How to Teach English Online & Get Paid in 2025
Did you know there are thousands of people teaching English to international students from their living room and earning money online? Thanks to distance learning technology, such as Zoom and Skype, teaching ESL (English as a Second language) online has become a rewarding hustle for many.
If you’re interested in learning about new cultures, but now is not the time to move abroad, or if you’re looking for a way to make supplemental or primary income, teaching English online is a great option for many.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to start teaching English online, and how you can break into this growing industry in 2025.
Why teach English online?
Teaching English online is a convenient way to earn money while improving your resume. Online learning is so convenient; both teacher and student can set their schedules and have classes when and where suits them. In addition, students can learn 1-on-1 or in a small group at a fraction of the cost of a comparable face-to-face course, and teachers save time on preparation since the online classes are generally discussion-based.
It’s easy to see the appeal for both teacher and student, and, as a result, there are many major employers in this industry. Each is rapidly expanding to offer convenient and cost-effective classes. At this point, learning English online is well established in countries worldwide, so you can choose the community in which you’d most like to connect. Prominent examples to look out for in the online English teaching industry are Teach Away and EF English First.
With the many employer options for those looking to teach English online, it can get confusing to know what certifications you need and what to expect.
How can you better engage students who don’t speak English? How difficult is it to prep lessons? These are all questions you’ll be able to answer with online English teaching experience. Many ESL teachers can vouch for knowing what you’re getting yourself into before finding your teach abroad program dramatically helps with your transition to life in another country.
Who is a good fit for teaching English online?
Anyone interested in international education and who wants to embrace new cultures from their own home would be a great fit as an online English teacher. Moreover, those who teach abroad in a conventional school can also teach online to fill in their timetable gaps or supplement their income.
There are also plenty of teachers who love having a variety of students and classes and make teaching online a full-time job.
What does an online English teacher do?
You’ll lead a student or group of students through a objective based lessons. You’ll make corrections, encourage responses, discussions, and ensure that each student is able to participate and practice their English. Materials are generally provided, but there can be some scope for using your own.
Many students may have studied English previously but not with a private online English tutor so they lack fluency and the ability to converse naturally. These lessons are often conversational. 1-on-1 classes typically last 30 minutes, while group classes (usually 2-6 students) often last 45-60 minutes.
Some of the responsibilities of the ESL teacher includes:
- Encouraging discussions in English
- Teaching new grammar points and vocabulary
- Helping students develop confidence in their spoken English skills
- Assign homework and/or write student reports
What do you need to teach English online?
To teach online successfully, you’ll need a secure and reliable Internet connection, a Zoom or Skype account, and a TESOL/TEFL certificate. Generally, it’s also important to be a native English speaker. Finally, most important is a friendly, patient, and punctual personality. Many companies allow you to teach English online without a degree, as long as you have completed the proper certifications.
Like any ESL classroom, your subject matter has a lot of flexibility. You’ll cover the basics: grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The lack of face-to-face communication means you may need to get creative in the classroom. There are many fun ESL games for English teachers that can adapt to an online classroom.
Choose a top online TEFL course
Since most entry-level courses are geared to teaching general English to classes face-to-face, you should consider a TEFL course which also contains a component on teaching English 1-on-1 or how to become an English tutor online. This will give you the best skills and an edge in employment. Such courses will also help you set up in a freelance capacity, giving you some of the necessary know-how, skills, and confidence to succeed in an online setting.
There are many options when it comes to TEFL courses (and it’s important to know the difference between TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, etc), so you’ll want to think about which TEFL program will best suit your career goals.
Want to get a jumpstart on the process to become an online English teacher? Start by exploring some of these top virtual TEFL programs:
- Teach Away’s OISE University of Toronto TEFL: Teach Away’s online, self-paced course is globally recognized and perfect for teachers or recent grads looking to strengthen their teaching skills before going abroad. They offer 3 different TEFL courses for you to choose from, based on your skill level and ideal time frame.
- International TEFL Academy: If you’re interested in teaching English online or in countries such as Spain and South Korea, consider getting TEFL certified with ITA. They offer accredited TEFL courses online, as well as job search guidance.
- Uni-Prep Institute: For those hoping to jump into their teaching career quickly, Uni-Prep offers fast-paced TEFL courses that can be completed in 2-4 weeks. They also offer tutor support and job search assistance!
How to apply for English teaching jobs online
You’ll find a company you want to work for during the application process of teaching English online. Then, look through the jobs posted on the websites of different companies. There are jobs posted by companies large and small all over the world.
Apply directly through their website. Read all the instructions carefully, and follow them exactly. Make sure that you fill out every required field on the application form and upload all necessary documents. These will usually include your resume, a photo of yourself, proof of address, and your TESOL/TEFL certificate.
Here are some typical materials required in an application:
- A resume or CV
- A writing sample that demonstrates your ability to write in English
- A scanned copy of your university diploma
- An identification document such as your passport
Wait for an invitation to an interview. If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to an interview with one of their recruiters. Usually, this will be via Skype or phone call, but some companies may ask you to come to their office if it’s nearby. The interviews are usually informal and friendly — they just want to get a sense of who you are and whether they’d like to work with you!
Resources you’ll need to apply:
- Good internet speed: This is important! Your internet speed will determine how well your classes run and how good the quality of the lessons are for your students. Before applying for online teaching jobs, make sure you have a good internet connection.
- A Headset, microphone, and webcam: These things will be required for online teaching jobs, so make sure you have them already when applying for a position!
- A quiet place to teach from: Most companies want their teachers to teach from home or another quiet place without distractions like kids or pets running around while they conduct their classes!
The future of distance learning
Like most English teaching positions, progression and the accompanying increase in pay are not automatic. Those keen to make a career in the online English teaching field will need to specialize in a key area such as medical, legal, or academic English, get into teacher training, or set up their online school teaching English.
However, don’t let the competition scare you off. The downsides are limited, and the upsides are pretty apparent: it’s hard to beat the flexibility and variety, plus you get to be your boss!
As this industry grows, many conventional English language schools offer an online option to their students. Distance learning is becoming the norm, and teaching online is easier than ever. Whether you plan to teach internationally long-term or looking for a way to make some extra money while embracing other cultures, teaching English online is an exciting field to explore.