If you’re looking for a flexible way to earn money from home, teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) might be for you. You don’t need to be a qualified teacher to get started, and once you’ve done the training, you can work for online platforms or go freelance, which suits people who prefer to work on their own terms. This job can fit around other jobs or family life, too.
What is TEFL?
TEFL stands for “Teaching English as a Foreign Language”. It usually involves helping students (children or adults) improve their English speaking, listening, reading, and writing. You can teach people from all over the world, and most of the work is done online via video calls.
How to Get Qualified
To teach English online, you’ll usually need a TEFL certificate, although some platforms don’t require one. It’s a good idea to take a course, and a 120-hour TEFL course is a solid place to start. You can complete it from home and at your own pace.
Here are a few places to get TEFL certified:
- i-to-i TEFL – Offers flexible courses and has been around for years.
- TEFL Org – Based in the UK, with good reviews and tutor support.
- Premier TEFL – Offers accredited courses with options for specialist modules.
- LearnTEFL – Often has cheaper courses if you’re on a budget.
Make sure any course you choose is accredited and gives you at least 120 hours of training, as this is what most employers and platforms ask for.
Once you’re qualified, you can apply to work for online teaching platforms or work for yourself as a freelancer.
Online TEFL Platforms
These companies provide the students, teaching materials and tech support:
- Cambly – Very flexible. You chat to students, no lesson planning needed. No degree required.
- Preply – You set your own rates and availability. You need to prepare your own lessons, and you don’t get paid for trial lessons.
- italki – Similar to Preply. You create your profile and attract students yourself.
- EF (Education First) – One of the bigger names. You’ll need a degree, and they prefer some teaching experience.
- Palfish – App-based, mostly for teaching children in China. Requires a TEFL certificate and good internet.
Keep in mind that some platforms require a degree, and some don’t. If you don’t have one, stick to Cambly, Preply, or Palfish’s “Free Talk” side.
Going Freelance
If you want to go freelance, you can set your own prices and choose your students. You’ll need to do more work upfront, like finding clients and planning your lessons, but you’ll have more freedom and can earn more per hour.
You can:
- Offer lessons on Facebook groups or local online forums
- Build a profile on Fiverr or Upwork
- Set up a simple website or use Linktree to promote your services
- Use Zoom or platforms like LearnCube and Koala Go to run your lessons
- Advertise on places like Nextdoor or local community pages
You’ll need to handle payments yourself (PayPal, Stripe, bank transfer) and keep track of your income for tax purposes.
Ready-Made Lesson Plans and Resources
If planning lessons sounds stressful, there are lots of places that provide pre-made materials. These save you time and help you feel more confident, especially if you’re new.
Here are some helpful sites:
- ESL Brains – Real-world topics, great for teens and adults. Free and paid plans.
- ESL Pals – Useful for online tutors. Clear, easy-to-follow lesson plans and curricula.
- Off2Class – Free and paid lessons with grammar explanations and student tracking.
- ISLCollective – A big collection of worksheets, videos and games made by other teachers.
- Teach This – Mostly printable worksheets and activities for grammar and vocabulary.
Some of these sites offer full lesson plans, while others have activities you can build into your own sessions.
Final Thoughts
Teaching English online is a great way to work from home, especially if you want something flexible or part-time. You can keep things simple by working for a platform, or go freelance if you want to be your own boss. Once you’re qualified, it’s just a case of building your confidence and getting into a routine.
If you enjoy helping people and want a job you can do from your laptop, TEFL is definitely worth looking into.
Are you a student looking to improve your English skills? You can get 30% off your lessons by signing up through my referral link. Get your discount here!
Stay organised, reduce prep stress, and support your students’ language progress with my ESL online lesson planner.
