South Africans can teach English online — but the job hunt can feel unfair. Some platforms filter by accent/passport, keep hiring rules vague, and use location-based pay (so rates can start lower in SA).
The good news: there are still legit companies hiring South Africans in 2026, and you can increase your rate over time. Below are 7 real options as well as a tip on which company to avoid.

1. Cambly 2. Preply 3. Twenix 4. EF Teach Online 5. LingoAce 6. E-Native 7. TutorABC

Can South Africans Really Teach English Online?

Yes. It may be more competitive, and you may need to apply smarter — but South Africans absolutely do get hired online.

Two important notes:

1. Pay varies more than people expect (country-based pay + booking-based pay + tier systems).
2. A TEFL certificate helps a lot, even when it’s not “required,” because it boosts your credibility and helps you perform better in interviews and demo lessons.

7 Online ESL Jobs That Hire South Africans (2026)

1) Cambly

Cambly is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to start teaching online. Lessons are mostly casual conversation with adult learners (and there’s also Cambly Kids). You don’t need to design full lesson plans, which is great if you’re new.

Cambly is “gig style”: you open your availability and get booked, but your earnings can fluctuate week to week.

Requirements:

• No degree required
• Fluent English
• Stable internet
• TEFL recommended (not required)

Rate:

• About $10.20/hour (often shown as $0.17/min)

Best for:

• People who want flexibility and low prep
• First-time online teachers

2) Preply

Preply is a marketplace platform — meaning you create a profile, set your own rate, and students book you. This can become one of the highest-earning options on this list, but it takes effort to build momentum.

Expect to do trial lessons and spend time improving your profile. Once you have reviews and regulars, you can raise your rates steadily.

Requirements:

• No degree required
• Fluent English
• TEFL recommended
• Intro video + profile

Rate:

• You set your own rate (many tutors start at $10–$25/hr, but higher is possible)
• Preply takes commission (highest at the beginning)

Best for:

• Teachers who want long-term earning potential
• Self-starters willing to optimize their profile

3) Twenix

Twenix is a great “structured but low-prep” platform. Lessons are short (26 minutes) and focused on conversation with adult professionals (mostly in Europe). Twenix provides prompts/materials, so it feels more like coaching than building full lessons.

Because students are in Europe, your busiest hours tend to fit nicely into South African daytime/late afternoon schedules.

Cambly, Preply, and Twenix are all great options for teachers who do not have a bachelor’s degree. They are included in our list of 20 Places To Teach Online With No Degree.

Requirements:

• No degree required
• Strong English proficiency
• TEFL preferred
• Reliable internet

Rate:

• Paid per lesson (rates can vary by country and may change over time)

Best for:

• Teachers who want structure without heavy lesson planning
• People who prefer adult/professional learners

🎓 Want to teach online? TEFL Hero’s 120-hour TEFL Certification is designed to get you job-ready fast (self-paced, fully online, and accepted by employers worldwide).

4) EF Teach Online (South African base)

EF is a large global company, and one of the more “structured job-like” options on this list. That structure can be a huge benefit: training, a teaching framework, and consistency (depending on role).

Some roles may require working from a specific location (like their Johannesburg setup), while others may offer remote options depending on what they’re hiring for. You can read more about the Johannesburg full-time position.

Requirements (commonly):

• Bachelor’s degree
• 120-hour TEFL
• High English proficiency
• Strong tech setup

Rate:

• Varies by role, contract type, and schedule

Best for:

• Teachers who want structure and credibility on their CV
• People looking for a more corporate-style environment

5) LingoAce

LingoAce focuses on teaching children (often 4–15). If you’re comfortable with kids, this can be a strong option because the curriculum is provided and you don’t need to build your own classes from scratch.

Peak booking times often match after-school hours in Asia, which may land in South African late afternoons and evenings.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (or in progress, depending on the role)
• 120-hour TEFL or equivalent
• Comfortable teaching young learners
• Stable internet + quiet teaching space

Rate:

• Often paid per class, with bonuses possible
• Rates vary based on location, performance, and class types

Best for:

• Teachers who like kids + structured content
• People who want a clear lesson framework

6) E-Native (South Africans teaching Polish students)

E-Native has posted roles specifically recruiting South African-based teachers. This is more “school-style” than marketplace: they provide materials, and you teach within their schedule.

They’ve advertised:

• peak hours in the late afternoon/evening SAST,
• a minimum weekly commitment,
• and pay per lesson after a probation phase.

Requirements (commonly mentioned):

• 120 hour TEFL
• Fluent English
• South African residency + local bank details
• Availability during peak hours

Rate (example from a recent posting):

• 150 ZAR per 45-minute lesson (after probation)

Best for:

• Teachers who want a structured schedule
• People who can commit to evening peak hours

7) TutorABC

TutorABC is a large online platform offering structured lessons (often 25 minutes, with some group classes longer). You don’t need to find students yourself — the platform places you into lessons based on availability and demand.

Pay and bookings can vary depending on tier and how many hours you teach.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 120 hour TEFL
• Strong English proficiency
• Reliable teaching setup

Rate:

• Varies widely depending on schedule, demand, and tier system

Best for:

• Teachers who want a structured platform
• People comfortable with performance-based booking systems

⚠️ Warning: Avoid The Really Great Teacher Company (TRGTC)

We do not recommend The Really Great Teacher Company (TRGTC).

Many teachers report that TRGTC operates as a middleman, placing teachers at other ESL companies while taking a cut of earnings. There are also concerns about restrictive non-compete clauses, unclear pay structures, and inconsistent hours. You can see some first-hand accounts of people who have worked with TRGTC here and here.

If you’re job hunting as a South African teacher, your time is better spent applying directly to platforms with clearer terms and more transparency.

General Requirements to Teach English Online

Even when a degree isn’t required, these are the basics that help you get hired and succeed:

TEFL Certification

A 120-hour TEFL is the most common requirement across online ESL companies — and even when it’s “optional,” it often helps you get hired faster.

🎓 TEFL Hero’s 120-hour TEFL Certification is self-paced, fully online, and designed to help new teachers feel confident for interviews and first classes.

Reliable Internet + Equipment

• Stable internet connection
• Laptop/desktop (many platforms don’t allow phones)
• Webcam
• Headset (clear audio matters more than a fancy camera)
• Good lighting (window light or ring light)

How to Raise Your Rate Over Time (Even If You Start Lower)

If you’re South African, you may see lower starting rates on some platforms — but you can still increase earnings quickly.

1) Start where you can build hours + confidence
Beginner-friendly platforms help you get experience fast.

2) Move to a platform where you control pricing
Marketplaces like Preply let you raise your rate as you gain reviews.

3) Specialize
Conversation-only often caps your pay. Higher-paying specialties include:

• Business English
• Interview prep
• IELTS speaking
• Kids phonics/reading

4) Build proof
Reviews, student wins, and a strong intro video make it easier to charge more.

FAQs About Teaching English Online as a South African

Conclusion

Yes — it can be tougher for South Africans to land online ESL jobs. But it’s absolutely possible when you apply strategically, use the right platforms, and build proof quickly.

Start with one or two beginner-friendly options, build momentum, and level up your rate by specializing.