How to Teach English Online Without a Degree

Teaching English online is a great opportunity for people who are passionate about education and want to jump right into teaching but haven’t finished (or started) their degree yet. It’s also a great way to explore the world of online work in a structured, yet self-disciplined way. Teaching English online offers flexibility and autonomy. Work from the comfort of your own home, set your own hours, and be your own boss!

Wanna work from home? Try teaching English online!

Can I teach English online without a degree?

Heck yeah, you can! There are tons of online English teaching jobs—no degree needed! If you’re wondering how to teach English online without a degree, you’ve probably been poking around online teaching job boards wondering how to get your digital teaching career started ASAP. Well, we have a great plan for you!

If you want to figure out how to teach English online without a degree, the best thing you can do is learn more about getting a TEFL certification. While you may not need a degree, you still need to know a little bit about teaching; that’s where TEFL comes in! It essentially teaches you how to teach English….and then immediately opens a bajillion doors to your future in online teaching.

It can be a little tedious figuring out how to teach English online without a degree, so we’ll break it down for you.

When to apply for online English teaching jobs with no degree

Sometimes a degree is required to teach English online—but not always! If you find yourself in one of the situations below, go ahead and start filling out those applications. 

1. You’re currently studying for your degree

If you’re currently in school and looking for a way to earn a little cash on the side, why not teach English online? Maybe companies will hire college/university students to teach english online without a degree! This is the perfect way to put away a little money, practice teaching, and decide whether or not you want to pursue it further later in life.

2. You have teaching experience, but no degree

Are you a teacher? You’re hired! Well, probably. In general, getting a job is easier if you can prove you have the right experience, and it’s no different for teaching online. If you want to teach English online without a degree, experience could be your ticket to ride. Maybe you have a teaching license, have worked in early childhood education, or were a teaching assistant in an English classroom.

Experience is helpful, but not always required.

3. You’re TEFL or ESL certified

The number one thing that will boost your chances of snagging an online English teaching job with no degree is a TEFL certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). This is a great catch-all for a lot of requirements, because it often includes a practicum. This builds in another resume booster by giving you real experience teaching! Some companies will provide TEFL training as part of their offer, so be on the lookout for sweet deals.

5 requirements to teach English online

1. TEFL certification

Make sure that the program you choose is accredited, suits your needs, and has some solid reviews. You can get certified online, in-country, or in person. There are varying levels of TEFL certifications, with different hours, specializations, and even specific online modules.

Prices range from a few hundred bucks to a few thousand, but you pretty much get what you pay for on either end of the spectrum. Many programs offer life-long job search support, which is a great way to get your foot in the door as soon as you get that shiny new cert.

Do your research on types of jobs you would like to end up with (maybe go check out all the requirements of top rated companies) and the TEFL requirements they ask for.

2. A stable internet connection

If you’re teaching online, you’re going to need a good internet setup. Some companies may require you to submit an internet speed test in your application. On average, recommended speed is 10 Mbps upload and 10 Mbps download speed.

3. Native English fluency

It is much easier to teach English online without a degree if you’re a native speaker! Some companies are quite picky when it comes to dialect and fluency. Being a native speaker is an easy box to check for a lot of people; however, even if English isn’t your first language, you still can teach if you are fluent. Again, some programs are pickier than others, so if you weren’t raised speaking English you might have to do a little extra leg work to prove proficiency.

Some companies have strict language requirements, so make sure to ask how they assess proficiency!

4. (Optional) Online teaching practicum

Depending on the program you choose, some TEFL certifications require an online teaching practicum before you can officially say, YES to “Can I teach English online without a degree, or what??”

5. Self-confidence and a good attitude

Having a positive presence is a must for teaching English online! Showing up with a smile and a little grace for yourself, the student, and the platform will get you a lot further in your online teaching endeavors.

Are there downsides to teaching English online without a degree?

Teaching English online is rewarding, but it’s not always sunshine and buttercups and rainbows. (Although those would be amazing props if you’re teaching kids online!) While you can definitely get online English teaching jobs with no degree, you might not get paid as much as you would if you had one, and some employers may want to see more experience in place of a degree (sounds like a great excuse to volunteer to teach abroad!).

3 online English teaching jobs—no degree needed

1. SayABC

What could be more fun than teaching kids in China? Cross-cultural connection for the win! You do need a TEFL and some experience to teach with SayABC, but if you’re already in the classroom this is a perfect online gig. With a little know-how, you’re ready to teach English online without a degree.

2. Open English

If you’re a student looking for a part-time gig and want to teach English online without a degree, check out Open English. The company offers 24/7 classes to students (adults and children) in Latin America. So this could also be a great way to practice your Spanish or Portuguese. People teach here for flexible hours and wonderful students.

3. Cambly

Camby is a great company if you’re interested in casually teaching online. You get paid weekly, you connect with people from all over the world, and you don’t even really need to plan a lesson. There are plenty of people who just want to practice chatting in English, and if you’re a native speaker, you’ve met the requirement. Is it really this easy to teach English online without a degree? Yup!

Ready to get hired? Check out these 9 Entry-Level Online English Teaching Jobs (No Degree Required)

Okay—we think you’re ready to teach English online without a degree

You’ll be working from home in no time!

Haves and have-nots shouldn’t prohibit you from pursuing a career in teaching English online. Not everyone has access to college degrees, and not everyone even wants one.

Whether you’re chugging along through university or have no intention of going, there are plenty of online English teaching jobs—no degree needed.

Next time you hear someone ask: “Can I teach English online without a degree?”, you can send them this article! Or, better yet, just say: “YES! Let’s do it.”

Browse ALL Online English Teaching Jobs on GoAbroad.com

This article was written with help from International TESOL and TEFL Training (ITTT). ITTT works with some of the world's largest TEFL/TESOL certificate course providers to offer an internationally-recognized certificate program online. Their aim is to produce well-trained teachers and provide up-to-date, modern courses.