An Honest Twenix Review: My Online TEFL Experience

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) has become an increasingly popular way to earn a living while enjoying flexibility and the chance to connect with people worldwide. I worked approximately a year with Twenix, a Spain-based online TEFL platform that focuses on business English for professionals. The name of the company reflects the fact that each lesson uniquely lasts for twenty six minutes. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my personal experiences with Twenix, breaking down everything you need to know if you’re considering joining their team. From entry requirements to pay, scheduling to student types, and the pros and cons of the job, I’ll cover it all. Plus, I’ve included a list of the essential equipment you’ll need and a handy FAQ section to address common queries. Alright, let’s jump in!

If you’re interested in learning more about my experience first hand in teaching with Twenix I share everything here

Entry Requirements for Twenix

So, Twenix primarily focuses on providing business English lessons to professionals, so their requirements reflect a need for teachers (called tweachers) who can communicate effectively and adapt to corporate learners.

To join Twenix, you typically need to meet the following criteria:

  • Native or Near-Native English Proficiency: Twenix prioritises teachers who are native English speakers or have a near-native level of fluency (C2 level on the CEFR scale).
  • Qualifications: No degree of TEFL certififate is required at Twenix. I’m not TEFL certified and had no issues securing work there.
  • Teaching Experience: No experience is required to work with Twenix though it may help to have some.
  • Cultural Adaptability: Since Twenix’s student base is largely Spanish-speaking professionals, having an understanding of or willingness to adapt to cultural nuances is important. This wasn’t a formal requirement, but it came up during my onboarding.

The Application Process

The application process itself was straightforward. I submitted an online form but I do remember it took a while for them to get back to me, it may have even been 2-3 months. Twenix typically have hiring windows which tend to be around spring time and sometimes in summer. The new year is very quiet so I don’t recommend applying in January.

There’s no interview with Twenix, instead I was sent an example scenario and had to to record my response as if I were talking directly to the student displaying how I would correct their mistakes and offer feedback.

Pay: How Much Can You Earn with Twenix?

One of the most important factors for anyone considering online teaching is the pay. Twenix operates on a pay-per-lesson model, which is fairly common in the online TEFL industry. Here’s a breakdown of how their payment system works, based on my experience:

  • Base Pay: Twenix pays per lesson on a sliding scale, I started earning €13 per hours or €6.50 euros per 26 minutes earned (yes, their lessons are unusually 26 minutes long!). This is approximately $7 per lesson or $14 per hour. The introduction rate will vary slightly but I’m not sure what that criteria is based on. My husband applied to Twenix at a later date and he was offered only €8 per hour. I can only assume because though we are both Native English speakers, he was born in Jamaica and so doesn’t have a standard British accent like I do. He is TESOL Certified and has way more experienced than me. This is a common issue that some Native English speakers will face if they were born in countries like the Caribbean, SE Asia and sometimes South Africa so it’s something to be aware of.
  • Bonuses: There are opportunities to earn bonuses based on how many lessons you teach. Your base rate increases after the first 100, then 200, 500 and 1000 lessons. I think by the time I left I was on around €14 per hour. Sometimes they also offered incentives like an extra 20% if you opened your schedule for bookings on certain dates. This happened quite often around Christmas time.
  • Payment Schedule: Payments are made monthly via Wise. I always received my pay on time, usually around the 10th of the following month, which was reassuring. There were never any issues there.
  • Potential Earnings: If you teach around 20 hours a week (which is manageable with their scheduling system), you could earn between €1000/$1200 a month. This, of course, depends on how much time you dedicate. I used to do approximately 20-3-35 hours a week and I would say I had a booking rate of around 85-95% most of the time. Apart from in January. Many of the students finished their courses by Christmas and so January/February was eerily quiet. You’d definitely need an additional income stream at that time. November/December was the complete opposite as many students sometimes had to take 2-3 hour lessons each day.

The pay is on the higher end compared to some well known platforms. It’s definitely competitive for business English teaching, especially considering the short lesson duration. Keep in mind that as a freelancer (which all Twenix teachers are), you’ll need to account for taxes and potentially set aside money for self-employment contributions, depending on your country of residence.

Types of Students: Who Will You Be Teaching?

One of the standout features of working with Twenix is the type of students you’ll encounter. Unlike many TEFL platforms that focus on teaching children, Twenix specialises in business English for adult professionals, primarily from Spain and Italy. No children at all and most of the companies the students work for had paid for their lessons which was great because it led to some stability and consistent lessons. Here’s what I’ve noticed about my students:

  • Demographics: Most of my students are working professionals aged between 25 and 50. They often work in industries like finance, marketing, IT, or hospitality, and they’re learning English to improve their career prospects or communicate with international colleagues.
  • English Levels: The proficiency levels vary widely. Some students are true beginners (A1–A2) who need help with basic vocabulary and grammar, while others are advanced (C1–C2) and want to refine their fluency or prepare for presentations. I’ve enjoyed this variety, as it keeps lessons dynamic.
  • Motivation: One thing I love about teaching with Twenix is how motivated the students are. Since many are learning for professional reasons, they’re often engaged and eager to improve. That said, some can be quite shy or nervous about speaking, so patience is key.
  • Cultural Insights: Students are mostly from Spain and Italy though by the time I left I had worked with students in Latin America and Africa as well. The more you learn about other culture, you definitely pick up on certain communication styles, common grammatical and pronounciation mistakes so you can adapt your teaching to suit their needs.

Overall, teaching adults has been a refreshing change from other platforms where I’ve taught younger learners. I’m not a fan of teaching young learners. The focus on business English also means lessons often feel more like guided conversations than traditional classes, which is fun.

Scheduling: How Flexible Is Working with Twenix?

Flexibility is often a major draw for online teaching, and Twenix offers a decent amount of control over your schedule. Here’s how their scheduling system works:

  • Availability Slots: Teachers set their availability in advance using Twenix’s online platform. You can open your slots 24/7. You can choose to open slots in 26-minute increments, and students can book into these slots. I typically set my availability a week or two ahead, which gives me a good balance of planning and spontaneity, some students did book 1-2 weeks in advance. As most students are in Europe, peak times were bewtween 9am-5pm in European timezones so you need to mindful of that if you want to secure more bookings.
  • Minimum Commitment: There are no minimum scheduling hours with Twenix, work as much or as little as you like.
  • Cancellations and No-Shows: If a student cancels within 2 hours of the start of lesson or doesn’t show up, you’re still paid 100% for the lesson, which is a huge plus. If you need to cancel, Twenix have a cool transfer feature where you can try to transfer your class to another teacher, if it’s picked up then there’s nothing more to do. If no one takes the class you are still responsible for it and expected to take the lesson or their will be consequences. The transfer feature is a great way to pick up extra classes.
  • Peak Times: I’ve noticed that early mornings (7–9 AM UK), lunchtimes and late afternoons (5–8 PM UK) are the busiest times, as many students book lessons before or after work. If you’re in a different time zone, you’ll need to adjust accordingly.

I’ve found the scheduling system to be quite flexible compared to other platforms where lessons are auto-assigned. That said, if you’re not in a European time zone, you might need to work odd hours to match student availability.

Curriculum and Materials: How Twenix Supports Teachers

One of the aspects I’ve appreciated most about working with Twenix is the structured curriculum and the ready-made materials they provide. As a teacher, having access to well-designed resources saves time and ensures consistency in lesson quality, especially since the focus is on business English for professionals.

  • Lesson Plans & Resources: Twenix has developed a curriculum specifically geared towards different topics. The curriculum is broken down into different proficiency levels, from beginner (A1) to advanced (C2), so students can easily select content that matches their needs. Students are supposed to move through an entire course which ends with a summary lesson, those were my least favourite lesson to do as they often had role plays and I found a number of students weren’t keen on them either and would ask to skip the role play. There is no option for free talk which I think Twenix is missing out on. Some students would choose a lesson but ask to have free talk instead which I love because it’s my favourite type of lesson to do.
  • No Need for External Preparation: Unlike some TEFL platforms where teachers are expected to source or create their own content, Twenix takes care of the heavy lifting. I rarely need to spend time preparing outside the platform, which is a huge time-saver. That said, I occasionally supplement lessons with free online resources like business articles or videos if a student wants extra practice, but this is entirely optional.
  • Feedback and Updates: Twenix regularly updates its materials based on teacher and student feedback, which I’ve noticed during my time with them. They also provide brief training sessions or tips on how to use the resources effectively, especially for new topics or features on the platform. This ongoing support ensures I’m always equipped to deliver relevant content.

Overall, the curriculum and materials provided by Twenix have made teaching smoother and more professional. They strike a good balance between structure and adaptability, allowing me to focus on delivery rather than content creation. If you’re someone who prefers not to spend hours planning lessons, this aspect of working with Twenix will likely be a significant advantage.

Pros and Cons: Weighing Up the Twenix Experience

Like any job, working with Twenix has its highs and lows. Here’s my honest take on the advantages and disadvantages.

Twenix Pros

  • Professional adults only
  • Reliable Payments
  • Option to transfer lessons
  • Pay slightly higher than some
  • Pay increases & bonuses

Twenix Cons

  • Slow application process
  • Low pay for natives with a non – standard accents
  • Strict expectations

Pros:

  1. Focused Student Base: Teaching business English to motivated adults is incredibly fulfilling. I enjoy tailoring lessons to real-world scenarios, like helping a student prepare for a job interview. If you don’t want to work with chil
  2. Short Lessons: The 26-minute lesson length is great for keeping energy levels up. I can teach several lessons in a row without feeling drained.
  3. Reliable Payment: Twenix has always paid me on time, and the no-show policy ensures I’m compensated even if a student doesn’t turn up.
  4. Supportive Team: The support staff are responsive and helpful. During onboarding, I had a dedicated contact who answered all my questions promptly.

Cons:

  1. Slow application process: While the hourly rate is decent, it’s not as high as some other platforms. If you’re looking to maximise earnings, you might need to teach a high volume of lessons.
  2. Pay Could Be Higher: While the hourly rate is decent, it’s not as high as some other platforms. If you’re looking to maximise earnings, you might need to teach a high volume of lessons.
  3. Limited Lesson Variety: Since the focus is business English, lessons can sometimes feel repetitive, especially with lower-level students who need similar content.
  4. Time Zone Challenges: If you’re not in Europe, aligning with student availability can mean working early mornings or late nights.
  5. Self-Employment Admin: As a freelancer, you’re responsible for taxes and other administrative tasks, which can be a hassle if you’re not used to it.

Overall, the pros outweigh the cons for me, but it’s worth considering your personal circumstances before signing up.

Equipment Needed: Setting Up Your Online Classroom

To teach with Twenix, you don’t need a fancy setup, but having the right equipment is essential for delivering professional lessons. Here’s what I use and recommend:

  • Computer or Laptop: A reliable device with a webcam is a must. I use a mid-range laptop that handles video calls without issues.
  • Headset with Microphone: Good audio quality is non-negotiable. I invested in a USB headset (around £20) that blocks background noise and ensures students can hear me clearly.
  • Stable Internet Connection: Twenix recommends a minimum upload and download speed of 10 Mbps. I use a wired connection to avoid Wi-Fi dropouts, and I’ve never had connectivity issues during lessons.
  • Quiet Teaching Space: You’ll need a distraction-free environment. I teach from a small home office with minimal background noise. If that’s not possible, noise-cancelling headphones can help.
  • Webcam Lighting: While not mandatory, good lighting makes a big difference in how professional you appear. I use a cheap ring light (£15) to ensure my face is well-lit during lessons.

Twenix uses its own platform for lessons, so you don’t need to install additional software like Zoom or Skype. During onboarding, they’ll test your setup to ensure everything meets their standards, which I found very helpful.

Final Thoughts: Is Twenix Right for You?

Working with Twenix has been a largely positive experience for me. I’ve enjoyed the flexibility, the chance to teach motivated adult learners, and the reliability of the platform. While the pay isn’t the highest in the industry, the short lesson format and supportive environment make up for it in many ways. If you’re passionate about teaching business English, have a TEFL certificate (or are willing to get one), and can commit to a consistent schedule, Twenix could be a great fit.

I hope this detailed breakdown of my journey with Twenix has been helpful. Whether you’re a seasoned TEFL teacher or just starting out, I’d encourage you to give it a go if the role aligns with your goals. Have any questions or want to share your own experiences? Feel free to drop a comment below—I’d love to hear from you! Let’s help each other out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Your Twenix Queries Answered

To wrap up, I’ve compiled some of the most common questions I’ve encountered (or had myself) about working with Twenix, along with my answers based on experience.

Q: Do I need to be a native English speaker to teach with Twenix?
A: While Twenix prefers native speakers, non-native speakers with a C2 level of English and strong teaching skills can apply. You’ll need to demonstrate your fluency during the application process.

Q: How many hours can I expect to work each week?
A: This depends on your availability and student demand. I usually work 15–25 hours per week, but some teachers manage more by opening extra slots during peak times.

Q: Are lesson materials provided, or do I need to prepare my own?
A: Twenix provides a curriculum and lesson materials tailored to business English. You can adapt these based on student needs, but there’s no need to create content from scratch.

Q: What happens if I have a technical issue during a lesson?
A: Twenix has a support team you can contact if there’s a problem. If the issue is on your end, try to resolve it quickly and inform the student. I’ve had minor glitches before, and students were usually understanding.

Q: Can I work for other TEFL platforms while teaching with Twenix?
A: Yes, Twenix doesn’t require exclusivity, so you can work with other platforms. Just ensure your schedules don’t overlap, as reliability is key.

Q: How long does it take to get started after applying?
A: From application to teaching, the process took me about a week. This included the interview, onboarding, and a short training module. It might vary depending on demand and your availability.

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