Do you like to help kids learn and are looking to make some extra money? If so, you should consider making money by teaching English online.
You might not think you have what it takes to tutor online, but don’t give up just yet. You might be surprised at how teaching English online works.
Hint: You don’t necessarily need to know the native language of the student you’re teaching English to.
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How to Make Money Teaching English Online
Each online tutoring company has a different protocol for its tutors. And each protocol makes teaching English online fun and different.
There are many options out there, but here are the top ones to help you get started.
1. VIPKid
Snapshot View
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, plus a TEFL/TESOL certificate; eligible to work in the US or Canada
- Pay: $14-$22 per hour
- Hours: Flexible based on your schedule
VIPKid offers one-on-one classes for kids ages 4 to 15 in markets outside China. There’s no minimum hour requirement and you can set your own hours.
Classes are full immersion classes, meaning you don’t need to know or learn another language to teach with VIPKid.
If you have a college degree, you might be the right candidate for a side hustle with VIPKid, which offers one-on-one English classes for kids in other markets. Tutors sign a 6-month contract, and VIPKid provides the curriculum, so there’s no lesson planning.
2. Tutor.com
Snapshot View
- Requirements: College sophomore or higher, or a 4-year degree; US resident, work-eligible
- Pay: Set hourly rate by subject, disclosed after applying and passing a subject exam
- Hours: Flexible based on your schedule
Tutor.com offers tutoring services to people for a variety of school subjects. Tutor.com is a general-subjects tutoring platform, not an ESL-only service.
Some of the subjects they need tutors for include math, science, English, Social Studies, and more.
Tutors with Tutor.com primarily teach students ages fourth grade through college.
To become a tutor with Tutor.com you need to either have a college degree or be at least a sophomore college student. You must also be a US resident who is eligible to work in the US.
In addition, you need to be an expert in the subject you want to teach. Also, you need to be available to tutor at least five hours during any given week.
For the current technical requirements, see Tutor.com’s application pages, where the requirements are listed and kept up to date.
3. EF Teach Online
Snapshot View
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate (40-hour minimum), C2-level English, based in the US or UK
- Pay: Starts around $12 per hour (EF does not publish its rates)
- Hours: Flexible based on your schedule
EF Teach Online — now “Teach English Online to Adults Worldwide” — teaches English to adult students worldwide. Classes are available seven days a week, all year long.
4. Cambly
Snapshot View
- Requirements: No degree, teaching certificate, or experience required
- Pay: $10.20/hour on Cambly; $12/hour on Cambly Kids (paid weekly)
- Hours: Flexible based on your schedule
Cambly hires tutors to teach English to people of all ages, all over the world.
You might tutor working professionals or young students looking to learn English. All lessons are 1-on-1. Note: Cambly is temporarily limiting new tutor signups.
Part of the reason for this is that requirements for tutors are minimal. See the Cambly website for more information.
5. QKids
Snapshot View
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, ESL certificate (TESOL/TEFL/CELTA), US/Canada work eligibility, minimum 6 hours/week
- Pay: $12-$16 per hour
- Hours: QKids works with you to set your schedule
QKids tutors teach English to kids ages 6-12 years old, using a preset curriculum with no lesson planning. You do need a stable internet connection.
Wired connection is preferred but not required. You’ll also need a headset with a microphone and a computer with a webcam.
Minimum download speed is 4Mbps and upload speed is 2Mbps.
6. TutorABC
Snapshot View
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, at least 1 year of ESL teaching experience, TESOL/TEFL qualification, C1-level English or better
- Pay: Standard classes up to $15 per 45-minute class; specialized classes up to $36 per 25-minute class
- Hours: Flexible based on your schedule
TutorABC teaches students ages 4+ through adults in 1-on-1 or small-group classes. You do have to commit to at least 5 fixed peak-hour slots per week with this company. Tutors are independent contractors, paid monthly.
Technical requirements with this company are vague; you must have a computer with a stable internet connection. Windows or Mac OS.
Should I Try Teaching English as a Side Hustle?
You might be wondering whether or not a teaching side hustle would be a good fit for you. The answer to that question depends on a number of things.
First, you’ll want to ask yourself if you enjoy working with children. Second, you’ll want to assess your level of patience.
People who are patient even in trying circumstances will likely better enjoy the work of teaching a second language to children.
Third, you’ll want to assess your skill level when it comes to instructing others. Are you good at showing others how to learn new things?
Do you have the ability to explain things in different ways? This skill will help you work with students’ vast array of learning styles.
Knowing the answer to questions like these will help you better determine if a teaching side hustle is good idea for you.
Summary
Teaching English online as a side hustle is a great way to earn more money in order to reach your financial goals.
There is a variety of subjects you can teach and tutor in, from ESL to math to science and more. In addition, most tutoring companies have flexible schedules.
For that reason, you can tutor when it works best for you. If you like helping others, teaching English online might be just the side hustle you’re searching for.
