The Best Teaching Website No TEFL Qualification Required

The online teaching industry has exploded in recent years, offering a flexible and potentially lucrative career path for many. Traditionally, a TEFL certification and often a degree were considered essential requirements for teaching English as a foreign language. However, the growing demand for online English tutors has led to a shift in the industry, with some platforms now accepting teachers without these qualifications as long as you’re a Native English speaker.  I’ve taught English online for 4 years now and I do not have a teaching qualification.  I do have a degree but it’s in Sport and Exercise Science, not related in anyway to the TEFL industry so use me as proof that you can get into it without any qualifications. That being said, if you’re determined and ready to find the best teaching website no TEFL qualification required so you can start teaching English online, here’s a breakdown of some platforms and things to consider.

TEFL Platforms That Don’t Require a TEFL Qualification or Degree

While the list of teaching English platforms accepting teachers without TEFL or degrees can fluctuate, here are some popular online teaching companies to consider:

CAMBLY

Primarily focused on conversational English, Cambly is known for its relatively low entry barriers. They primarily look for native English speakers with good communication skills.

Company location: US Teaching who: Students from across the world Salary: $0.17 USD per minute ($10.20/hour), paid every Monday via PayPal Native Speaker required: Yes Qualifications/Experience Required: No experience needed Equipment Required: desktop only, 10mbps upload speed Materials provided: provided by the company Hours: You make your own hours. Work as little or as much as you want. You can log online whenever you have a free moment and start taking calls within minutes!

How To Apply: Click here – application form

PREPLY

This platform connects students with tutors for various subjects, including English. While a TEFL can boost your profile, it’s not a strict requirement.

Company location: US Teaching who: Students from across the world, over 100 subjects on Preply, including languages, school and university subjects, hobbies and art, via their own platform Salary: Set your own rate. Preply takes a 100% commission fee for your first lesson payment with every new student. For all subsequent lessons, the commission varies from 33 to 18% and depends on the number of lesson hours completed with students on Preply. The more tutoring you do through Preply, the less commission you pay. Most popular tutors on Preply earn up to $550 weekly. Money is kept in your Preply wallet and you can withdraw it anytime via Paypal, Payoneer or Skrill. Native Speaker required: Yes Qualifications/Experience Required: No experience needed Equipment Required: stable internet connection, a microphone and a webcam Materials provided: provided by the company Hours: You make your own hours. Work as little or as much as you want. If you have wide availability and your profile is appealing to students, they are likely to book more lessons and, as a result, you will earn more

How To Apply: Click here – application form

OutSchool

Teachers create and offer various courses on a wide range of subjects of your choosing, allowing students to learn from the comfort of their own homes. These courses often focus on niche topics or offer personalised attention that may not be available in traditional schools. I’ve seen teachers offer mermaid training and how to travel the world for Gap year students. You really can teach anything. You may have to promote your course to get sign ups though. You set the rate per student, so if you charge $10 and get 10 students then you could be making $100 an hour.

​Company location: US Teaching who: Children from all over the world Salary: You set the rate, Outschool take 30% commission on all payments Native Speaker required: No but you must reside full-time in any of the 50 United States, Mexico, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, or the United Kingdom Qualifications/Experience Required: You can teach anything you want so should be an expert or have experience in your field Equipment Required: desktop or laptop, minimum 0.5mbps upload, webcam and headset Materials provided: No, you provide the materials Hours: Create a Profile Platform, available 24-hours every day. You can work as little or as much as you want.

How To Apply: Click here 

ENGOO

Students can choose from a variety of lesson types, including general conversation, business English, or exam preparation. The platform offers a flexible scheduling system and a variety of teacher options to suit different learning styles and needs. Engoo also provides additional features such as a learning materials library and progress tracking tools.

​Company location: Philippines Teaching who: Mainly Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese students, 1 to 1 lessons Salary: $10 per hour for native speakers, $5 per hour for non-native. You can earn money for referrals. Native Speaker required: Yes for $10 per hour salary but they do hire non-natives speakers Qualifications/Experience Required: At least 18 years old Equipment Required: desktop or laptop, minimum 0.5mbps upload, webcam and headset Materials provided: Yes, provided by company Hours: Create a Profile Platform, available 24-hours every day. You can work as little or as much as you want.

How To Apply: Click here – Online Application Form

Native Camp

Native Camp provides live one-on-one lessons with native English-speaking teachers. Students can choose from a variety of lesson types, including general conversation, business English, or exam preparation. The platform offers a flexible scheduling system and a variety of teacher options to suit different learning styles and needs.

Company location: Japan Teaching who: age 5-12 Salary: $14-$25 per hour, paid bi-weekly or monthly depending on the contract Native Speaker required: English proficiency Qualifications/Experience Required: None required Equipment Required: Laptop or PC with a webcam, Headset with a microphone, Stable Internet connection and speed, Quiet environment and plain background Materials provided: Yes, provided by company Hours: No minimum hours

How To Apply: Click here

SuperProf

SuperProf connects students with private tutors for a variety of subjects. Tutors can create profiles listing their qualifications and experience, and students can search for tutors based on their needs. The platform offers flexible scheduling options and allows for both online and in-person tutoring.

Company location: France Teaching who: Children and adults? Salary: Set your own rate. You can get paid 24 hours after the lesson. Company takes 10% processing fee unless you are a premium tutor who pay to be featured each month Native Speaker required: Non-natives are accepted Qualifications/Experience Required: None required Equipment Required: PC/Laptop, webcam, headphone and microphone? The right to work in whatever country you’re based in Materials provided: Provided by company? Hours: Up to you

How To Apply: Click here

Twenix

Twenix is a relatively new platform so there’s not too much information out there about it just yet.

Company location: Unknown Teaching who: Business professionals from Spain 1:1 for 26 minutes Salary: dependent on country UK: 13-15€/hour, Argentina: 7-11€/hour. Seasonal bonus can boosts pay up to 20%. Paid monthly through Wise Native Speaker required: Native or native-level English speaker Qualifications/Experience Required: Preferred TEFL Certificate & experience preferred but not required. Legally registered freelancer in country of residence Equipment Required: PC/Laptop, webcam, headphone and microphone Materials provided: Provided by company Hours: You set your own hours

How To Apply: Click here

Benefits To Platforms That Don’t Require A TEFL Certificate

Low Barrier To Entry

The pros to these platforms is that the barrier to entry is usually low compared to other platforms that may require not just qualifications but also a need to pass interviews plus a demo class. 

Increased Flexibility

Platforms that don’t require a TEFL qualification sometimes have more flexibility in their classes as they don’t place as great a demand on their teachers.  

Easy To Use

These platforms may have lower expectations of you.  Other platforms may be stricter on your punctuality, your performance in class and written reports after class. 

Key Considerations

Before diving into online teaching without a TEFL or degree, carefully consider the following:

• Lower Earnings: Platforms that don’t require qualifications often offer lower pay rates compared to those that prioritize experienced teachers with certifications.
• Limited Job Security: Your role might be more susceptible to changes in platform policies or market demand.
• Career Growth Challenges: Advancing your career in English teaching might be more difficult without a TEFL or relevant degree.
• Competition: The pool of teachers without qualifications is larger, increasing competition for students.
• Student Expectations: Many students expect their teachers to have qualifications, which can impact your reputation and ability to attract clients.

Building Your Own Brand

If you choose to pursue online teaching without a TEFL or degree and want to maximise your income, consider building your own teaching business. This involves creating a strong online presence, leveraging social media, and developing marketing strategies to attract students directly. Even without a qualification, you could choose to focus on teaching: 

*Business English for professionals who want to learn terms to use in their career 

*English for travel: teaching correct terms and phrases to use at the airport, in restaurants and hotels

*British English: Lots of my students were just interested in learning how to speak with a British accent and learning commonly used English idioms. 

While this can be time-consuming to develop, it offers more control over your earnings and teaching environment.

The Value of a TEFL Certification

While it’s possible to teach English online without a TEFL or teaching experience, the benefits of obtaining a certification are undeniable. A TEFL course provides you with essential teaching skills, knowledge of different learning styles, and a deeper understanding of language acquisition. It can significantly enhance your job prospects, earning potential, and overall career satisfaction.  It doesn’t have to be hard either, you can take an online TEFL course that lasts just a few weeks, just make sure it’s at least 120 hours.  My husband has a TEFL qualification and he was always able to earn more than me teaching English as a result so it’s definitely worth considering. 

Conclusion

The decision to teach online without a TEFL or degree is a personal one. While it’s possible to find platforms that accept teachers without these qualifications, it’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the challenges. If you’re passionate about teaching and willing to put in the effort, building a successful online teaching career is achievable, even without a traditional teaching background. However, obtaining a TEFL certification can undoubtedly open more doors and provide a solid foundation for your teaching journey.