Teaching English online is booming, and it is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, it’s looking 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.
Teach English Online
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 a lot of folks who wish to teach a lot of chances. After finishing a certified TEFL course, you have a lot of 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 a lot of courses. People often suggest a 120-hour TEFL course since it covers the basics you need to know to get started. You normally also get help, teaching materials, and job boards that help you find jobs.
Some teachers like to locate their own 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 own hours and work in a way that works for you. Online teaching lets you set your own schedule, whether you want to work during the day or at night and on weekends. More people are adopting this form of learning because it’s also cheaper for pupils.
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 are the requirements to teach English Online?
It’s not the same as just being able to speak English fluently to learn how to teach it online.
That’s why we’ve come up with an approach that works. Our TEFL courses teach you all you need to know to teach English online, including all the strange and wonderful things that make the language unique.
Starting your journey as an online English teacher doesn’t require a long list of qualifications, but there are a few important things you need to get right.
1. Proficiency in the English Language
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 shows 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
To teach online, you’ll need a few basic tools:
- 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 good 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 in the long run.
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 is almost the perfect role.
The pay is not life-changing, but if you don’t have a degree, TEFL or experience, then this is to be expected.
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. Just a 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 have reached a certain amount of teaching hours, your commission will be lowered, so the more you work, the less commission you pay.
You also don’t need a degree or a TEFL, so this is the perfect company to work for if you are just starting out.
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 want to work with adults. This role is different to most because you are not 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 favourably 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 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 be the “fastest interview process in the online ESL industry,” and lucky for you, you can score online English teaching jobs with no degree easily within 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 great news for all of you readers out there, as Amazing Talker lets you set your own 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 great 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 have 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 set your sights on Open English, the premier platform for connecting teachers and learners in Central and South America.
Boasting more than 500,000 students in 40 countries since its start in 2007, you best believe that ESL teachers will be rewarded with ample 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 jump through their job application hoops 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 seize a valuable chance with Lingoda, catering to adult English learners aspiring for professional growth.
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, reach out to Premier TEFL for any questions or if you need support in your journey to teach English without a degree online!
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. Do visit our main website Premier TEFL to get answers to all your queries. Or You can contact us too!
