If you would have told me a few years back that I’d end up teaching English online from home to students all over the world—from Peru to Poland—I’m not sure I would’ve believed you. I was too busy juggling homeschool lesson plans and correcting essays at the kitchen table.
But here I am.
You see, I actually started tutoring nearly 30 years ago—yes, that does date me a bit, but I wear it with pride. I began with English grammar, reading, and spelling, and later moved into full-time music teaching at a school in Micronesia. (Yes, I wore multiple hats. Sometimes simultaneously.)
And after my busy days of conducting choirs and correcting comma splices, I also homeschooled my own children—eventually five of them. As my kids got older and our homeschooling journey neared its final chapters (I’m now down to two: a high school senior and a freshman), I started to wonder what my “next thing” might be.
Turns out, it was right in front of me.
The Accidental Job Search
In one of my late-night job-hunting scrolls—you know the kind, when you’re not sure what you’re looking for but feel change tugging at your sleeve—I stumbled on a listing for ESL tutoring. It caught my eye immediately. I clicked. I signed up for the webinar. I figured, “What’s the worst that could happen? I don’t get in? I’ve raised five kids—I can handle rejection.”
The webinar walked us through the application process and introduced a TEFL certification course. The best part? The recruitment team covered all costs for accepted applicants, including training and onboarding. I kept waiting for the catch… but there wasn’t one.
And despite worrying I’d be weeded out somewhere along the way, I made it through. Hello, Preply!
Teaching English Online: From Nervous to Natural
Before that, I had never tried teaching English online. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d be cut out for it. I wondered: Will the tech glitch? Will I connect with students through a screen? Will I miss the in-person vibe?
But those worries faded fast.
I fell in love with it.
Today, I teach online full time. I have over 30 students—from young learners to business professionals—spanning every level and language goal. I work with adults on pronunciation, fluency, conversation, TOEFL and IELTS prep, essay writing, and more. I help kids with grammar, spelling, reading, and even confidence-building.
And the best part? While I teach these amazing students, I get a front-row seat to their cultures, languages, traditions, and day-to-day lives. In many ways, I feel like I’m traveling the world without leaving my desk.
Why Preply?
If you’re considering online teaching or tutoring, Preply has been a fantastic fit for me. Here’s why:
✅ Students come to you — I haven’t had to advertise or hunt for clients.
✅ Scam protection — Preply handles payments, scheduling, and lesson security.
✅ Built-in structure — They walk you through setup, onboarding, and tools.
✅ Freedom to grow — You set your hours, rates, and specialties.
Yes, they take a commission, but the ease of use and level of support makes it well worth it for me. Plus, I never have to chase down payments or create invoices in the middle of making dinner.
If you’re curious to browse Preply as a potential tutor or student, here’s the link (30% off your Trial Lesson with this link). If you’d like to schedule a lesson with me, you can do that here. (Shameless plug—but hey, it’s my blog.)
Other Options Worth Exploring
While Preply has been a great match for me, other platforms like Cambly or italki might suit different needs or teaching styles. Each one has its own pros and quirks, so it’s worth doing your research.
I personally haven’t needed to expand beyond Preply since my schedule stays consistently full—but having options is always a good thing.
Thinking of Trying It Yourself?
If you’re reading this and thinking, Hmm… maybe I could do this too, here are a few tips:
- Lean into what you know. Whether it’s grammar, conversation, or creative writing—start with your strengths.
- Stay curious. Your students will teach you just as much as you teach them.
- Take small steps. Sign up, explore, watch a webinar. No pressure.
- Don’t be afraid of the tech. If I can do it, trust me—you can too.
- Keep learning. I’m currently enrolled in an advanced ESL teaching certification course to stay sharp and inspired.
So that’s how I ended up here—teaching English online, sipping coffee by the seaside, and connecting with people from all over the globe without leaving my tiny corner of the world.
It’s been one of the most unexpectedly fulfilling chapters of my life.
And it’s only just beginning.