Are you looking for online teaching opportunities? Are you considering freelancing, but are afraid of the risks involved? Many people are foregoing traditional jobs to pursue online teaching. It’s not easy to enter the field of teaching, whether it be at the high school or college level, but it can be done if you are willing to sacrifice some free time and use it towards becoming the best teacher possible.
In this review, I will share with you the best online college opportunities you can take advantage of.
BEST FOR ESL TEACHERSVIPKID
Based in Beijing, VIPKID is among the most popular and well-established online companies for ESL teachers. It offers English immersion for Chinese students, so even if you don’t speak a word of any Chinese language, you’re eligible to teach with them.
The system is straightforward and easy to use: Teachers sign up, and once they’ve been approved (the company does require a bachelor’s degree and prefers some prior teaching or tutoring experience), students can book them for classes during the availability they’ve chosen. There’s plenty of flexibility in terms of teaching and payment schedule, so it’s a great option for ESL teachers looking to pick up a side hustle or work flexible hours.
One of the biggest advantages for VIPKID teachers is the company’s prepared lessons. If you prefer to make your own, this company might not be for you, but it does mean teachers don’t have to spend hours doing lesson prep.
VIPKID’s rates are competitive, along with other top ESL online programs. And, unlike some companies, its rates are pretty transparent before sign-up: Base pay is roughly $7 to $9 per 25-minute class (working out to just over about $14 to $18 per hour), and there are a variety of bonuses available for extra teaching, referrals, and more.
BEST RUNNER-UPDaDa
DaDa is the first China-based company to partner with the American TESOL Institute, and its website makes it clear that its standards are high: Only 3% of applicants are accepted after initial training.
For top-notch ESL teachers—especially those with qualifications like TESOL or TEFL—DaDa may be the kind of selective company that’s just right. It’s a serious gig for serious teachers. The proof is in the partnerships: DaDa has not only partnered with the American TESOL Institute, but also major brands like Highlights and National Geographic.
DaDa’s instructional format is one-on-one tutoring, so instructors who prefer individual lessons over group classes are likely to fit in well. Although scheduling can be flexible, the company does require teachers to work at least 10 hours per month, but it does help to guarantee bookings to get you there.
The pay scale is not listed on the teacher section of the website, however it does say that there is the possibility of bonuses based on performance, referrals, sign-ups, and more; raises are also a possibility with contract renewals. The company has positions for teachers at all learning levels, for students from elementary school through high school.
BEST VARIETYInstructional Connections
You don’t necessarily have to have a Ph.D. to work with college students through Instructional Connections. It’s a slightly different kind of teaching opportunity that means partnering with universities and colleges to provide support for faculty and students alike.
Instead of creating and being fully responsible for their own classes, teachers are assigned to assist with existing courses, under titles like Academic Coach or Instructional Associate. The focus for these teachers is on improving the educational experience, rather than the actual course development.
For instructors looking for more traditional teaching opportunities that just happen to be online, this probably isn’t the best job option. This isn’t to say, however, that these jobs are for lower-qualified applicants: a master’s degree is required for most positions, and many of these instructors are the primary contact for students, dealing with grades, student questions, and more.
Fields of study include higher education, nursing, business, natural sciences, political science, and computer science, both at undergraduate and graduate levels. Teachers looking to tackle a slightly different model of work might find the jobs here to be just the right fit.
Rates depend on what kind of role is being pursued.
BEST FOR K-12 TEACHERSK12
K12 is one of the most popular companies, providing online education for elementary through high school students in the U.S. With a range of subjects and grade levels, the company essentially serves as an alternative to traditional, in-person schools.
Students from a variety of backgrounds may enroll in K12’s classes: homeschooled students, children of military families, students looking to do advanced or career-specific coursework, or kids who travel for work or activities, such as acting or sports.
The company offers ongoing training to keep its teachers up to date on the latest information, technology, and teaching strategies. In many ways, the K12 structure imitates a traditional classroom experience online.
Rather than doing one-on-one tutoring, teachers are able to utilize online classrooms to meet with students, present lectures, pose and answer questions, and even form breakout groups for students to work together or independently.
Parent-teacher communication is similarly remote, conducted via email, which can be helpful for maintaining paper records of student and parent needs over time. It’s a modern remote teaching experience without too many frills. Prospective teachers will need to contact K12 regarding pay.
BEST FOR COLLEGE TEACHINGPearson
Yes, we’re talking about that Pearson, the company that published some of the textbooks you used throughout your years as a student.
The education giant has partnerships and programs that include actual work with students, particularly at the college level. In terms of teaching jobs, Pearson tends to have several openings at once for different subjects, often under the title of “course facilitator.”
These instructors are responsible for overseeing three-credit, undergraduate-level courses in subjects such as math, sociology, computer science, and more, functioning as remote instructors who grade assignments, present lectures, and answer student questions.
For teachers who aren’t necessarily looking to run full-fledged courses right now, there are also “tutor” positions open, ranging from writing tutors to subject-specific tutors in math and finance, for instance. Pay varies depending on the position.
These roles are more for instructors who have college-level teaching experience, along with strong practical experience in the field of study. But, if you meet those qualifications, a remote tutoring position allows you to work with students and help them succeed without having to develop lesson plans or grade assignments.
BEST FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND SPECIALTIESKaplan
As one of the biggest names in test prep, you’ve definitely heard of Kaplan. But, did you know it also has jobs geared at more straightforward teaching and tutoring?
Kaplan’s instructors help students with one-on-one tutoring, as well as more structured classes. Whether you’re a teacher with experience tutoring students for standardized tests or you have specialized, career-focused knowledge and experience, there’s a remote teaching job for you under the Kaplan umbrella.
Many of Kaplan’s course offerings are targeted at specific goals, whether that’s a standardized test, an entrance exam, or some sort of professional licensing or certificate (although there are a few more general options as well, as well as a partner university, Purdue University Global).
As a result, the teaching positions often require professional experience, licenses, or similar qualifications. Teaching degrees aren’t necessarily required for many of the roles, but for the most part, job requirements include a degree in a related area, a professional license where appropriate (i.e. for accounting or medical classes), and education experience of some kind.
Pay varies depending on the role.
BEST FOR FIELD EXPERIENCE American Public University System
The American Public University System, comprised of American Public University and American Military University, offers remote education for continuing learners who are not necessarily traditional, post-high-school students.
The system hires faculty for either fully remote or partially remote positions, mostly in career-focused fields such as health care, government and public policy, hospitality, tech, and more. Although it’s largely targeted at military students, other continuing and returning learners may enroll as well, so teachers are likely to have a diverse group of student backgrounds.
The requirements for many of the teaching posts with APUS are on par with other university postings. In other words, a bachelor’s degree won’t do it—they’re looking for instructors with master’s degrees or Ph.D.s for most positions.
Field experience is a bonus, as these classes tend to be focused on preparing students for practical careers. Part-time and full-time faculty members are expected to prepare and teach their own curriculum, grade assignments, and facilitate online discussions. While a few fields require some in-person work, there are plenty of options for remote-only teaching.
International TEFL Academy
International TEFL Academy offers high quality, personalized instruction, with a proven record of placing their alumni in jobs all around the world. Though you’ll first need to get certified through their organization, it’ll be worth it when they help you find an excellent online teaching job!
- Requirements: You’ll first need to get certified, either online or in person, through one of International TEFL Academy’s programs.
- Average salary: ~$10-20 USD per hour for first-time teachers.
2. Preply
Preply is an online language learning platform where students get to work with their preferred tutor at their own time and pace. Generally, Preply invites every passionate individual to be part of their ever-growing pool of tutors. Keep in mind that they take a commission fee from your lessons to connect you with students from all over the world, provide video tools, and develop the learning materials to guide your teaching. Over time, the commission decreases depending on how many hours you’ve dedicated to the platform.
- Requirements: No special certifications required to apply!
- Average salary: ~$15-25 USD per hour; at least $550 a week
Conclusion
In a major development, all college and universities have turned to online mode to run their teaching operations. The rush for online teaching jobs is so great that all the candidates who do not even possess a college degree and pose to be good in interactive teaching can apply for such job opportunities.