PalFish
PalFish is a private online English tutoring platform with pre-made curriculum delivered by native teachers to children aged three to 12 years old. It features an interactive classroom and allows both teachers and students to connect through mobile devices.
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Online Teaching Central does not claim to speak on behalf of PalFish.
PalFish Overview
PalFish has three main types of teachers:
PalFish Teachers (those who teach “free talk”, do live streaming, and create their own content)
PalFish Official Course Instructors (pre-set curriculum, has stricter hiring requirements, see below)
PalFish Philippines Course Teachers (open to Filipino English teachers)
PalFish Teachers
Set your own rates
No time commitments
No minimum hours
Teach from your phone or tablet
Teach “free talk”
Create your own content (live streams, videos, etc.)
Must be a native speaker
Must have a teaching certificate (such as a TESOL)
teach people of all ages
PalFish Official Course Instructors
pre-designed curriculum provided by PalFish
earn up to $13 USD/hour + bonuses
must be a native English speaker
Must teach at least 10 hours/week
must have a TESOL/ TEFL/ Teacher’s certificate
hires teachers from US, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, or Australia
Teach children
Option to create own content (live streams, videos, etc.)
PalFish Philippines Course
hires English teachers from the Philippines
earn up to 268 PHP/hour
must have a TESOL, TEFL, or Teacher’s certificate
teach children ages 3 to 12
In order to receive follow up emails with resources on how to get hired with PalFish, you must agree to receive communication from Online Teaching Central. Check your inbox and spam folders for the opt-in email and click “confirm subscription.” We respect your privacy.
PalFish Class Types
PalFish Teacher
1-on-1 classes with no curriculum or time commitment restraints, or
teach to multiple students in a free-form live stream
PalFish Official Course
1-on-1 children’s classes using the PalFish official course material
No lesson planning, no talking to parents, no correcting homework
PalFish Philippines Course
Same as the Official Course, but is open to teachers from the Philippines
PalFish Age range
For PalFish Teachers
No specific age range
For Official Course and PalFish Philippines Course Instructors:
3 to 12 years old
PalFish Requirements
PalFish Teachers
must be fluent in English
should have some teaching experience
must be a native English speaker
(no degree required)
Official Course Instructors
Must be a native English speaker
Must have a teaching certificate (TEFL, TESOL, Teacher’s certificate, etc)
Must be from the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, or Australia
Must teach a minimum of 10 hours/week
(no degree required)
Philippines Course Instructors
Must be a fluent English speaker from the Philippines
Must have a teaching certificate (TEFL, TESOL, Teacher’s certificate, etc)
Click here to get a 120-hour, accredited TESOL certificate for only $20.
PalFish Minimum Hours
The PalFish Teachers program requires no minimum hours.
Official Course and Philippines Course Instructors must at least 10 hours per week.
PalFish Pay
PalFish Teachers
set your own rate
averages between approximately $10 to $30+ USD per hour
Official Course Instructors
Up to $13 USD/hr + bonuses
$31 USD bonus for trial conversions
$15 USD prop supplement when starting (New Teacher Bonus)
Philippines Course Instructors
Up to 268 PHP/hr
plus bonuses
Note: PalFish recommends a service called Payoneer to pay its teachers. If you use our sign up link you can get a $35 bonus after you receive your first $1000 in pay. Click here to get Payoneer and claim your $35.
In order to receive follow up emails with resources on how to get hired with PalFish, you must agree to receive communication from Online Teaching Central. Check your inbox and spam folders for the opt-in email and click “confirm subscription.” We respect your privacy.
PalFish Peak Teaching Times
Peak hours for each program:
PalFish Teachers
Any time during the daytime hours in China. Approximately 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Beijing time.
Official Kids Course and Philippines Course Instructors
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays
From 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends
all times Beijing Time
Click here to convert to your local time zone.
PalFish Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)
PalFish currently has the fastest application process in the industry. You can apply and start teaching within 2-4 business days. The entire process can take less than two hours, depending on your teaching experience.
Note: These instructors are only for Official Course and Philippines Course Instructors. The instructions for regular PalFish Teachers are found at the end.
Stage 1 - Download and Verification
1.) If you haven’t already, sign up and download the PalFish app. (Click here for the Official Kids Course and here for the Philippines Course.
2.) Choose your country code and input your mobile phone number.
3.) You will then be redirected to the App Store or the Google Play Store.
4.) Click to install the PalFish application.
5.) Once downloaded, open the PalFish teacher app.
6.) Click allow so that you can get important messages from PalFish regarding your application status.
7.) Enter your mobile phone number once again.
8.) Wait for a verification code to be sent to your mobile phone. Once you receive it, enter it into the PalFish application.
Stage 2 - Basic Information
9.) After entering the verification code, you will be taken to a page where you can enter your basic info, as well as upload a photo.
Do this quickly, as your verification code may expire. If this happens, simply go back, get a new verification code, enter it, and then enter your basic info again. Be sure to enter your nationality correctly. It cannot be changed after you sign up.
10.) You will get a pop-up that says “Welcome to PalFish! Please complete the introduction and recording, then wait for the verification.” Click “Do it now”.
11.) The app will bring you another information page. Click “do it now” once more.
12. At this point, you can select the times you are available for class. You must select at least seven time slots.
PLEASE NOTE: If you pass the application process, PalFish will automatically open these times for you. The slots may fill with students. Only open slots during which you are available to teach.
13.) You will be taken to your profile page. Please complete the following: Text Intro, Audio Intro, Nationality, Teaching Certificate, Started Teaching In, and Tags.
Text Intro - a simple written introduction for yourself outlining your skills, experience, teaching style, and expertise.
Audio Intro - similar to the Text Intro, but recorded with your voice. Be sure to sound warm and enthusiastic, but natural.
Nationality - here you must upload an official piece of identification to confirm your nationality
Teaching Certificate - here you must upload a photo of your 120-hour TESOL, TEFL, or Teacher’s Certificate. If you need one, click here. Be sure to type the certificate number in the text box.
Started Teaching In - the year in which you started teaching
Add account for salary - PalFish recommends that you to have a Payoneer account to be paid.
(Click here to sign up for Payoneer. If you use our link, you can earn a $35 bonus. ) However, PalFish will now also pay into a regular bank account.
Once you complete the registration process. You can enter your payment information in this section.
If you want to add a regular bank account, simply find your country and fill out the required bank information.
If you want to use Payoneer, you should:
Click “Bank Location”
Select “None of the Above”
Then click “Create my Payoneer Account” or “Connect Payoneer Account”
Tags - write tags about your teaching style or what your specialize in
14.) After submitting , you should get your result within three working days.
While you’re waiting, you can check out the PalFish FAQs.
15. If you pass Basic Information, you will be notified through the PalFish app. PalFish does not send out e-mail to its applicants.
16. When you open the app, you will see an option to “Book” an interview. This is not a real interview with another person. It is a time slot in which you can record a demo class. Book a time to complete your “Interview” (demo video)
17.) Once you book a time, you can enter the class any time before your appointed time slot and preview the class material through the app. You can test your equipment, practice your teaching, and get familiar with the virtual classroom. It’s also a good idea to prepare a few (2-3) relevant props. PalFish also actively encourages the use of their augmented reality (AR) virtual stickers in the classroom. Be sure to practice using these.
18.) Enter the classroom at the time you selected and record your demo. Please note again - no interviewer will show up during this time slot. It is simply for you to record a demo on your own. It will automatically submit your video after your exit the classroom. See the video below for a guide on how to do your “Interview”.
When you try to exit, the app may warn you that you will not get paid unless you stay for a full 25 minutes. This is only for real classes AFTER you are hired. As long as you teach for at least 15 minutes for this Interview, you will be fine.
You should receive your result within two working days. Again, PalFish will contact you through the PalFish app.
Stage 3 - Interview
A sample video on how to successfully do the PalFish Official Kids’ Course “Interview”.
Stage 4 - Quiz
19.) If you pass the Interview, you will be notified from with the PalFish app. You will be given a link to the PalFish Official Handbook and Training Materials. Read these over carefully.
20.) Once you have read the materials, you can complete the simple quiz. You have only two days to complete the quiz after you are notified that you pass the interview. You can try as many times as you want.
Here are some sample quiz questions. They may differ from the questions you are given.
Stage 5 - Certificate Verification
21.) Next, PalFish will verify your teaching certificate and notify you if you are successful.
Remember, all notifications will be sent to you from WITHIN the PalFish app. They do not send e-mails or text messages.
While you are awaiting verification, feel free to check out the PalFish FAQs.
For regular PalFish Teachers
Choose an avatar
Write your self-introduction
Record a self-introduction audio clip
Go to “My Wallet”, and fill in your payment information
The verification process can take up to two business days. You will then receive your application result in a message from the PalFish Team.
In order to receive follow up emails with resources on how to get hired with PalFish, you must agree to receive communication from Online Teaching Central. Check your inbox and spam folders for the opt-in email and click “confirm subscription.” We respect your privacy.
Our PalFish Review
The regular PalFish Teacher program is for:
people who want the freedom to set their own hours and work when they want.
those who want to promote themselves and increase their hourly wage.
people who enjoy the flexibility of earning money from a mobile device.
people who are creative, have strong personalities and enjoy teaching English.
those who want to teach people of all ages.
Things to consider about the regular PalFish Teacher program:
You will need to create an alluring profile and promote yourself to bring in a steady stream of students.
You can only teach from the mobile app (no desktop or laptop computers).
You may not be able to set a high hourly rate starting off.
The Official Course program is for:
teachers from the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, or the US with a teaching certificate.
those who enjoy having pre-made curriculum and a more reliable stream of students.
those who want to teach one-on-one
those who want to teach children
Things to consider about the Official Course:
You can only teach from a mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet. The app does not work with desktops or laptops.
The Official Kids Course requires a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week.
The Philippines Course is for:
Teachers from the Philippines
Things to consider about the Philippines Course:
You can only teach from a mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet. The app does not work with desktops or laptops.
it also requires a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week.
Palfish Technical Requirements
PalFish currently doesn’t list any specific technical requirements on their website.
Teachers will need a mobile device (phone, tablet, iPad) that is running Android Operating System or iOs. You also need a stable WIFI or cellular connection.
PalFish recommends you have the Payoneer app to get paid.
PalFish FAQs
How can I contact someone at PalFish?
Members of Online English Teaching are not employees of PalFish. We do not speak on behalf of the company nor represent them. We were hired by PalFish as teachers and help other teachers get jobs at PalFish.
The only way to currently contact someone at PalFish is to message the PalFish Team from within the app. Please refer to the screenshots for how to do that.
When your application is approved, you are also automatically added to Teacher Groups. You can find the answer to many questions here as well.
Can you check on my application status?
If you provide us with your PalFish screen name, as well as the program you are applying for (regular Teacher, Official Course, or Philippines Course), we can tell you at what stage you are in the application process. We can also tell you what is required of you for your next steps.
Can you change or delete my profile?
Unfortunately, we cannot access or change your profile. You must message the PalFish Team from within the PalFish app.
There seem to be multiple PalFish apps. Which one is correct?
Here is the link to the correct PalFish app.
Can I teach PalFish from my laptop or desktop computer?
PalFish says that their courses can only be taught from a mobile device (phone or tablet).
I seem to booked for classes that I did not open. What’s happening?
When you go through the PalFish application process, it will ask you what times you are generally available for. Once you are successfully hired, the application will automatically open these time slots for you. Please be aware of this when selecting your availability.
What if I can’t teach the minimum number of hours for the Official Kids Course.
If you do not open the minimum number of slots (10 hours per week), PalFish may revoke your Official Course certificate and you will no longer be able to teach in this program.
I am from South Africa. Can I teach with PalFish?
The regular Teacher program is open to all native speaking teachers. Unfortunately, PalFish is not currently hiring teachers from South Africa for its Official Course.
Do I need a teaching certificate to teach at PalFish?
For all PalFish programs you need a 120-hour TESOL, TEFL, or teacher’s certificate. We offer 120-hour TESOL certificates that are recognized by PalFish for a very affordable price. Click here for more information.
Do I need to be a native speaker to work at PalFish?
To be a PalFish Teacher or a PalFish Official Course instructor you must be a native speaker.
For the Philippines Course, you should be fluent in English.
What does the Official Course/ Philippines Course “Interview” involve?
Even though it's called an “Interview”, you will not be speaking with a live representative from PalFish. Nor will you be interacting with any real students.
You simply have to choose a time, enter the virtual classroom and teach the demo content. The virtual classroom will record your teaching. You should teach the content as if there were a real student in the classroom with you.
Click here to see a video of a successful interview.
It says my mobile device isn’t compatible. What devices are compatible with the PalFish app?
You must use a mobile device that has the Android Operating System or Apple’s iOS.
How do I get paid?
PalFish recommends its teachers get paid through an app called Payoneer. On the first of every month, the money in your PalFish Wallet will get withdrawn into your Payoneer Account.
Sign up for Payoneer here and get a $35 reward once you receive $1000.
I have other questions that you have not listed here.
If you have any further questions, please refer to your “Me” page in the PalFish App. Scroll to the bottom and you will find official PalFish FAQs.
In order to receive follow up emails with resources on how to get hired with PalFish, you must agree to receive communication from Online Teaching Central. Check your inbox and spam folders for the opt-in email and click “confirm subscription.” We respect your privacy.
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