How to Teach English Online Without Experience

Teaching English online can be a great way to supplement your income and, for some people, start a new career. However, many people are concerned because they don’t have teaching experience, so they automatically assume it’s not for them. The good news is that teaching experience is not the most vital when teaching English online.

You can teach English without experience, too. Although this might sound counterintuitive, we do many things as part of adult life that can help us teach others. The most important part of teaching English online is, of course, your TEFL certification. So let’s look closely at what is required and how you can use your life skills to become an excellent teacher.

You can work as an online English teacher even without a degree

If you are looking to teach English online but don’t have any experience, the most sensible thing to do is try and find work with one of the online teaching companies. They will undoubtedly be looking for specific TEFL qualifications. This means that you have a 120-hour certificate, and the course you have undertaken is regulated by an awarding body such as the ones we offer. When you read the sign of requirements for these companies, you will find that experience is not required. 

Any job gives you experience in many areas that can be seen as transferable skills. For example, if your day job involves giving presentations or training other staff, you already have a lot of experience.

Your job title may not involve teaching, but often showing others how things are done is part of everyone’s role. Think about your past positions and the skills you have acquired that an employer may be looking for in terms of teaching online.

If you’re looking to teach children, it is slightly more important that you have some experience working with younger people. Still, you could always begin your online teaching career with adult learners who would be akin to colleagues in a previous job.

Here are some companies that provide online teaching jobs to people who have no degree.

Many companies are prepared to employ people who want to teach English online with no experience; they recognise that everyone has to start somewhere. However, there may be other requirements, so to help you get started, here are a few places to apply for work where you won’t need experience. There are also a few others where experience is preferable. Still, as discussed above, you may be able to talk your way in, especially if you have relevant industry-type experience.

Cambly 

This is quite a unique platform in that you do not have to have any experience, no degree and not even a relevant TEFL qualification. They pay around £7.65 per hour; you must be a native English speaker. The platform offers lessons to people of all ages but does not provide any help with lesson planning. Remember that, without the information learned in the TEFL qualification, you may struggle.

Italki

This is an online marketplace-style company, so you are free to set your rate as a teacher and don’t have to have any teaching experience. They will want to see an appropriate TEFL qualification but do not require their teachers to have a degree, and there is no minimum hourly working week, so you’re free to drop in and out as you can. The platform offers lessons to children and adults but does not help with lesson planning.

Skyeng

You will need an accredited TEFL qualification to apply here, but you do not need a degree or teaching experience. The good news is that they provide lesson plans, and again, the platform offers classes to learners of all ages. They do ask for a minimum weekly commitment of 15 hours from their tutors. However, the starting pay can be pretty low, ranging from £2.20 per hour up to £14.50 per hour, which is much better, but don’t expect to get there until you can prove your worth.

Superprof

Superprof is a platform that allows you to set your earning rate, and they don’t require you to have a degree or any experience. You will need the TEFL and experience in planning lessons, as this is not provided. The platform teaches all age groups of learners, and there is no minimum hourly commitment per week for tutors.

Companies that prefer experience but may accept no experience if you have other transferable skills.

English Ninjas

This company only accepts applications from those with a degree and a relevant TEFL certification. They would prefer that you have experience, and they do not provide lesson plans. There is a minimum 12-hour week commitment from tutors, and you can earn £6.50 per hour teaching any age group. They only accept applications from native English speakers.

Ginseng English 

You do not need a degree to teach Ginseng English but an accredited TEFL certificate. The pay is pretty good at £7.50 to £11.25 per hour, and the students will be young learners and teenagers. They do not provide lesson plans and prefer some experience working with young people.

Preply

Another company that lets you set your rate, but remember that when you first start and do not have any references or experience, aiming too high could leave you without any students. They don’t require you to have a degree or TEFL qualification. There is no help with lesson planning, and they offer classes to students of all age groups.

What you need to actually to teach English online

If you have already started teaching somewhere, even without a degree and you should continue for some time to gain real-world experience.

With experience under your belt, you could apply to some of the other online companies needing experience. You can undoubtedly look for higher-paid jobs, and some people.

Most people take an accredited certification before they venture into teaching English remotely. A well-certified, internationally recognised TEFL Certification would give you more opportunities to become an online teacher.

A certification is also a way to check for the employers to verify that you are valid and capable of teaching online.

Once they have experience teaching English online, they choose to start their own business. This gives them more control over their schedule and what they charge.