There are many online English teaching companies that are hiring South Africans now. So, if you are a South African citizen, read on.
Below, I compiled a list of online ESL companies where South Africans can get hired in 2023.
But if you are interested in going abroad to teach, then here is a good site that gives some tips for South Africans who want to teach abroad.
Who is Hiring South Africans in 2025
Cambly
Cambly lets you set your own hours and connects tutors with students worldwide. This means the peak hours can be 24/7. Cambly provides the lesson plans for you, and you can also just chat with students. Cambly also pays weekly.
Palfish
Palfish free talk will hire you to teach students from your phone. That’s right- Palfish lets you teach from your phone! Teachers on Palfish benefit from a schedule that is completely flexible. Teachers can open their schedule at times that suit them and there is no minimum or maximum lesson times. Note that Palfish free talk is different from Palfish official kids courses. As a Palfish teacher for free talk, you can teach adults.
IQBar
ITutor Group
- Students: Primarily Chinese children aged 4–12.
- Class Format: 30-minute sessions, either one-on-one or small group classes.
- Pay Rate: Typically ranges from $15 to $25 per hour, with potential bonuses based on performance.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Hujiang
- Students: Primarily Chinese learners, ranging from young children to adults.
- Class Format: One-on-one sessions, typically 25 minutes in length.
- Pay rate: Starting pay ranges from $16 to $20 USD per hour, with potential bonuses based on performance .
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Liulishuo also known as LAIX Inc
- Monitor Liulishuo’s Careers Page: Regularly check their official careers page for updates on job openings because each position varies in terms. of student demographics and pay rate
TeleLangue
- Student: Primarily adult learners, including business professionals and corporate clients..
- Pay: Reported pay ranges from $9 to $10 USD per hour, with limited opportunities for raises or advancement.
Teacher Platforms that Hire S. Africans
Amazing Talker
Amazing Talker is a platform that connects ESL teachers with students. AT takes 30% of what you make.
Remember, you can also review the comprehensive comparison chart of ESL companies and search by companies that hire South Africans.
Tips to Succeed as a South African Online English Teacher
Optimize your profile: Use keywords like “native English speaker” because many students do not realize South Africans are native speakers
Invest in a good headset and internet: Many companies require at least 10 Mbps upload/download. Be sure you have backup internet in case of a poor connection. A global wifi hotspot can help.
Get TEFL certified: Even if not required, it increases your hireability and pay rate.
Specialize in a niche: Business English, IELTS prep, or Kids English can help you stand out.
Does Outschool accept South Africans?
Yes! South African citizens can work for Outschool, but they need to live in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, or Wales.
Does Cambly employ South Africans?
Yes, absolutely. Cambly hires South Africans. See below and read the comments on the video, too.
Does iTalki hire South Africans?
Yes, and yes. ITalki lets South Africans post their bios and teach on the platform as long as they speak like a native English speaker. This means they must have a minimum C2 in English.
Does PalFish accept South Africans?
Sort of. South African citizens can teach on the Palfish platform through their Free Talk platform. They cannot teach official kids courses.
How much can a South African earn teaching English online?
This is a difficult question. In general, I would say about $10 an hour, unfortunately.
What do I need to teach English online in South Africa?
It will help you to have a Bachelor’s degree and a TEFL/TESOL certificate.
Best Online ESL Companies that Hire South Africans
Researching the online English companies you want to work for is important. Different companies are looking for different kinds of employees. Some want teachers from certain countries or with certain accents. Be sure to work for a company that supports you and is enthusiastic about your country of origin.
The chart above has many categories that will help you if you are a South African hoping to teach ESL online. You can search by accent requirement specifically. You can also search by internet requirements.
When I worked for SayABC during 2019, they had many South African teachers working for them. The company was very supportive of hiring tutors from South Africa.
Many ESL companies have a bias against South African applicants.
They might think teachers based in South Africa might have unreliable electricity or internet. Be sure to dissuade them of these prejudices immediately. Ensure you have a good quality computer (whether a laptop or desktop) and a reliable internet connection.
Tips to get Hired
Go to https://www.speedtest.net/ and check your connection
Show off your office setup.
Check your internet connection on https://www.speedtest.net/ to be sure you have a fast connection. Use an ethernet cable, not wifi, so you have a stable connection as well.
Make sure you get a good-quality webcam and headphones with an attached noise-canceling microphone. It is unfair, but I find that anyone applying to ESL companies while living in countries outside of the UK, America, or Canada needs to go above and beyond to show they have a great Internet connection and great computer setup. I suggest making sure your tech setup is superior to other applicants to offset any prejudice the company might have.
Bottom line
Unfortunately, many companies that ask for native speakers actually have policies in place that limit the amount of South Africans they hire. The above companies will hire South Africans, though.
“Totsiens” and happy teaching!
Also, you can learn about more companies by reading the posts below.
