From Side Hustle to Full-Time: How ESL Tutors Scale Their Income with Smart Tools?

Do you remember working at your typical 9-5 job? You might have moved away from it or stuck with it and still enjoy it, perhaps – if that’s the case, good for you! Either way, you can’t have missed how much the typical work environment has changed recently.

We’re not just talking about work location and flexible schedules, but more about a shift in priorities. Across all hierarchy levels, most people have realised the value of time. As they say, money comes and goes, but time flies. For this reason, managers from various employment sectors have focused on finding ways to optimise their work time, resulting in a better work-life balance.

Speaking of work-life balance, many are leaving their 9-5 jobs to pursue more flexible opportunities. Among the most popular ones is teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) online, according to feedback from TEFL-certified tutors.

Teaching English online: why is it such a big deal?

As soon as remote learning/teaching appeared on the scene, the TEFL industry took what online platforms had to offer and ran with it. No real surprise there though. 

Because of online learning, more people can access classes that don’t cost an arm and a leg. This has made online education a great choice for both students and teachers. Some people say that online teaching isn’t as good as in a real classroom. But honestly, teaching English online has some great advantages! Let’s see a few:

The most obvious advantage (and the main one for many) is that you get to work from wherever you want. You can stay at home or travel the world. It doesn’t matter where you are because your job goes with you. This makes it so much easier to find a balance between your work and the rest of your life – family, hobbies, or personal goals.

Another appealing factor of TEFL online is that you have a lot of independence. There’s a huge demand for English teachers, so you can often find a lot of work and get paid well. Many teaching platforms let you set your own schedule, so you can fit lessons in whenever it works for you. You get to be the boss of your own hours.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked benefits of teaching English online is the transferable skills you can develop. Many platforms offer training and support to help you get better at teaching. As you improve, you’ll see better results with your students and open up more opportunities for yourself, like earning more money or even taking on leadership roles. So whether you decide to stay in this field or not, the experience and skills you develop will help you advance your career, whatever that may be.

Have you ever felt like your work doesn’t matter? Well, there’s no chance of that when you teach English. This language is the lingua franca in most fields like business, technology, communication, tourism, and being able to speak it fluently to a certain extent is necessary to find a job or for career progression. As their teacher, you are making a positive impact in your learners’ lives—what a wonderful feeling!

How do you go about full-time online teaching?

Going full-time as an EFL teacher means steady pay, benefits, and more chances to connect with your students. Fancy that? Let’s see how!

The first big decision you’ll need to make is whether you want to teach on your own or join an established online language school. Your choice really depends on how much control you want over your work and how much time you’re willing to invest.

If you decide to go independent, you must do more than just teach. You’ll be responsible for the entire business, including setting up a website, creating contracts for payments and legal details, and building an online presence. You’ll also have to find and keep your own students. While digital tools can help with things like scheduling and payments, the administrative side of the business can take up a lot of time. However, the main benefit is freedom—you can set your own rates, work directly with students, and run your business exactly how you want.

On the other hand, working with an online school takes a lot of the stress away. They handle your administrative tasks, including managing contracts, promoting your services, and connecting you with students. Many schools even provide ready-made lessons, so you can focus on teaching instead of spending time on lesson planning. This convenience does come with a trade-off: flexibility. Schools often set your pay rate (usually per teaching hour) and may take a percentage of your earnings. You might also have to commit to a minimum number of weekly or monthly teaching hours.

What are the must-haves in online TEFL?

First, you can’t find a reliable employer anywhere in the world (or online) without a 120-hour TEFL qualification. That’s right, language schools want to hire professionals with dedicated effort, time, and money to develop teaching skills.

Second, you need to consider your equipment and set-up, if you want to feel and look professional.

Whether you’re teaching from home or traveling, the basic setup for online teaching is the same. Your laptop, camera, and microphone are your main tools, so make sure they’re updated. You don’t need expensive gear to begin, but a strong internet connection is necessary because a slow connection can disrupt a lesson. Always check your Wi-Fi wherever you are. 

Also, find a good spot to teach from. You’ll want a quiet, well-lit space that looks consistent. If you’re on the go, consider booking a private space like an Airbnb instead of a noisy hostel. Finally, simple props like a small whiteboard or posters can make your setup look more professional and help students stay engaged. You can use props that fit your lesson type, like a phonemic chart for pronunciation or colourful posters for kids’ lessons.

Ready to make the switch?

If you are new to TEFL online or want to make it your full-time job – and perhaps even turn it into a career – you’re on the right path. However, it’s important to get your qualification, identify which path you will take (with or without an established online school?) and what equipment you might need. Are you ready to start?