Do you need a degree to teach ESL online?
Contrary to popular belief, a degree is not always necessary for teaching English online. The key requirement for most ESL teaching positions, whether online or in-person, is a 120-hour or more TESOL certification. This certification is widely recognized as the minimum qualification demanded by most employers in the field of online English language teaching. While a degree can enhance your prospects and may be required by some platforms, it is not a universal prerequisite.
In addition to a TESOL certification, employers often seek additional qualities in candidates, such as strong communication skills, adaptability to diverse learning environments, and experience in teaching or related fields. It is important to note that requirements can vary between different online teaching platforms, so prospective ESL teachers should thoroughly research the specific criteria of each platform they are considering.
Table of Contents
Online teaching platforms that do not require a degree
Experience
Employers highly value any formal teaching experience. This could be as minimal as a few hours of real-class teaching during your TESOL training or volunteering at a summer school. The more your experience aligns with the type of teacher they are seeking (for example, teaching children or adults), the better. Ensure that your resume reflects all your teaching experiences.
Additional Qualifications
These should be relevant to the job you are applying for. For instance, you might have completed a specialized training course in ESL, such as teaching young learners, business English, or online teaching - these should be emphasized. Other useful qualifications to highlight might include a bachelor's degree in any discipline, a BA degree in an English-related field, a B.Ed degree, and similar.
Native English Speaker
Certain jobs might necessitate being a native English speaker, generally defined as being a citizen of specific countries. These are typically the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Often, it is also stipulated that candidates should not possess a strong regional accent from these countries.
Nationality
While the previous list was somewhat restricted, it is often extended to include countries where English is the first language. This expanded list could include India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, and South Africa, among others.
Online teaching platforms that do not require a degree
Typical hourly pay rate = US$10-30
Minimum weekly hours = 4
Typical hourly pay rate = US$8-13
Minimum weekly hours = 5
Typical hourly pay rate = US$12-26
Minimum weekly hours = None
Typical hourly pay rate = US$5-35
Minimum weekly hours = None
Typical hourly pay rate = US$10-45
Minimum weekly hours = 8
Typical hourly pay rate = US$10-12
Minimum weekly hours = None
Typical hourly pay rate = US$8-13
Minimum weekly hours = 10
Typical hourly pay rate = US$10-16
Minimum weekly hours = 15
These online platforms represent a cross section of those available and the figures shown above were correct at the time of writing (May 2023).
As there are so many platforms available for teaching English online, we recommend that you do plenty of independent research before making a final choice.
