Are you curious about what it's like to tutor English online? I've been teaching English online for the past three years with various companies. After trying out a few platforms, I can confidently say that Cambly is one of the most beginner-friendly ones to get started with!
The best part is this is a job that you can do anywhere in the world! I've taught on Cambly from over 23 countries.
Use this link here to apply while supporting a fellow teacher :) at no cost to you.
Curious about teaching English overseas? See my article here about teaching for different companies in Japan!
NOTE: This article contains affiliate links! If you use them, you'll receive discounts and not pay a penny more, but I will receive a small commission which helps my travels :)
Cambly is an online platform that connects English language learners and native speakers - referred to as tutors. The premise of Cambly learning is to learn English through natural conversation practice.
It was founded in 2013 and is now one of the largest English language learning platforms in the world.
Becoming a Cambly tutor is a fairly straightforward process. You start by applying here on their website.
Note: there are two types of applications. One is for "regular" Cambly, which is the standard platform. This is mainly for adults, but occasionally under-18s will take classes here.
The second is for Cambly Kids. This side of the platform typically only hires certified ESL teachers and provides a set curriculum.
You fill out your personal information and introduce yourself through a brief video. Not sure what to include in your introduction video? Not a problem! You can browse through tutor lists, view their profiles and videos, and take inspiration from that.
If you haven't tutored or taught before, don't let that discourage you! Teaching credentials or prior experience are not required, but are viewed as plusses to your profile. You just need to be friendly and willing to engage in conversation!
One of Cambly's main benefits is its flexibility. As a tutor, you have complete control over your work hours. You decide when and how much you wish to work. This makes it a great option for students, freelancers, and anyone looking for a side gig.
You can "go online" on Cambly whenever you'd like. This means that students are able to see your profile and "call" you for a lesson. These lessons can range anywhere from one minute to one hour.
Another option is to pick a "priority hour". This means you agree to sit in online in front of your computer for that one hour slot and wait for students to call you. Students can also make reservations with you during these priority hours.
Note: If you are hired by Cambly, your access to priority hours is based on ratings. The lower your ratings, the lower access to priority hours you have. There is no real consensus to what rating you need, but I've always kept my rating above a 4.9 and had nearly full access to priority hours.
So what is it actually like to be in the Cambly classroom? In my experience, it is a fairly casual meeting!
I have met with over 400 students in my time tutoring with Cambly, and 99% of adults are just looking for casual conversation. Sometimes they'll ask for a structured lesson or they'll come with questions of their own.
Students come from around the world with various goals. I've met university students preparing to study abroad to major CEOs asking for advice on a presentation.
Your role as a tutor is to be friendly, engaging, and keep the conversation flowing. This means that you need to get really good at asking questions.
Teaching with Cambly Kids can be such a fun experience! The lessons are pre-selected for you from a designed curriculum. This means there is no real preparation on your part.
Though, I've found that it's always good to have a few props on hand. Kids love stuffed animals and fun games to fill the extra class time!
However, teaching children online can come with its own set of challenges. Children are a much more delicate group of students and can get discouraged more easily than an adult, and sometimes it is clear they are not interested in studying. The parents often have them take these extra English lessons after a full school day.
Despite the challenges, it can be incredibly rewarding. Kids are imaginative, fun, and downright cute! They say the funniest things in English.
I don't know about you, but I personally would rather be asked about my favorite dinosaur than the stock market.
Now to talk about the most important thing: payment. What you're really here to read about, right?
The good news about payment with Cambly is that payouts are consistent and reliable. Cambly pays you your earnings weekly straight to PayPal.
The bad news? Well...
Let's break this down bit by bit.
Cambly pays differently between Cambly Kids and "regular" Cambly. Payment is calculated per minute.
As of October 2023 the payment structure is:
- Cambly - $0.17 USD per minute/$10.20 per hour
- Cambly Kids - $0.20 USD per minute/$12.00 per hour
This is the maximum you will earn per hour (unless Cambly is running a bonus program, which they seem to be doing less lately). Meaning that if you speak every minute of the hour this is what you can expect, however, this is rare.
No-Shows and silent priority hours are common. What's more common is sporadic lessons during priority hours. Five minutes here, fifteen minutes there, leaves you walking away with below minimum wage.
If you live in The USA or another country with a similar cost of living, this is not sustainable and should only be used as an income booster. However, if you're traveling around countries with lower costs of living, this rate is more livable.
Good news! Cambly has gotten better recently about ensuring you get a little more change in your pocket. If you are in the classroom and your student does not show up, you will be paid for a certain time limit during the student's grace period. Essentially, you are paid for waiting.
That's the real question. In essence, working with Cambly offers a unique chance to connect with English learners, share your language skills, and experience cultural exchange! The platform's flexibility, student diversity, and low prerequisites make it a great option for those looking for an entry-level English teaching side-gig.
It's also a great chance to travel and work remotely. Cambly opens doors for digital nomads starting on their travel journey.
Because there's no hourly minimum you have to work with Cambly, it's worth it to apply! This way you always have a guarantee to make money just by going online.
If you feel like Cambly is a good fit for you, apply here and support a fellow teacher!
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