How to make money teaching English online

Nick Daws shares insights on making money teaching English online: explore platforms, set up a professional workspace, and market yourself effectively

Today I’m highlighting an opportunity to make money from home without any particular training or experience (though if you do have some it will help and open up a wider range of opportunities). 

In today’s inter-connected world, the demand for English language proficiency is higher than ever. As globalisation continues to shape the job market, the ability to speak good English has become a valuable skill. And students worldwide are willing to pay good money to achieve this.

This rising demand has created the opportunity for individuals to earn a useful sideline (or even full-time) income teaching English online. This is a flexible, decently paid opportunity, which can offer great personal satisfaction as well.

Most people starting out in this field find work via one of the many online English teaching platforms (see below), so in this article I will focus on that. 

Getting started

Your first step as a prospective online English teacher will be to assess your strengths and areas of expertise and identify your niche. 

Different teaching platforms cater to different demographics, from children to adults, beginners to advanced learners. Identifying your best niche will help you tailor your teaching approach and materials to meet the needs of your target audience.

• While there are no specific educational requirements to teach English online, if you have no prior experience you might benefit from taking an introductory course on online teaching, e.g. this one from The Open University.

Choose the right platform

As mentioned, a wide range of online platforms connect English teachers with students around the globe. Popular options include VIPKid, TeachAway, and Cambly. 

Research each platform to find the one that best aligns with your experience, personal preferences, and schedule. Take into account factors such as pay rates, lesson formats, and support provided to teachers, as well as any reviews (from students and teachers) about the platform in question..

Setting up your work space

To teach English online from home, you’ll need to create a professional environment. Your teaching space should be well-lit, quiet, and free from distractions.

This will create a positive impression on students and enhance their learning experience. Invest in good-quality equipment, including a reliable computer, headset and webcam, to ensure clear communication during lessons.

Make good use of teaching resources

Just talking to students the whole time won’t cut it, especially if their current English skills are limited. So try to enhance your lessons with engaging materials and resources. 

Many online platforms provide lesson plans and materials, but you can also create your own or use resources available online. Incorporate multimedia elements such as videos and interactive activities such as quizzes, to keep your students motivated and interested.

This will also impress your supervisor, and hopefully lead to good reviews of your teaching skills (see below).

Build your profile

Whatever platform (or platforms) you sign up with, you will be invited to create an online profile.

Highlight any relevant qualifications and experience here. Include a friendly and professional photo to make a good first impression on potential students (and their parents in the case of younger ones)..

Set a competitive rate

When starting out you may not have much flexibility about the rate you charge. Some platforms do, however, allow you to adjust your rate based on your experience and student feedback. Research what others are charging, therefore, and try to ensure you receive a competitive and fair hourly rate for your services. 

Market yourself

Leverage social media platforms to market your services. Join relevant groups and communities, share success stories, and offer tips for language learners. Establishing an online presence can help you attract students and build a network within the online teaching community.

Request student reviews

Positive reviews and testimonials can significantly enhance your credibility and attract more students. Encourage satisfied students to leave reviews on the platform and/or share feedback via your social media profiles.

Final thoughts

Teaching English online offers an opportunity to share your language skills, connect with interesting individuals worldwide, and earn a decent sideline (or even full-time) income. 

You will not only have the satisfaction of improving your students’ language skills, you will also enjoy the benefits of a flexible and rewarding sideline you can fit in around other work and family commitments. And all this from the comfort of your own home, wherever in the UK (or the world) that might be!

If you have any comments or questions about this article, as ever, please do post them below.

Photo Credits: Pexels