How to Maximize a Teaching English Online Salary

How much can you make teaching English online? This is a common (and important) question! Teaching English online for money is a great way to earn a living, and it’s becoming more and more popular. With many people still working and learning from home, virtual classrooms are considered the way of the future. As an online ESL teacher, you could be making a pretty penny and providing needed language lessons to those who may not otherwise have them available.

Not only is teaching English online fulfilling, it also has a great salary!

Not only that, companies offering online TEFL and ESL courses often don’t have as many requirements as in-person schools, and even offer additional online benefits. For example, i-to-i TEFL provides 100% online learning so that you can take the course in your own time at your own pace, with the additional benefits of tutor-led online seminars. You’ll also receive a free study guide and free classroom resources (including flashcards and lesson plans!) so that you’re ready to start teaching.

If you have a positive, go-getter attitude and a passion for teaching, online ESL instruction may be the perfect career move for you!

How much can I make teaching English online?

So...how much can you make teaching English online? When you teach English online, salary will vary with experience, qualifications, performance, and other similar factors.

If you don’t have a history teaching and lack a TEFL or other certification, you’ll most likely start out making around $12-15 per hour. If you do have some experience, a certification, or really nail the interview, you could make upwards of $25 per hour!

Many companies are offering incentives for new online English teachers. For example, an incentive could be a bonus whenever you teach more than 30 hours a week, or over a certain number of classes per month. In short, it is possible to teach English online and get paid well!

READ MORE: How to Make Money Teaching English Online

How to make the most of your teaching English online salary

1. Improve your earning potential

Start off on the right foot by making yourself a great candidate for teaching English as a foreign language online. Companies are going to pay more for teachers with prior experience, a TEFL certification, and great interview skills.

If you don’t know where to start, i-to-i TEFL offers their Advanced TEFL Diploma, which is 420 hours of training! Alongside your TEFL qualification you’ll get access to specialist modules such as Teaching Online, Teaching Business English, Teaching IELTS, and Teaching Other Subjects in English (CLIL). Having these on your resume will boost your earning potential and make you stand out to future employers.

Earn the right qualifications and watch your starting salary climb higher and higher.

Many companies want to hire native English speakers with college level degrees; having some experience teaching or a certification under your belt can increase your chances of landing a job at the organization of your choice.

2. Choose the right company

There are a few things to keep in mind when searching for jobs with online English teaching companies. To really maximize your teaching salary, and to also have a great experience, you’ll want to find a business that offers regular promotions, flexible scheduling, and a contract that fits your needs.

If you are new to the world of online English instruction, teaching through a company with included training and teaching materials are a plus as well. Companies specializing in TEFL certification are a great place to start your search!

Some companies offer the ability to teach from your smartphone and bonuses for being on time, while others have strict requirements, including what to wear during your lessons and how far in advance you have to cancel a class without being penalized.

You’ll want to check out a few different options and go for the gig that sounds like the best fit for you!

3. Budgeting and location

As with any job, you’ll want to make sure you can survive on your teaching English online salary. Many companies offer breakdowns on how much you can expect to earn in the first few months of teaching.

Another option is to consider living abroad while working for US dollars. Exchange rates may be in your favor as the cost of living in other countries may be lower! Keep in mind you’ll still have to pay taxes on your income, but most likely you can write off many of your expenses (internet, phone, headset, laptop, teaching supplies, etc.).

4. Performance and promotion

Teaching English as a foreign language online can be challenging to get used to, and there’s sure to be a learning curve. That’s why many companies will give you a trial period to see how much you improve.

If you feel like you’re struggling to teach English online at first, don’t panic. You just need practice!

If you show improvement in your performance, pick up extra classes, get great reviews from students and parents, and follow the guidelines set forth by your employer, you’ll most likely easily secure a promotion or higher wage within a few months. How much you can make teaching English online largely depends on the work you’re willing to put in. The more hours you work, the higher your salary. 

Additionally, some companies work on a points system, or require you to do your own marketing. This means that you’ll give trial lessons, and those who enjoy them will purchase the package and begin as your student.

In this case, you’d be competing with other online English teachers working for the same company. It goes without saying that the more work you put in, the more reward you get out of an online English teaching position.

5. Scheduling and flexibility

There are many types of online English teachers out there; the international traveler looking for some extra dinero to fund their adventures, the side-gig extraordinaire putting in a few hours on top of their full time job, and the passionate full-timer, averaging a 40-hour teaching work week! Whichever you are, or choose to become, there are opportunities out there for you to teach English online and get paid.

Companies employ a wide range of online English language instructors and are constantly hiring. Make the most of your teaching English online salary by starting out taking every class thrown your way, or being flexible with your hours.

You know what they say—practice makes perfect.

Many students tuning in for your lessons will be from another time zone—being available and energized at 5:00 a.m. for your Chinese students will help you stand out from the crowd and give you more hours! 

6. Maximizing your time

Maximize your earning potential by avoiding cancelations (which you may be penalized for), scheduling your classes when you know you’ll have ample time to prepare, and being available for students who may have questions. Make sure you stay up to date with your company’s payment and bonus policies.

7. Expanding your network

Once you earn some great reviews from your students and parents, make sure you’re sharing them! Whether you bring them to the attention of your supervisor, or share them externally to promote your company to audiences who may be interested, you’ll be drawing attention to your great work and increasing your earning potential.

Think long term when it comes to continuing your online teaching career. You may start out at a company to gain experience and then switch to another once your contract ends. You’ll most likely connect with others in your shoes, so make sure to network and see what other opportunities may be out there!

Talk to our FREE Online Advisor and get 5 personalized program matches! 

Next steps to teaching English online for money

• Get TEFL certified. If you don’t have your certification yet, you’ll need one if you want to earn a salary!
• Explore online teaching opportunities. Begin your search on GoAbroad.com in order to find teaching jobs that fit you and your schedule.
• Read articles about teaching English online. Find all the information you need to make the most of your experience teaching English online!
• Sign up for the GoAbroad newsletter. Stay up to date on new programs, discounts, and resources you need for your teaching adventure.

Ready for your career teaching English online?

Who knows? Maybe you’re embarking on a new career!

You can make a great salary teaching English online, and you’ll be impacting lives around the world while doing so! Your students will be gaining language skills which will enhance their potential for success.

Not only will you grow as a teacher, you’ll grow as a global citizen providing meaningful lessons to international students around the world. The world is yours to explore through teaching English online!

Explore ALL Online English Teaching Jobs on GoAbroad.com

This article was written with help from i-to-i TEFL. i-to-i TEFL are one of the world’s leading TEFL course providers. Since opening their doors in 1994, they’ve qualified more than 210,000 teachers as well as pioneering the world’s first ever online and weekend TEFL courses. Their range of TEFL qualifications are UK Government regulated, internationally recognized, and 94% recommended by their graduates.