Getting work as an online ESL teacher can be a daunting task. There are hundreds of ESL schools and with ESL having a high turnover, most are actively seeking teachers.
However, ESL companies don't typically advertise on common job boards and, instead, rely on teachers applying direct to them.
This means two things for ESL teachers:
- You need to know which companies are hiring
- You need to know how to apply
Finding a high-paying ESL job was made increasingly difficult by the COVID-19 global pandemic, which forced many people to look for online jobs and ESL teaching got hot in demand. At the same time, many international schools closed their doors, so we had more teachers and fewer jobs. Due to this, more ESL teachers took to a freelancing route. If you're interested in becoming a TEFL freelancer, we highly suggest this article to get started.
However, if you're looking for an online teaching gig, you're in the right place! In this article, we list the best ESL jobs and how you can apply.
How to use this guide
This guide provides a detailed list of hiring ESL companies suitable for all levels of English teachers - from experienced to beginner ESL teachers.
The companies are divided into those who require degrees and those who don't. The information provided details average pay rates in USD and whether the company hires non-native English speakers.
What you need to teach English online
Almost every ESL company will require you have:
- A laptop or computer
- A webcam
- Decent wifi
- A professional headset
While these are standard requirements, it's recommended for some jobs you have lesson materials, props, and even games. Check out this list of essential and important ESL equipment for English teachers.
How payment works for online ESL jobs
There are 3 common methods for ESL teachers to receive their pay.
- Direct bank transfer: While direct bank transfers are more popular with higher-end online schools, a lot of teachers are opting for Wise (formerly Transferwise) as their digital bank. Wise has become increasingly popular with remote workers who need to receive and send money overseas with fewer fees. You can sign up for Wise free here.
- PayPal: One of the most common methods of payment is PayPal. The free-to-sign-up PayPal is used by most online schools nowadays and is a must-have for online English teachers.
- Payoneer: This is more common for Chinese-based companies, but is generally lesser used by other ESL companies.
Getting ESL qualified
The most important factor when getting hired for an ESL job is being qualified to teach.
While some companies require a degree, a lot do not. However, it's rare to find jobs that don't require a TEFL certificate as a minimum.
TEFL Certificates
TEFL certificates are the foundation of all ESL teaching.
If you're in the market for an accredited TEFL certificate, you can read this guide to the Best Online TEFL Certificates here. If you just want to jump right into one of the most affordable and recognized TEFL courses, head over to Premier TEFL and take their Ultimate 120-hour TEFL course.
IELTS
In my opinion, adding a specialty to your TEFL certificate is the best thing you can do as an ESL teacher. By separating yourself from the hordes of teacher applicants, you'll be more successful and make more money too. That's why I wrote this piece on Why Getting IELTS Certified Is For You.
IELTS courses are extremely affordable. For example, Premier TEFL has this IELTS course discounted now.
Business English
Getting certified in Business English is a great way to make extra money as an English teacher. Business English almost always attracts adult professionals who are willing to spend more money on classes.
Teachers do not need to know a lot about business to be Business English teachers. Lessons are more so focused on helping professionals in business scenarios - like how to interview in English.
This Business English course is a great introduction course to start teaching professionals.
ESL Companies that Require a Bachelor Degree
VIPKid
Pay | $14-$22 per hour + incentives
Requirements | Degree, TEFL certificate & 2 years teaching experience
Min. Hours | 1 hour per week
Nationalities Accepted | USA & Canada only
Payment Via | Wise/Bank transfer
Other Information | 1 kid per class
BlingABC
Pay | $16-$24 with bonuses
Requirements | Degree & TEFL. BlingABC also requires an Internet speed test
Min. Hours | 5 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | All native English speakers
Payment Via | Wise
Other Information | Bonus pay for perfect attendance.
Landi English (Closed)
Pay | $10-$18 + performance-based bonuses
Requirements | Degree & TEFL certification
Min. Hours | 12 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | USA, UK or Canada
Payment Via | Direct bank deposit or Wise
Other Information | 1-2 students per class
NeuABC
Pay | $18 per hour
Requirements | Degree, TEFL certificate & 1-year experience
Min. Hours | 4 hours
Nationalities Accepted | USA & Canada
Payment Via | PayPal or Wise (bi-weekly)
Other Information | $9 per 25-minute lesson. Teach Chinese primary school students.
31ABC
Pay | $18-$22 per hour
Requirements | Degree, TEFL certificate & 1-year teaching experience
Min. Hours | Minimum 6 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | USA & Canada only
Payment Via | Direct bank deposit
Other Information | 1-2 students per class
iTutor Group
Pay | $14-$24 per hour + attendance bonuses
Requirements | Degree, TEFL & 1-year teaching experience
Min. Hours | 5 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | Native English speakers preferred, but non-native English (with a neutral accent) considered
Payment Via | PayPal
Other Information | Flexible schedule, can teach 24/7
English Gang
Pay | $10-$16
Requirements | Degree & 3-years teaching experience
Min. Hours | 5-hours
Nationalities Accepted | USA, Canada, Australia, UK & New Zealand
Payment Via | Bank transfer (monthly)
Other Information | Must submit schedules one month in advance
Boxfish (Closed)
Boxfish has ceased all classes as of November, 2020.
Pay | $24 per hour
Requirements | Degree, TEFL & 1-year experience
Min. Hours | None
Nationalities Accepted | Native English speakers
Payment Via | Bank transfer/Transferwise (monthly)
Other Information | Work from the Boxfish app. All lesson materials provided.
Gogokid (Closed)
Pay | $14-$25 per hour
Requirements | Degree (no TEFL or experience required)
Min. Hours | 10 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | All considered
Payment Via | PayPal (monthly)
Other Information | Set your own schedule. Degree a must.
Accent Advisor (American accent coach)
Pay | $15-$25 per hour (pay raises $1 every 500 hours of teaching)
Requirements | Degree in English/Linguistics and/or TEFL certificate
Min. Hours | 15 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | USA & Canada
Payment Via | PayPal/Bank transfer
Other Information | Classes are 24/7. Teachers choose their own schedules
Zebra English
Pay | $16-$24 per hour
Requirements | Degree, TEFL certificate & 1-year experience
Min. Hours | 1
Nationalities Accepted | USA & Canada
Payment Via | Bank transfer/Transferwise (monthly)
Other Information | Flexible schedules
VIPX
Pay | $15-$20 per hour
Requirements | Degree, TEFL certificate (no experience necessary)
Min. Hours | 13 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | Native & non-native English speakers considered
Payment Via | Bank transfer/Transferwise (monthly)
Other Information | Students are Chinese and aged between 3-14 years. Classes are conducted in 50-minute lessons.
DaDa (Closed)
Pay | $15-$23 per hour
Requirements | Degree, TEFL (no experience necessary)
Min. Hours | 3 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | All considered
Payment Via | Wise/Bank transfer (monthly)
Other Information | Teachers get a $7 bonus for converting new students via a trial class
SayABC (Closed)
Pay | $19-$25 per hour
Requirements | Degree only
Min. Hours | None
Nationalities Accepted | All native English speakers
Payment Via | Wise/Bank transfer (monthly)
Other Information | Work in 3-month contracts which can be renewed
ESL companies that do not require a degree
Preply
Pay | Set your own rate
Requirements | No TEFL or degree required
Min. Hours | No minimum hours
Nationalities Accepted | Native English speakers, including South Africans
Payment Via | PayPal
Other Information | Preply takes between 18-33% commission. But the more you teach the less commission you pay. Preply also takes 100% commission of your first lesson.
Cambly
Pay |$10.20 Cambly $12 Cambly Kids
Requirements | None
Min. Hours | No minimum
Nationalities Accepted | Native English speakers
Payment Via | PayPal
Other Information | 1-to-1 teaching. Can teach from your phone. Very flexible and casual conservational-style teaching.
Palfish
Pay | $10-$30 per hour (set your own rate)
Requirements | None
Min. Hours | None
Nationalities Accepted | All native English speakers
Payment Via | Payoneer
Other Information | Teachers can teach from their phones
Outschool
Pay | $40-$50 per hour
Requirements | Criminal record check. No degree or TEFL required
Min. Hours | No minimum
Nationalities Accepted | USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, UK
Payment Via | PayPal
Other Information | Outschool takes a 30% commission fee per class. You teach group classes. You set a fee for each child to pay. Large classes can mean large payouts! You can teach any subject, including ESL, and have the ability to build your own curriculum.
Seer English
Pay | $18 per hour
Requirements | TEFL certificate
Min. Hours | 10 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | USA & Canada
Payment Via | PayPal (bi-weekly)
Other Information | Class range from one-on-one to group sessions and are 25 minutes long
Antoree
Pay | $9-$12 per hour
Requirements | No qualifications required
Min. Hours | 5 hours
Nationalities Accepted | All considered
Payment Via | PayPal or bank transfer (monthly)
Other Information | Flexible and no experience necessary
Uask Education
Pay | $13-$22 per hour
Requirements | Degree & TEFL (or enrolled in TEFL course) & 1-year teaching experience
Min. Hours | 1 hour
Nationalities Accepted | All nationalities
Payment Via | Bank transfer
Other Information | 30-minute classes. Maximum 5 students per class
Engoo
Pay | $2-$10 per hour
Requirements | No qualifications needed
Min. Hours | 1-hour per week
Nationalities Accepted | All considered
Payment Via | PayPal or Bank transfer
Other Information | 25-minute lessons
iTalki
Pay | $3-$35
Requirements | No qualifications needed
Min. Hours | 1-hour minimum
Nationalities Accepted | All considered
Payment Via | PayPal/Bank transfer (monthly)
Other Information | 30-minute classes, must be "Native" or Advanced (C2) language proficiency to teach
LOI English
Pay | $10-$15 per hour
Requirements | None
Min. Hours | 10 hours
Nationalities Accepted | Native & non-native English speakers
Payment Via | Bank transfer (monthly)
Other Information | 1 student per 25-minute class
Barons English
Pay | $13-22 per hour
Requirements | Teaching certification
Min. Hours | 2 hours
Nationalities Accepted | UK only
Payment Via | PayPal or Bank transfer
Other Information | 4 types of classes offered: General English, IELTS, Business English and Children's English courses.
Ginseng English
Pay | $10-$15 per hour
Requirements | None
Min. Hours | 1
Nationalities Accepted | All considered
Payment Via | PayPal & Bank transfer
Other Information | Teaching group classes of school-aged kids
Learntalk
Pay | $4-$15 per hour
Requirements | None
Min. Hours | 1
Nationalities Accepted | All considered
Payment Via | PayPal (monthly)
Other Information | Pay varies depending on qualification and/or experience
Verbling
Pay | $15-$35 per hour
Requirements | TEFL certificate + 1-year teaching experience
Min. Hours | 15 per week
Nationalities Accepted | Native & non-native English speakers considered
Payment Via | PayPal (weekly)
Other Information | Flexible schedules
Amazingtalker
Pay | $15-$28 per hour
Requirements | No required qualifications
Min. Hours | None
Nationalities Accepted | All considered
Payment Via | PayPal or Transferwise (monthly)
Other Information | Classes divided by 25-minute trial classes & 50-minute private class. You control your pay rates.
Rype
Pay | $9-$11 per hour
Requirements | None
Min. Hours | 10 hours a week
Nationalities Accepted | All nationalities
Payment Via | PayPal
Other Information | 30 minutes per 1-1 classes
HelloKid
Pay | $8-$22 per hour
Requirements | TEFL certificate & 1-year experience
Min. Hours | 4 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | Native (or "near-native") English speakers
Payment Via | PayPal (monthly)
Other Information | Must be 22 years old to apply.
Hello!
I am the owner of an online English school in Russia. I recruit teachers regularly and would like to add my school to your list.
Please tell me how that can be done.
Best regards,
Aaron “Detroit” Figurski