In the early days of the internet, when remote work first started taking off, there were quite a few jobs out there for people with little or no formal education.
But over time, the situation has gradually changed. At this point it can be pretty difficult to find a job if you don’t have really impressive qualifications.
Luckily, there are still a few niches out there for people who haven’t been to college, and one of the best ones to look at right now is online language tutoring.
In this list, we’ve put together a bunch of different language tutoring jobs with fairly minimal requirements.
Some of them do expect a language teaching certification (like a TEFL, for instance) but certifications are more common than degrees and much easier to get. Some TEFL courses, for example, can be completed in just a month or two, and you can easily take the classes online for a relatively small fee.
In any case, the list below also includes several companies with no educational requirements at all. Which means you can jump right into this field with both feet right now, and start making money immediately.
Cambly
Almost anyone can apply for a job with Cambly, regardless of training or experience, and the work is supposedly pretty fun to do.
You log in whenever you want and chat with people around the world, giving them a chance to practice speaking English in an informal conversational context. The pay is $0.17 per minute, which adds up to $10.20 per hour.
Go here to sign up for Cambly or read our Cambly review first.
NiceTalk
As a NiceTalk tutor you’ll be teaching native Chinese speakers. The basic setup is a lot like Cambly – no educational prerequisites and tutoring sessions that are really just informal conversations. The pay is $10 per hour, and goes out via Paypal.
Go here to sign up for NiceTalk or read our NiceTalk review first.
Tutlo
They have a slight preference for people with a previous teaching background, but it’s not actually required. The pay rate varies between $5 and $11 per hour depending on your experience level.
Go here to sign up for Tutlo or read our Tutlo review first.
Italki
They offer two different kinds of tutoring positions. “Professional” tutors need a previous background in education, and are expected to teach structured lessons. “Community” tutors, on the other hand, are just regular people who speak English, and mostly provide conversation practice.
You set your own tutoring rates, and they take a commission off the top.
Go here to sign up for iTalki or read our iTalki review first.
Skimatalk
There’s no mention of an education mandate on this company’s hiring page, but the website is pretty short on information in general, so there may be a few unspecified preferences. The pay rate is not publicly disclosed.
Go here to sign up for SkimaTalk.
Preply
Preply lets you list yourself as a tutor even if you don’t have a college degree. You’ll work one-on-one with students who want to improve their English. Most people on Preply charge between $10 and $20 per hour. You set your own schedule and your own rate, and they take a commission.
Go here to sign up for Preply.
PalFish
PalFish lets you work from your phone as an English tutor. There are different types of jobs available, but the “Free Talk” role doesn’t require a degree or TEFL certificate, although they do state a major in Education is preferred. You just chat with people who want to practice English. Pay varies, but many tutors earn around $10–$18 per hour.
Go here to sign up for PalFish.
HiTalk
HiTalk is another app that connects English speakers with Chinese learners for casual conversation. You don’t need a degree, but you should speak clearly and have a good internet connection. The app pays around $10 per hour and you get paid through PayPal.
Go here to sign up for HiTalk.
Lingoda Sprint Partner Programs (via referrals like Speakify)
While Lingoda itself usually requires teaching credentials, they partner with programs like Speakify that offer a “Sprint Challenge” where casual tutors without degrees can get paid to chat with students. You may need to sign up through the right referral or promotion page, and some programs offer bonuses if you show up consistently.
Go here to learn more about it.
Hallo
Hallo hires native English speakers to help students practice conversation skills through live video chat. No degree is required, and while a TEFL certificate is preferred, it’s not mandatory. You can set your own schedule and earn money by offering both one-on-one and group lessons. Average pay is around $10–$12 per hour.
Go here to sign up for Hallo.
Hopefully the above list will help you get your feet wet in the world of language tutoring. There are higher paying jobs out there, but most have more selective hiring policies.
Spending a little time working for companies with lower bars for entry will give you some experience you can mention on your resume, and help you work your way up the ladder.
We have another list of 18 ways to teach English online if you are interested in finding more companies to work for!
You may also want to check out our other list of online tutoring jobs if you’re interested in tutoring, but not so much doing language tutoring.
Want Even More ESL-Friendly Remote Job Leads?
If you’re interested in teaching English online, there’s a great chance you’ll also love FlexJobs.
FlexJobs is one of my go-to sites for finding remote jobs, and they often list ESL tutoring and teaching gigs that don’t require a degree. Many of the companies they feature pay well above minimum wage and are completely legit.
One of the best things about FlexJobs is that every listing is 100% scam-free. They post hundreds of flexible and remote jobs five days a week. That includes plenty of opportunities for aspiring ESL tutors.
Unlike many job boards, there are no annoying ads. Instead, they charge a small fee to access the listings — just $2.95 for 14 days of full access. If you’re not impressed, cancel anytime during the trial period and you won’t be charged again.
Good luck to you!
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 14 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.