Online Tutoring: An Overview
There is currently a high demand for online tutoring as parents are looking for additional educational options for their children. Online tutors play a crucial role in enhancing academic performance, which in turn increases the chances of students getting admitted into superior schools and achieving prosperous futures.
In the realm of online tutoring, the experience has become highly engaging, encompassing various elements such as online learning platforms, Skype video conferencing, and screen sharing. In the coming years, we can expect to see virtual reality gaining prominence in the field of online education.
What makes a great online tutor?
Online tutoring isn’t for everyone. To make it as an online tutor, you need to have a fun and engaging personality, and patience to work with students — some of whom may struggle with course material and lag behind their peers.
Teachers who excel possess the exceptional talent of establishing connections with students and aiding them in comprehending challenging concepts, along with the determination to never surrender.
Having a passion for a specific subject matter is also beneficial. For instance, you might have a fondness for the English language, mathematics, or science. Being enthusiastic about a particular subject can motivate students to independently delve into the subject, resulting in enhanced outcomes.
What Are The Requirements For Online Tutoring?
Although not essential, having prior teaching experience or a bachelor’s degree in the subject you wish to tutor increases your chances of being preferred by numerous companies. These additional qualifications can open up more job opportunities for you.
You don’t necessarily have to be certified or have extensive experience as an online tutor. As you accumulate knowledge and skill, you have the opportunity to seek employment with companies that have less strict criteria, and eventually switch to higher-paying companies as you progress.
The Benefits of Tutoring Online
Below are the main advantages of online tutoring.
Work from anywhere
Working as an online tutor allows teachers to conveniently work from their home office without the need for commuting or visiting physical premises. It is considered one of the most ideal home-based professions for educators, offering a lucrative opportunity to earn money through the internet.
Help students improve
One of the distinct joys of having an online tutoring job is the satisfaction derived from aiding young learners in accomplishing their objectives.
In the end, you cannot predict who you may collaborate with. The individual you provide tutoring to might eventually rise to become a prominent CEO, politician, scientist, or writer. Your assistance can be crucial in aiding them along their path.
Control your schedule
Having the ability to work as an online tutor offers the advantage of maintaining complete control over your schedule, allowing you to work at your own convenience.
Working with online providers or starting your own tutoring business is a great way to bring in extra cash. Often tutors teach online in addition to working full-time jobs because the work is flexible.
Tips for Tutoring Online
Below are our best tips for online tutoring.
Think twice before certification
Not all providers on the above list necessitate teaching certification. Certain providers solely consider subject matter expertise during hiring.
Begin by selecting the desired company for employment, and proceed to meet the necessary criteria. Acquiring certification may result in additional tutoring opportunities, although it is possible to start without undergoing the procedure, thereby saving both time and money.
Find direct opportunities to tutor students
By utilizing your personal network or online platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, you have the potential to secure more profitable tutoring opportunities, unlike most online tutoring platforms that deduct a portion of your earnings and impose earning limits.
By eliminating intermediaries, you can secure better rates and keep a larger portion of the profits. You may want to consider promoting your tutoring services online through advertisements to attract more clients.
Progress is important
The online tutoring industry prioritizes achieving desired outcomes. It is common for parents to expect improvements in their children’s test scores. Therefore, it is advisable to develop a plan, create effective lesson structures, and commit to assisting students in their progress. In situations where students do not show improvement, the tutor is often the initial target for criticism.
Launch supplementary content
To increase your business opportunities, contemplate commencing a YouTube channel or alternatively an Instagram account and share additional content.
By way of illustration, consider a typical issue encountered by your students during classes, such as understanding an algebraic concept, and elucidate it utilizing a platform such as TikTok. This strategy has the potential to gain significant popularity, leading to a surge in potential business prospects.
Best Online Tutoring Jobs
1. VIPkid
VIPKid enables English teachers to connect with Chinese students seeking to learn English. Teachers have the flexibility to create their own schedules and provide personalized instruction. The most convenient aspect is that instructors are relieved of the responsibility of lesson planning, as VIPKid takes care of that area, enabling teachers to dedicate their time to engaging with students.
On VIPKid, classes typically run for approximately 25 minutes. Teaching can be done from any location without the requirement of speaking Chinese.
Teaching requirements
- At least two years of teaching experience teaching, coaching, tutoring, or mentoring
- You have to be legally eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a university, in any field
- Have a working computer and internet connection
Average pay
Instructors of VIPKid can generate an hourly income ranging from $14 to $22, with no tax withholdings made by VIPKid.
2. Chegg
Chegg, previously known as instaEDU, was founded in 2000 by students from Iowa State University. Currently, the platform is open to the public and boasts a user base exceeding 2.9 million individuals.
Besides facilitating the connection between tutors and students, the company provides discounted textbooks, plagiarism detection, as well as internship opportunities.
Teaching requirements
- You don’t have to be from the U.S.
- Two forms of identity verification at signup
- College degree
- Recent photo
- Pass a skills test — varies by subject
Average pay
Every Thursday, Chegg will compensate you via PayPal for your work at a flat hourly rate of $20 per hour for live lessons or prorated amounts for lessons that are shorter than one hour.
3. Skooli
Skooli is a personalized platform that links students to professional teachers in an online digital classroom environment. It aims to provide supplementary digital learning experiences. As a Skooli tutor, you have the ability to provide video conferencing, screen sharing, online chat, and interactive whiteboard features.
If you are hired, you will have the flexibility to set your own schedule with the company, which is looking for highly skilled tutors and offers a higher pay rate compared to other online learning platforms.
You should begin by applying and proceeding with the verification process.
Teaching requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Specialized instructor qualification
- Official government-issued teaching license
Average pay
Payment at Skooli is based on an hourly rate and is adjusted according to your qualifications and experience. The company disburses the payment once you have finished a session.
4. Wyzant
One of the most widely used tutoring services on the internet is Wyzant, which links instructors to students for individual teaching sessions. With over 65,000 instructors available, the site offers a range of more than 300 subjects.
Teaching requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Live in the U.S.
- Have a valid Social Security Number
- Teaching certification isn’t a requirement
Average pay
There is no charge for listing your services on Wyzant. Teachers set an hourly rate and receive 75% of the earnings, with Wyzant keeping the remaining 25%.
Furthermore, Wyzant offers a referral program that allows you to earn the entire hourly rate without any deduction towards recommending a new student who subsequently registers on the platform.
5. Qkids
Qkids focuses on pairing online tutors with students. You have the freedom to organize your teaching timetable, and although not mandatory, the platform encourages the use of lesson plans. Each lesson spans 30 minutes, accommodating one to four students per session.
Teaching requirements
- Live in the U.S. or Canada
- Resume submission
- 1-2 minute intro video
- Have a webcam
- Need headset with microphone
- Minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps, and 4 Mbps for downloads
- Teaching license or certificate – TESOL, TEFL, CELTA, ESL
- Bachelor’s degree
Average pay
Qkids tutors earn an hourly rate of $16 to $20.
6. Yup
Yup is the perfect platform for those who are currently or previously Math teachers. It allows you to have a flexible teaching schedule and provides an opportunity to assist students from all over the globe.
If you are not at ease with working in a different time zone, this location is suitable for you. Being a US resident and having a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience are required.
The website serves as a platform for connecting students who are facing difficulties with a tutor. All areas of Math, including Algebra, Calculus, and Geometry, are included. Students can submit their problems or assignments, and you will support them in finding solutions.
There is no limit to the number of jobs you can undertake in a day, and your payment will be commensurate with your efforts. To join, you need to complete an application form and demonstrate your proficiency through a test. Following that, you will participate in a simulated online session to gauge your abilities in a real-life scenario.
Once you have successfully completed these stages, the website will initiate the process of connecting you with students, enabling you to assist them with their tasks and earn additional income. Within approximately 24 hours, you will receive confirmation about your qualification status in the application process.
After being hired, the application will provide you with a weekly schedule indicating when you should anticipate student contacts. Your payment will depend on your experience, and you will receive it either via PayPal or direct deposit.
Pros
- Suitable for current and retired Math teachers.
- Help students in real-time.
- Work according to your schedule.
- Receive training.
Cons
- The interview process is quite stressful.
7. Brainfuse
With a 15-year history, Brainfuse has been utilized in rural and inter-city regions with limited bandwidth. As their platform is designed to function effectively in unreliable internet situations, there is no need to be concerned about interrupted sessions or connectivity issues.
You can avail both on-demand and prescheduled tutoring sessions. In case you have free time, you can log in and easily find a student requesting a session without much waiting period.
Brainfuse provides tutoring services for K-12, higher education, and also offers career services like resume writing and interview skills.
Applicants are expected to possess previous experience as tutors. The application procedure involves submitting a resume, after which the organization will contact the individuals they find suitable.
Pros
- A wide range of topics covered from K-12, college, and career services.
- Long track record and classroom platform that works under many internet conditions.
- Offers scheduled and spontaneous tutoring session options.
Cons
- Only hire people with experience.
- A resume instead of online application.
8. Tutor.com
Tutor.com, a tutoring company affiliated with The Princeton Review, offers legitimate services catering to military families, students from kindergarten to higher education levels, as well as corporate training.
Tutors with expertise in various subjects including AP, SAT preparation, and even Business topics are being sought after.
In order to qualify as a tutor, you will need to complete an online application, successfully pass a subject exam, and participate in a mock tutoring session, all of which must be completed prior to receiving acceptance.
Despite the rigorousness of the application, you will receive higher compensation compared to other tutoring companies that have less strict application and experience prerequisites.
Pros
- Looking for a wide range of tutor specialties.
- Good for teachers who do test prep.
- A well-known tutoring company so more likely to get hours.
Cons
- Must have prior experience.
- Application process is longer and more involved than other tutoring companies.
9. GeeklyHub
GeeklyHub exclusively assists college students with their homework and provides an on-demand tutoring service with freelance tutors.
The process involves a college student posting a task they require assistance with, which is then taken up by a competent tutor who provides help. The assistance rendered may vary from solving math problems to improving sentence structure.
GeeklyHub’s AI allows you to filter tasks, displaying only the most relevant ones in your account. You have the freedom to accept as many tasks as you desire on a daily basis.
Not only do they offer competitive pay, but they also advertise an average tutor earning of $20 per hour. Additionally, you have the flexibility to select Payoneer, Paypal, or Skrill as your preferred payout method.
Pros
- Well-paying tutoring with lots of flexibility.
- On demand task-oriented tutoring instead of long lessons.
- Do as many tasks as you’d like per day.
Cons
- May not be as steady of an income stream if your subject isn’t requested a lot.
- Some people prefer teaching longer tutoring sessions.
10. Aim 4 A Tutoring
Aim 4 A Tutoring provides tutoring services across various locations in the United States and also employs eTutors. They support students from elementary to college level in various school subjects, test preparation, and homework assistance.
In order to become tutors, they must possess a bachelor’s degree in the subject they desire to teach and possess a certain level of teaching experience.
To host a class, you primarily rely on Skype, necessitating a reliable internet connection and a functioning webcam. Your potential students could be located in North America, Europe, or Australia.
Pros
- No special online classroom programs to learn, just Skype.
- Less intense application process.
Cons
- Structured tutoring blocks and not on-demand.
- Uncertain how many hours you’re able to get.
