Teach English Online in the UK (2025): Requirements, Platforms, and Pay -

Teaching English online from the UK can be a decent side income or even a full-time gig—but only if you know what you’re getting into. This guide walks you through everything: right to work, safeguarding and DBS checks, qualifications that actually matter, where to find students, how to price without racing to the bottom, tax basics, your tech setup, lesson planning, and marketing that gets bookings instead of crickets.

Who Can Actually Teach English Online From the UK?

Right to Work

You need legal permission to work in the UK. That means UK citizenship, Indefinite Leave to Remain, Pre-Settled or Settled Status, or a work visa that allows self-employment or PAYE work (depending on your route).

If you’re on a visa with restrictions—Student visas, for example—confirm whether self-employment is allowed before taking private clients or signing up for platforms. Violating work restrictions can destroy your immigration status.

EFL vs. ESOL (Know the Difference)

EFL (English as a Foreign Language): Teaching learners based outside the UK—or visiting students—for communication skills, exam prep, or business English.

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages): Teaching English to people living in the UK—migrants, refugees, settled communities. ESOL roles often come through colleges or charities and may require additional safeguarding steps and background checks.

The distinction matters for how you market yourself and which qualifications you need.

Teach English Online: Time Zones and Payment Reality

Asian markets (China, Japan, Korea) drive early morning UK time demand—think 6 AM starts. Latin America and the eastern US want afternoon and evening slots. Use payment processors that accept multiple currencies but pay you out in GBP (Stripe, PayPal, Wise). Currency conversion fees add up, so factor them into your pricing.

Teach English Online: Qualifications That Actually Matter (And When)

Baseline Requirements

For adult learners: A reputable TEFL or TESOL certificate is the minimum. CELTA (Cambridge) or Trinity CertTESOL opens way more doors, especially with language schools and higher-paying private clients.

For teaching children: Look for TEFL courses with Young Learners modules. Safeguarding knowledge matters as much as teaching technique when parents are vetting you.

For school-curriculum work (GCSE support, A-level prep, or working with online schools): QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or PGCE is often required or strongly preferred.

Choosing Your Course

Prioritize courses with observed teaching practice. CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are the gold standard for adult teaching—they’re tough, but they’re worth it.

Avoid the sketchy “120-hour online TEFL” certificates with zero recognition. They might get you onto some marketplaces, but they cap your earning potential and lock you out of better opportunities.

Teach English Online Niches That Command Premium Rates

IELTS and OET (Occupational English Test for healthcare workers): These support premium pricing, but you need to show proof—past student scores, sample materials, examiner-style feedback frameworks.

Business English: Real-world experience in the client’s sector (finance, tech, healthcare, law) plus case-based lessons wins corporate contracts. Generic business English courses don’t cut it.

EAP (English for Academic Purposes): For university preparation. CELTA plus an EAP short course or a relevant Master’s degree helps you charge more.

The tighter your niche, the less competition you face and the higher you can charge.

Teach English Online: Safeguarding, DBS Checks & Policies (Not Optional)

DBS Checks

If you teach under-18s, expect many platforms, schools, and parents to require a current DBS check. Enhanced DBS is standard for roles arranged through organizations. For private practice with young learners, at a minimum, get a Basic DBS.

Keep a written child-protection policy and know how to report concerns if something seems wrong.

Consent and Supervision

For young learners, get explicit parental consent before starting. State your camera-on policy clearly. Have a responsible adult present nearby for at least the first few lessons.

Never conduct one-on-one audio-only calls with minors. Just don’t.

GDPR and Data Protection

Store student data and lesson recordings securely. Set retention periods (don’t hoard data forever). Share files via secure links, not public cloud folders.

Get explicit permission before recording lessons. Use recordings only for teaching feedback or quality improvement—not marketing without consent.

Lone Working Policy

Have a short written policy covering boundaries: no off-platform messaging with minors, your rescheduling process, and emergency contacts. This protects you legally and professionally.

Teach English Online: Platforms vs. Private Clients (The Real Trade-Offs)

Teach English Online Marketplaces (Preply, italki, Cambly, Verbling)

Pros: Instant access to students, built-in scheduling and messaging, low marketing effort, and payment processing handled.

Cons: Platform commission (15-33% depending on the platform), price pressure from global competition, ranking algorithms that favor high volume, and limited control over your brand.

Let’s break down the major platforms:

Preply: Takes 33% commission initially, dropping to 18% after you hit milestones. You set your own rates, but students can see everyone’s prices, so there’s pressure to stay competitive. Good student base, but the commission cut hurts.

italki: Lower commission (15%), more teacher-friendly. You have more pricing freedom. The marketplace is crowded, though, so standing out takes work.

Cambly: Fixed rates set by the platform ($10-12/hour USD). Zero lesson planning required—just show up and chat. Good for beginners or side income, but you’ll never earn serious money here.

Verbling: Similar to italki, but smaller user base. Commission around 15%. Professional interface, but fewer students means longer ramp-up time.

The platform trap: You build your reputation and student base on someone else’s platform. They own the relationship. They can change commission structures, algorithm ranking, or terms whenever they want. Many teachers use platforms to get started, then gradually move high-value students to private booking.

Online Employers/Schools (UK or Global)

Fixed schedules, curriculum provided, hourly rate set by the employer. You might be PAYE or a contractor, depending on company policy.

Better for predictable hours and guaranteed income. Less flexibility and lower rates than private practice.

Examples: UK-registered online tutoring companies, international schools hiring UK-based teachers, and corporate training providers.

Private Practice

Highest margins, full control over branding, pricing, and policies. But you do all your own marketing, which is real work.

This route works best when you specialize (IELTS, OET, Business English for a specific industry, Young Learners in a clear age range) and build word-of-mouth referrals.

Quick Comparison Table

Route	Your Rate	Demand	Admin	Best For
Marketplace	£10-35 (after commission)	High	Low-Medium	New teachers, volume work
Online School/Employer	£15-30 (set rate)	Medium	Low	People wanting structure
Private Practice	£25-70+	You build it	High	Niche experts, long-term

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Pay Rates and Pricing Models (Don’t Sell Yourself Short)

Rates depend on your niche, experience, lesson format (1:1 vs. groups), and whether you’re on a platform or working privately.

Reference Ranges (GBP, 1:1 Lessons)

Marketplaces: Entry-level £10-22/hour. Experienced with a niche: £20-35/hour (before commission).

Online schools/employers: £15-30/hour depending on qualifications and student level.

Private practice: General English £25-40/hour. IELTS/OET/Business English £35-70+/hour. Small group classes can raise your effective hourly rate even higher.

Building Your Rate Card

Price by niche and level, not just time. An IELTS student aiming for Band 7.5 pays more than a casual conversation student.

Offer bundles: 5- or 10-lesson packs with a modest discount. Set expiry dates (90 days) to prevent students from stretching packages forever.

Charge for trials: 25-30 minute paid assessment sessions. Free trials attract tire-kickers, not serious students.

Set clear policies:

24-hour cancellation window
No-shows are charged 100%
One free reschedule per package
After that, cancellations forfeit the lesson

Add-ons for extra revenue:

Marked writing (essays, reports): £12-20 per piece
Mock interviews with detailed feedback: £25-40
Fast-turnaround feedback (24 hours): premium rate

Example Rate Card (Private IELTS Tutor)

60-minute 1:1 lesson: £45
10-lesson pack: £420 (prepaid, 90-day expiry)
IELTS Writing Task 2 feedback: £15 per essay (48-hour turnaround)
Mock Speaking Test with band-score rubric: £30

Adjust based on your market and experience, but don’t undervalue your expertise.

Taxes, Self-Employment & IR35 (UK Compliance)

Self-Employment Basics

Most private tutors and marketplace teachers are self-employed for UK tax purposes. Register with HMRC as self-employed, keep detailed records, and save for Income Tax and Class 2/4 National Insurance Contributions.

Track all revenue and expenses: equipment, software subscriptions, internet costs (proportional), home office use, and continuing professional development courses.

Getting Paid From Abroad

If platforms pay you from outside the UK, your income is still taxable in the UK if you’re a UK tax resident. Payment processors should give you clear statements—reconcile everything in GBP for your tax records.

IR35 and Off-Payroll Rules

IR35 mainly affects contractors working through limited companies for UK organizations under their control with set schedules. Most online tutors working as sole traders won’t trigger IR35.

Corporate training gigs might. If a UK company hires you through your limited company and dictates when and how you work, IR35 could apply. Ask clients for a status determination or work as a sole trader to avoid complexity.

Invoicing and VAT

Issue professional invoices: your name, address, UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference), date, service description, amount, payment terms.

VAT only applies if your annual turnover exceeds the registration threshold (currently £90,000). Most tutors stay below it. If you do register, follow UK VAT place-of-supply rules for digital services sold internationally.

Pensions and Cash Flow

Consider opening a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) and contributing regularly. Set aside tax money monthly—20-30% of earnings, depending on your tax band. Keep 2-3 months of expenses in reserve because income is unpredictable.

Tech Setup and Teaching Toolkit (Don’t Cheap Out)

Hardware Essentials

Computer: Reliable laptop or desktop. A second monitor dramatically improves lesson delivery—materials on one screen, student on the other.

Microphone: External USB condenser mic. Your laptop’s built-in mic sounds terrible. Students notice.

Webcam: 1080p minimum. Good video quality makes you look professional.

Lighting: Softbox or ring light. You want even, flattering lighting—not dark shadows or harsh overhead glare.

Background: Neutral, clean, professional. Blur features work but drain CPU. A real tidy background is better.

Internet: Wired Ethernet, if possible. If Wi-Fi is needed, it needs to be fast and stable. Keep a mobile hotspot as backup for emergencies.

Software Stack

Video conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. Learn breakout rooms, screen annotation, whiteboards, and recording features.

Scheduling: Calendly or YouCanBookMe with automatic time-zone conversion and buffer times between lessons (you need bathroom breaks).

Payment processing: Stripe and PayPal for cards. Wise for multi-currency invoicing if you work with international students directly.

Whiteboards and collaboration: Miro, Google Slides, shared documents. Google Jamboard is being discontinued, so find alternatives.

LMS and quizzes: Google Classroom, Forms, Quizlet, Kahoot, Wordwall for interactive exercises.

Security and Backups

Use waiting rooms for video calls. Disable file transfer for lessons with minors. Never share personal contact details with under-18 students.

Back up all your teaching materials to an encrypted cloud storage. Losing everything because your laptop died is avoidable.

Teach English Online: Curriculum and Lesson Design (What Actually Works)

Needs Analysis (Do This First)

Use an intake form to capture: current level (CEFR if they know it), goals, timeline, strengths and weaknesses, learning preferences, exam dates, and scheduling constraints.

Run a 10-minute diagnostic task during the trial lesson to see where they really are—not where they think they are.

Planning Frameworks

PPP (Presentation-Practice-Production): Good for targeted grammar or vocabulary lessons. Present the structure, practice it in controlled exercises, then use it in freer production tasks.

TBL (Task-Based Learning): Better for communicative goals. Students complete meaningful tasks (planning a trip, solving a problem) and learn language in context.

Exam prep (IELTS/OET): Mirror actual exam tasks. Time-bound practice. Use official band descriptors or scoring rubrics. Give feedback against specific criteria, not vague “good job” comments.

Materials and Copyright

Adopt/Adapt/Create: Use reputable published materials, adapt what exists, or create your own. Always cite sources. Don’t redistribute paid materials publicly—it’s illegal and burns bridges with publishers.

Build a personal resource bank: leveled reading texts, corpus-informed example sentences, sector-specific vocabulary lists, and pronunciation drills.

Assessment and Feedback

Track progress with can-do statements tied to CEFR levels or exam bands. Use rubrics—IELTS band descriptors, CEFR scales, whatever fits your niche.

Give actionable feedback: one priority per skill per lesson. “Work on fluency” is useless. “Reduce hesitation by preparing 2-3 topic-specific phrases before speaking” is actionable.

Assign micro-homework: 10-15 minutes max. If you assign an hour of homework, most students won’t do it.

Getting Booked to Teach English Online: Profile, Marketing & Retention

Your Profile Must Convert

Headline: Niche + outcome + proof. Not “Experienced English Teacher” but “IELTS 7.0+ Specialist | Ex-Examiner-Style Feedback | 87% of Students Hit Target Band.”

Intro video (45-60 seconds): Show your face. Demonstrate good audio quality. Include a mini-teaching moment (correct a common mistake, explain a tricky pronunciation). Clear call-to-action: “Book a trial to get your personalized study plan.”

Testimonials: Screenshots of student messages (with permission), video testimonials, LinkedIn recommendations. Social proof matters.

Marketing Channels That Work

Your own website: Even a simple one-page site with your niche, rates, booking link, and testimonials. You own it. Platforms don’t.

LinkedIn: Great for Business English. Reach HR and L&D professionals. Post tips, case studies, client wins (anonymized).

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Instagram/TikTok: Short teaching tips (60 seconds), common mistakes, pronunciation tricks. Use these to drive DMs and bookings.

Facebook groups and Reddit: Join communities where your target students hang out. Answer questions helpfully. Don’t spam. Build trust, then offer your services naturally.

Partnerships: Connect with local colleges, relocation services, immigration lawyers, expat communities. Offer a free webinar to collect leads.

Retention Strategies (Keep Students Coming Back)

Map a 10-lesson syllabus for each new student during your trial. Show them the learning journey.

Preview the next goal at the end of every lesson: “Next time we’ll tackle Task 2 essay structure—your weakest area.”

Send progress reports every 4-6 lessons. Show measurable improvement. Justify renewal.

Offer referral incentives: £10-20 credit for every new student they bring. This builds your business through word-of-mouth.

Have a pause policy for holidays and exam periods. Students appreciate flexibility.

Teach English Online: The Reality of Income Volatility (What Nobody Tells You)

Let’s be honest: online teaching income is feast or famine, especially when you start.

Months 1-3: You’re building your profile, getting initial reviews, figuring out marketing. Income is low and unpredictable. If you’re on marketplaces, you might get a few bookings. Private clients? Maybe none yet. Budget for this.

Months 4-6: You’ve got some reviews, some repeat students, maybe a few referrals. Income is still inconsistent but improving. You’re learning which marketing actually works and which is a waste of time.

Months 7-12: If you’ve specialized and marketed consistently, you should have 10-15 regular students and fill gaps with one-offs. Income stabilizes but you’re still hustling.

Year 2+: Established teachers with strong niches can fill their calendars and even have waiting lists. But you’re always one recession, one platform policy change, or one algorithm update away from instability.

The mental health piece: Online teaching is isolating. You’re alone at your desk all day. There’s no water cooler chat, no colleagues, no separation between home and work. Burnout is real.

Take real breaks. Set boundaries around when you’re available. Don’t teach 12 hours a day just because you can. Build a life outside of staring at a screen, teaching the present perfect continuous for the thousandth time.

Teach English Online: Working With Young Learners Online (Special Considerations)

Keep sessions short: 25-30 minutes for younger kids, 40 minutes max for tweens. Attention spans are real.

Rotate high-energy activities (games, songs, movement) with quieter tasks (reading, writing, listening).

Use props: real objects, flashcards, puppets, on-screen rewards, and stickers.

For under-16s specifically:

Insist a parent or guardian is nearby (not necessarily on camera, but in the house and aware)
Disable private chat features
Keep all communication with the parent/guardian, not the child directly
Never arrange lessons through the child’s personal social media

Parental mini-briefings help: 2-3 minutes at the end of some lessons updating the parent on progress and homework.

Teach English Online: Handling Difficult Students (And When to Fire Them)

You’ll encounter challenging situations. Here’s how to handle common ones:

The chronic canceler: Enforce your cancellation policy consistently. After 2-3 late cancellations, require prepayment of all future lessons.

The student who doesn’t do homework: Address it directly: “I’ve noticed you’re not completing the practice tasks. Without practice between lessons, progress will be very slow. Are you able to commit 15 minutes daily?” If nothing changes after this conversation, they’re wasting your time and theirs.

The inappropriate student: Shut it down immediately. “That’s not appropriate for our lessons. If it continues, I’ll end our arrangement.” Document everything. If it persists, fire them. Your wellbeing matters more than one student’s payment.

The perpetually late student: Charge for the full lesson regardless of late arrival. Make this policy clear upfront. If it’s a pattern, fire them—they don’t respect your time.

The aggressive parent (for young learners): Set professional boundaries. “I understand you want fast progress, but language learning takes time. Here’s the realistic timeline.” If they continue being abusive, end the relationship. No amount of money is worth constant stress.

When to fire a student: When they consistently violate policies, disrespect boundaries, create stress that affects your other work, or when the income isn’t worth the aggravation. You’re allowed to choose who you work with.

Send a brief, professional message: “I don’t think our teaching arrangement is working well. I’m going to end our lessons after [date]. I can recommend other teachers if you’d like.” You don’t owe lengthy explanations.

Teach English Online: What Months 1-6 Actually Look Like (Realistic Timeline)

Month 1:

Get certified (if you aren’t already)
Get DBS check started (if teaching under-18s)
Sign up for 1-2 platforms
Build your profile and intro video
Set your rates (err on the lower side initially to get reviews)
Book maybe 3-8 trial lessons
Income: £100-300

Month 2:

Get your first reviews
Refine your teaching based on feedback
Start a simple website or one-page landing site
Join relevant online communities
Book 10-15 lessons
Income: £200-500

And Month 3:

Raise your rates slightly
Get more selective about the students you accept
Start building marketing systems (social media posts, email list)
Get your first repeat students
Book 15-25 lessons
Income: £400-800

Months 4-6:

Specialize further based on which students you enjoy and which pay best
Aggressively ask for referrals
Start moving favorite students off platforms to private booking
Build systems for common lesson types (templates, materials banks)
Book 25-40+ lessons per month
Income: £800-1,500+

These numbers assume part-time work (10-15 hours teaching per week). Full-time teaching (25-30 hours/week) scales proportionally, but be aware: 30 hours of teaching requires another 10-15 hours of prep, admin, and marketing.

Teach English Online: Platform Dependency and Building Your Own Brand

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: platforms own the relationship with your students. They can change commission structures, ranking algorithms, or terms of service whenever they want. You have zero control.

Many successful online teachers use this strategy:

Phase 1 (Months 1-6): Build reputation and collect reviews on platforms. Accept the commission as a customer acquisition cost.

Phase 2 (Months 6-12): Launch your own simple website. Start an email list. Gradually mention to high-value platform students that you also book privately at slightly better rates.

Phase 3 (Year 2+): Most of your income comes from private bookings. You keep some platform presence for new lead flow but prioritize students who book directly.

This transition takes time and requires genuine marketing effort. But it’s the path to sustainable income that you control.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls (Learn From Others’ Mistakes)

Race-to-the-bottom pricing: Don’t compete on price alone. Specialize and charge what you’re worth. There will always be someone cheaper. That’s fine—they’re serving a different market.

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No published policies: Write down your booking, cancellation, refund, and safeguarding policies. Share them with every student. Enforce them consistently.

Calendar chaos: Use scheduling software with buffers between lessons. Sync across all platforms. Double-booking looks unprofessional and is easily avoidable.

Recording without consent: Always ask permission and explain why you’re recording (feedback, quality improvement). Make it opt-in, not assumed.

Platform dependence: Build your email list and your own booking infrastructure early. Don’t wait until a platform changes its terms to wish you’d started sooner.

Overworking: Just because you can fill 40 hours of teaching per week doesn’t mean you should. Teaching is cognitively draining. Burnout destroys quality and enthusiasm. Protect your energy.

Ignoring taxes: Set aside money monthly. Don’t wait until January to panic about your tax bill. Use accounting software or hire a bookkeeper if numbers aren’t your thing.

Templates and Checklists to Teach English Online(Copy and Use These)

A) New Student Intake Form

Full name
Time zone and location
Contact method (WhatsApp, WeChat, Email)
Learning goal (specific: “IELTS 7.0 by June”, not “improve English”)
Current level (if known) and last exam score
Strengths and weaknesses (speaking, writing, listening, reading, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary)
Availability windows (in your time zone)
Preferred video platform (Zoom, Meet, Skype)
Consent to record lessons for feedback purposes (Yes/No)
Any accessibility needs (captions, dyslexia supports, other)

B) Teach English Online Terms and Cancellation Policy (Essentials)

Cancellation window: 24 hours notice required for free cancellation or reschedule
Late cancellations/no-shows: Charged 100% of lesson fee
Package expiry: All packages expire 90 days from purchase
Payment terms: Trials are paid at booking; packages are prepaid before first lesson
Communication: All communication via [platform/email]; response time within 24 hours on weekdays
Safeguarding (for under-18s): Parent/guardian must be present nearby; camera must be on; no off-platform contact with students

C) Teach English Online Sample First Lesson Plan (IELTS Speaking)

5 minutes: Warm-up + level probe (casual chat to assess fluency)
10 minutes: Part 1 practice (familiar topics) with targeted follow-up questions
12 minutes: Part 2 long turn with 1-minute planning time
10 minutes: Part 3 discussion (abstract, analytical questions)
10 minutes: Feedback using band descriptors + assign homework (vocabulary or fluency drills)
3 minutes: Preview next lesson and answer questions

D) Teach English Online Invoice Template (Key Fields)

Your name and address
Your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference)
Client name
Invoice number and date
Period covered (e.g., “10-lesson package, March 2025”)
Service description (“10 x 60-minute IELTS Speaking lessons”)
Rate and total amount
Currency (GBP)
Payment method and link (Stripe, PayPal, bank transfer)
Payment terms (“Due upon receipt” or “Due within 7 days”)
VAT note if applicable (“VAT not applicable – turnover below threshold”)

E) DBS Application Overview to Teach English Online

Decide which level you need (Basic/Standard/Enhanced) based on your role
Gather required documents: ID, proof of addresses for the last 5 years
Apply via GOV.UK DBS service or through a registered body
Subscribe to the DBS Update Service (£13/year) to keep it current without reapplying
Share your certificate number with employers/clients who require it

FAQs (Real Answers)

Do I need CELTA to teach English online?

No, but it helps. CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL unlocks better online schools and lets you charge higher rates for private work, especially with adult learners and EAP students. A basic TEFL can get you started in the marketplaces.

What’s the typical pay per hour to teach English online?

Marketplaces start around £10-22/hour (after commission), rising with experience and reviews. Private practice ranges £25-40/hour for general English, £35-70+ for specialized work like IELTS, OET, or Business English.

Can I teach on a Student visa?

Student visa work rules are strict. Check your specific conditions. Most allow limited part-time work (up to 20 hours/week during term), but self-employment is often restricted. Confirm before taking private clients or platform work.

Do I need a DBS check?

Required by most organizations for under-18s. Highly recommended for private work with minors—many parents will insist on seeing it. It protects you and the children you teach.

How do I accept international payments?

Use Stripe or PayPal (price in GBP, they handle currency conversion) or Wise for invoicing in multiple currencies with GBP settlement. Factor conversion fees into your pricing.

Should I record lessons to teach English online?

Only with explicit written consent and a clear purpose (feedback, quality improvement). Store recordings securely and delete them on a schedule (e.g., 90 days). Never use recordings for marketing without separate permission.

How do I issue invoices?

Create numbered invoices with your details, service description, amount, due date, and payment link. Keep copies for tax records. Use invoicing software (Stripe, PayPal, Wave, FreshBooks) to automate this.

Can I run group classes?

Yes. Cap at 4-6 learners for effective interaction. Price per learner to achieve a higher effective hourly rate than 1:1. Group dynamics are different—you need strong classroom management skills.

Do I charge VAT?

Only if you register (most tutors don’t need to—the threshold is £90,000 annual turnover). If you do register, follow UK VAT place-of-supply rules for cross-border digital services.

How do I handle different time zones?

Publish availability windows in your own time zone. Use scheduling software (Calendly, YouCanBookMe) that auto-converts for students. Build separate blocks for different regions—early mornings for Asia, afternoons/evenings for the Americas.

What if a student asks for a refund?

Have a clear refund policy upfront. Most teachers offer refunds only for unused lessons in a package, not for lessons already delivered. Be consistent—don’t make exceptions or word spreads.

How do I deal with difficult students?

Enforce policies consistently. Have direct conversations about problems. Fire students who repeatedly violate boundaries or policies. You’re running a business, not a charity.

Final Word

Teaching English online from the UK is viable, but it’s not passive income, and it’s not easy money. You need a real qualification, a clear niche, professional systems, and consistent marketing. Pick something you can deliver measurable outcomes in—IELTS, Business English for a specific industry, Young Learners, or OET. Set professional rates and don’t apologize for them. Publish clear policies and enforce them. Run your teaching like a compliant UK micro-business: right to work sorted, DBS if needed, taxes handled, GDPR followed.

Use one marketplace initially for lead flow and reviews. Build your own simple website and email list in parallel. Gradually shift high-value students to private bookings where you control the relationship and keep all the money.

Expect months 1-6 to be a grind with unpredictable income. Protect your mental health—teaching all day in isolation is harder than it looks. Set boundaries, take real breaks, and build a life outside of your screen.

This can be a solid income source or even a full-time career. But it takes real work, not just “I speak English so I can teach it.”