I did not set out to become an English teacher.
I was simply looking for a second income. My full-time job covered the basics, but by the time rent, food, travel, and the usual monthly costs came out, there was never much left over. I kept seeing side-hustle ideas online, but most felt either too time-consuming, too risky, or requiring skills I did not have.
Freelancing sounded great until I realised I would need a portfolio. Selling things online sounded fine, but I did not want to spend evenings packing parcels. I wanted something I could learn properly, use from home, and potentially take with me if I ever decided to travel or work abroad.
That was when I started looking into teaching English online.
At first, I assumed you needed to be a qualified schoolteacher or have another university degree. I had neither. But the more I researched, the more I realised there was a route in for people like me: complete a recognised TEFL qualification, learn how to plan and deliver lessons, then apply for suitable online teaching roles.
It sounded achievable. More importantly, it sounded like a real skill rather than another short-term way to make a few pounds.
My first step into teaching English online
I started researching late at night after work, usually with about 20 tabs open. I searched for things like “how to teach English online,” “do I need a degree to teach English online?” and “online English teaching jobs for beginners.”
There was a lot of information to take in. Some platforms wanted teachers with degrees. Some expected prior experience. Others were more open to beginners with a TEFL qualification and a confident, professional approach.
That was reassuring, but it also made me realise I needed training. I could speak English fluently, of course, but teaching is different from simply knowing a language. I needed to understand how to explain grammar clearly, correct mistakes without making someone feel embarrassed, and build a lesson that did not turn into an awkward video call.
A TEFL course gave me a structured way to learn those skills.
What I actually learned
Before starting, I imagined TEFL would mostly be grammar worksheets and theory. There was some grammar, obviously, but it was far more practical than I expected.
I learned how to create a lesson plan with a clear outcome, rather than filling an hour with random conversation. I learned how to encourage students to speak more, how to adapt a lesson for different levels, and how to explain English rules in a way that made sense to someone who had not grown up using the language.
The online teaching side was especially useful. You have to think differently when the learner is on a screen. You need activities that work virtually, a clear pace, and enough energy to keep the lesson moving without feeling forced.
By the end of the course, I had something I hadn't had before: a qualification, a better understanding of teaching, and enough confidence to start applying.
My first online teaching jobs
Getting started was not instant. I did not complete my course on Friday and woke up on Monday with a packed diary of students.
The first few applications took time. I had to improve my CV, record an introduction video, and get used to describing my teaching style despite having limited experience. I also had to accept that not every job was right for me.
Some roles had fixed schedules that did not work around my main job. Others offered low starting rates but could be useful for building experience. Eventually, I focused on opportunities that let me teach adults and work hours that fit around the rest of my life.
My first lessons were nerve-racking. I spent far too long preparing for them because I wanted everything to go perfectly. But once I got into a rhythm, I realised that students were not expecting a flawless performance. They wanted someone patient, prepared and encouraging.
After a few weeks, I had regular classes booked into my evenings and weekends. At the beginning, the income was modest — more “helpful with bills” than “quit your job” money — but it added up. I earned enough to cover a monthly expense that had been stressing me out, and then started putting some aside for travel.
That was the point when it stopped feeling like an experiment and started feeling like an option.
What I earned teaching English online
This is the part everyone wants to know, so I will be honest: earnings vary massively.
Your income from teaching English online depends on the platform or employer, your qualifications, experience, availability, location, learner type, and whether you work for yourself or through a company. Some beginners use it to earn a little extra each month, while experienced teachers who build private client lists or specialise in areas such as business English can create a more substantial income stream.
For me, the early stages were about building consistency rather than chasing a huge number. I taught a manageable number of hours outside my main job and treated it as a skill I was developing, not a shortcut to overnight financial freedom.
That approach helped. The more lessons I taught, the easier planning became. I became more confident speaking to learners from different countries, better at explaining tricky topics, and clearer about the kind of students I enjoyed teaching.
If you are looking for a second income, this matters: teaching English online can be flexible, but it still requires preparation, reliability and effort. The people who do well are usually the ones who treat it like a professional service.
Choosing a TEFL provider
Choosing a TEFL course was probably the hardest part. There are so many providers, price points and claims online that it can be difficult to know what is genuinely worth your time.
I quickly learned not to choose a course based only on the lowest price. A very low-cost certificate might look tempting, but I wanted something I could confidently show to employers and use as part of a longer-term plan.
I looked for a provider with clear accreditation, recognised qualifications, strong student reviews, tutor support, and genuine help after completing the course. I also wanted something flexible enough to study around work.
During my research, I kept coming across three providers: The TEFL Institute, The TEFL Institute of Ireland, and Premier TEFL.
The TEFL Institute
The TEFL Institute stood out because it offers flexible online and hybrid TEFL training, including a 180-hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma. For someone who wanted to teach English online but also keep the door open for travel and teaching abroad, the Level 5 route felt like a strong place to start.
What I liked most was that the training did not appear to end at the certificate. The provider offers tutor support, weekly Zoom opportunities, job-coaching seminars and help with the next stage of finding work. When you are a beginner, that extra support can make a big difference because you are not left wondering what to do once the course is complete.
The TEFL Institute of Ireland
The TEFL Institute of Ireland was another option I found while comparing Level 5 TEFL qualifications. It offers recognised and accredited TEFL courses for people who want to teach online or abroad, with flexible study designed to work around busy schedules.
It appealed to me because it combines the qualification itself with practical career support. That includes tutor guidance, live sessions, job-coaching support and access to teaching opportunities. It felt more reassuring than choosing a basic certificate from a provider with little information about who would support you once you were qualified.
Premier TEFL
Premier TEFL also came up repeatedly during my research, particularly for people interested in building a flexible online career or eventually teaching abroad. Its courses include recognised TEFL qualifications, tutor support and job-focused guidance for new teachers.
I liked that Premier TEFL offers different routes depending on your goals. If you want to teach English online, one-to-one teaching skills can be especially helpful. If travel is part of your plan, a more comprehensive Level 5 qualification can give you a stronger foundation when you begin applying for overseas opportunities.
For me, the important thing was not finding a provider with the flashiest advert. It was finding one with clear information, credible accreditation, a supportive learning experience, and a useful next step once the course was done.
In the end, I went with teflinstitute.com because it suited me best, and after reading their reviews, I felt satisfied with my choice.
The tool that helped me narrow it down
One of the most useful things I found during my research was tefl.ai.
I had plenty of questions: Should I focus on teaching English online first? Would I be better suited to teaching adults or children? Which countries might be realistic if I wanted to teach abroad later? What qualification level should I be looking at?
Instead of spending hours jumping between generic articles and conflicting advice, tefl.ai helped me explore possible TEFL paths based on my experience, interests and goals. It gave me a clearer view of what might suit me, whether I wanted online work, travel, a longer-term career change, or a mix of all three.
It did not make the decision for me, but it made my research feel less overwhelming. I could start with my own situation instead of trying to force myself into someone else’s idea of the “perfect” TEFL journey.
What I would do differently
If I were starting again, I would spend less time worrying about whether I was “teacher material” and more time learning the practical skills.
You do not need to have a classroom full of experience behind you before you begin. You need to be willing to learn, prepare properly, and care about helping people communicate with more confidence.
I would also start job research earlier. Looking at online English teaching jobs while studying helped me understand what employers were asking for. It gave me a clearer reason to focus on lesson planning, online teaching skills, and professional presentation.
Most importantly, I would stop comparing my beginning to someone else’s middle. Some people teach full-time. Some work around another job. Some use online teaching as the first step towards living abroad. There is room for different goals.
Teaching English online gave me more than a second income. It gave me a skill I could improve, use remotely, and build a life around. If you are looking for a realistic way to create more freedom without committing to another degree, could TEFL be the first step you have been looking for?
