Remote English teaching job (contracted)
Contracted or part-time employed online English teaching for schools and language companies, as listed on South African job boards.
- To startR0 to R3 000
- First randabout 6 weeks
- WhereOnline
- Effort Fairly easy
Is this for you?
Best for
Fluent English speakers, ideally with a TEFL certificate or teaching experience, available at set hours.
In South Africa: Strong for time-zone overlap with the UK and Europe.
What you need
- A laptop or computer
- Reliable internet
- Being on camera
- No cold selling
- At least 10 hours a week · age 18+
- Spoken English (competent or better) or Teaching or tutoring (learning or better)
- A way to receive payments from abroad
The money
What it can earn
- Pocket money
- A top-up
- A second income
- Can become a full income
Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
What people charge
No reliable SA figure yet
Remote ESL roles listed on Pnet at US$6 to US$18 an hour (secondary source). Paid in dollars, so we do not show a rand figure: the rand amount moves with the exchange rate and your withdrawal fees.
Costs to plan for
- Start-up
- R0 to R3 000
- Every month
- Fibre or uncapped data, backup power.
- Payment fees
- None when employed locally or through an employer of record. Contractor payments from abroad carry payout fees.
- Margin
- N/A.
How it is paid: Monthly salary, or a contractor fee paid via an employer of record. Our viability score for it: 65 out of 100 (how we score).
How to start
Test it cheaply Before you spend
- Apply to 10 listings
- Success signal: a demo lesson invitation within two weeks
First week Days 1 to 7
- Record a two-minute intro video
- Apply to 10 listings
- Check each company accepts South African teachers and what certificate it needs
First month Days 8 to 30
- TEFL certificate if you do not have one
- Apply to three companies and practise a demo lesson
By three months Days 31 to 90
- Regular hours, or move to independent tutoring
- Ask for more hours once your ratings are good
Applications, interviews and notice periods before the first salary. First income usually takes 21 to 90 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.
Remote English teaching job (contracted): your step-by-step start
18 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.
See what is insideCustomers and demand
Who pays
Employers in South Africa, the UK, Europe and the US.
Learners abroad who want live English lessons.
Is there demand?
Pnet lists remote ESL roles from South Africa.
PnetOnline English schools that hire South Africans
Getting customers
Job applications, referrals and recruiters.
Applying for jobs or platform roles
Risks and rules
Watch out for
- Fixed early or late hours for Asian or European learners
- Many roles are contracts with no paid leave
Competition: High.
Room to grow: Grows through career progression and raises rather than scale.
Legal and tax in South Africa
- Employed: PAYE and UIF are deducted.
- Paid as a foreign contractor: register for provisional tax with SARS and keep records.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start remote English teaching job in South Africa?
Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R3 000. Recurring costs: Fibre or uncapped data, backup power.
How long until the first income?
Typically about 45 days, and between 21 and 90 days. Applications, interviews and notice periods before the first salary.
Can I do it with only a phone?
Not really. You will need a laptop or computer for most of the work.
What about tax and legal rules?
Employed: PAYE and UIF are deducted. Paid as a foreign contractor: register for provisional tax with SARS and keep records.
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Read next
- How to make money online in South Africa
- How much to charge as a freelancer in South Africa
- Provisional tax for freelancers in South Africa, simply explained
- Getting paid from overseas in South Africa
- Remote jobs for South Africans
Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy