I think one of the best work-from-home opportunities in our modern society is the ability to teach English online to Chinese students.
Yes, there are challenges to working from home (especially if you have young kids), but the benefits far outweigh any inconveniences. You can work in your pajama bottoms, while your kids are sleeping, and set your own schedule. You can teach just a couple hours a week or several hours a week. You don’t have to pay for child care. There’s no daily commute. And, there’s hardly any prep work or lesson planning for you to do!
It’s a great way to make extra money to pay off debt or save for a big goal, such as a new car or a family vacation. It can be your primary job or a side hustle. It’s just so flexible!
If I weren’t making money blogging (I wrote about starting a blog, here), I think I’d try to teach English online to Chinese students, especially if we were still working Dave Ramsey’s baby steps and digging our way out of debt.
Related: 13 Things Dave Ramsey Baby Steps Fans Wish You Knew
There are two reputable companies I think are worth checking out: VIPKid and Education First. Let’s take a minute and compare them both.
Two Legit Ways To Teach English Online to Chinese Students
1. VIPKid
- You can earn up to $22 per hour (includes bonuses and incentives)
- You must be a native English-speaking person from the US or Canada
- You must have a bachelor’s degree from a US/Canadian university (note — it does NOT need to be a teaching degree)
- You should have experience with children, such as babysitting, coaching, etc
- Hours tend to be weekends and/or early mornings (5-7:30 EST)
VIPKid is the #1 platform for online english teaching in China. Having recently won #1 on Forbes magazines “Best work from home companies” list in 2018 amidst many other accolades, the company has been rapidly expanding.
They have excellent reviews. Actually, someone on my FB just commented, “I’ve worked with VIPKid for almost 2 years. It’s the best job I’ve ever had, really! I work full time and earn more than I did as a public school teacher- and it’s so easy.”
I’ve seen many similar VIPKid reviews. This company is quite popular in the media right now!
Click here to learn more about VIPKid >>
2. Education First
- You can earn up to $16 per hour (I believe there are fewer bonuses, but base pay is higher)
- You must be a native English-speaking person and live in the US or UK
- You must have a bachelor’s degree from a US/UK university (note — it does NOT need to be a teaching degree)
- You should have experience with children, such as “tutoring, mentoring, or homeschooling”
- You can schedule around the clock, seven days per week, so there’s plenty of flexibility
EF (Education First) is the oldest and most respected brand in private language teaching, although it’s not as prominent on social media. EF is one of the only US-based online teaching companies. For over 50 years, EF has been helping people around the world learn English, and not just in China! They serve students from across the globe.
They’re kind of a big deal, and one of the best kept secrets among those who teach English online.
Click here to learn more about Education First >>
FAQs
Can you teach English online without a degree?
This gets asked often, so it bears repeating. Technically, a bachelor’s degree is required to teach online for these companies, but any bachelor’s degree is sufficient; you don’t need a teaching degree. You don’t have to be a certified teacher.
Are they oversaturated with teachers?
There are a lot of teachers, but their student growth has been astronomical. They hire fast to keep up with student demand.
Do I need a TESOL or TEFL certificate?
Not to apply. Both companies will walk you through that process and give you the training you need.
Do I need to be over-the-top enthusiastic?
For the interview, yes. Once you’re hired and settled, not so much. Some kids require more energy. There are teacher tags given to describe your personality, which parents use to search out more reserved teachers if that’s what their child prefers.
How To Apply
I recommend applying to both companies at the same time; that way, if one doesn’t work out, you don’t have to wait for another application process all over again.
Applying is super simple, and they don’t even need your degree info or transcripts right away. They just need them before the hiring process is complete.
Click here to learn more about applying to teach online with VIPKid >>
Click here to learn more about applying to teach online with Education First >>
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New to my site? I love to share ways to get out of debt, save more money, and make extra money from home. You can take a look at my recommendations page for products and web sites I use to do that!
Be sure to check these out, too:
Mvelopes: This is the online budgeting program we personally use and LOVE. In fact, we purchased a lifetime membership several years ago when they offered it to us. It’s like a virtual cash envelope system, and it syncs with your bank accounts. Here’s my full Mvelopes review, or you can click here for a free 30 day trial of Mvelopes.
Blogging: This is how I make good money from home while being a stay-at-home mom, and I love it. If you’d like to learn more, read my post about How to Start a Blog. It’s actually quite easy to get started! Keep researching afterwards and learning how to do new things, one thing at a time. You’ll keep getting better, and your income will increase each month.
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