1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Remote English teaching job (contracted): your step-by-step start

Contracted or part-time employed online English teaching for schools and language companies, as listed on South African job boards.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Fluent English speakers, ideally with a TEFL certificate or teaching experience, available at set hours.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 45 days.
  • You have no laptop or computer to work on.
  • You would rather not show your face on camera.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 45 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: fixed early or late hours for Asian or European learners.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. What remote English teaching job (contracted) really involvesFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. What it pays and how you get paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: what lands in your account5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Apply to 10 listings3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Check each company accepts South African teachers and what certificate it needs3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Where to find openings and what to send5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: applications and follow-ups5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Aim for TEFL certificate if you do not have one3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Apply to three companies and practise a demo lesson3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Aim for regular hours, or move to independent tutoring3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Ask for more hours once your ratings are good3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid and spotting fake jobs4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to R3 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Pnet
  • A headset with a microphone
  • A plain, quiet background

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.