Getting hired as an online ESL teacher can be a daunting task.
The COVID-19 global pandemic has forced many people to look for online jobs and ESL teaching is hot in demand.
An influx of new English teachers means more competition for jobs, and some teachers even choosing the the freelancing route.
However, if you're looking for an online ESL job, hope is not lost. Demand for online learning has also increased, meaning more English students are turning to the teaching platforms in this guide.
New to English teaching?
Check out this Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Teaching English Online
How to use this guide
This guide provides a detailed list of hiring ESL companies suitable for all levels of English teachers.
The companies are divided by 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 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 4 common methods for ESL teachers to receive their pay.
The most common method is PayPal. The free to sign up PayPal is used by most online schools nowadays and is a must-have for online English teachers.
While direct bank transfers are more popular with higher-end online schools, a lot of teachers are opting for Transferwise as their digital bank. Transferwise has become increasingly popular with remote workers who need to receive and send money overseas with fewer fees. You can sign up for Transferwise free here.
Payoneer is more common for Chinese-based companies, but generally lesser used.
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 Let's 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 is for you.
IELTS courses are extremely affordable. For example, Premier TEFL has this IELTS course for just $27.
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 a Business English teacher. 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
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 | Transferwise/Bank transfer
Other Information | 1 kid per class
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 | Transferwise
Other Information | Bonus pay for perfect attendance.
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 Transferwise
Other Information | 1-2 students per class
Pay | $18 per hour
Requirements | Degree, TEFL certificate & 1-year experience
Min. Hours | 4 hours
Nationalities Accepted | USA & Canada
Payment Via | PayPal or Transferwise (bi-weekly)
Other Information | $9 per 25-minute lessons. Teach Chinese primary school students.
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
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
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 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.
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
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
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.
Pay | $15-$23 per hour
Requirements | Degree, TEFL (no experience necessary)
Min. Hours | 3 hours per week
Nationalities Accepted | All considered
Payment Via | Transferwise/Bank transfer (monthly)
Other Information | Teachers get a $7 bonus for converting new students via a trial class
Pay | $19-$25 per hour
Requirements | Degree only
Min. Hours | None
Nationalities Accepted | All native English speakers
Payment Via | Transferwise/Bank transfer (monthly)
Other Information | Work in 3-month contracts which can be renewed
ESL companies that do not require a degree
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.
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.
Pay | Teachers choose pay rates (usually between $16-25 per hour)
Requirements | None
Min. Hours | None
Nationalities Accepted | Native English speakers
Payment Via | PayPal
Other Information | Japanese platform. 1-1 classes. Can teach IELTS.
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
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 pay-outs! You can teach any subjects, including ESL, and have the ability to build your own curriculum.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
