Your Online English Teaching Adventure: The Ultimate Digital Nomad Guide for 2026

Picture this: You’re sipping coffee on a terrace in Bali, or perhaps cozied up in a cabin in Patagonia, and from there, you earn a living. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, teaching English online has transformed from a fantasy into a highly attractive reality for countless individuals who, like you, seek flexible work and the freedom to earn money from anywhere, simply by speaking English. The best part? Most companies provide all the materials, so you can forget about the stress of lesson planning!

Of course, the closure of the Chinese market in 2021 gave us a scare, and competition increased, but don’t be discouraged! This article is your map, your comprehensive guide to finding the perfect company and knowing exactly what to do to embark on this adventure.

1. Why Teaching English Online is the Golden Ticket for Travel

If the digital nomad lifestyle calls to you, but you’re not keen on highly technical roles, cryptocurrencies, blogging, or freelancing that demands extensive self-promotion, then bingo! Teaching English online is a super accessible and consistent way to generate income. What do you need? A good location, your laptop, and a reliable internet connection.

Yes, the market became a bit tense after the situation in China, but it has stabilized. New and great opportunities are emerging for anyone who speaks English and wants to work with the world as their office.

Flexibility is the crown jewel here. There are companies for every taste: from 6 hours a week for those looking for extra income, to 60 hours for those who want to dedicate themselves fully. However, most require a minimum of 6 to 8 hours during “peak hours” (generally weekday evenings or weekends). And the money? It depends! It varies greatly by company and your experience, but the key is to choose wisely so that your work perfectly fits the life you want.

2. How to Become an Online English Teacher

The million-dollar question isn’t just how to teach, but how to become an online teacher who also earns good money. And the answer, like most things in life, depends on what you already bring to the table.

While you might land something without a university degree, let’s be honest: for long-term success, it’s not the easiest path. Almost all serious companies will ask for a TEFL certificate or that you are in the process of obtaining one. Ultimately, the quality of your work and your salary will always reflect what you invest in yourself.

To land that dream job, here’s what most companies look for:

Native English Speaker: Your English should be your superpower. Note: some companies specifically look for a North American accent, and some do not consider South Africa. Research thoroughly!
Your Degree (if you have one): A bachelor’s degree in any field helps, though it’s not always indispensable.
The Magic TEFL Certificate: A 120-hour certificate is ideal, although sometimes not mandatory.
A Bit of Experience: Some experience as a tutor, mentor, or teacher always adds value.
Your Perfect Mobile Office: Fast internet, a webcam, and good headphones (goodbye background noise!).
Your Peaceful Nook: A quiet place with a neutral background or, if teaching kids, make it fun!
Your Teaching Tools: Flashcards, toys, a whiteboard… whatever the company requires to make classes engaging.
A Heart of Gold: Patience, flexibility, and the ability to adapt to the challenges that online teaching always brings.

This is the basic foundation. The more experience and certifications you have, the better your salary and the more options you’ll have on your plate!

Can You Teach English Online Without a University Degree?

Absolutely! Many people have a degree they don’t use, and online teaching can give them a new purpose. Include everything you have on your application, even if it’s not in education. And if you have a teaching license, prepare to earn much more! You could even teach other subjects like Science or Math.

It’s possible to start without experience, a degree, or a TEFL if you are a native speaker. But for the best jobs, a certification like TEFL is highly recommended. Private tutoring is a good entry point if your requirements are more flexible.

3. What is a TEFL Certificate?

TEFL stands for “Teaching English as a Foreign Language.” There are many online courses available, so choose one with a good reputation that won’t break the bank. And beware of fake certificates; companies can detect them!

Investing in a TEFL is a small bet that provides you with the key tools to get started, and it pays off very quickly.

There are several types: some include in-person practical components, and others are 100% online. If you already travel, the online option is your best friend. But if you dream of stepping into a physical classroom, the in-person option will give you an edge.

This guide recommends MyTefl. It’s fast, easy, and affordable. They offer everything from basic courses to business English, and even courses for non-native speakers with fluent English! If you want the best of both worlds (online and in-person), their 140-hour course is excellent: it covers everything for the classroom and adds 20 specific hours for online teaching. A real boost for your career!

Seriously, if you want to be a serious tutor, get at least the 120-hour TEFL certificate.

4. Top Companies for Teaching English Online – Expert Insights!

There are many companies out there. Some offer incredible salaries and good benefits; others… not so much. Even if you’re a novice, know your worth! A good starting tip is to apply to several of the larger ones.

Here are some of the best, with their strengths and weaknesses:

1. Cambly – Recommended for Online English Teaching and Travel!

If your dream is to travel, Cambly is a gem. It offers incredible flexibility without tying you into contracts. With your laptop and a good connection, you can earn decent money, gain experience, and feel great.

You are an independent contractor, meaning you’re paid by the minute. The minimum is about $10.20 per hour for adults, or $12.00 per hour for CamblyKids, plus some extras. There are no direct raises, but they provide materials, and your schedule fills up very quickly. Plus, you can earn more by referring others.

Cambly handles all scheduling and parent communication, a relief for many! And the best part: you don’t need a TEFL or a university degree to start, just to be a native speaker.

What to Love About Cambly:

Potential to earn $10.20/hour (adults) or $12/hour (kids).
No lesson planning required! They do it for you.
Work from anywhere in the world.
You can leave whenever you want, no ties.
One-on-one classes, very personalized.
You can have regular students.
Teach adults and children.
Bonuses and referral payments.
Zero interaction with parents.
No TEFL or degree required.
Very professional and organized.

What Might Not Be Great About Cambly:

The pay isn’t the highest if you are already experienced.
No direct salary raises.
Flexibility can be excessive if you seek high stability.
Students can end class anytime, affecting your per-minute pay.
No guarantee of classes or a consistently full schedule.
Materials are a guide; a lot of conversation is expected.
Some teachers have reported inappropriate students.

2. iTalki – A Strong Second Choice

iTalki is another excellent and professional platform that provides a great experience. Here you can teach people of all ages and levels, and even other languages if you’re inclined.

One notable feature is that they distinguish between “professional teachers” (with experience, credentials, teaching specific skills, earning $10 to $80 per lesson) and “community tutors” (more casual, for conversation, earning $5 to $80 per hour). If you’re a pro, you earn more!

With iTalki, you create your own courses and lessons, which is ideal if you already have experience and don’t want generic materials. They handle scheduling and promoting your profile to students. Classes are usually 60 minutes, which helps with good reviews and attracting more students.

What to Love About iTalki:

Very competitive salary.
Freedom to plan your lessons and create your courses!
Accepts people from all over the world.
Lesson packages are valid for 6 months, providing stability!
You can have your regular students.
Teach other languages if you wish.
Options available for non-native speakers and without a degree.
Experienced teachers can become “professional teachers.”
Highly flexible schedules.

What Might Not Be Great About iTalki:

Reviews are crucial; a bad one can affect you.
You have to prepare your own materials, which can be overwhelming initially.
Requires time to build your schedule and gain recognition.
Payments are once a month.
They hire many non-native speakers without experience, which can sometimes lower the bar.

3. LatinHire – If You Know a Little Spanish

LatinHire is an excellent option if you have basic Spanish skills. You can teach not only English but also Science and Math. Their students are from Latin America (Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean), of all ages. Since some have very low English proficiency, your Spanish will be a plus!

The base salary is about $13 per hour after completing 250 hours. You need to work a minimum of 16 hours per month and a maximum of 48 per week – lots of flexibility! And yes, you can connect from anywhere in the world.

What to Love About LatinHire:

Fully flexible to choose your schedule.
Only requires a bachelor’s degree OR a teaching certificate (not both).
Teach other subjects!
You can start without experience.
They provide training and all materials.
Easy to get classes.

What Might Not Be Great About LatinHire:

You have to prove your worth to reach $13 per hour.
Only if you speak basic Spanish.
You have a 16-hour per month commitment.
Currently, they do not hire from the USA or Canada.
Students are in Latin America, so time differences can be a challenge.
No room for your creativity with materials.

4. Englishhunt – Connect with Korean Students

Englishhunt is another serious platform that connects you with students of all ages, especially in Korea. If you teach live classes, they will require a four-year degree and, sometimes, a teaching certificate (current or not).

Classes are short, 10 to 20 minutes. Englishhunt offers varied shifts, from 1 to 6 hours. Although you sometimes teach children, most are Korean adults who want business English.

What to Love About Englishhunt:

No geographical restrictions.
Pays by direct deposit (requires a US bank account).
Opportunity to grow and earn more.
No need to speak another language.
Fairly flexible schedule.
They provide training.
Decent salary.

What Might Not Be Great About Englishhunt:

You need a US bank account.
Only hires from the USA.
Their software is not Mac compatible.
Schedules can be a bit awkward depending on your location.
Requires a university degree for video classes (which pay better than phone classes).

5. LikeShuo – Good Option for Adults in Asia

Although it’s no longer possible to teach children in China, you can teach adults! LikeShuo is a big player in this market, and native teachers can earn good money here.

With LikeShuo, you will teach English to Chinese adults with a fixed curriculum. Whether it’s general conversation or business English, you can earn between $16 and $25 per hour. However, the style is more formal, and your ratings influence what you earn. You will teach individual and group classes, and they will provide all materials.

Each class lasts 45 to 50 minutes, and you need to provide feedback. LikeShuo tries to keep students with the same teachers, which provides stability.

What to Love About LikeShuo:

You can have regular students.
No lesson planning required!
You’ll have a mentor who helps with bookings and issues.
The staff is supportive and wants you to succeed.
Monthly performance bonuses.
High salaries: $16-25/hour.
No need to speak Chinese.
They provide training.

What Might Not Be Great About LikeShuo:

No guarantee of classes.
Strict penalties for delays or bad reviews.
You must be from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand.
30-hour per month commitment.

6. EF English First – Primarily for Adults

EF English First is a US-based company that offers a more formal job, mainly with adults (although they also have children). They use cutting-edge technology and personalized materials for optimal learning.

This company suffered from China’s restrictions but continues to operate with students in Russia and Indonesia. However, their student base is smaller, so securing a position is more competitive.

What to Love About EF English First:

Competitive salary.
If you teach from their offices, there are many benefits! (annual flights, advance salary, health insurance).
Very professional.
Course materials included.
Excellent for career growth.
Teaches both adults and children.
Accepts from most English-speaking countries.

What Might Not Be Great About EF English First:

You must live in the UK or USA to teach from home.
Requires a university degree.
Requires TEFL (though sometimes they help you obtain it).
Not for casual nomads looking for part-time work.

7. TwoSigmas (Now TES)

TwoSigmas, now TES and based in the UK, allows you to work from anywhere, teaching international children (ages 5 to 12). They work directly with schools so all lesson plans are ready. The salary depends on the school and your experience, generally between $15 and $23 per hour.

What to Love About TwoSigmas (TES):

Very comprehensive training.
Opportunities for professional growth.
Good salary (especially with experience!).
Great community of teachers.
No need to create lesson plans.
Work from anywhere, as long as your schedule aligns with North American mornings and afternoons.

What Might Not Be Great About TwoSigmas (TES):

Requires a university degree.
They probably won’t hire you without experience.
Requires TEFL.
They look for a “neutral” North American accent (despite being a British company).
The hiring process is lengthy.

8. Engoo – Your Starting Point if You’re a Novice

Engoo is another booming company, popular for how easy it is to get classes, its flexibility, and because they don’t limit by age. You teach students in Japan using their materials.

The pay isn’t the highest ($5 per 25-minute class, or $10 per hour; less for non-native speakers), but it’s great for getting started! And if you complete 160 classes within a certain time, they give you a $50 bonus.

The best thing about Engoo is that they don’t have super strict requirements: you only need a good level of English (not necessarily native), be over 18, reliable internet, and headphones. No degree or TEFL needed!

What to Love About Engoo:

Create your schedule as you wish.
Anyone with good English can teach.
No degree or TEFL required.
Materials included.
Many classes available.
Teaches all ages.

What Might Not Be Great About Engoo:

The pay is not high if you are already experienced.
Some students have been reported as rude.
Penalties for canceling classes.
Sometimes students don’t seem interested.
The interface often changes with updates.

9. Palfish

Palfish competes with Cambly and iTalki and has enabled many teachers to get classes. It’s similar to Cambly: conversation for adults and an established curriculum for children. Students can call you if you’re online. You set your rate and open your schedule.

If you choose Palfish Kids, you will have regular classes with the same students (up to 60 classes), which provides stability! The pay for children is $8 to $11.50 per 25-minute class, depending on your experience. They provide fun materials, and you teach one-on-one, allowing you to build a bond!

What to Love About Palfish:

Decent pay for children.
Quick application process.
Teach adults and children.
25-minute classes with a 5-minute break.
Personalized teaching.
Curricula and materials included.
You can teach from an iPad.

What Might Not Be Great About Palfish:

High competition, you need to promote yourself well.
The system can be a bit glitchy with limited support.
Penalties for delays – watch your salary!
If you are 2 minutes late, the class goes to another teacher.
Not easy to take vacations.

10. Preply

Preply offers many advantages: good salaries, flexible hours, and the freedom to design your own courses. It’s quite easy to start as a tutor. You set your rate, your schedule, and what you want to teach (other languages too!), so flexibility is total.

But, like everything, it has its downsides. To get classes, you need strong personal marketing. Additionally, you have to offer free trial classes to attract students, which means unpaid time. As a connecting platform, Preply takes a 33% commission, which drops to 25% after 100 hours.

Although they provide some materials, they are a starting point. To stand out, it’s recommended to expand on them and create your own.

What to Love About Preply:

Teach any language you want.
Super flexible schedules.
Students are usually very motivated.
Good reputation and many students.
They provide materials.

What Might Not Be Great About Preply:

Requires a lot of personal marketing to get students.
Materials are a bit outdated and need attention.
The commission is high.
No guarantee of classes.
Unpaid trial classes.

5. How to Choose the Best Company for You

Choosing the ideal company is like picking your travel backpack: it depends entirely on you! Consider: What experience do you have? Why do you want to do this? Is it a side job, a long-term career, or something in between?

If you’re a beginner looking for your first big job, consider applying to several or all of these companies. Even if some options are limited without a degree or if you’re not from the USA, it’s always worth a try! Be honest with yourself, you might be surprised!

If you’ve already obtained a TEFL, especially the 140-hour MyTEFL, you have all the tools to excel both online and in the classroom, so getting started will be much easier!

6. Earning Potential: How Much Can Online English Teachers Make?

Let’s be realistic: teaching English online won’t make you a millionaire overnight. The average salary isn’t extraordinary, so you need to put in the effort to make it worthwhile.

Each company has different rates. What you earn will depend on your experience, qualifications, the company, and where your students are from.

Per Hour or Per Minute?

Some companies pay by the minute (e.g., 10-20 cents per minute), which isn’t ideal but not terrible either. Hourly rates are the next level. Depending on your experience, the company, and how long you’ve been working, you can expect between $10 and $25 per hour. A good teacher, with experience, good references, and certifications, can achieve a very decent salary!

If you consistently earn between $20 and $25 per hour working 20-30 hours a week, you can live wonderfully, be happy, and fund all your travels! Getting paid by the hour is much better, as per-minute pay is usually for more informal or conversational jobs.

Expert Tip: For online classes and to maximize income, consider shorter classes, especially if teaching children – their attention span is limited!

If you’re new, be realistic: give yourself a year to work hard, improve your skills, and test the market before aiming for higher salaries. If it’s your first time, start with a company from this list that provides materials. Once you feel comfortable, explore iTalki and Preply, where you can set your own rates and design your courses. Creating your own curriculum will allow you to charge more and earn more!

A salary of $20 per hour or more is considered the “golden salary” in online teaching and is achieved by experienced and dedicated teachers. For most new teachers or those with little experience, it’s common to start between $10 and $15 per hour.

Some companies pay by direct transfer once or twice a month; others use PayPal. Keep in mind that PayPal takes a commission, so if you can, look for other payment options! In short, yes, you can earn good money teaching English online, but it requires dedication!

7. Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Q: How much do online English teachers make?
A: Typically, you can earn between $10 and $20 working for a company. If you go freelance, you can reach $20-40, depending on your experience!

Q: What is the best way to teach English online?
A: Based on expert insights, working for Cambly is often recommended. They have many bookings and a competitive starting salary.

Q: Can non-native speakers get an online teaching job?
A: Absolutely! Some companies are open to non-native English speakers.

Q: Can you live by teaching English online?
A: Definitely! Some teachers earn up to $2000 per month, which is an incredible salary for a digital nomad!

Final Thoughts on Teaching English Online

The digital era has opened up a range of possibilities for those who, like you, dream of a digital nomad career. Teaching English online is one of the most exciting adventures out there, allowing you to connect with people from fascinating cultures, both when you travel and through your students. It’s an opportunity to make a positive impact, get to know yourself better, and discover teaching skills you never knew you had.

Remember, becoming an online teacher is not a walk in the park; it goes beyond simply getting paid to speak English. But it is an incredibly rewarding endeavor. Moreover, it’s an excellent way to earn a living (or at least a portion of it) while enjoying the freedom of being a backpacker or digital nomad anywhere in the world.

When done right, teaching English online can be the perfect job for you, the traveler. It provides a relatively consistent monthly income and the incredible opportunity to leave your mark on the world.

Therefore, this guide wholeheartedly recommends you investigate Cambly. For many, it stands out as an excellent company to start your online English teaching adventure.