Whether you’ve just started your TEFL course, recently received your certificate in the post or are thinking of making the move to remote working, it’s never too early to find out who are the best online teaching companies to work for!
It can be hard to know where to start with hundreds of companies out there – all offering different online teaching opportunities! So to help save time, you can Check out this guide via The TEFL Org to get TEFL Certificate, and we’ve compiled our pick of the top 5 online teaching companies to work for.
Before we dive in, let’s quickly look at a few key questions about online teaching:
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What Are the Benefits of Teaching Online?
Are you looking for a new and exciting way to make money? Do you want to make a difference to the lives of others? What about the ability to live and work anywhere in the world and become your own boss?!
One of the greatest things about teaching online is the freedom and flexibility it offers. This includes setting your own hours and pay, deciding what age group you will teach and what corner of the world you want to be based from.
Online teaching allows you to design your working life the way you want… while still benefiting from a great salary!
What Do You Need to Teach Online?
Now that you know the benefits of teaching online, we bet you can’t wait to get started! There are just a few things you’ll need first…
The most reputable and best-paying organisations require their teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree. It doesn’t matter what subject you studied – as long as you have a BA, you’re good to go! For those who don’t have a degree, don’t give up just yet! You can absolutely still find a job teaching online, you simply need to make sure your CV and other qualifications stand out from the crowd.
Most online teaching companies will ask for a TEFL qualification from an accredited provider. When you’re choosing your qualification, remember that many companies consider a 120-hour TEFL the minimum for teaching online. If you don’t hold a degree, taking an advanced TEFL course and choosing one with a specific online teaching module is a good way to boost your credentials.
One last thing – don’t underestimate the need for fast, reliable internet and a decent laptop. Your new online teaching career won’t last long if you can’t connect with your students!
How to Choose an Online Teaching Company
Before you start to apply to online teaching companies, it’s a good idea to make a note of the most important things you’d like from an online job. This will help you narrow down your options and make sure you choose an online teaching company that is a good fit.
Make a list of what you want in terms of hourly pay, student age group, the number of students per lesson, your weekly hours, teaching materials and anything else you consider essential.
The Top 5 Online Teaching Companies to Work For
Do you have your list? Great! You’re ready to start comparing top online teaching companies to work for!
DaDa ABC
Considered one of the leading online teaching platforms, DaDa ABC provides English lessons to Chinese children between the ages of 4-16.
Running since 2013, this is an excellent option for those looking for a reliable number of lessons, freedom to design their own schedule and the security that comes from a well-established company.
DaDa ABC pays their teachers between $15-$25 per hour. It’s worth remembering that your salary is determined during your initial demo class so make sure you go all out to impress your interviewer!
Magic Ears
Offering a high pay rate of up to $26 per hour, Magic Ears is one of the top online teaching companies to work for. They provide lessons to children aged 4-12 across China.
The company has an innovative online platform that makes delivering lessons easy and fun, with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1-4. Each class lasts for 25 minutes and is packed with interactive features designed to get your students talking.
To qualify as a teacher at Magic Ears, you need to either hold a bachelor’s degree or be actively pursuing one, alongside a 120-hour TEFL course. They hire native English speakers from the UK, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa.
EF Education First
If you’re looking for an online teaching company that offers English lessons to both children and adults, EF Education First is the place to go!
The company has an online platform dedicated to teaching Chinese children aged between 5-10. Lessons are one-on-one and last for 25 minutes. Or, if you’d prefer to teach adults, you’ll have three options for classes – 20 or 40-minute private lessons and group classes lasting 45 minutes.
With a base pay rate of $13.20 per hour, EF Education First isn’t the highest paying online job out there, but they do offer base increases at 6 and 11 months, holiday pay for teaching and training hours, and a voluntary 3% pension scheme.
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL qualification and preferably some teaching experience to work at EF Education First.
VIP Kid
One of the best online teaching companies for those who live in the US or Canada, VIP Kid teaches English to Chinese kids in K9.
VIP Kid has a fantastically flexible work schedule – allowing teachers to change their availability week to week. This makes it a great option for those who are working or studying full or part-time… or just have a busy social life!
A teacher at VIP Kid makes between $14–$22 per hour, made up of 2 x 25-minute lessons. You’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate, some experience with children and be able to pass a background check.
italki
Unlike the other teaching companies on this list, italki is an online marketplace, rather than a school. As well as providing online English lessons, italki teachers also offer lessons in almost every other language!
italki works by connecting teachers and students through their platform, with teachers setting their own pay and providing materials for private lessons. Most new teachers usually start with a low rate to attract students before building up to $25-$30 per hour.
There are two different options for teaching on italki – you can become a professional teacher or a community tutor. To be accepted as a professional italki teacher, you need to have a bachelor’s degree (preferably in education) TEFL certification, employer references and be a native speaker. If you don’t have a degree or a TEFL qualification, you can still apply to teach as a community tutor.
Best Online Teaching Companies: What’s Next?
Now that you know who the top online teaching companies to work for are, you’re almost ready to begin your online teaching career!
If you still need a certification, a good place to start is TEFL – the UK’s most accredited TEFL provider with globally recognised qualifications. Their website is packed with useful information on how to get qualified and find the best online teaching jobs.