Is it possible to teach English online with no experience?

If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to teach English online with no experience, you’ve come to the right place!

We’re here to tell you that it’s 100%, unequivocally doable. There are loads of schools out there willing to hire TEFL graduates who haven’t yet worked in a teaching position, no matter if that’s online or in person. What’s more, the recent boom in online teaching has helped things along. With so many students looking to get started with web-based tuition, demand is outstripping supply in the online teaching industry, so it’s a great time to go a-hunting for that dream job.

This guide will take a look at the ins and outs of whether it’s possible to teach English online with no experience. We’ll reveal the most common qualifications and requirements asked for by web English schools and show how you can go about securing that interview in the current teaching climate. Let’s begin…

So, can I teach English online with no experience?

As we’ve already said: Yes! You most definitely can teach English online with no experience. There are plenty of schools willing to hire EFL graduates without any previous jobs to their name.

Naturally, there are other schools that will demand experience from potential candidates. They tend to be the more established names in the industry – Qkids, VIPKid.

Basically, the key is choosing the right place to apply. There’s really no point in throwing off applications to places that explicitly state they want teachers with two years’ history in the field and whatnot. You won’t get the job. You probably won’t even get an interview.

So, be very tactical about which schools you pick when sending out your CV. Always check the applicant requirements carefully, and don’t waste your time on places that are unlikely prospects. It’s their loss, right?

What qualifications will I need if I’m thinking of teaching English online with no experience?

It’s common for TEFL schools that don’t ask for previous experience to up their other requirements. That’s just to make sure they don’t get oodles of low-quality applications flooding in, and to ensure the applications that they do get are from generally skilled and knowledgeable people capable of taking on the stresses of online work.

The two most common requirements are:

• A bachelor’s degree – This can be in pretty much any subject, so long as it’s a higher education qualification of 3+ years.
• A TEFL certificate – The non-negotiable qualification when it comes to teaching online. You’ll need at least a 120-hour certificate under your belt.

Ways to stand out if you’re trying to get an online teaching job without experience

Remember: If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

Make sure you highlight the qualifications listed above if you have them. They’ll likely be the key to opening that online teaching door.

Talk about things you learned during your bachelor’s degree and any transferable skills that will help you in the virtual classroom. Talk about any extra-curricular activities you did that showed leadership, organizational abilities, a deep knowledge of English grammar or vocab – that sort of thing.

You could also consider upping your TEFL qualification a notch. We offer a 140-hour Master Course that’s specifically designed to help teachers who want to work in the online sector. It’s got info on how to plan online courses, how to manage online teaching timetables, and much, much more. It’s a good option that can help set you apart from the rest of the crowd.

TEFL schools where you can teach English online with no experience

There are a number of online TEFL schools that will accept applications from teachers who don’t have any experience. Here’s a taster to get you started…

• Landi – Landi –  a new online platform that teaches children in Chinese time zones – lists experience as preferred. That means they’re definitely open to considering applicants without past teaching jobs. Just be sure to make that application stand out from the crowd. Pay is $10-16 USD/hour.              
• EF Education First – Education First is a well-known international association of teaching institutions that focuses mainly on high academic work. They’ve recently opened a branch online that’s dedicated to teaching English. You’ll need to be at least C2 level, fluent, and have the ability to reside in the USA.
• SkimaTalk – SkimaTalk employs native English speakers and lists experience as preferred. They have flexible schedules and say that their top teachers earn over $1,000 on average each month.
• All Right – All Right is a school that focuses on online English tutoring for younger learners across Poland and Eastern Europe. They employ non-natives without experience but will put you through a rigorous trial lesson. Pay starts at $8/hour.

Have you managed to teach English online with no experience? If so, we’d love to hear your story in the comments below. Or, if you’re ready to get your TEFL qualification and start applying for online teaching positions, be sure to check out our 140-hour online course.