14 Teaching English Online Platforms Where You Can Earn $20+ an Hour
Teaching English online is one of the most accessible entry points into remote work, particularly for those without qualifications or years of industry experience. The fundamental requirement is remarkably straightforward: you need to be a fluent English speaker. For many platforms, being a native speaker is the primary qualification, making this opportunity available to millions of people who might otherwise struggle to find remote work that allows you to live anywhere in the world.
The Demand for TEFL Teachers
The global demand for English language education continues to expand rapidly. In countries across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, English proficiency is seen as essential for career advancement, academic success, and global communication. This insatiable demand translates into consistent work opportunities for English speakers, with platforms regularly recruiting new instructors to meet student needs.
What makes this opportunity particularly attractive is the minimal barrier to entry. Whilst some platforms require teaching certifications or university degrees, others will accept enthusiastic individuals with no formal teaching background. Many companies provide comprehensive training, teaching materials, and ongoing support to help you develop your skills as you go. This means you can literally start earning money whilst learning the craft of teaching.
The flexibility offered by online English teaching is another significant draw. Unlike traditional employment, most platforms allow you to set your own schedule, choosing when and how much you want to work. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income with a few hours per week or build a full-time career teaching 30-40 hours weekly, you have complete control over your workload. This flexibility makes it ideal for parents, students, travellers, or anyone seeking better work-life balance.
If you’re completely new to this world and feeling overwhelmed by where to start, I’ve created a comprehensive guide on getting started with teaching English online that covers everything from choosing your first platform to preparing for your first lesson.
How Much Can You Get Paid As A TEFL Tutor?
Before we explore the platforms, it’s crucial to understand that earning $20 per hour or more is somewhat atypical in the online English teaching industry. This higher rate is usually reserved for teachers who possess formal teaching certifications, hold university degrees in education or related fields, or have accumulated significant teaching experience.
Many entry-level positions start between $10-15 per hour for a native English speaker. This is often half for non-native speakers. However, there’s substantial potential for growth. As you build your reputation, gather positive student reviews, and gain experience, you can increase your rates or qualify for higher-paying opportunities. Additionally, obtaining proper certifications can also dramatically impact your earning potential.
The platforms featured in this article either start at $20+ per hour or provide opportunities for qualified teachers to reach this rate through setting their own prices or advancing within the company. If you’re serious about maximising your income potential, investing in proper qualifications is highly recommended. I’ve written an in-depth guide on different English teaching qualifications available—from TEFL and TESOL certificates to more advanced credentials like CELTA and DELTA—which can help you understand which certifications will deliver the best return on investment for your career goals.
14 High-Paying Teaching English Online Platforms
1. Outschool
Based: United States
Student Focus: Children aged 3-18, primarily from North America, seeking enrichment classes and alternative education options
Requirements: Computer, webcam, headset, background check, engaging teaching style, ability to create appealing class listings
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent documented teaching experience (minimum one year); teaching certification helpful but not required
Pay: Teachers set class prices and earn based on enrollments; typical earnings 20–20–60+ per hour depending on class size
Notes: Outschool offers exceptional creative freedom—teachers design courses on virtually any topic from grammar to creative writing to literature analysis. Classes can be one-time sessions or ongoing courses. Popular classes enrolling 8-12 students can generate $100+ per hour. Success requires marketing skills, engaging class descriptions, and building positive parent reviews.
2. iTalki
Based: China
Student Focus: Global students of all ages seeking personalised one-on-one language lessons
Requirements: Computer, headset with microphone, webcam, stable internet connection (minimum 20 Mbps)
Qualifications: Professional teachers need teaching certificate (TEFL, CELTA, DELTA) and/or teaching degree; Community tutors need no formal qualifications
Pay: Teachers set their own rates; professional teachers typically charge $20-50+ per hour
Notes: iTalki is a marketplace model where you build your own student base. Professional teachers with credentials can command premium rates immediately, whilst community tutors typically start lower and increase rates as they gather reviews. Platform takes 15% commission. Success depends on profile quality, competitive initial pricing, and gathering positive reviews quickly.
3. Preply
Based: United States
Student Focus: Global learners of all ages seeking personalised tutoring across various subjects including English
Requirements: Computer, quality headset, webcam, reliable internet connection, pass video interview
Qualifications: No teaching certificate required, though TEFL or teaching experience helps attract premium students
Pay: Tutors set their own rates from $15–40+ per hour; Preply commission starts at 33%, decreasing to 18% after teaching more hours
Notes: Preply allows complete control over curriculum and pricing. Teachers with niche specialisations (IELTS, business English, accent reduction) regularly charge $25-40+ once established. Success requires strong profile creation, offering attractive trial rates initially, and excellent marketing. Platform provides payment protection and handles bookings.
4. Verbling
Based: United States
Student Focus: Adult learners worldwide seeking professional, structured language instruction from credentialed teachers
Requirements: Professional video setup, computer, headset, webcam, high-speed internet connection
Qualifications: Teaching credentials required (university degree in education, teaching licence, or CELTA/DELTA); minimum two years of professional teaching experience
Pay: Teachers set their own rates, typically $25–55+ per hour depending on credentials and experience
Notes: Verbling maintains strict quality standards with a selective application process. Once accepted, teachers access serious learners willing to pay premium rates for qualified instruction. Platform handles all payment processing and scheduling. Strong credentials and professional teaching demonstration essential for acceptance.
5. VIPKid
Based: China
Student Focus: Chinese children aged 4-12 seeking one-on-one immersive English instruction
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, native English speaker from US or Canada, computer, headset, webcam, teaching props, stable internet
Qualifications: One year of teaching/tutoring experience (can include coaching, mentoring, tutoring); TEFL/TESOL preferred; must pass demo lesson
Pay: $14-22 base pay per hour plus incentives; total compensation $24–28+ per hour with bonuses
Notes: VIPKid provides complete curriculum for 25-minute classes. Peak teaching hours are early mornings US time (evening China time). Platform has faced regulatory challenges due to Chinese education policy changes—research current operations before applying. Requires consistent availability and engaging teaching style with young learners.
6. Magic Ears
Based: China
Student Focus: Chinese children aged 4-12 in small group classes with 1-4 students simultaneously
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, native English speaker from US or Canada, computer, headset, webcam, enthusiastic teaching style, props
Qualifications: One year of experience working with children in any capacity; TEFL/TESOL certification preferred
Pay: $18–26 per hour including completion bonuses and incentives
Notes: Small-group model creates dynamic, engaging classes. You teach up to four students at once using provided interactive curriculum. Book available time slots rather than building individual student base. Classes are 25 minutes. Requires energy, multitasking ability, and classroom management skills. More stable scheduling than one-on-one platforms.
7. Lingoda
Based: Germany
Student Focus: European adult learners seeking structured, curriculum-based language education with certified teachers
Requirements: Professional teaching setup, computer, headset with noise-cancelling microphone, webcam, high-speed internet, EU or specific country residency
Qualifications: Teaching certificate (CELTA, DELTA, or TEFL minimum 120 hours) required; bachelor’s degree strongly preferred; two years teaching experience
Pay: €8–€14 per 60-minute class (can be up to $20–28 per hour for experienced teachers)
Notes: Lingoda offers structured curriculum and reliable scheduling across European time zones. Teachers receive comprehensive training and all materials provided. Group classes typical. Platform suits teachers preferring traditional teaching environments with consistent work. Professional development opportunities available.
8. Accent Advisor
Based: United States
Student Focus: International professionals seeking accent modification and pronunciation improvement for career advancement
Requirements: Computer, professional headset, webcam, strong internet connection, expertise in phonetics and speech patterns
Qualifications: Background in linguistics, speech-language pathology, or ESL teaching highly beneficial; TEFL/TESOL with pronunciation specialisation preferred; ability to use IPA
Pay: Up to $25 per hour depending on expertise, credentials, and bonuses
Notes: Accent Advisor connects accent reduction coaches with motivated professionals. This niche requires specialized knowledge of English phonetics, ability to diagnose pronunciation issues, and skill in teaching correct articulation patterns. Coaches typically work with same clients over multiple sessions, building ongoing relationships and creating personalized curriculum. Excellent option for teachers with linguistics backgrounds or specialized accent reduction training.
11. NorthStar American School (NAS)
Based: United States
Student Focus: K-12 students and ESL learners of various age groups based in Vietnam
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education with relevant specialization; 120-hour TESOL/TEFL/CELTA in-person course with teaching component (no online-only certifications); legally authorized to work in the United States
Qualifications: Two years of online teaching experience required; two years of traditional brick-and-mortar classroom experience required
Pay: $20–25 per hour, paid twice monthly via direct deposit
Notes: Part-time position with set hours (Monday-Friday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST, Saturday 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST). Individualized lesson plans provided for each student/class. Teachers work directly with students evaluating papers, projects, tests, and assessments. Initial and ongoing training provided. Apply by sending resume and cover letter to registrar@northstarschool.us.
12. Lingostar
Based: Singapore
Student Focus: Primarily Chinese children in one-to-one classes
Requirements: Native English speaker or Filipino teacher; Bachelor’s degree required; TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate; minimum 10 hours per week availability during peak hours (5-9pm weekdays, all day weekends)
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification required
Pay: Native speakers: $7 per 30−minute class starting rate, increasing to 7.50 after three regular students, 8 after eight regular students, with raises up to maximum $20/hour. Filipinoteachers:$3–$6/hour
Notes: Progressive pay structure rewards building regular student base. Classes are 30 minutes long. Platform offers significant earning potential for teachers who establish consistent student relationships, though starting rate is lower than many competitors. Filipino teachers receive substantially lower compensation than native speakers.
13. The Space Language Academy
Based: Myanmar
Student Focus: ESL students seeking English language instruction
Requirements: Native English speakers or teachers with native-like proficiency; CELTA certificate required; good internet connection; experience teaching via Zoom platform
Qualifications: CELTA certificate required; minimum one year of ESL teaching experience
Pay: $12–20 per hour
Notes: Relatively new company in the market. Apply through their website or directly via email to academic@thespacelanguageacademy.com. CELTA requirement makes this more selective than many platforms but ensures professional teaching standards. Pay varies based on experience and qualifications within the stated range.
14. LingoAce
Based: Singapore
Student Focus: Children aged 5-15 from over 100 countries seeking English instruction
Requirements: Native English speakers from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, or New Zealand (can reside in other countries); TEFL certificate; Bachelor’s degree; stable internet connection
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; TEFL certification required; minimum two years of teaching experience
Pay: Up to $20 per hour
Notes: LingoAce operates independently of Chinese education regulations as it’s Singapore-based, offering more stability than China-based platforms. Classes are either 25 or 55 minutes long. Platform provides all teaching materials and proprietary platform. Teachers typically work with the same student for 3-5 months, allowing relationship building and better understanding of individual student needs. Serves diverse international student base rather than single-country focus.
Essential Equipment for Teaching English Online
Before launching your teaching career, you’ll need to invest in some fundamental equipment. The encouraging news is that most items are relatively affordable, and you may already own some of them. Consider this an investment in your business—quality equipment pays for itself through better student experiences and positive reviews.
Computer or Laptop: A reliable computer is essential for nearly all platforms. Most require Windows 7+ or Mac OS 10.10+ operating systems. Whilst some platforms like Cambly operate on mobile devices, a computer provides superior teaching experience with better screen real estate for materials and student interaction. Minimum specifications typically include 4GB RAM, dual-core processor, and adequate storage. Desktop computers offer reliability, whilst laptops provide portability for nomadic teachers.
High-Quality Headset with Microphone: Clear audio is absolutely crucial for language teaching—your voice is your primary tool. Invest in a decent USB headset with noise-cancelling microphone (£30-60 range) to ensure students hear you clearly without distracting background noise. Popular reliable options include the Logitech H390 USB Headset (around £35), Mpow HC6 USB Headset (around £30), or Jabra Evolve 40 (around £55). Avoid using computer built-in microphones or wireless earbuds, as these don’t provide professional-quality audio. USB connections are more reliable than 3.5mm jacks.
Webcam: Most modern laptops have built-in webcams, but if you’re using a desktop computer, you’ll need an external webcam. Video quality should be at least 720p (HD) for clear visual communication, though 1080p is increasingly becoming the standard. The Logitech C920 (around £60) or C922 (around £70) are industry-standard options that most professional teachers use. Position your webcam at eye level for the most professional, engaging appearance—consider using a stack of books if needed.
Reliable, High-Speed Internet Connection: This is your most critical piece of infrastructure. Most platforms require minimum download speeds of 20-25 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. Upload speed is particularly crucial as you’re constantly streaming video to students. Test your connection using Speedtest.net at the times you plan to teach, as speeds vary throughout the day. A wired ethernet connection is significantly more stable than Wi-Fi—invest in quality ethernet cables if teaching from multiple rooms. Many platforms require or strongly prefer wired connections.
Good Lighting: Proper lighting ensures students see you clearly and creates a professional, engaging appearance. Natural light from a window positioned in front of you is ideal, but a ring light (£20-50) or well-positioned desk lamps dramatically improve video quality. Ring lights are particularly popular with online teachers because they provide even, flattering lighting and eliminate shadows. Position lighting sources in front of you, never behind, to avoid appearing as a silhouette. Even one good light source makes significant difference.
Teaching Props and Materials: Requirements vary by platform and student age. For young learners (ages 4-12), maintain a collection of engaging props: stuffed animals, puppets, flashcards, colourful balls, toys, and interactive objects. A small whiteboard with dry-erase markers proves useful for all ages when explaining spelling, grammar, or drawing quick illustrations. Many platforms provide digital materials, but physical props enhance learning, particularly for children. Store props within arm’s reach during lessons.
Backup Internet Connection: Consider this essential insurance against technical failures. Options include a mobile hotspot device, secondary internet connection, or arrangement with a neighbor. Keep backup devices charged and test regularly to ensure functionality when needed. One dropped class due to technical issues can result in negative reviews that take weeks to overcome. Many successful teachers specifically budget for backup internet solutions.
Professional Teaching Space: Create a dedicated teaching area with a tidy, neutral, or appealing background. Popular options include fabric backdrops (around £15-30), well-organized bookshelves, plants, or simple painted walls. Ensure your space is quiet and free from interruptions—communicate your teaching schedule to household members. Some teachers invest in basic soundproofing panels if living in noisy environments. Your background should be professional but not sterile—a bit of personality helps build rapport with students.
Optional But Helpful Equipment: Consider a second monitor for displaying materials whilst maintaining eye contact with students, a document camera for showing physical books or materials, portable backdrop stand if you teach from multiple locations, and a small lamp or pointer for highlighting teaching materials.
The Importance of a Reliable Internet Connection
Your internet connection is literally your classroom infrastructure in the online teaching world. It’s impossible to overstate how crucial a stable, high-speed connection is to your success and reputation as an online teacher. This will mean ensuring you live in a country and city with stable internet.
Poor connectivity manifests in frozen video, choppy audio, dropped calls, and delays between speaking and being heard—all of which create frustrating experiences for students and inevitably result in negative reviews. These negative reviews severely damage your reputation on platforms, reducing your ability to attract new students and potentially resulting in reduced hours or even termination from teaching platforms.
Most platforms conduct regular connection checks and have strict minimum speed requirements. Failing to meet these standards can result in penalties, suspended teaching privileges, or account termination. Before committing to any platform, test your internet speed multiple times daily for several days, as speeds fluctuate based on network congestion, time of day, and household usage.
Why Wired Connections Matter: Wi-Fi is convenient but inherently less stable than wired ethernet connections. Wireless signals can be disrupted by walls, other electronic devices, distance from router, and network congestion from other household members. Most experienced online teachers use ethernet cables connecting directly from their computer to their router. This simple change dramatically improves connection stability and reduces disruption likelihood. If your router is far from your teaching space, consider powerline adapters that transmit internet through electrical wiring.
For Digital Nomads and Travelling Teachers: If you’re planning to teach whilst travelling—one of this career’s wonderful perks—internet reliability must be your primary consideration when choosing accommodation. Before booking anywhere, thoroughly research internet reliability through reviews, specifically looking for comments about upload speeds and connection stability. Contact hosts directly to ask about internet speeds and whether you can hardwire an ethernet connection.
Many successful nomadic teachers maintain spreadsheets of accommodation with verified good internet, join digital nomad communities to share internet information, and always have backup plans. Consider co-working spaces in your destination as alternative teaching locations with reliable business-class internet.
Backup Solutions: Beyond backup internet connections, consider teaching from locations with known reliable internet during peak earning times. Some teachers maintain arrangements with local libraries, co-working spaces, or cafes as emergency backup teaching locations. Always inform your backup location about your intention to teach there to ensure their policies allow it.
Other Remote Work Sectors
Whilst teaching English online is an excellent entry point into remote work, understanding what other sectors offer location-independent opportunities can help you diversify income streams or eventually transition to other remote careers. Many skills you develop as an online teacher—communication, organization, digital literacy, and self-discipline—transfer beautifully to other remote industries.
Customer Service and Support: Many companies now hire remote customer service representatives working from anywhere, handling inquiries via phone, email, or live chat. Entry-level positions typically pay £8-12 per hour, with experienced representatives earning more. Companies like Amazon, Apple, and various BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) firms regularly hire remote support staff.
Writing and Content Creation: Freelance writing, copywriting, content marketing, blogging, and technical writing offer substantial creative remote opportunities for those with strong writing skills. Rates vary widely from £0.03-£0.50+ per word depending on expertise and niche. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Contently connect writers with clients.
Virtual Assistance: Virtual assistants provide administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs remotely, handling tasks like email management, scheduling, data entry, social media management, and customer communication. Rates typically range from £10-30 per hour depending on skills and experience.
Digital Marketing: SEO specialists, social media managers, email marketing experts, content strategists, and paid advertising specialists are in high demand and often work remotely. Marketing roles typically require specialized knowledge but offer competitive compensation (£20-50+ per hour) once established.
Software Development and Programming: For those with technical skills or willingness to learn, software development, web development, and programming offer some of the highest-paid remote technology opportunities, often £30-100+ per hour depending on expertise.
Graphic Design and Creative Services: Designers, illustrators, video editors, animators, and other creative professionals easily work remotely using cloud-based tools. Rates for remote design jobs vary significantly based on experience and specialization, typically £20-60+ per hour.
Final Thoughts
Teaching English online offers a genuine opportunity to earn a substantial income whilst enjoying location independence and flexible scheduling. Whilst reaching the $20+ per hour threshold typically requires qualifications and experience, the pathway to get there is clear and achievable. Starting with entry-level platforms, gaining experience, obtaining certifications, and building your reputation will gradually open doors to higher-paying opportunities.
The key is to start. Choose a platform that matches your current qualifications, invest in the necessary equipment (particularly excellent internet), and begin building your teaching skills and student base. With consistency and dedication, you can build a rewarding career that offers both financial stability and the freedom to work from anywhere in the world.
