6 Companies That Hire Non-Native English Speakers to Teach English Online
Wondering where to find online ESL jobs for non native speakers? Below, we've listed 6 ESL (English as a Second Language) companies that are hiring non native English speakers.
Written By: Lynda Galea | Updated: December 13, 2023
Written By: Lynda Galea
Updated: December 13, 2023
Want to teach English online but not a native speaker? No worries! Finding the perfect teaching gigs can be tricky, especially if English isn't your first language. But fear not! In this guide, we'll spill the beans on the best online platforms and spots where non native English speakers can snag awesome teaching jobs. Say hello to exciting teaching opportunities and let's dive into this world of teaching English online!
Where to Find Online English Teaching Jobs for Non Native Speakers?
With the teaching English online industry growing at such a rapid pace, new online ESL teaching platforms are popping up every other week - including ones that don't require you to be a native English speaker.
Can I Teach English as a Non Native Speaker?
Yes. Non-native speakers can teach English abroad and online. While some countries require citizenship from a native English-speaking nation, there are still dozens of nations where schools will hire non-native speakers. The key is to be fluent and to get an accredited TEFL certification.
Can I Teach English Online as a Non Native Speaker?
Absolutely! Many online platforms welcome non-native speakers as long as they're fluent, have a strong grasp of English, and hold relevant certifications such as a TEFL certificate.
Here are 6 companies that offer online English teaching jobs for non-native speakers :
Please note, other than Preply, International TEFL Academy does not have affiliations with any of these companies nor have we vetted them for legitimacy and quality.
Here are 6 companies that hire non native speakers to teach English online:
1. Fluentbe
Fluentbe is an online language school. Their classes take place online 1-to-1 or in groups of up to four students using webcams and applications similar to Skype.
Requirements:
- Must have a good internet connection.
- At least 1-year experience teaching adults.
- Online teaching experience is a plus (Skype, etc.).
Non Natives: While Fluentbe doesn't specifically mention that they recruit non natives, their requirements only mention that you must be:
- Happy, talkative, engaging and open.
- Passionate about something (we will talk about it during the interview).
Hours: Flexible working hours - you choose when you work.
Students: You will be teaching English to Polish adult students.
Pay: While this is not directly listed on their website, other sources list the pay rate at $10 USD per hour.
Apply: You can apply here.
2. italki
Requirements: You should have reliable access to an internet connection with a speed of at least 2 MB per second. italki currently supports Skype, Google Hangouts, Facetime, and QQ. You must download, install, and create an account using one of these options before your first lesson. All are free to use for calling between computers. Most students and teachers use Skype.
Non Natives: italki's language proficiency requirements for teaching ESL online are:
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Native proficiency
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Advanced (C2) proficiency
italki requires that teachers have native proficiency or the most advanced (C2) level to teach a target language. italki uses the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for reporting language proficiency.
To demonstrate your native or advanced (C2) language level, both to italki staff and to potential students, they require that teachers:
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Speak in the language during your introduction video. Don’t just say a few words - say at least a short paragraph. It adds a lot of credibility to your profile. Students are looking to your video to understand what their language sessions with you will be like (and how they will speak after learning from you)!
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Upload any language proficiency certification you have earned to your italki profile. italki staff must approve this modification. Your certificate will not be published, but your profile will show that italki has verified your certification.
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Use the target language in your written introduction. Be sure to use proper spelling and grammar so that your profile will look professional.
Hours: Teach as much or as little as you want! Students schedule lessons for times that you are available to teach.
Pay: On italki, teachers set their prices appropriate to the teacher's local environment, plus the time and effort spent preparing for professional lessons.
When a student pays for a lesson, italki takes a commission or fee based on the teacher's listed course price. They don't take any money until you are making money.
italki charges a 15% fee on transactions between teachers and students. italki does not charge a commission fee for trial sessions
Apply: You can apply here.
3. Engoo
Engoo teachers provide English lessons to students from Japan, Taiwan, and other parts of the world via Skype.
Requirements: You will need a working computer (desktop or laptop), a Skype account, a stable internet connection, working headsets/earphones, and a webcam. ESL teaching experience is not required. What is required, however, is a mastery of the English language, teaching skills, and computer literacy (especially Skype) and you have to be at least 18 years old to apply.
Non Natives: A proficiency in the English language is required to work with Engoo. If you have a Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language, this is a plus. A language test is part of the application process to ensure you are fluent.
Hours: Tutors are free to select slots to open for teaching. The schedule is flexible, slots can be opened 24/7, up to 7 days in advance, including weekends and holidays and there is no minimum number of classes you have to conduct.
Your lessons will be 25 minutes long, with 5 minutes break time in between and all lessons are one-on-one.
Students: Tutors will be teaching (mostly) Japanese students of varying ages, proficiency levels, and backgrounds. Students may also be from Taiwan and other parts of the world.
Pay: Although the rate of pay is not listed on the Engoo website, Glassdoor estimates pay to be around $11 per hour, but we have no confirmation of this rate.
Apply: You can apply here.
4. Learnlight
A Learnlight trainer is more than just an online teacher. They are also a motivator and personal mentor who guides students through their virtual learning experience. They are a highly valued member of an ever-growing team of people who are proud of what they do and are excited about innovative methods for distance learning.
Requirements:
- Foreign language teaching qualification (i.e. TEFL, CELTA, TESOL, FLE, DAEFLE, DELE, ELE, DaF, DITALS, EPE)
- A minimum of two years’ language teaching experience
- At least 10Mbps speed internet connection
- Business background preferred but not required
Non Natives: Applicants must have a proficiency in the language being taught, in this case, English. If you are a non native and can prove your English language proficiency, you can apply. If you have a Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language, it would be a good idea to mention it in your application.
Hours:
- Ability to commit to a fixed schedule for a minimum of one year
- A minimum of 10 hours per week of fixed availability during our prime times:
06:00 -9:00 / 12:00 – 15:00 / 17:00 – 20:00 / 22:00 – 01:00 (UTC/GMT)
Students: Connect with culturally diverse and highly motivated business professionals in a variety of sectors from over 100 countries.
Pay: While an exact rate of pay is not listed on the Learnlight website, from going through a few forums and Glassdoor, it seems to be $12-$14 per hour, but we have no confirmation of this rate.
Apply: You can apply here.
5. Preply
Preply is an online marketplace where your teacher profile is visible in search results, bringing new students to you.
Requirements: Teaching experience is recommended and will increase your chances to attract students.
Non Natives: While Preply doesn't specifically mention that they recruit non natives, their website says "if you are simply passionate about teaching, you can still sign up as a tutor on Preply".
Hours: Set your own hours and manage lessons in your personal Preply calendar.
Pay: Your earnings depend on the hourly rate you set in the profile and how often you can provide lessons. If you have wide availability and your profile is appealing to students, they are likely to book more lessons and as a result, you will earn more. The most popular tutors on Preply earn up to $550 weekly.
Preply takes a 100% commission fee of your first lesson payment with every new student. For all subsequent lessons, the commission varies from 33 to 18% and depends on the number of completed lesson hours with students. The more tutoring you do through Preply, the less commission you pay.
Your pay is kept in your Preply wallet and you can withdraw it anytime via Paypal, Payoneer, or Skrill.
Apply: Due to the high volume of tutor applications that Preply receives, only accepted teachers will hear back from them. Please note that profiles without a real photo or video will not pass the online ESL teaching selection process. Preply does not send rejection letters. You can apply here.
6. All Right
AllRight.io is a growing English school teaching mainly young learners from the ages of 4-12. They provide services to students from all over the world, but most of them are from Russia, Poland, Spain, and Italy.
Requirements:
- No degree is necessary but if you do not have a degree, you will need a TEFL certification and some teaching experience to be considered.
Non-Natives:
- All Right takes on three categories of teachers: Standard; Near-native; and Native, and your pay will fluctuate based on which category of teacher you fall into.
Hours: For Near-natives and Native teachers, there is a minimum contract requirement of 15 hours per week, with 6 of those hours needing to be on weekends. Classes are either 25 mins or 55 mins in length.
Students: Young learners from the ages of 4-12. They provide services to students from all over the world, but most of them are from Russia, Poland, Spain, and Italy.
Pay: Near-native teachers usually start at $8 USD per hour but after 6 months, the pay can be bumped up to $10 USD per hour based on performance. Native teachers can expect to make up to $12 USD per hour. A teacher incentive program is also offered which contains monetary and non-monetary rewards.
Apply: You can apply here.
Go Further:
Posted In: Non-Native English Speaker, Teach English Online, Teach English Online Must Read, Non-Native English Speaker Must Read
Lynda Galea
An accomplished traveler (she's visited 40 countries!), Lynda hails from Melbourne, Australia. Since she joined ITA in 2017, Lynda has become a primary expert on the field of teaching English online. Not only has she published numerous articles on the topic herself, but she has worked with International TEFL Academy alumni around the world to produce an entire library of information and content about teaching English online. Lynda also serves as a primary organizer of ITA's ground-breaking Teach Abroad Film Festival.
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