All of us nomads have one thing in common: we need to figure out how to make money in campervans, RVs or sailboats. Some people might be able to eek by on savings or social security, but there are countless others who need to bring in an income.
Teaching English online is a great way to make up to $22 per hour and have a really flexible schedule. This is perfect for RVers, van lifers or sailors who often go off-grid.
There are three main companies that pay native English speakers to teach kids in China. The requirements to get these jobs are fairly simple. Most require a bachelor’s degree and some experience with kids.
Former RVers Emily Crider and her husband Hudson both work 20 hours per week teaching English online and make over $20 per hour. They love the freedom and flexibility this type of work affords.
1) Vipkid is a popular platform for teaching English online
Rates: $14-$22 per hour
Vipkid is a really popular company that connects Americans and Canadians with kids in China. Headquartered in Bejing, the company provides a fully immersive learning experience for kids between the ages of 4-12. The curriculum is based on the U.S. Common Core State Standards.
Teaching English online with VipKid is easy. When you log on for your scheduled booking,
Want to know what it’s really like being a
Teachers wih ViPKid earn between $14-$22 per hour.
Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in any field
- Experience with children in some manner, may that be babysitting, summer camps, mentoring, coaching, tutoring etc.
- A computer with reliable, high-speed internet. Plus, a webcam and microphone
- Eligibility to work in the United States or Canada
Click here to sign up to become a Vipkid teacher.
Positives of working for
- You choose your own schedule, and there are no minimum hours required
- You don’t need to know Chinese
- Earn between $14-$22 per hour, so highest paying English teaching platform
- The curriculum is provided and you’ll have convenient access to pre-made lesson plans
- Classes are 1-1, and you can get to know your regular students
Negatives of working for
- Some teachers say it’s hard to get bookings
- The application process can take a long time
- If you don’t have much experience, you’ll start at a lower rate
The hiring process for teaching kids English with
- You’ll need to complete an online interview and a teaching demo with a recruiter. Set that up right away after you sign up to become a Vipkid teacher. The teacher is also looking to make sure your computer can handle a 30-minute online teaching scenario
Watch the below video to learn more about
2) Teach ESL online with Qkids
Rates: $16-$20 per hour
If you want to teach ESL online, Qkids is another great choice. Qkids, formerly known as Funbulous, is an online teaching company out of China that tends to keep a low profile. Qkids connects 300,000+ young Chinese learners between the ages of 4-12 with thousands of online teachers. This company treats its employees well and is always on the lookout for new ESL teachers to join the ranks.
With Qkids, you’ll teach up to four students in 30-minute blocks. The curriculum is pre-set and there is no lesson planning required.
Click here to sign up to teach ESL online with Qkids.
Teachers with Qkids earn between $16-$20 per hour.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a US or Canadian University
- Experience with children such as teaching, mentoring, coaching, tutoring, babysitting, etc.
- High-speed internet, computer & webcam/microphone
- A commitment to teaching at least 6 hours per week
- English teaching or teaching certificates are preferred, but not required
Positives of teaching ESL online with Qkids:
- You can choose your own schedule
- Qkids supports you with curriculum and personal training team
- Up to 19 hours of work is available every week
Negatives of teaching ESL online with Qkids:
- This is not a 1-1 teaching scenario; teachers have up to four students at a time
- Rates are a little lower than
VipKid - You are required to work 6 hours per week
The hiring process for working with Qkids:
You can apply online to teach ESL with Qkids, where you’ll provide your basic info a 60-second introductory video, and your resume. After that, you’ll go through an initial screening, two demo interviews, trial classes and a background check.
Learn more about what it’s like to work for Qkids in this video:
3) Education First is the oldest brand in online English teaching
Rates: $13-$19 per hour
Education First is the world’s largest online English teaching platform, founded in the 1960s in Lund, Sweden.
With this online teaching job, you’ll teach kids in China between the ages of 6-10 years old. Each class is taught in 25-minute blocks on early weekday mornings and late weekend nights. Education First differs from other online English teaching jobs in that you’ll teach the same kids every time.
With Education First, students are looking to book with the same teacher for up to six months at a time. This way, teachers can build impactful relationships with students. Another key difference with Education First is that the students also attend a physical school, and the online education supplements this.
With Education First, you’ll earn between $13-$19 per hour, with many new teachers starting between $14-$17 per hour.
Click here to teach English online with Education First.
Requirements:
- Native English speaker with a bachelor’s degree in any field
- Availability during lesson times in the Chinese time zone
- You need a 40-hour Teaching English as a Foreign language, provided during time of application or at the start of the contract
- Access to a computer, headset and powerful internet connection
Positives of teaching ESL online with Education First:
- You’ll be guaranteed at least six months of work with the same kids, which could equal $2,000 per month
- 1-1 teaching
- 24/7 teacher troubleshooting support
- Access to high-quality lesson materials
- Set your own schedule
- You’ll work for a large and well-respected platform
- Local U.S. headquarters for easy payment
Negatives of online English teaching with Education First:
- Not as flexible as the other online English teaching jobs
- Lower starting pay than the other platforms ($13 per hour)
SIGN UP FOR EDUCATION FIRST HERE
You can learn more about Education First in the below video:
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Kristin Hanes is a journalist who founded The Wayward Home as a place to learn about alternative living. She currently lives on a sailboat and in a Chevy Astro van, and has written articles about alternative living published in Good Housekeeping, Business Insider, Marie Claire and SF Gate. Read more about Kristin here.
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