How to Start Teaching English Online: A South African's Roadmap to Success in 2026

Different platforms have their own checklists, but we'll focus on industry standards — what companies like The Really Great Teacher Company expect from their teachers.

Your Qualifications:

1. Fluent English (C2 level): Clear, neutral accent.
2. Clean criminal record: Police Clearance Certificate — it takes 4-8 weeks, and you can't fast-track it.
3. 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate: The minimum standard worldwide.
4. Bachelor's degree: Required for most jobs, but not all.

Your Internet:

You need a fast, stable, wired connection.

1. Fiber connection: 20+ Mbps upload and download. Test yours at www.speedtest.net.
2. Use an Ethernet cable: Wi-Fi drops will kill your classes. Plug straight into your router to prevent 90% of all connection problems.
3. Backup internet plan: Mobile hotspot and prepaid SIM for emergencies.

Tech Setup:

Computer requirements to teach online.

1. Processor: Intel Core i5 or better @ 2.0 GHz (4 cores/8 CPUs)Mac users: M1/M2/M3 chipset
2. RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended
3. Storage: 256GB SSD or larger
4. Operating System: Windows 11+ or macOS 10.15+
5. HD Webcam: 2 MP minimum
6. NOT acceptable: Chromebooks, tablets, smartphones
7. Noise-cancelling headset: Wired, with a built-in microphone

The Power Outage Solution

If your power cuts out mid-class, you'll lose pay and sink your ratings. Companies track every no-show and it can undo months of reputation-building efforts.

UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) / Inverter / Portable Power Station:

• 2000VA minimum
• Keeps laptop + router running 4–6 hours

You can't fake it either. During your interview, you'll need to demonstrate your full tech setup live - internet speed, backup power, and audio visual quality. There's no workaround, so invest from day one.

Optional but Helpful:

1. Ring light for better lighting.
2. Laptop stand for ergonomics to keep the screen at eye level.

Read our Tech Requirements for Teaching Online

Your Teaching Space:

1. Quiet room with a door that can close (background noise kills lessons).
2. Neutral, solid, clutter-free background (professional appearance matters).
3. Good lighting — face well-lit, no shadows.
4. Desk and comfortable chair — you'll be sitting for hours.
5. Backup plan for noise (barking dogs, construction, family members).

Read:How to set up an awesome home classroom 

Quick Self-Assessment:

Ready to start:

1. Fluent English speaker
2. Have (or getting) 120-hour TEFL
3. Your laptop meets minimum specs
4. Fiber internet 20+ Mbps
5. Having a back-up power solution
6. Quiet teaching space

Need to prepare:

1. Apply for Police Clearance Certificate (Week 1).
2. Upgrade internet to fiber.
3. Purchase a back-up power solution.
4. Get a proper headset / webcam.

Not ready yet:

1. No reliable internet.
2. No quiet teaching space.
3. Computer below minimum specs.

What You Need to Teach English Online (South Africa 2026)

Here's your essential checklist before you apply:

Before any online school hires you, you'll need to provide your qualifications and pass a background check. Even online teachers must show they are verified and cleared to work.

1) Apply for a Criminal Record Check

In South Africa, start with your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).

How to Apply

Visit your local SAPS station. Your application is processed at the Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management Unit in Pretoria.

You'll need:

1. Full set of fingerprints on SAPS 91(a) form (taken at the station).
2. Completed application form.
3. Certified copy of your ID or passport.
4. Proof of payment: R190 (cash at station or EFT to SAPS account).

Timeline: 15 working days processing + postal time = 4-8 weeks total

Tracking your application:

1. You’ll receive SMS updates when your application is received and completed.
2. You can also track progress online.

Current reality: SAPS is experiencing backlogs. Start in Week 1 — don't wait.

Why start now? Many platforms won't finalize your hiring until this clears. Don't let paperwork delay your first job.

2) A South African Degree or Diploma

You'll also need a tertiary qualification — either a diploma or a degree from any recognized South African institution.

What matters most:

1. Qualification level: A National Diploma is typically the minimum requirement, but a degree opens up better-paying roles.
2. Any field is valid: Online teaching platforms don't care what you studied — just that you are qualified. Whether it's a BA in Psychology or a BSc in Computer Science, both are viable options. A teaching degree (B.Ed. or PGCE) is a bonus, not a must.
3. Simple verification: Most schools accept a clear digital scan — no certification or apostille needed.

Do you really need a degree?

In short, yes, for most jobs. Established platforms in Asia require it for compliance and visa reasons.

But there are exceptions. If you're currently studying for a degree and hold a TEFL qualification, some platforms may hire you without one. Other platforms may accept a diploma or national higher certificate.

The reality: If you want consistent work, better pay, and access to top platforms, having a degree makes your life a whole lot easier.

What to Upload:

1. Clear digital copy of your degree/diploma certificate (PDF or high-quality photo).
2. Save it as: "YourName_Degree.pdf".
3. Store it in a "Teaching Docs" folder for quick access.

Timeline:

1. Already have it? 5 minutes.
2. Need a copy from your university? Allow 5–10 working days.

With your documents underway, it's time to focus on the qualification that gets you hired - your 120-Hour TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification.

It proves you can plan lessons, correct grammar, and manage real student outcomes. Without it, your application stops cold.

Almost every platform requires this as a baseline qualification. Our hiring data show that 16% of South African applicants are rejected solely because their TEFL doesn't meet the requirements.

Your 4-Week TEFL Roadmap

Week 1: Choose & Start

Day 1-2: Research and select your TEFL provider

Before you enroll, ensure it meets:

1. 120 hours minimum (shorter courses don't count).
2. Accredited by a recognized body.
3. Includes tutor support (honest feedback, not just automated quizzes).
4. Practical modules (lesson planning, teaching methodology).
5. Digital certificate in PDF format.
6. Verification service (employers can confirm authenticity).

Avoid: Free courses, "weekend TEFLs," or anything under 120 hours, as they will not be accepted.
Read:How to Spot Fake TEFL Courses Before You Enroll 

Day 3-7:

1. Purchase and register (along with your PCC application).
2. Complete Introduction and Module 1.
3. Set up a consistent study routine.

Weeks 2-3: Work Through Core Modules

1. Teaching methodology and lesson planning.
2. Skills development (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
3. Grammar fundamentals (this takes the most time).
4. Classroom management techniques.

Note: If you have a strong background in grammar, you'll be able to move through the content more quickly. Most modules are self-paced.

Week 4-5: Complete & Certify

1. Complete your final tasks and assessment.
2. Download your certificate (save as YourName_TEFL.pdf)
3. Store in your "Teaching Docs" folder

Timeline: How Long Does TEFL Really Take?

The 120 hours is a standard, not a stopwatch - so you can work through it faster if you apply yourself to a dedicated, daily schedule.

Self-paced learning means:

1. Fast-track pace: Around 4–5 weeks with 4 hours daily dedicated study time (including weekends!)
2. Balanced pace: Around 6–8 weeks if you study evenings or weekends.
3. Life-friendly pace: Around 8–12 weeks if you fit in 30–45 minutes a day.

What affects your speed:

1. Prior teaching or grammar knowledge.
2. Available study time per week.
3. How quickly you grasp concepts.

Don't Make These Mistakes

❌ Picking courses under 120 hours.

❌ Choosing free or sketchy providers.

❌ Racing through just to finish.

❌ Skipping the actual teaching practice parts.

Ready to Start?

Our 120-hour TEFL course is designed for anyone entering online teaching:

1. Internationally accredited (ACTDEC Level 3).
2. Self-paced with real trainer support.
3. Practical teaching skills you'll actually use.
4. Just USD $9.90/month.

Start Your TEFL Course

While completing your TEFL, start building the materials that will help you get hired. Only 14% of applicants reach the interview stage — your job is to stand out in the first 10 seconds. You'll need to submit your:

1. Resume or CV
2. Cover Letter
3. Headshot Photo
4. Teacher Introduction Video

Week 4: Write Your Online Teaching Resume

Your CV is your first impression — make it clean, focused, and easy to scan. Recruiters spend less than 8 seconds deciding whether to move you forward.
ATS software often filters out 75% of resumes from human recruiters. Use simple formatting so that both humans and software can read it easily.

Format essentials:

1. Two page maximum
2. Clear headings, bullet points
3. No fancy designs, graphics or elaborate colours
4. Plain, readable font

What to include:

1. Personal statement (2-3 lines at top) Example: "South African teacher with 120-hour TEFL certification. I turn language lessons into confident conversations that help students find their voice in English."
2. Qualifications: Degree/Diploma (field, institution, year).
3. 120-hour TEFL certification: Provider + completion date.
4. Experience: Teaching, tutoring, mentoring, or customer-facing roles.
5. Tech skills: Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, reliable computer + internet.
6. Language skills: English proficiency level + any other languages.

Match the job post:

Use the exact keywords the company uses — phrases like "neutral accent," "interactive lessons," or "student engagement." ATS software scans for these terms, so weave them naturally.

Need help tailoring it?
Ask ChatGPT to extract relevant keywords and skills keywords from the job ad:

Prompt: "Here's my final CV and a job description for a [Job Title] role. Please identify the most relevant keywords and suggest updates to help my CV align better with this position."

Keep it scannable:

1. Write at Grade 8 level (use Hemingway App to check).
2. 3-4 sentences per bullet max.
3. Strong verbs, active voice.
4. Zero fluff.

Read: Our complete CV Guide.

Week 4: Write Your Cover Letter

In 150-200 words, your cover letter must answer 3 questions:

1. Why do you want to teach online?
2. Why this teaching company?
3. What makes you different?

Quick Cover Letter Formula:

Opening Hook (1-3 sentences)

Skip the "I'm writing to apply…" Grab the recruiters' attention fast with:

1. A short personal story.
2. Your teaching why.

Examples:

"When I turned shy kids into confident speakers using K-pop lyrics, I discovered my teaching superpower: making English relatable. Watching them laugh through pronunciation mistakes and sing their favorite lines was the moment I knew I wanted to teach full-time."

or:

"After years in copywriting, I wanted work that actually mattered — helping students find their voice."

Body (3-4 sentences):

Start with: Why this company?

Show that you've done your homework. Mention what stands out — their training, support, or growth opportunities.

Example:

"I'm drawn to The Really Great Teacher Company because it offers what most online platforms don't — stability, structure, and the Inspire Academy offers a clear path to growth."

Prove you can do the job.

Share a relevant teaching win using the STAR method:

1. Situation: What was the challenge?
2. Task: What did you need to do?
3. Action: What did YOU do specifically?
4. Result: What improved? (Numbers help.)

Example:

"I faced a class of quiet teens who wouldn't speak. So, I created roleplays based on their favorite songs. The silence gave way to conversation, and their final speaking scores improved by 30%. That taught me: build lessons around students' interests, and language follows naturally."

Closing (1-2 sentences)

Don't beg for an interview. Not "I hope..." or "I look forward...".

End confidently. show excitement.

Strong closings:

1. "I'm excited to bring that creative, student-centered approach to your team and help your learners speak with the same confidence my teens found."
2. "Let's talk about how I can contribute to your students' success."

Then sign off: "Best regards, [Your name]"

Before You Send:

1. Zero typos: you're applying to teach language!
2. Paragraphs are 3-4 sentences max (recruiters scan, they don't read).
3. Address the company's needs: student engagement, retention, results.
4. Company name spelled correctly
5. It sounds like YOU, not a template.

Pro tip: Read it out loud. If it sounds stiff or formal, rewrite. You're a teacher — sound human.

Download:Our cover letter template

Week 4: Record Your Intro Video

You've got 60 seconds to show who you are. This short clip helps recruiters (and parents or students) see your personality, English fluency, and teaching style before the interview.

Setup Checklist

1. Landscape mode: no vertical phone shots.
2. Camera at eye level: no "looking-up-the-nose" angles.
3. Good lighting: face the light, not a window behind you.
4. Tidy background: clean, neutral, distraction-free.
5. Dress conservatively: solid colors, global-friendly, headset on.

Script Guide:
0–10 sec: Warm Friendly Intro:
"Hi! I'm [Name] from [City], South Africa. I'm passionate about helping people feel confident when they speak English."

10–20 sec: Your Credentials

"I have a [degree] in [field] and a 120-hour TEFL certificate."

"I'm fluent in English with a clear, neutral accent."

20–40 sec: Your Teaching Approach & Experience

"I love teaching because [reason]."

"My lessons are [fun / interactive / confidence-building] and focus on helping students speak naturally."

40–50 sec Close Strong

"I'm excited to help your students reach their English goals. Thanks for watching - I hope to see you in class soon!"

Delivery Tips:

• Use your teacher's voice — clear and steady.
• Keep your South African accent, just enunciate clearly.
• Smile naturally — warmth matters.
• Avoid slang or idioms — simple English connects best.
• Show your personality – recruiters want to see how you will show up and engage with students through a screen.

Before You Submit:

• Watch it with sound off — do you look engaging?
• Send to a friend — do you sound natural?
• Keep under 50 MB for most platforms.
• Save as: YourName_TeacherIntro.mp4.

Pro tip: Think of the camera as a student, not a screen. If you connect naturally here, recruiters will picture you connecting just as well in class.

Once your TEFL and video are ready, it's go time. Start applying to multiple schools — don't wait for one reply. Create one polished application set (CV, cover letter, intro video) and adapt it slightly for each platform.

Where to Apply

Stick with trusted, South Africa-friendly companies that hire first-time teachers:

• Structured ESL platforms: provide curriculum + students (best for beginners).
• Marketplaces: set your own hours + rates (best for flexibility).
• The Really Great Teacher Company: combines structure + support with steady hours in USD.

Pro tip: Don't quit after one rejection. Apply to 3-5 companies at once. Most reply within 2-3 days — you'll get more options and faster feedback.

Which Teaching Path Fits You Best?

Application Checklist

Have these files ready before you start clicking "Apply":
✅ Two-page CV (PDF).
✅ Cover letter tailored to each company.
✅ TEFL certificate (120 Hours).
✅ Degree/Diploma copy.
✅ Police Clearance Certificate (if ready).
✅ Intro video (mp4).
✅ Professional photo.

Save them all in a single folder called "Teaching Docs" so uploads take seconds, not hours.

During Interviews

• Be on time (5 min early = on time).
• Use your actual teaching setup — camera, lighting, headset.
• Keep energy high and accent neutral.
• Highlight your reliability and tech readiness (back-up power and internet plan).
• Expect a 5- to 10-minute demo lesson if your interview is successful.

After You’re Hired

• Complete onboarding modules and training.
• Do test calls to check lighting and sound.
• Learn the platform tools early (chat, whiteboard, lesson slides).
• Ask for feedback after your first lessons.

Goal: By Week 8, you should be teaching real students and earning in USD!

There are standard questions every platform asks. Prepare these answers and you'll sail through:

The Big Five Questions

1. "Why do you want to teach English online?"

Perfect answer: "I love the idea of connecting with students globally and making a real difference in their lives. Online teaching lets me combine my passion for education with the flexibility of working from home. Plus, I'm fascinated by different cultures and love learning about my students' countries while helping them with English."

2. "How do you handle difficult students?"

Perfect answer: "I believe there are no difficult students, just students who need a different approach. If a child is hyperactive, I'll add more movement to the lesson. If they're shy, I'll use puppets or let them write instead of speak initially. Patience and creativity solve most challenges."

3. "What's your backup plan for load shedding?"

Perfect answer: "I have a 2000VA UPS that powers my laptop and fiber router for 5 hours. I also have mobile data as backup internet. I check the load shedding schedule daily and never book classes during scheduled outages. I take reliability seriously."

4. "How many hours can you commit?"

Perfect answer: "I can commit to [X] hours initially, with room to grow. I'm especially available during peak hours [mention specific times that work for their student base]. I understand consistency is important and I'm ready to maintain a regular schedule."

5. "Do you have any questions for us?"

Perfect answer: Always have questions! Ask about: "What professional development opportunities do you offer?" "What's your typical student age range?" "What makes your most successful teachers stand out?"

Having questions shows you're serious and have done your research. It transforms you from just another applicant to a potential colleague.

You've made it — you're officially an online English teacher!
The first few weeks set the tone for your reputation and income growth.

Build Momentum

• Show up early to every class.
• Keep notes on your students’ progress and interests.
• Ask for reviews or feedback after every few lessons — good ratings boost your visibility fast.

Expect a Learning Curve
You'll make small mistakes — everyone does. Learn the platform's quirks, manage time between lessons, and stay patient with yourself.

Grow Your Hours

• Most platforms expand your schedule once you hit 90 %+ reliability.
• Add more peak-time hours (weekday evenings, Saturday mornings).
• Cross-apply to a second platform once you feel ready.

Track Your Pay
You're earning in USD now — use Wise or Payoneer to withdraw at the best rate.
Keep a simple spreadsheet that tracks hours versus income.

Teaching English online is one of the most accessible and lucrative opportunities for South Africans in 2026. While we face unique challenges, thousands of SA teachers are thriving in this space.

TODAY:

• Enrol in a TEFL Course.
• Message a friend to hold you accountable.
• Test your internet speed at speedtest.net.
• Check tomorrow's load shedding schedule.

TOMORROW:

• Visit SAPS for your Police Clearance.
• Start Module 1 of your TEFL.
• Research UPS options online.

Six weeks from now, you'll be teaching students across the world, and wondering why you didn't start sooner. The only thing standing between you and that future is taking the first step.

The hardest step is starting — everything else is momentum.