Travel blogging is a tough business and it takes a while for most blogs to start generating revenue. That's why many travel bloggers supplement their income while on the road with remote work like teaching English online. The two most popular websites with the biggest market share are VIPKID and Talk 51, but like any service, they've got their hangups, and you may want to seek other options. Luckily, they aren't the only players in the game, so I've compiled a big list of companies that will hire you to teach English online from anywhere in the world.
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Under each website, I've curated information about their payment structure, minimum required experience, commitment expectations, and where to apply, so that you can quickly compare each one. Remember, however, that everything is negotiable, and although some sites say that they require a 4 year bachelor degree, I personally know people who have made it through the application process without. Also note that I left off technical requirements, as they all basically require the same thing, which is a computer, webcam, microphone headset, and at least 2 Mbps upload speed and 10 Mbps download speed. And lastly, keep in mind that you'll be teaching students in China for the most part and need to be able to work on their schedule, which can be quite different than yours depending on where you are in the world at the time. For example, my friend Liz starts her day at 4am teaching for a few hours.
I did my best to vet these companies, read reviews, and speak to travelers who teach English online to curate this list, however, please be cautious and do your own due diligence before applying and seeking work with any of these websites.
Best Teach English Online Websites for Travelers & Digital Nomads
#1 VIP Kid
PAY: $7- $11 / 30 minute session
EXPERIENCE: VIPKID is very strict on applicants’ education level and requires applicants to have at least a Bachelor’s degree.
COMMITMENT: VIPKID signs 6-month contracts with applicants who pass their screening process.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#2 51 Talk
PAY: Base salary of $15.00 USD per hour + bonuses
COMMITMENT: One-year minimum commitment from our candidates. Minimum number of hours required is 30 peak time hours per month.
EXPERIENCE: 4-year Bachelor’s Degree (REQUIRED). Experience in teaching age 4-12 (REQUIRED). Qualifications or TESOL/TEFL/CELTA/TKT/CETYL certifications (ADVANTAGE). Bachelor of Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education/Secondary Education (ADVANTAGE).
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#3 Magic Ears Teaching
PAY: $9-13 / 30 minute session
COMMITMENT: 6-month minimum commitment from our applicants. The contract can be renewed upon both parties’ approval.
EXPERIENCE: None listed.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#4 Cambly
PAY: We pay $0.17 USD per minute ($10.20/hour), delivering your earnings every Monday via Paypal.
COMMITMENT: You make your own hours. Work as little or as much as you want.
EXPERIENCE: None listed.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
REVIEWS: Beyond Babeesh
#5 Dada ABC
PAY: Up to $25/hour. Does not list specific payment structure.
COMMITMENT: 6 – 12 month contracts. We require teachers to teach at least 2 hours per day and 2 days per week. A consecutive two-day-minimum schedule is only allowed on weekends.
EXPERIENCE: Native English Speaker. Bachelor's Degree.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#6 English Town
PAY: Not listed.
COMMITMENT: Minimum 15 hours / week. Native English speaker. 40-hour TEFL certificate or equivalent ESL qualifications (ADVANTAGE). Speaks Portuguese/Russian/Spanish (ADVANTAGE).
EXPERIENCE: University graduate or in the last year of university study.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#7 goFluent
PAY: Not listed.
COMMITMENT: Not listed.
EXPERIENCE: Business and/or corporate experience. Some college is required; degree is preferred.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#8 Buddy School
PAY: You post your rate. Site takes 20%.
COMMITMENT: No minimum contract or weekly hours.
EXPERIENCE: None required.
APPLICATION: Sign Up Here
#9 iTutorGroup
PAY: Consultants are paid a base rate for each class attended and taught. Base rates are determined by experience and other qualifications.
COMMITMENT: You will be required to teach during our peak teaching hours. (Doesn't say minimum or when those hours are.)
EXPERIENCE: TESOL/TEFL Certification. Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field. Minimum of 1 year teaching experience.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#10 Verbal Planet
PAY: You set your own rates. Each lesson is scheduled to last 45 minutes.
COMMITMENT: Set your own hours. No minimums.
EXPERIENCE: Proven language teaching experience and relevant qualifications.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#11 iTalki
PAY: You set the rate. They take 15%.
COMMITMENT: Set your own hours. No minimums.
EXPERIENCE: None required.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#12 Preply
PAY: You set the rate. They take between 18-33% depending on volume of hours taught.
COMMITMENT: You set your hours.
EXPERIENCE: None listed.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#13 Qkids
PAY: Up to $20/hour. Doesn't list specific payment breakdown. Classes are 30 minutes.
COMMITMENT: Minimum 12 classes (6 hours) per week.
EXPERIENCE: Native fluency English speakers who are based in United States or Canada. Earned a degree or currently enrolled in a university program.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#14 English Hunt USA
PAY: Not listed.
COMMITMENT: Typical peak times for the instructors are 4 am – 11 am, 4 pm – 8 pm, and 11:00 pm to 4:00 am (all listed EST).
EXPERIENCE: All Live Video Class instructors must hold a four-year degree, and many of them require a teaching or substitute teaching certificate (current or expired). For our Live Phone Classes, no prior teaching experience is required, but instructors should have at least a two-year degree from an accredited institution.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#15 Same Speak
PAY: $10 per 30 minute session
COMMITMENT: Choose your own hours.
EXPERIENCE: You must be a first language speaker of English and 16 years of age or over.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#16 Learn English World
PAY: Not listed.
COMMITMENT: Not listed.
EXPERIENCE: 2 years teaching experience or TEFL/TESOL Certificates. Native speakers from USA, UK, Canada, Ireland,South Africa, Australia.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#17 Two Sigmas
PAY: Not listed.
COMMITMENT: Not listed.
EXPERIENCE: Experience working with children between the ages of 5-12. ESL teaching experience or a current teaching certification. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (eg Education, Linguistics, Languages).
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#18 Lingoda
PAY: Not listed.
COMMITMENT: Set your own hours and availability.
EXPERIENCE: Qualified teachers.
APPLICATION: Apply Here
#19 English Ninjas
PAY: The tutor is paid a base amount (not specified) for being online during hours set in her/his weekly schedule during that pay period. A bonus amount is added to her/his pay for the total amount of time spent actively tutoring.
COMMITMENT: Not specified.
EXPERIENCE: Native English speaker. Experience (ADVANTAGE).
APPLICATION: Apply Here
What websites should I add to the list?
This list of 20 19 (I removed one after receiving feedback from a reader who worked for the company) should get you started down the path of teaching English online, but there are plenty more online schools and teaching platforms out there. 1000s actually! Here's a list I found of over 250 Websites To Teach English Online by Mike Veenstra. He's also got a list of teach English websites for non-native speakers.
What website have you had a positive experience with that I should add to the list? Post a comment below with a link to your favorite online English teaching platform. Or if you've worked with any of the platforms on the list, please share your experience in the comments section.
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