No Puppets Required! Teach English Online to Adults With These Companies

When you think of becoming an online English teacher, you probably picture working with kids, since kids make up the majority of online tutoring jobs. However, teaching young learners is not for everyone. Some teachers prefer adult students for the steadier conversations, clearer goals, and workplace-relevant content those classes bring.

If that describes you, you have real options, ranging from casual conversation platforms to structured corporate programs built around business English. This guide covers eight companies that hire teachers for adult ESL students, along with the specific qualifications, class formats, and requirements each one expects, so you can find the one that fits your background and schedule.

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

Which companies let you teach English online to adults?

When you browse online teaching jobs on the Bridge Job Board or other resources, you’ll see a lot of positions advertised for tutoring kids, especially students in Asian countries such as China. However, adult teaching positions exist if you dig a little deeper. These companies offer some examples.

1. Preply

Preply operates as an open marketplace where tutors set their own rates and schedule, teaching students who range from casual learners to corporate clients enrolled through Preply’s business English program. Applicants need to be at least 18 years old, but Preply does not require a degree or native-speaker status. Preply takes a commission on each paid lesson, starting around a third for a new student and decreasing the longer a tutor works with that student.

2. Wall Street English

Wall Street English, founded in 1972, teaches adults and corporate clients through hundreds of centers worldwide, combining self-study materials with live classes taught online or in person. The company’s proprietary Wall Street English Method structures lessons around listening, speaking, reading, and writing practice, and courses cover general English, business English, and exam preparation. Teachers need a TEFL/TESOL certificate, a university degree, and native or bilingual English proficiency – prior teaching experience helps but is not always required.

3. Learnlight

Learnlight has company clients all over the globe, and it designs specialized programs for each of its students. Learnlight English trainers act as mentors and closely monitor students’ success. The company looks for tutors who can commit to at least 10 hours per week and who have a background in business (preferred but not required).

4. EF English First

EF English First is great for those looking to become an online ESL tutor for adults. The company originally began operating in China, but it now has schools in 107 countries, and its online students come from all over the world. Adult classes range in length, including 20, 40, and 45-minute sessions.

“Most of my students are business professionals who either work for multinational companies, want to move abroad, or have English-speaking colleagues. For many of my students, improving their English is intrinsically tied to achieving their big career dreams, like nailing an important meeting or getting a promotion. Being able to help students reach their ambitions can be incredibly rewarding as a teacher.

5. Voxy

Voxy offers online English language instruction to adult students from all over the world. The company hires English language teachers on a part-time, contracted basis to teach task-based, online private and group classes using only authentic materials. Teachers can expect to teach business English, general English, English for specific language exams like the TOEFL, and any number of specialized courses.

Need help in class? Here are the best digital tools for online English teachers.

6. Lingoda

Lingoda connects freelance teachers with adult students worldwide through one-on-one and small group classes capped at five students. The company works with employees at organizations such as Google, Adidas, and BMW, and its CEFR-aligned curriculum covers workplace scenarios like job interviews, presentations, and negotiations. Tutors need a TEFL/TESOL certificate, two to three years of teaching experience, and native-level or C2 English proficiency, but Lingoda does not require a bachelor’s degree.

Ready to start teaching business English? Here are some tips to start with confidence, either online or in person.

7. Cambly

Cambly connects native English speakers with adult students around the world for on-demand, one-on-one conversation practice, and tutors do not need to prepare lessons in advance. Students use the platform to build general fluency or to prepare for exams such as the IELTS and TOEFL. Tutors need to be at least 18 years old and a native English speaker, but Cambly does not require teaching experience, a bachelor’s degree, or a minimum number of weekly hours.

“I work on the platform Cambly, and I spoke to over 2,000 students from 69 different countries last year. This is something you can only do in education, really, and you can only do that teaching online. By teaching virtually, you have the availability to teach when and where you want.”

8. Twenix

Twenix pairs freelance tutors with adult business professionals in Spain and Italy, most of whom receive English lessons as an employee benefit through their companies. Classes run exactly 26 minutes, follow topics the student selects, and require quick preparation, since Twenix supplies the materials. Tutors need native or near-native (C2) English proficiency, but Twenix does not require a bachelor’s degree or prior teaching experience.

This list includes eight companies, though many more platforms hire online English teachers for adults. New openings appear regularly, and requirements change as companies grow, so check each company’s website directly before applying. Weekly hour minimums and preferred qualifications vary widely between companies, which can help you decide which one fits your schedule and experience level.

Still unsure about what’s the best route for you? Check the differences between teaching English to adults vs. kids.

What qualifications do you need to teach English online to adults?

Employers generally consider four factors when hiring online English teachers for adults: certification, education, experience, and language proficiency. Meeting every requirement perfectly is not usually necessary, but understanding what most companies look for makes it easier to identify which parts of your application might need strengthening.

TEFL/TESOL certification

You usually need TEFL certification to work as an online ESL tutor for adults. At minimum, employers want to see a certificate with at least 120 hours of TEFL training, the industry standard.

Employers typically accept this kind of general online TEFL certification, but you can stand out from other applicants and qualify for more jobs by earning a Specialized TEFL/TESOL Certification in Teaching English Online. Unlike other courses, this suite of Bridge courses focuses entirely on the theory, methods, practical skills, and technology of teaching in the virtual classroom.

Bachelor’s degree

Requirements vary by company, but most jobs teaching adults ESL online will ask that you have a bachelor’s degree or higher. You can occasionally find opportunities that don’t require a bachelor’s degree, but they’re rare. Even so, the degree often doesn’t need to be in a specific field.

If you don’t have a degree, you still have options! Learn how you can teach English online without a college degree.

Teaching experience

Teaching experience is not always required to teach adults online, though having some greatly improves your prospects of being hired by the online tutoring company of your choice.

If you’re looking for a way to gain experience teaching adults online, Bridge’s 60-Hour Practicum in Teaching Online is a great place to start. This hands-on component lets you apply what you’ve learned with an actual student. You’ll also have the ability to record your practice-teaching sessions and share the best sample videos with future employers when applying for jobs.

Learn more about teaching English online as a non-native English speaker.

English proficiency

You don’t necessarily have to be a native English speaker to teach English to adults online. Some companies may require this, but many of them just want to see that you’re fluent in the language and have completed the professional training needed to teach English online. To confirm fluency, employers often ask for a short self-introduction video or a live TEFL interview rather than a formal proficiency test score.

Teaching English online to adults offers a distinct path from teaching children, not a smaller one. Options vary widely, and a TEFL/TESOL certificate will cover the baseline requirement for most of these roles.

Choosing where to apply comes down to matching your background and goals to what each company offers. Teachers who are new to online work can start with a platform that has fewer requirements and move toward corporate programs, which tend to pay more and expect more, as experience builds. Working with adult students also tends to mean staying with the same students for months at a time, which gives teachers a real chance to see that progress over time.

Want to stand out from other applicants for these roles? Bridge’s Specialized TEFL/TESOL Certificate in Teaching English Online covers the virtual classroom skills, lesson design, and technology these employers look for.