7 Online English Teaching Jobs for Non-native Speakers

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As a non-native English speaker, you’ve probably exhausted all your options when it comes to finding a company to teach for. You’re ready to start teaching English online, but so frustrated with company after company requiring “native English speaker” as a prerequisite.

Today, I’m here to tell you that a) I see you! and b) there are still some options out there. Keep reading for the most up-to-date information for non-native English speakers wanting to teach English online.

How can I teach English online as a non-native speaker?

Though you might not need to be a native speaker for the companies listed below, you need to seriously consider a few things before you start to apply. You need to...

...be passionate about teaching English

It’s a requirement that’s hard to measure, but all companies want teachers who have an innate drive in them to teach well. You need to have your students’ best interests in mind and have strategies on how to get them on the path to success.

...be fluent in English 

Could you carry on a fairly complex conversation with a native English speaker? All respectable online English teaching companies need their teachers to have native proficiency in English. Most companies require a C2 test score on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). If you have yet to take the CEFR test, enter “CEFR placement test” into a search engine, or check out this free test.

...be honest with yourself about your accent

All companies hiring non-native English speakers ask that applicants have a neutral-sounding accent. As a second-language educator and learner, I can attest that a pure accent is so important to me. There are already so many hurdles to jump while learning a second language, don’t let a strong accent get in your potential student’s way of success.

If you don’t know whether your accent passes as neutral or not, record yourself speaking or reading something out loud in English and listen to it. If your pride can handle it, have an honest friend weigh in on it, too. 

Online English Teaching Companies That Hire Non-Native English Speakers

I have personally researched all of these companies, and they all specifically say they hire non-native speakers unless otherwise noted.

1. Preply

Preply is a great option for non-native English speakers. Previous experience or credentials are not required. 

This is a platform that is largely dependent on how well you market yourself in your profile. Your teacher profile on Preply displays your native language, other languages you speak, and your proficiency in each one. 

There are many non-native speakers who speak English on here, so you will be in good company. Set your own teaching hours and how much you’d like to make per hour. Preply does take a commission from your classes, 100% from the first class and a percentage from each subsequent class, depending on how long you have been with them. See more details and apply here.

2. italki

Like Preply, italki is a platform where tutors teach a multitude of languages. This company is a great option for those with or without teaching experience. 

On italki, they have two teaching roles for hire. You should apply as a “professional teacher” if you have teaching credentials. Professional teachers can earn that title by having a bachelor’s degree, teaching licence, a TESOL certificate, or something similar.  “Community teachers,” on the other hand, don’t need any experience or teaching credentials. 

To increase the amount of views you get on your profile, you can upload documents for display, proving English proficiency to potential students. You can also take the Oxford online English placement through their website and place a badge on your profile showing your level.

Sometimes, teacher applications are closed for a certain language on italki. Check out their current openings (which are updated weekly) here. If English is not available, maybe your native language is!

3. CCClass

CCClass is a company based in the Philippines. They claim that they are China’s “largest e-learning platform.” CCClass teaches Chinese students of all ages. They require a bachelor’s  degree and are looking for English teachers who have “good oral English skills with clear and standard pronunciation.” Find out more and apply here.

4. Verbling

For at least eight years, Verbling has helped adult students of any nationality acquire second language practice with one-on-one live video chats with a qualified tutor. Teachers set their own hours and rates. Teachers market themselves through an introduction video and a written bio. 

To work for them, you only need a strong command of the English language and a C2 proficiency. Though a degree is not required, previous and provable teaching experience is. A teaching certificate of some sort will greatly increase your chances of being accepted.

On this platform, as a non-native English teacher, you could effectively market to students that also share your native language, as some students are more comfortable with having a tutor that they can communicate easily with. Find out more and apply for Verbling here.

5. Engoo

Engoo, previously known as Bibo Global Opportunity, exclusively teaches English to primarily Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese adult students. This company uses global teachers as a boasting point, which is great for non-native English speakers. They market non-native English speakers to students by highlighting the shared experience both have in the struggles to learn English. 

Engoo could be a great option for wannabe teachers who have not quite passed the C2 English proficiency, as they have their own automated English test in their application process.

It should be noted that students pay more for native speakers, therefore non-native speakers will not make the same amount of money. If you are just starting out, this is a good company to start getting experience. Read more and apply to Engoo here.

6. WaiJiaoYi

Teaching at WaiJiaoYi is done through live video feed in an actual classroom of young Chinese students with the assistance of a Chinese English teacher. 

This company is less concerned with teacher certification and more concerned with how good your accent is, the type of personality you have, and your educational background.

WaiJiaoYi aligns their schedule with the common Chinese private school schedule, which is weekends 8am-6pm Beijing time when public school is in session, and 8am-6pm all week long during semester breaks (January-February, July-August). 

They have their teachers commit to a regular teaching schedule (at least 4 hours every Saturday and Sunday), which means consistent work and payment. The pay is competitive.

7. CorEnglish

CorEnglish is a company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They teach students from Latin America and China. They offer consistent work, materials, and teacher support. The requirements do not specify “native english speaker,” but they do want a fixed 25 hours per week schedule. They promise a hiring process of less than one week. You can learn more here and on their website.

Additional notes

Unfortunately, as of November 2020, the company First Future is not accepting more applications from non-native and South African teachers, as they have had hundreds of applications from these categories and not enough demand for these types of teachers.

PalFish currently states on the teaching landing page of their website “native English speakers only.” Previously those who were not native speakers, but had a strong command of the language, could teach in their Free Talk program.

Spitball’s website (spitball.co) is currently down and has been down for months. 

加油！

I’ll leave you with the simplest and most encouraging words I know: “加油”(jiā yóu)! When I lived in China, I heard this all the time from the wonderful locals when they saw or heard about a difficult situation I was in, i.e., lugging two small children around the city, being far away from family, or explaining in my broken Chinese that I was learning the language with a tutor at home. Literally it means “add fuel.” It’s how Chinese people root for their favorite sports team or encourage a loved one, and it means, “Keep it up! You’re doing great, and don’t stop! Go, go, go!”

Being a non-native English speaker in an all-English world, like teaching English online, can be difficult and intimidating. We hope our guide has made life easier for you. 

Remember, you can always go the route of trying to apply to other companies who have a “native speakers only” policy, just to see what happens. If your credentials are really great, and your accent is near-perfect, it could be worth it. Fortunately there are other companies out there that offer the same or better excellent opportunities for you! 

加油! You can do it!

What do you think? Are there other online ESL companies out there that hire non-native English speakers? Please let us know in the comments!

Jordin Horn

Jordin Horn lives a life of freedom through the current boom of the gig economy. After earning a TESOL certificate in 2014, she and her little family moved to Qinghai, China, to teach English and learn Chinese. Now, she works from Wherever-She-Happens-To-Be, USA, teaching English online and writing content for affiliate blogs. On nights and weekends, you can usually find her out hiking, biking, or running on the local trails, enjoying a cold craft brew, or watching The Office (again). Connect with her on LinkedIn and see her other content at jordinhorn.com.