51Talk is one of the longest-running and most recognizable names in the online English teaching space. Originally focused on connecting Filipino tutors with young learners in China, the platform has evolved into a global operation, now hiring teachers from North America and beyond. With millions of students served and a growing footprint across Asia, 51Talk remains a major player in the virtual classroom scene.
What sets 51Talk apart is its streamlined system—lessons are short, materials are provided, and students often come ready to learn. That structure, paired with consistent student demand and flexible scheduling, makes it appealing to teachers looking to earn an income remotely while building meaningful connections with learners across cultures.
Whether you're just starting your TEFL journey or already have experience under your belt, 51Talk offers a way to turn your skills into a practical, portable job. If you're curious about how it works and whether it's a good fit for your lifestyle, you're not alone.
How 51Talk Works
At its core, 51Talk is a platform that matches English teachers with students through live, interactive lessons. Everything happens online, using the company’s own virtual classroom software or, in some cases, third-party tools like Zoom or Skype as a backup. Students browse available teachers, check reviews, and either book directly or are matched through an AI recommendation system.
Most teachers work with young learners, primarily children between the ages of 5 and 12. These students are typically based in China or Southeast Asia and are learning English as part of their long-term education goals. They’re often highly motivated, and lessons follow a structured curriculum designed to keep them engaged with games, visuals, and simple conversational tasks.
There are two main formats for teaching. The first is the standard 1-on-1 class, which runs for 25 minutes and forms the backbone of the platform. The second option, available through the HAWO division of 51Talk, involves teaching group classes of up to six students. These are longer—usually 45 minutes—and follow a slightly different teaching rhythm. Teachers can choose to focus on one format or mix both into their schedules, depending on availability and preference.
Requirements for Teachers
To teach with 51Talk, you’ll need to meet a few clear criteria—some are non-negotiable, while others give you a bit of flexibility depending on your background.
🎓 Education & Certification
A bachelor’s degree is required, regardless of major. While degrees in education, English, or linguistics are preferred, 51Talk accepts applicants with a wide range of academic backgrounds—as long as the degree is from an accredited institution and can be verified with a diploma scan.
You’ll also need a TEFL certificate (minimum 120 hours). This can come from any recognized provider, and advanced qualifications like CELTA, CertTESOL, or DELTA are also accepted. If you haven’t earned your TEFL yet, 51Talk won’t consider your application.
🌍 Nationality & Language Skills
51Talk has historically hired teachers from the Philippines, Canada, and the United States. In recent years, it has prioritized teachers with neutral North American accents, especially for roles focused on younger Chinese learners. Non-native speakers may still be considered if they have exceptional fluency and teaching experience, but it’s more competitive.
🧑🏫 Experience
You’ll need to show some kind of teaching or tutoring experience—formal or informal. This could be classroom work, online lessons, private tutoring, or even volunteer teaching. If you have a state teaching license (e.g., in the U.S. or Canada), that’s a big plus and can sometimes count in place of a TEFL.
That said, newer teachers aren’t excluded. Many people have started their teaching careers with 51Talk as long as they show energy, professionalism, and a strong command of English instruction.
💻 Tech Requirements
Because you’ll be working from home, your tech setup matters. You’ll need:
- A reliable computer (Windows or Mac)
- Operating system: Windows 10 or higher, or recent macOS
- A strong, wired internet connection (not Wi-Fi alone)
- HD webcam
- Noise-cancelling headset with microphone
- Quiet, distraction-free teaching space with good lighting
Having stable, modern equipment isn’t just a technicality—it directly affects your ability to teach smoothly and avoid penalties for missed or interrupted classes.
Teaching Schedule and Commitment
One of the perks of teaching with 51Talk is the ability to set your own schedule—within limits. While you won’t be locked into a traditional 9-to-5, the platform does expect a certain level of consistency, especially during peak hours when student demand is highest.
🕒 Peak Hours
Since most students are based in China and Southeast Asia, peak teaching times align with their school schedules. If you’re in North America, that usually means working early mornings or late evenings.
Here’s a rough breakdown of peak weekday hours:
- Eastern Time (US/Canada): 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Pacific Time: 3:00 AM – 7:00 AM
- Philippines: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Weekends offer extended peak hours, with high demand from morning through evening in Asia, which translates to Friday nights through Sunday mornings in the West.
📅 Minimum Commitment
For teachers working through HAWO (the group class division), there’s a 10-hour minimum per week, typically spread across a fixed 10-week block. These sessions are scheduled in advance, so you’ll need to commit to the full term.
For standard 1-on-1 teachers on 51Talk, there’s no strict hourly minimum, but teachers who regularly open time slots and build a reliable schedule tend to get more bookings. Sporadic availability makes it harder to maintain a steady flow of students—and income.
🔁 Flexibility vs. Consistency
While you can choose which days and times you want to work, 51Talk places a strong emphasis on reliability. Cancelling or missing classes can result in penalties, and students often book ongoing sessions with the same teacher. The more consistent your schedule, the more likely you are to build long-term student relationships and maximize your earning potential.
This balance makes 51Talk ideal for teachers who want part-time flexibility but are also able to commit to regular hours, especially during key demand periods.
Pay Structure and Bonuses
51Talk uses a tiered system to determine teacher pay, with rates based on your qualifications, experience, performance, and student feedback. This structure allows teachers to move up in rank over time, unlocking higher pay and additional perks.
🏅 Tier System
There are seven teacher levels, each with its own base pay rate:
- Starting Teacher
- Newly Qualified Teacher
- Junior Teacher
- Senior Teacher A
- Senior Teacher B
- Master Teacher A
- Master Teacher B
New applicants are placed into a tier during the hiring process based on their credentials and demo performance. Teachers can be promoted to higher tiers through consistent teaching, strong student feedback, and completion of internal training programs.
💵 Pay Rates
Pay is calculated per class, not per hour. A standard 1-on-1 class is 25 minutes, while group lessons through HAWO run for 45 minutes. Here’s a rough guide to what you might earn:
For North American teachers:
- 25-minute class: $7–$11 USD
- 45-minute class: $14–$22 USD
For Filipino teachers:
- 25-minute class: PHP 85–150
- Monthly earnings can range from PHP 25,000 to 80,000+ depending on hours worked and tier
🎯 Bonuses and Incentives
In addition to your base rate, 51Talk offers several opportunities to increase your earnings:
- Attendance bonuses: For consistently opening time slots and avoiding cancellations
- Performance bonuses: Based on student ratings and class quality
- Referral bonuses: For bringing in new teachers
- Trial conversion incentives: Earn extra when trial students you teach sign up for long-term packages
These extras can make a noticeable difference—especially for teachers who teach during high-demand hours and maintain a consistent schedule.
📊 Income Examples
To give you an idea of what's possible:
- A full-time Filipino teacher working 40+ hours/week can earn around PHP 60,000–80,000/month from home.
- A North American part-time teacher working mornings (15–20 hours/week) can expect $600–$1,200/month, depending on tier and bonuses.
- A high-tier U.S. teacher working full-time with consistent rebookings may earn $2,000+/month.
Keep in mind that your actual earnings depend on how many classes you teach, your reliability, and your tier status—not just your location.
Application and Onboarding Process
Getting started with 51Talk is fairly straightforward, though the platform does have several steps to ensure you’re prepared before you begin teaching. If you meet the core requirements, you can usually move from application to teaching your first class within a couple of weeks.
📝 Step-by-Step Process
-
Submit Application
Fill out the online application form with your personal details, education background, and teaching experience. You’ll also upload your TEFL certificate and degree. -
Initial Screening
A recruiter will review your application and reach out if you meet the criteria. You may be asked a few short questions or to clarify your teaching availability. -
Demo Lesson
You’ll be scheduled for a live teaching demo, typically a 10–15 minute sample lesson with a staff evaluator. This is your chance to show energy, clarity, classroom control, and ability to teach level-appropriate content. Props and a strong internet connection help you stand out. -
Interview & Tier Placement
After your demo, you’ll receive feedback and be told which teacher tier you qualify for. Your tier influences your starting pay and potential bonuses. -
Orientation
You’ll join a virtual orientation session where you’ll learn more about 51Talk’s expectations, policies, and tools. You’ll also be introduced to the booking system and class management dashboard. -
Training Modules
Complete a short series of self-paced training modules to get familiar with lesson materials, the teaching platform, and best practices for working with young learners. -
Activate Profile & Start Teaching
Once your profile is live and approved, you can open time slots and begin receiving bookings—either immediately or within a few days depending on demand.
🎯 How Long Does It Take?
For most applicants, the entire onboarding process—from application to first class—takes about 7 to 14 days. The biggest factor is how quickly you can schedule and pass your demo, and whether your documents are ready to go.
If you're organized and motivated, it's possible to complete the process in under a week.
Teaching Experience on the Platform
Teaching on 51Talk is fast-paced, structured, and centered around engagement. Most lessons are 25 minutes long, and the focus is on conversational skills, vocabulary building, and simple grammar—especially for younger students.
🎥 What a Class Looks Like
You log into the 51Talk platform (or HAWO for group classes), review the day’s booked lessons, and launch each session directly from your dashboard. Students appear via webcam, and you're expected to guide them through a pre-loaded slide-based lesson. These materials are interactive, with visuals, animations, and clickable elements to keep students engaged.
Each lesson is designed for easy flow, but your job is to bring it to life. That means using gestures, props, facial expressions, and a warm tone to make the experience dynamic—especially with kids who may be shy or easily distracted.
🛠️ Teaching Tools and Platform Features
The teaching platform includes:
- Clickable slides and interactive exercises
- A whiteboard for quick drawing or writing
- Built-in chat for quick instructions or corrections
- Emojis and stickers to reward students in real-time
While the system is generally user-friendly, it occasionally has glitches—especially during peak hours or if your internet speed dips. Backup tools like Skype or QQ are sometimes used if the built-in platform fails.
⭐ Student Feedback and Performance
After each class, you’ll fill out a quick memo with feedback for the student and parents: what went well, what they struggled with, and what to review next time. In return, students (or their parents) rate your performance, which affects your overall teacher score.
This score plays a major role in how often you’re booked. Consistently positive ratings, on-time attendance, and a friendly classroom atmosphere all contribute to more opportunities and tier promotions. If your rating drops, your bookings can take a hit—so attention to detail matters.
Pros and Cons of Teaching with 51Talk
Like any platform, 51Talk has its strengths and its limitations. Whether it’s a good fit depends on your goals, schedule, and expectations.
✅ Pros
- Flexible Hours: Great for early risers or teachers in Asia who want to work evenings.
- Structured Curriculum: No need to create lesson plans—just review and deliver.
- Room for Growth: Tier system rewards consistency, good performance, and training.
- Work-from-Home: Fully remote with no commuting or classroom logistics.
- Supportive for Beginners: Good entry point for those starting out with TEFL.
❌ Cons
- Harsh Penalties: Missed or canceled classes—even for tech issues—can lower your rating.
- Early Hours (for Western teachers): Peak times are before dawn if you're in the U.S. or Canada.
- Pay Ceiling: Even at higher tiers, pay is modest compared to some premium platforms.
- Platform Bugs: Occasional tech glitches, especially during busy hours.
- Limited Creativity: The preset curriculum can feel restrictive for highly creative teachers.
For some, 51Talk is a steady stepping stone—great for building experience and earning supplemental income. For others, especially those seeking higher pay or creative freedom, it may serve best as a short-term option.
👤 Better for Beginners or Veterans?
51Talk tends to be a stronger fit for new or developing teachers. The structured lessons, built-in student base, and performance feedback create a good learning environment. However, more experienced teachers—especially those seeking higher pay or more autonomy—may eventually outgrow the platform.
Is 51Talk Right for You?
51Talk works best for people looking for part-time online teaching with a consistent flow of students. It’s a particularly good option if:
- You’re based in the Philippines or Southeast Asia and want to teach evenings
- You’re in North America and don’t mind early morning work
- You’re new to TEFL and want to build experience without creating your own curriculum
- You value structure, stability, and predictable lessons
It may not be ideal if:
- You want complete creative freedom in your lessons
- You’re seeking the highest possible hourly rate
- You struggle with early morning hours in your time zone
- You need a platform with flexible cancellation policies
If 51Talk isn’t the right fit, consider alternatives like Preply, iTalki, or Cambly, which offer greater scheduling freedom and fewer entry barriers, though they come with their own trade-offs.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
51Talk remains one of the most well-known and accessible online ESL platforms, especially for teachers aiming to build a remote-friendly teaching routine. While it isn’t the highest-paying option, it offers structure, consistency, and a ready-made classroom—all valuable when you’re just starting out or looking for reliable side income.
To succeed, focus on being consistent with your schedule, showing up fully prepared, and keeping students engaged with energy and clarity. Use the tier system and performance reviews as motivation to grow your skills and increase your income over time.
👉 Ready to apply or learn more?
Visit 51Talk’s application page to get started.
🔍 Explore the official website:
Browse the latest updates and resources at 51Talk.ph
📚 Learn more about online teaching options:
Check out our guide to teaching English online
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