Are You South African and Thinking of Teaching English Online in 2024?

If you are reading this in English, then you are just about qualified from just knowing the English language. Teaching English has become lucrative, with many avenues to teach online from the comfort of your home and in your own time.

Speaking English is a Must

First off, what you would need to teach English online is an understanding of the English language. Being in an English-speaking country, getting taught at a higher level in English, or getting certified in the English language at a native speaker level will do, too.

Some platforms that you sign-up to teach on will require proof of English capabilities like TEFL/TESOL. For what you stand to earn, it is a wonderful investment and can be used for a lot more opportunities. Some platforms do not need you to have a degree or even teaching experience. Others require you to have a bachelor’s degree in any field.

Other Requirements to Teach English Online

The other things you need are the basics. Access to strong internet connection that will allow you to stream or video call, to deliver your class without interruptions. Good equipment like a laptop with a webcam and a headset goes hand in hand with this.

A quiet space with no distractions is the icing on the cake to deliver lessons online. The next is time. This is also one of the benefits of choosing to teach online in 2024. If you want it as a side gig, you can teach for some hours at night, after work, or on weekends. If you have more time, you can choose to do more. It is flexible.

The Benefits of Teaching English Online

Other benefits include working from anywhere. At home in your pajamas or at a vacation destination as a digital nomad, it is your choice. Convenience is one of the best perks of teaching English online.

When teaching, you will meet lots of non-native English speakers all over the world. You can form connections and learn about their cultures.

Teaching English is not just about grammar and vocabulary, it is also about changing lives and you will do this with your students. Teaching is a very fulfilling profession and you can do it online.

How Much Can You Get Paid Teaching English Online

You can earn between $15 – $26 an hour depending on your dedication, student feedback, and how much work you want to put in. If you have a TEFL /TESOL certificate, you can earn more from higher-paying companies, but you can also get some decent returns on other platforms without the certificate. It can be a nice side income stream or a main income source in between jobs.

It is flexible. Setting your schedule can be liberating as it gives you freedom of time. In a normal 9 – 5, you have to show up in the morning even if you are not a morning person. With this you are free to be a night owl, sleep in and teach in the afternoons instead or cut down on TV time and earn some money teaching instead. Your work revolves around your life and not the other way around. If you are ready to start and you were wondering where that is next.

Five Places You Can Sign Up To Teach English Online

Magic Ears

They seem to be one of the most popular platforms, with one of the highest returns. If you sign up, you will get the opportunity to teach Chinese students between the ages of 4 and 12. They have done everything from lesson planning to speaking to students’ parents, so all you have to do is teach. You do not even need to speak Mandarin or Cantonese, but a TEFL is necessary.

Cambly

This is more informal than most platforms and you get to teach other internationals other than just Chinese or Asians. Most of the students already understand English but want to practice speaking with native speakers so they can get better. Lessons and materials are available and TEFL is not necessary.

italki

With this platform, you get to set your own pay rate based on your experience, credentials, and student feedback so it can be competitive. And it is not exclusive to the English language but to any other language you may be fluent in, like Japanese or Russian. There are more languages, so check the website out. You oversee your own lesson plans and choice of platform to connect with the students.

EF Education First

This is also one of the more popular platforms known for its long-standing English school and physical classrooms worldwide. They have an avenue to teach online and it is like Magic Ears. You will need a degree and a TEFL certificate to sign up, not needing to know Mandarin or Cantonese, and having teaching materials available for you. The times are flexible and the pay is very good.

Palfish

Here you will teach Chinese students but you do not have to be a native English speaker or have a university degree, but a TEFL is necessary. With this flexible arrangement, you can decide to be an ‘official’ teacher or a ‘free talk’ teacher. The rate can be up to $30 an hour, but you have to do your own marketing to get students and prepare your own lesson plans.

Learn How to Teach Students Online Today

There are a lot more online teaching platforms, but those above give the uninitiated a variety of choices and an idea of what to expect in this career. If you are ready to dive into this, you can continue your research with the reputable ITTT. Choose what is best for you, and best of luck!