What an online teacher does
An online teacher gives live lessons over video, usually one-to-one or in small groups. Most online teaching work is English (ESL), but there are also jobs for Spanish, French, maths and exam prep. You either work for a company that assigns students and sets the pay, or you join a marketplace where you set your own price and find your own students. Our marketplace vs fixed-rate guide explains the difference.
OTC Company List in numbers
Out of 380 online teaching companies in the OTC Company List, 302 are marked open, 194 say they hire non-native speakers and 34 say they don't require a degree.
Step 1: Check what you need
- Equipment: a computer, a headset with a microphone, a webcam and a stable internet connection. Each company lists its own minimum specs.
- Qualifications: these vary a lot. 34 companies in the directory say they don't require a degree, and many ask for a TEFL certificate. See TEFL vs TESOL vs CELTA.
- Nationality: 194 companies say they hire non-native speakers. See companies that hire non-native speakers.
Step 2: Choose a company
The Online Teachers Company List has 380 online teaching companies, 302 of them marked open. Each review page shows reported pay, who the company hires, qualifications, student ages and teacher votes. Start with a best list that matches you, for example no-degree jobs or teaching kids, then read how to choose an online ESL company.
Companies beginners often look at first:
Step 3: Apply and prepare for the demo
Most companies ask for an application, a short intro video and a demo lesson. Apply to several companies at once, since hiring windows open and close. Keep your demo simple: a clear goal, lots of student talking time, praise and correction. If you have no teaching experience yet, follow how to teach English online with no experience.
Step 4: Understand the pay before you start
Check whether pay is per hour or per lesson, whether bonuses are included, and how and when you are paid. Read online ESL pay explained and jobs that pay weekly. Always confirm the current rate on the company's own site.
Step 5: Join a teachers club for support
Teaching online can be lonely, and companies change often. A teachers' community helps you hear about openings early and get answers from people doing the same work. Online Teachers Club is a free community for online teachers with a job board, chat groups and teaching resources. We compare it with Reddit groups and Dave's ESL Cafe in best online ESL teacher communities.
Tools for online teachers
Once you have shortlisted a few companies, it helps to have one page that shows who you are as a teacher. You can create a free online teacher profile page on Teacher4.me and share it with students, parents, and schools alongside your company applications.