume. If you’re enrolled in the 168-hour Hybrid TEFL Certificate, this course is already included—no extra cost required!
Already TEFL/TESOL Certified? Add the 20-hour Teaching English Online Certificate to your credentials and expand your teaching opportunities!
Frequently Asked Questions
To teach English online, the minimum requirement is a 120+ hour TESOL or TEFL certificate. Some online platforms may also require a bachelor’s degree and a high level of English proficiency (Native speaker or IELTS 7+).
If you plan to work for a tutoring company, they will likely require proof of academic qualifications. However, if you want to work independently as a private tutor, many students (especially adults) may not require official credentials, though they can improve your credibility.
You can get certified by completing a recognized TEFL/TESOL course. OnTESOL offers a 168-hour Hybrid TEFL Certificate that includes a Teaching English Online specialist module and a 10-hour Live Lesson Planning Workshop, giving you both theoretical and practical training.
No, many online platforms hire teachers without prior teaching experience as long as they have a recognized TEFL/TESOL certification. Teaching English online is actually a great way to gain valuable experience before stepping into a physical classroom. It allows new teachers to develop lesson planning skills, build confidence, and practice managing student interactions in a live setting. OnTESOL’s courses provide the necessary training to teach effectively online, making it an ideal starting point for those looking to transition into in-person teaching later on.
Your earnings depend on your experience, the platform you work with, and the number of hours you teach. Most online teachers earn between $500 and $3,000 per month. Many platforms offer a starting pay of around $20/hour, which can increase with experience and student demand.
Yes, some platforms hire teachers without a degree, but many established companies require a bachelor’s degree. If you plan to work independently as a private tutor, having a degree is not always necessary, but a strong TEFL/TESOL certification and experience will help attract students.
Teaching English online provides flexibility, financial opportunity, and professional growth. Some key benefits include:
- No commute, allowing for better work-life balance.
- Work from home or anywhere in the world.
- Set your own schedule and teach as much or as little as you want.
- Gain valuable teaching experience, especially for new TESOL graduates or those looking to transition into classroom teaching.
To teach effectively, you’ll need:
- A quiet, professional-looking background (for online platforms).
- A reliable computer or laptop with a webcam.
- A headset with a microphone for clear audio.
- A stable high-speed internet connection.
Online English students range from young children to adults. You can choose the age group that aligns with your skills and preferences. Some platforms specialize in kids (K-12), while others cater to business professionals or general English learners.
There are two main ways to find students and teaching opportunities online. One option is to work for an established online ESL company, which provides a structured curriculum and a steady flow of students, making it easier to start teaching without having to find learners on your own. Alternatively, you can offer private lessons by joining freelance marketplace platforms like Preply or iTalki or by marketing your services independently through your own website or social media, allowing for greater flexibility and control over your rates and teaching style.
Why Choose OnTESOL?
Accepted for In-Class and Online ESL Jobs Since 2003
Our online TESOL / TEFL certificate courses will prepare you for career advancement opportunities worldwide.
Use your internationally recognized OnTESOL certificate to apply for ESL teaching jobs online, abroad, and in Native English-Speaking countries such as Canada and the United States.
Job Placement Assistance
As well as providing job assistance to those who wish to teach English online, we also provide job assistance to those who wish to teach English abroad! OnTESOL students get full access to the master list with 50+ online ESL companies and the OnTESOL job board to apply for opportunities in the top 20 destinations for English teachers.
Fully Online – Study at Your Own Pace
Our TEFL / TESOL courses are fully online and allow you to progress at your own pace. We also offer a live semi-synchronous option for those who wish to attend Zoom lectures offered by OnTESOL Senior Teacher Trainers and participate in group activities with other students.