How to Teach a Language Online—For Non Native English Speakers!

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Whether you are traveling the world and are looking for a way to work remotely, or just have a passion for languages, teaching a language online to pupils across the globe is a dream that can very easily become a reality to many. There are many reasons why becoming an online language tutor may be an excellent job for you.

It’s no secret that teaching English online has blown up and is a much-needed job, but what about other languages? There are TONS of people who want to learn another language that’s not English, and that’s where YOU come in.

What is your native language? You could be eligible to teach it online and work from home. Here are eight online schools that allow you to teach a language online that’s NOT just for native English speakers.

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How to Teach a Language Online

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This is a loaded topic, but we tried to cover all the bases. Below you’ll find a list of schools that want teachers for several different languages. All schools have their requirements and rules, and all offer other languages other than English. Woo!

So check them out and see which school is right for you.

Were you looking for online schools to teach English as a native English speaker or want to teach abroad?

THIS ISN’T THE POST FOR YOU!

I have plenty of other posts on that… 🙂

Teach English Online

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• Can You Teach English Online/Abroad Without a Degree?
• A Guide to Teaching English Online to Chinese Students

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• Teaching English in China: How to Get ESL Jobs in China
• How I Saved Loads of Money Teaching English in Taiwan
• How to Teach English Abroad in Thailand – Live and Work in Thailand!
• Everything You Need to Know About Teaching English in Prague, Czech Republic

Perks of Teaching a Language Online

• No commuting – So much of a day is wasted by traveling to and from a place of work, but teaching a language online means there is no commute time, saving you both time and money.
• Can be done anywhere – Whether you are sitting at your beachside hotel or the warmth of your own home, being an online language tutor can take place wherever you are in the world. It allows you to bring in the money from wherever you are, as long as it has a suitable internet connection.
• Can set your hours – You are free to work when you want. Some people prefer to get all the work done in the morning, so they are free for the rest of the day, or you could work evenings and weekends if you are working it around another job, the choice is yours. Most sites have a schedule where you simply have to fill in your available hours. Therefore you can adjust your schedule to your plans. This also means you can work as much or as little as you like.
• Can set your rates – From the start, you might have to work for a little less, but as soon as you have started to build up a reputation in the industry and worked out how to teach a language online, most sites will allow you to set your working rates. The more proficient your teaching becomes, the more you will be able to charge your pupils.

How Much Should You Charge as an Online Teacher

How much you charge to teach a language online really depends on your experience, your qualifications, and if you are delivering what you have promised. If you are just starting in the industry, it may be worth starting low for a little while before building yourself up once you gain more experience. Take a little look around the platform that you are using for guidance on how much to charge.

While some people may be looking for a budget-friendly option, keep in mind that individuals usually consider cheaper alternatives to be less valuable. You don’t want to start too low, as people may see a low price as an indication that you are also not qualified.

It is generally expected that an online lesson is going to be cheaper than a face to face lesson; however, there is no general industry standard It comes down to how much you want to charge for your online language tutor services. There is no harm in a little trial and error when it comes to pricing, but just take the time to do some research beforehand.

What Are the Requirements to Teach a Language Online

Each platform out there is likely to have their requirements for what you need to become an online language tutor with them, but you are likely to see similar ones occurring.

• While this is not always a mandatory requirement, you may find that the majority of reputable online platforms will require you to have a college degree. It is not unusual for companies to prioritize this over a teaching qualification.
• Some companies may want you to have some form of online language teaching qualification. There are plenty of different courses out there that would look great on your application. The online school’s website would specify which they prefer.
• Most platforms will prioritize those that have previous experience teaching a language than those that are just starting in the industry and may need references to prove this.
• It may seem obvious, but lots of sites will have requirements about the sort of device you are using. For example, some may be okay with you just using your laptop’s webcam. In contrast, others will prefer you to invest in an HD external camera or a headset with a microphone for clearer communication.
• You’ll need a fast internet connection to teach a language online. Most would prefer a wired connection and not wi-fi, and some will specify upload and download speeds. You may be asked to conduct a speed test before you are accepted, or some will have built-in tools on the site so you can test your internet speed there.

RELATED: How to Teach English Online From Home + 29 Schools to Apply To

What Platform to Use for Teaching a Language Online

There are so many different language teaching platforms out there; it can be a bit daunting to decide which is the best option for you. Different platforms may require different things for you to sign up. For some, all you need is high school qualifications, and they will show you how to teach a language online. In contrast, others will require you to have previous teaching experience, a university degree or a TEFL certificate. Some may even have a screening process that requires an interview.

We hope this massive list of schools to teach a language online will help you in finding the right choice for you.

1. Verbling

Verbling is one of the most popular language teaching sites out there and offers the ability to teach a range of languages. It is one of the largest online language learning communities currently on the internet, with built-in tools to help give you exposure in the language teaching community and match you up with potential students.

Languages You Can Teach

Verbling allows you to teach over 62 different languages, so it is great if you are up for teaching some of the lesser-known languages out there. One of the most common languages to teach include:

• English
• Spanish
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• French
• Mandarin
• and so many others.

Requirements

The staff at the company take the time to vet every application from prospective teachers; therefore, you do need to know your stuff. Because of this testing, the average learning rating for teachers is 4.9 out of 5!

• Have previous experience teaching your native language to speakers of other languages, and a reference letter is likely to be needed to prove this experience.
• Although it is not strictly required, a formal teaching certificate is preferable and will increase your chance of being able to teach on the platform.
• You need to be a native speaker of the language that you are hoping to teach.

The Details

Teachers on the platform set their rates individually, and there is no limit to the number of lessons that you teach, making it an excellent platform to use if you are hoping to make teaching a language online your primary job. Once you have started to teach and have built up some earning, you can cash out using various methods such as PayPal, TransferWIse, Payoneer, or Verbling Credit and can be cashed out at any time.

2. Verbalplanet

Verbalplanet was founded in 2006 and used Skype to conduct its language sessions. Over 2,000 teachers are using the platform around the world for all of the world’s major languages. It is free for a language teacher to use, and you can set your hours and lesson rates, keeping 100% of what you earn.

Languages You Can Teach

Whatever language you want to teach, there is a high chance you will be able to with Verbal Planet. Some of the most common include:

• English
• Spanish
• French
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Russian
• and so many others.

Requirements

• Register and then create an online language tutor profile to be approved
• Add the languages that you wish to teach
• Select your rate per hour, and explain your language teaching qualifications and experience.

The Details

On average, the rate charged for a 45-minute lesson is $22 USD, but if you want to make a more significant amount of money, you need to build up your experience. Teachers are given free tools to help manage clients, and you get paid directly from your student via PayPal. All class times are shown in your local times, so you can teach from wherever you are in the world, and the company arranges all the booking for you, so you don’t have to do a thing. You are also given ways to promote yourself as a tutor.

3. Lingoda

Lingoda is a slightly different platform, as it allows you to offer group sessions to students rather than one on one. There are typically five pupils per group class. You can teach students online when you want, as often as you want and where you want. Today it is one of the leading online language schools out there.

Languages You Can Teach

• German
• English
• French
• Spanish

Requirements

• Have a C2 or above the level of the language you would like to teach.
• Have a certificate to teach your chosen language as a foreign language.
• At least three years of valuable teaching experience.

The Details

Although you are free to set your hours, all teachers are expected to work between 5 – 25 hours a week, but it is up to you which days and when. There are in-house designed learning materials for you to use that are based on the European Framework, so you won’t have as much class preparation to do. All classes are taught on Zoom, which is an online conferencing platform.

4. italki

italki is a vast language learning and teaching platform, with over 10,000 teachers already using the platform to teach pupils a range of languages using one on one sessions. With a platform of over 5,000,000 learners, you have a good chance of getting students. The site is packed full of useful resources for teachers, such as general handbooks on how to teach a language online, guides how to gain loyal students, helpful teaching tools and resources, and tips.

Languages You Can Teach

You can teach any language on the site, from Arabic to Chinese. There are so many languages to chose from; you shouldn’t have trouble finding the language you want to teach.

Requirements

The application process for italki is pretty lengthy, but it ensures that only the best teachers make it onto the platform. There are two different ways you can be approved, either through a university qualification or through a teaching qualification.

• Upload copies of all of your relevant documents online, such as your CV and references.
• Upload a 1 to 3-minute introduction video.
• Record a teacher success video and take a quiz.
• Have a video call from the italki Teacher Services.

The Details

There are two different types of teaching profiles on the site. A Community tutor means you will be on hand to provide students with conversation practice, or making a Professional Teaching profile says you are qualified to give one on one teaching to pupils.

5. Lingoci

Lingoci also allows you to teach a language online with pupils one on one and provide a tailored learning experience. It attracts students from all over the globe and uses skype to work.

Languages You Can Teach

• Spanish
• French
• Italian
• Japanese
• German
• Swedish
• Dutch

Requirements

• You are only allowed to teach your native language.
• Have at least some teaching experience to apply.
• Spanish and Italian teaching are particularly popular on this platform; therefore, good reviews and lots of experience are required due to the high levels of competition.
• Having a formal teaching certificate will also increase your chances of success, but is not strictly required.
• Your internet connection must also have a download/upload speed of at least 2Mbps, and the platform provides a way you can test this on their site.
• Submit a 2 to 4-minute video about yourself.

The Details

Whenever possible, your earnings are sent directly to your bank account, so you don’t lose anything through fees, such as having to go through Paypal. Lessons are always 55 minutes long, as this then allows you to take a 5-minute break in between lessons if you have planned them back to back.

You can adjust your availability and make it visible to potential pupils so they can see when you are available for a lesson. All pupils are given the opportunity to have a free 30-minute trial lesson with you so they can get to know you and become familiar with your teaching style, so you will have to be prepared to do this.

As this is a relatively small company, it does not yet have the capability for tutors to set their prices, therefore how much you earn depends on many factors, including the language you are teaching and your performance.

6. Justlearn

You won’t earn big bucks for teaching on Justlearn, but it is an excellent platform to use if you are just starting in the industry and want to build up some reviews and experience. There are hundreds of languages you can teach, from Akkadian to Zulu, so it is perfect if you want to be an online language tutor of one of the lesser-known languages.

Languages You Can Teach

There are so many languages you can teach on JustLearn, including the more common languages such as English, Chinese and Spanish, to the more unique, including Zulu, Finnish, Lithuanian, and many others.

Requirements

• You must submit what language you want to teach and provide a little introduction about your education, work experience, and teaching style.
• You also have the option of providing an introduction video via YouTube for a better chance of being accepted
• Provide the company with time and dates of when you are available.

The Details

You will earn $6 per lesson, with each lesson lasting just 25 minutes. The platform will find the pupils for you, so all you have to do is concentrate on providing online language tutoring. It is up to you to decide when you work and how many hours. You will have your calendar, and pupils will be able to choose slots that you have approved beforehand. Your earnings will be transferred to you via a PayPal or TransferWise account every month.

7. VivaLing

VivaLing is a different sort of platform, as it is the world’s first online language academy for kids. It allows learning from 6 years old to take part.

Languages You Can Teach

• English
• Mandarin
• Spanish
• French
• German

Requirements

• Native level of the language that you want to teach.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with children or adults full time.
• Teaching certificate or an educational degree in the language you teach.
• Prove that you have a high enough quality computer and a good enough internet connection.
• Availability must be 12 hours over four days of availability per week during after school hours and over the weekend.
• To take part in the selection process, you must send in a demo video and take part in a virtual interview.

The Details

You will start with a base salary of $20-$21 an hour, depending on how you performed during your initial training. The pay then gets reviewed every six months, where you can increase your hourly rate. You should be prepared to talk to the parents as well as the pupils via email. You can choose to work during Asian or European hours and are given a curriculum and materials to work with, although you are still free to teach in a style that suits you.

8. Mylingotrip

MyLingoTrip is one of the leading online language schools and is a platform where students and teachers from all over the world come together in one place. The lessons take place through Skype and virtual classrooms.

Languages You Can Teach

• English
• French
• German
• Italian
• Spanish
• Greek
• Swedish
• Dutch

Requirements

• You must provide any qualifications you have
• State how many years you have been teaching
• You must describe your teaching style and tell the company a little about yourself.
• You must also upload your CV and a photo of yourself.

The Details

Each lesson is scheduled to last for 60 minutes. You invoice your pupils directly for their lessons using PayPal or similar. To work, all you need is a Skype account and a Skype-compatible computer headset. All tutors are judged on their performance, as after each lesson, the students will rate you and leave feedback.

RELATED: Can You Teach English Online/Abroad Without a Degree?

Getting Set Up

Once you have decided on the right platform for you, it is time to get set up and ensure you have everything you need to teach.

• Space – Before you get started, make sure you have a good internet connection. This is one of your most vital tools, and your students won’t be happy if you keep disconnecting. You should also ensure the room that you are going to be teaching in is well lit and quiet.
• Tech quality – Make sure that both the sound and video quality on your computer or laptop is good. It is essential that your students can see and hear you clearly. If your laptop isn’t great, then consider investing in some extra tech such as a microphone.
• Sharing – You can’t teach online unless you know the basics of screen and document sharing, as this will make your life so much easier when you are trying to deliver lessons.

Tips to Become a Great Online Language Teacher

• Be creative – The best online teachers are usually the most creative ones. Your lessons will be much more interesting if you combine a variety of techniques and teaching styles, such as using plenty of visuals.
• Be prepared – It is not enough for you to just know the language fluently. If you are not adequately prepared for a session, then there could be some slightly awkward silences. This means you should always know what to say next, have examples at hand, and be in control of the pace of the session. You should also be prepared to be flexible though, as your student may have questions lined up, or something else that they want to focus on. Take the time to have some dry runs, and even talk to yourself in front of the mirror. A great way to prepare is to make yourself a cheat sheet to help you out during the lesson.
• Use tools – Never believe that you are the only source of language information; there is a whole world of tools out there that are available to be used. Be sure to seek help, experience, and advice from other teachers who are in a similar situation to you. You can use sites like sharemylesson and teacherspayteachers, where there are lesson plans and more, which are free to download. Don’t be afraid to point your learners towards helpful language learning sites and resources as well.
• Be patient – This is required for all forms of teaching, whether you are in front of a class full of pupils or facing them one on one in front of a computer screen. Your pupils probably won’t grasp what you are trying to teach them the first time, and what may come naturally to them will be entirely new for them. Be prepared to have to go through each aspect of the lesson several times, and then probably again in your next lessons!

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I hope this post gave you a better understanding of how you can teach a language online as a non-native English speaker. Which one of these schools are you excited to try? Let us know in the comments below.

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