Teaching English online is booming and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it looks like it might be one of the fastest-growing global gigs out there. You might be worried that by not having a degree, you are excluding yourself from this unique opportunity. However, teaching English online is not restricted to just degree holders, so there are plenty of options if you want to get started as a teacher. In this handy article, we’ve got you covered with some of the best companies that hire teachers without a degree.
How to teach english online without a degree
Getting a TEFL certification is usually the first step to becoming an online English teacher for a foreign language. This helps you learn how to teach well and opens up more work prospects for you. There is a rising need for online English teachers, which means you may work from anywhere, either full-time or as a side job from home.
Virtual classrooms are now the norm because more and more students are choosing to learn online. This has given many folks who wish to teach a lot of chances. After finishing a certified TEFL course, you have many options. You might teach students online, work with students from other countries, or even focus on certain subjects like business English or test prep for the IELTS or TOEFL.
You can start teaching even if you’ve never done it before with the help of a TEFL course. Anyone who speaks English fluently can take many courses. People often recommend a 120-hour TEFL course because it covers the basics you need to get started. You normally also get help, teaching materials, and job boards that help you find jobs.
Some teachers like to locate their pupils, but a lot of them work with companies or platforms that handle payments, reservations, and timetables. This makes it easy to concentrate on teaching.
One of the best things about teaching English online is that you can be flexible. You can choose your hours and work in a way that works for you.
Teaching English online may be a flexible and gratifying job that lets you meet students from all around the world if you get the correct training.
What do you need to start teaching English online?
To start teaching English online, you do not need a traditional classroom, but you do need the right mix of skills, equipment, confidence, and training. Online English teaching is flexible, but students and employers still expect a professional learning experience.
The first thing you need is a strong command of English. You should be able to explain grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and everyday communication in a clear and simple way. You do not always need to be a native English speaker, but you do need strong fluency and the ability to help learners understand and use English with confidence.
A recognized TEFL certificate is also highly recommended. Many online teaching companies prefer or require teachers to have TEFL training because it shows that you understand how to plan lessons, manage students, explain language points, and keep learners engaged. If you are new to teaching, a TEFL course can help you build the foundation you need before applying for online teaching jobs.
You will also need a reliable teaching setup. This usually includes a laptop or desktop computer, a stable internet connection, a webcam, a headset or microphone, and a quiet space where you can teach without distractions. Good lighting and clear audio are important because online lessons depend heavily on how well students can see and hear you.
Some companies may ask for a degree, teaching experience, or previous work with children or adult learners, but this depends on the platform. There are also online teaching opportunities where a degree is not required, especially if you have TEFL certification, good communication skills, and a professional teacher profile.
To get started, it also helps to prepare a simple teaching CV, a short introduction video, and a demo lesson. These allow online teaching companies or private students to understand your teaching style before booking a lesson with you.
To start teaching English online, you typically need:
- Fluent English communication skills
- A TEFL or TESOL certificate
- A laptop or desktop computer
- A stable internet connection
- A webcam and headset
- A quiet teaching space
- Basic lesson planning skills
- A professional teacher profile or CV
- Confidence speaking to students online
Once you have these in place, you can begin applying to online English teaching companies, tutor marketplaces, or even start finding your own private students. The stronger your training, profile, and teaching setup are, the easier it becomes to stand out and start teaching online with confidence.
Are there any necessary requirements to teach English online?
As said earlier, you do not need any big criteria or requirements to start your online English teaching journey. An accredited TEFL certification might be enough.
It will provide you with enough training and resources so that you can start teaching english online.
Not to get confused there are still small requirements like the ones mentioned below –
1. Proficiency in the English Language
Obviously, you need to actually know what you are teaching in the first place. You need to be comfortable speaking, reading, and writing in English. You don’t have to be perfect, but you should be able to explain things clearly and communicate with students from different backgrounds.
2. TEFL Qualification
A TEFL certificate is one of the most important requirements. It indicates that you understand how to teach English properly, not just speak it. Many platforms prefer or require a TEFL qualification, and it can also help you earn more and get better opportunities.
3. Equipment and Setup
The equipment is the most important thing that you need when you start to teach english online; quality equipment is often recommended, as you would rather not get hardware issues between your teachings. Here is the list of basic things that you need to start teaching online.
- A laptop or computer
- A stable internet connection
- A good-quality webcam and microphone
- A quiet, well-lit space
Having a clean and professional setup helps create a better learning experience for your students.
4. Attitude and Motivation
Being a successful online teacher is not just about knowledge—it’s also about your mindset. You need to be patient, positive, and willing to adapt to different students. Staying motivated and consistent will help you grow and succeed over time.
How much can you earn teaching English Online?
Online English teachers usually earn around $10–$20 per hour when starting out, depending on the company, their qualifications, teaching experience, and the type of students they teach. Teachers with a TEFL certificate, strong reviews, specialist skills, or experience teaching areas like business English, exam preparation, or young learners may be able to earn more, often around $25–$40 per hour on higher-paying platforms or through private students. Your income can also depend on your student base. In general, teaching English online can work well as a flexible side income, while experienced teachers with regular students may be able to turn it into a more stable online teaching career.
The benefits can also go beyond, as the pay matters more when you have gathered enough experience to teach English.
Recommended Courses for Teaching English Online
If you want to teach English online, the best starting point is usually a recognised TEFL qualification that helps you understand lesson planning, grammar, student engagement, and teaching methods. For new teachers, a 120-hour TEFL course can provide the main foundation needed to apply for online and international teaching roles. If you already have a TEFL certificate or want to strengthen your online teaching skills, Premier TEFL’s 30-Hour Teach English Online Course is a useful specialist add-on. It is designed to help teachers prepare for virtual lessons, online classroom delivery, remote student engagement, and online teaching applications, making it a strong choice for anyone who wants to teach English from home or while traveling.
Here are the top global opportunities through which you can start to teach English online after getting your TEFL certificate.
Engoo (Bibo Global Opportunity)
Engoo, also known previously as Bibo Global Opportunity, is one of the companies with the most relaxed sets of rules for new teachers.
As a non-native speaker, this position is almost the perfect role.
The pay isn’t life-changing, but if you don’t have a degree, TEFL, or experience, you can expect a salary like this.
Earnings: $6+ per hour
Highlights: The biggest advantage of working with Engoo is that there are minimal entry requirements to become a teacher.
You don’t need a degree, a TEFL or experience. You just need proficiency in English and the right equipment!
Cambly
Cambly has some of the most flexible teaching arrangements alongside some of the easiest entrance requirements. No experience is necessary to be a tutor, although you do need to be a native speaker of English.
Pay is calculated per minute of teaching at a rate of $0.17, so an hour of teaching would be $10.20.
Earnings: $10.20+ per hour (paid by minute)
Highlights: Cambly’s learners come from all over the world, giving you the unique experience of teaching people from many backgrounds.
Preply
Working with Preply allows you to set your own lesson price. However, the commission is taken from your earnings.
After you reach a certain number of teaching hours, your commission will be lowered, so the more you work, the less commission you pay.
You don’t need a degree or TEFL, so this is the perfect company to start with.
Earnings: $15+ per hour
Highlights: The more you work with Preply, the less commission you pay. So, if you put the work in, then your earning potential can be huge!
Ginseng English
Ginseng English is the perfect company for you if you are keen to work with adults. Unlike most roles, this one does not involve teaching one-on-one on Skype.
You are teaching a class of students around the world based on a solid curriculum.
Ginseng English will look favorably upon experience and qualifications but is not a requirement.
Earnings: $10-$15 per hour
Highlights: Being able to teach in a business context is a draw for some teachers. Ginseng English works with teachers who feel comfortable in teaching a class of students rather than individual students. This is perfect for those who don’t want to deal with children.
WaijiaoYi
WaijiaoYi is another company that doesn’t have a lot of difficult entry requirements. You don’t need a degree or a TEFL, and you can be a non-native speaker.
Again, the pay isn’t incredible, but it can be good if you are just starting your TEFL journey.
A lot of the work on this platform happens over the weekends, so make sure you set time aside for lessons!
Earnings: $9-$16 per hour
Highlights: WaijiaoYi is a Chinese start-up that focuses a lot on the dual-teaching method (a foreigner and a Chinese native teacher) to conduct English classes in smaller cities across China.
This approach is a different way of teaching for new tutors and can be very rewarding!
Teaching English Online without a Degree: Hiring now
Palfish
Palfish claims to have the “fastest interview process in the online ESL industry,” and lucky for you, you can easily score online English teaching jobs with no degree that meet their requirements.
Their “Official Kids Course” offerings do not require a degree, though they do require that you speak English fluently and have a TEFL certificate to teach English online.
Bonus: For non-native speakers looking to teach English online without a degree, you can get hired for their “Live Stream/Free Talk” program, which has some of the most flexible requirements and expectations we’ve found.
Amazing Talker
We love that Amazing Talker lists “A desire to be your own boss” as one of its qualifications for new teachers—but nowhere in their requirements does it say “holds a degree.”
This is particularly encouraging news for all of you readers out there, as Amazing Talker lets you set your cost per 50-minute lesson and even has a system to match you with potential students.
Set your hours and rates; Amazing Talker notifies you of fitting matches as they arise, simplifying the process for online teaching.
Once you’re hired, you’ll get access to a suite of videos to help train you in the art of teaching English online without a degree. It’s a fantastic way to connect your Online English Teaching Training to your new job!
iTalki
iTalki is a robust online marketplace designed specifically for learners of new languages. Its sleek design and easy-to-navigate website make us fully believe in the quality of its product.
While you can find online ESL jobs here with no degree, you are required to have at least native proficiency OR the most advanced level of certification for a second language (this means C2 for non-native English speakers).
As a teacher on iTalki, you can categorize your lessons into one of five areas: “General, Business, Test Preparation, Kids, and Conversation Practice.”
From there, you can further add specific tags to your lesson plans to help students filter to match you more easily with their goals.
If you play your tags right, you’ll be finding the right students for your specific lessons pretty quickly.
Students purchase “iTalki credits” on the website, which they can later cash in and redeem on services like tests, lessons, or language challenges.
Open English
Love all things Latin and speak a little Spanish or Portuguese yourself?! Then consider Open English, the leading platform for connecting teachers and learners in Central and South America.
With more than 500,000 students in 40 countries since its start in 2007, ESL teachers can expect plenty of teaching hours.
But they have to work for it, too. Open English has a more stringent application process than most other online platforms.
But those who are willing to navigate the job application process will love connecting with their Latin students both inside and outside of the virtual classroom.
Lingoda
Help your students walk, run, or sprint to their language goals when you become an online English tutor with Lingoda.
Online TEFL teachers can take advantage of a valuable opportunity with Lingoda, catering to adult English learners who are looking to advance their careers.
Since a degree isn’t required, what is? You need a C2 or above level in the language you’d like to teach (that’s right, fluency is not required), plus a TEFL certificate (we highly recommend this teaching English online course).
Not only that, but they ask their teachers to have a minimum of three years of teaching experience.
I tutored, mentored, and facilitated learning in diverse settings, from camps to after-school programs, embracing non-traditional teaching roles.
Teaching English online without a degree can be done!
Use this list of companies hiring individuals to teach English online with no degree as a launchpad to what’s bound to be a productive, rewarding, and exciting chapter.
As always, feel free to contact Premier TEFL with any questions or if you need support as you teach English online without a degree!
Want to learn more about Teaching English online?
- The Ultimate Guide to Teaching English Online
- 5 Awesome Companies to Choose From for Teaching English Online
- Teaching English Online for Non-native English Speakers
If you have a keen interest in teaching without a degree, we can help you achieve this dream.
We can help you achieve this dream. Do visit our main website, Premier TEFL to get answers to all your queries. Or you can also contact us!
