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People of all ages, professions, and backgrounds are feeling the economic impact of the last several years and looking for jobs they can do online from the comfort and safety of their homes. If you’re wondering how to get an online teaching job, even if you’ve never taught before, look no further. Demand for online English teachers and tutors is at an all-time high, and the benefits are great: the schedule is flexible, the pay is competitive, and the field is easy to enter.
If you’re new to teaching, you’ll want to get initial training and qualification with a TEFL certificate. You can explore our online TEFL courses to get started!
Step 1: Decide how you want to teach English online
You can break into the online teaching scene in numerous ways, whether through an online marketplace, as an independent teacher, or by working with a company that specializes in teaching English online. Here’s a comparison of the three most common ways to teach ESL online.
Working with an online ESL company
There are numerous online companies to teach English online with open applications. When you teach English online with a company, the company will automatically assign students to your classes, so you will not need to do any self-marketing. You’ll also receive technical and professional support, and the company may offer opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, like lesson plan creation or teacher training, the longer you work there. If you decide to go this route, it’s important to understand independent contractor agreements and how they differ from other available teaching options. Be sure to examine the job requirements and fully understand the company’s role and expectations before you commit.
Teaching through an ELT marketplace
A marketplace for teaching English online is an online platform that allows students to choose their own teachers based on their tutoring needs. Students do this by scrolling through teacher profiles. These marketplaces are a great place to find new clients and begin to establish your professional network and reputation. The downside is that marketplaces require a commission for each lesson you teach. These fees can be steep – up to 30% of your hourly rate. Don’t knock it before you try it, though. These communities generate a lot of online traffic and offer a really great place to try your hand at different types of teaching. You can set your own hours and rates and usually use your own lesson plans too. Think of it as a social platform and create an eye-catching profile to attract students to sign up for your classes.
Becoming an independent teacher
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, it may be interesting to consider becoming a teacherpreneur. Independent teachers forge their own paths and often focus on creating relationships with repeat clients, who then spread the word about their English lessons. While it may take some time to develop a base of consistent students, independent teachers enjoy additional flexibility and do not have to share any of their earnings with a third party.
If you start your own business, however, you will be responsible for finding online ESL students and will keep all of the money you earn. If you decide to go this route, it’s a good idea to get started with Bridge’s Teacherpreneur Academy so you can create a solid business plan and learn the ins and outs of finding your TEFL niche, promoting your brand, and scaling your business.
Luisa, a freelance online ESL teacher, had this to say about starting her own online business:
“This has kind of been a comeback for me because I was away from teaching English for some time. The pandemic put me into that online mindset that’s now necessary. I said, ‘You know what? I should go back to teaching and use that online platform to be my office.’ So, I’ve been just keeping my social media and my website as a source of leads.”
Step 2: Get qualified to teach English online
Depending on the route you choose for your new teaching career, you may need to obtain a degree – and you’ll definitely need TEFL certification no matter how you choose to teach online. You should also be prepared to see stricter requirements when applying to work with an ESL company rather than a marketplace.
Requirements to teach English online vary from one company to the next, with almost all requiring at least a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certification. Some companies may also require a college degree in a related field, a background in teaching, or experience working with kids. Many employers also expect strong English proficiency, even when other requirements vary.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a degree or experience, or if English isn’t your first language. There are online tutoring opportunities for people of all backgrounds and experience levels. If you’d like to boost your marketability and earn a higher salary, enroll in an online TEFL course that exceeds the average hiring requirements.
Start by choosing an accredited TEFL/TESOL course provider, such as Bridge, for added credibility. Bridge is institutionally accredited by ACCET, an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which makes Bridge’s TEFL/TESOL certifications recognized and accepted internationally.
Teachers could contact an experienced Bridge Advisor, who can help them choose the right TEFL/TESOL course for their specific plans. Get started teaching English online by filling out a short form to tell us a bit about yourself, and we’ll follow up with a recommended TEFL/TESOL program.
For example, previously TEFL-qualified or experienced teachers often need only to add a Specialized Certification in Teaching English Online to their credentials to prepare for the job they want. Novice teachers can also learn about courses like the 240-Hour TEFL/TESOL Certification Bundle, which prepares them for teaching online and in person and provides both foundational training and specialized training in teaching online, so they can qualify for a variety of jobs.
Step 3: Connect with online teaching jobs
Perusing Google or Indeed for jobs can be tedious, and overwhelming. To help speed up the process, Bridge can connect you with online teaching jobs in a few different ways. Here are just a couple of the resources that Bridge offers ESL teachers searching for online teaching jobs.
The Job Board
You can easily search for online English teaching jobs on the Bridge Job Board. Simply browse the available teaching jobs and apply directly to any position. Bridge posts listings for job openings from its highly vetted partners. You should start exploring openings even before you finish your certification so you can understand the market and typical employer expectations.
Bridge grad Gabrielle, an online teacher who works for online TEFL companies, said, “I found jobs through the Bridge Job Board. That’s been awesome. I’ve used the platform, I’ve studied through them, and I’ve gotten both of my jobs through them.”
Bridge Facebook groups
Social media is a great way to learn about new job opportunities and connect with other job seekers and experienced teachers. Bridge runs two different Facebook groups for teachers:
You can join these groups to stay up to date on the latest job openings, ask for career or teaching advice, network with other teachers, discuss teaching strategies, and get support in your TEFL/TESOL journey.
The BridgeUniverse blog
Updated weekly, the BridgeUniverse blog offers resources, inspiration, and ELT industry news from around the world. Educators and ESL specialists write these articles, and the articles are curated to tackle some of the biggest challenges English teachers face. There’s an entire section dedicated to job resources to help you on your hunt.
Keeping up with industry news is a great way to find out how the job market is doing and where most of the TEFL/TESOL jobs are at any given point. You can also use articles to inspire conversations with other online teachers, helping you build your community of practice one person at a time.
Step 4: Craft your resume and apply
A TEFL resume for teaching English online differs a bit from a traditional CV. The nuances of an online resume aren’t difficult, and chances are the recommended format will shine some light on skills that your paper resume did not have room for.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
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Highlight your tech skills. Since you’ll be teaching online, highlighting your technical skills and savvy is a must. Include any experience you have with Zoom, Teams, or other web conferencing programs. Even PowerPoint, Slides, or movie editing software can tie into online teaching skill sets.
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Showcase your personality. Record an introduction video and put a face to the name employers and clients will be seeing. Creating an engaging and professional video will boost their confidence in the skills you list on your resume.
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Mention your equipment. Put your employer’s and students’ minds at ease by letting them know you have the tools needed to get the job done. If you’re using brand-specific software (e.g., Apple), this could affect how smoothly your classes run with students on different systems. You’ll need to include your internet speed as well.
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Include TEFL/TESOL digital badges. When you take a Bridge TEFL/TESOL course, you’ll not only get a certificate but also a digital badge. This 21st-century, clickable credential is an easy way to provide employers or potential students with more information about the objectives you had to meet to earn your certification. You can showcase digital badges on your resume, on your LinkedIn profile, in your email signature, and wherever else you want.
A clear, targeted application can help employers see your value right away. When your resume reflects both your teaching strengths and your online readiness, you make a stronger first impression.
Check out the sample online English teaching resume below for inspiration:
Step 5: Ace your online job interview
The next step in getting an online teaching job, and often the most dreaded one, is the interview. Most online teaching jobs require several things during the interview process, including the typical Q&A as well as a demo teaching lesson. Don’t panic. You’ll likely get detailed instructions on what the employer is looking for in this demo teaching session, and you can even find example videos on YouTube, like the one below, so you know what to expect.
Preparation can make the interview process feel far more manageable. When you know what to expect and practice in advance, you can present yourself with more clarity and confidence.
Here are a few more common online English teaching job interview questions and how to respond.
Step 6: Keep growing your online teaching career
In order to stay at the top of your game, it’s important to invest in your career. Stay apprised of industry developments and opportunities by joining online teaching communities and tuning in to TEFL/TESOL webinars, like Bridge Expert Series, and continue your professional development by taking Micro-credential courses in targeted ELT subfields like Teaching English Pronunciation.
Teachers can also look into teaching a niche like IELTS exam prep. With just a bit of extra time and effort, you can remain competitive in this rapidly growing industry. Teaching English online is not just a starting point, it’s a great way to make money, develop new skills, and make a lasting difference in your students’ lives. Teaching online can also become a long-term career path if you continue building your skills, expanding your niche, and staying engaged with the field.
Getting an online teaching job takes more than interest alone, but the process becomes much more manageable when you break it into clear steps. If you choose the right teaching path, build the right qualifications, and approach the job search with purpose, you can create real opportunities for yourself in a growing field. Online teaching offers flexibility, professional growth, and the chance to build meaningful connections with students around the world.
