Which platforms hire online English teachers?
These days, working online is a common occurrence in many walks of life and English language teaching is no exception. Opportunities for teaching in a virtual classroom are varied and accessible to people all over the world via a wide range of service providers. These online platforms offer the chance to teach English to international students without having to leave your own home.
The best employment options for teaching English online
Teachers looking to take advantage of the huge demand in online English lessons can choose to set up their own business which allows you to be entirely independent and free to decide on your own lesson fees and working hours. However, you will probably need to set up your own website and it can take a considerable amount of time to find enough regular students to make a good living.
For most people who are new to online teaching, the best approach is to sign-up to an agency or online teaching platform who will supply you with students and a set teaching schedule. As these companies conduct their own marketing and promotion campaigns you are unlikely to find yourself short of students to teach. It is worth noting that many of these platforms will require their teachers to have a TESOL qualification and they might also expect you to teach a practice lesson before taking you on.
The most popular platforms for teaching English online include:
Magic Ears: aimed at 4 to 12 year-old children across China, with a focus on fun and interactive experiences. Pay levels are up to 30% higher than the average at around $18 to $26 per hour.
VIPKID: aimed at children of all ages right across Asia. Teachers must be US or Canadian citizens with a degree and a good internet connection. Lesson plans and materials are provided and the pay is $18 to $21 per hour with average earnings of $2,000 per month.
Cambly: focused on informal conversational lessons with students from all over the world. The pay is $0.17 per minute, or $10.20 per hour, paid once a week via PayPal.
Qkids: only for teachers from Canada and the US who are able to commit to a minimum of six hours per week. Training is paid for and all lesson plans and materials are provided.
iTutor: teachers with a degree from the US, Canada or the UK can earn between $16 and $25 per hour. The hiring process is very quick, so you can be teaching within three days of applying.
Continuum Education Services: works as a recruitment agency to partner teachers with companies looking for any form of English teaching service. Pay and work schedule is set by the company you are paired with. Only open to native English speakers with a TESOL certificate.
eBerlitz: wide spread with offices in 70 countries worldwide. Typical pay is $14 per hour.
Englishunt: provides online lessons for Japanese students. A set curriculum is provided and the pay is $14.50 per hour. Teachers require a TESOL certificate and must work between 8 and 12 hours a week.
Global Mate New York: aimed at South Korean students. Teachers must be a US citizen.
