Teach English Online With Cambly

Cambly is one of the most accessible platforms out there for anyone looking to teach English online—whether you're just starting out or simply want a side gig you can do from anywhere. With no degree or teaching experience required, it opens the door for native English speakers to connect with learners from around the world through simple, one-on-one conversation.

Unlike platforms that demand lesson prep, strict schedules, or formal qualifications, Cambly is refreshingly relaxed. You log in when you want, talk with students from countries you may have never even visited, and get paid weekly. It’s the kind of setup that fits naturally into a travel-friendly lifestyle, remote work routine, or flexible income plan.

What makes Cambly stand out isn’t just the freedom—it’s the cultural exchange. One moment you might be chatting with a student from Brazil preparing for a job interview, and the next you’re helping someone in Japan practice small talk for their trip abroad. The result is a platform that feels less like work and more like a global hangout with purpose.

What is Cambly and Who Are the Students?

Cambly launched in 2012 with a simple but powerful mission: to make high-quality English practice accessible to learners around the world. Unlike many other platforms that offer a range of subjects or multilingual content, Cambly focuses entirely on English—and it shows in the platform’s clean design and effortless functionality.

You’ll find students from over 190 countries logging on daily, often with different goals. Some are business professionals looking to improve their English for international meetings. Others are university students prepping for exams like IELTS or TOEFL. Many are simply curious learners who want to boost their confidence in conversation. This variety keeps tutoring interesting and deeply human—you’re not just a teacher, you’re often a window into another culture.

Cambly’s signature format is a casual 1-on-1 video chat, with no pressure for either party. Students can book in advance or hop on instantly, depending on your availability. There's also Cambly Kids, a separate track designed specifically for children aged 4–15. While Cambly for adults is free-form and based on spontaneous conversation, Cambly Kids offers a more structured curriculum with lesson plans tailored to younger learners. You can choose to teach one or both, depending on your style.

What Makes Cambly Unique?

Cambly sets itself apart by being one of the most beginner-friendly tutoring platforms in the online teaching space. You don’t need a degree. You don’t need a TEFL certificate. You don’t even need teaching experience. If you're a native English speaker with a stable internet connection, you’re eligible to apply.

This openness makes Cambly especially appealing for those testing the waters of online teaching or seeking a location-independent income stream. You can work from your apartment in Bangkok, a co-working space in Lisbon, or your bedroom in Cape Town—anywhere with decent Wi-Fi. There are no set schedules or required hours. You simply log in when you want to teach.

The pay structure is straightforward and reliable. Cambly pays weekly via PayPal or direct deposit, with adult tutoring sessions earning $0.17 per minute ($10.20/hour), and Cambly Kids paying slightly more at $0.20 per minute ($12.00/hour). It's not a high-paying gig, but for many, the ease and flexibility more than make up for it.

Another key feature is that there’s no lesson prep required for adult sessions—just show up and talk. For Cambly Kids, lessons follow a simple curriculum that’s easy to deliver even if you’ve never taught before. Whether you’re a gap-year student, a working traveler, or someone testing the waters before pursuing a CELTA or TEFL career, Cambly is a low-stress place to start.

Requirements to Become a Cambly Tutor

Cambly keeps its tutor requirements refreshingly simple—but there are still a few boxes you’ll need to tick.

First, you must be a native English speaker and at least 18 years old. Cambly defines “native” quite strictly, so applicants from countries like the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa tend to be prioritized.

Your tech setup needs to be solid. You’ll need:

• A reliable computer or laptop (mobile devices won’t cut it)
• A good quality webcam and microphone
• Stable, high-speed internet
• A quiet and distraction-free space with decent lighting

Beyond hardware, soft skills matter more than you might expect. Since Cambly is built on natural conversation, you’ll need to be friendly, encouraging, and ready to adapt to cultural differences. Many students are shy or nervous about speaking, so patience and a calm tone go a long way.

If you're considering Cambly Kids, be prepared to bring the energy. You'll need to exaggerate pronunciation, maintain a positive classroom presence, and interact playfully to keep younger learners engaged. It’s a different pace from chatting with adults—but it can also be a lot of fun (and pays more too).

Application and Setup Process

Applying to Cambly is about as stress-free as it gets in the online teaching world. There are no interviews, no demo lessons, and no tests.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Create an account on the Cambly tutor portal
2. Fill out a short application — basic info, a few teaching-style questions
3. Record a 1–2 minute video introduction that shows off your personality and communication skills
4. Submit your profile and wait for approval

Tips for a strong application:

• Speak clearly and warmly in your video—don’t over-rehearse
• Smile, look into the camera, and use natural gestures
• Mention any specialties (e.g., Business English, IELTS prep, kids’ education)
• Highlight your availability and timezone
• If you have an accent, say where you’re from so students know what to expect

There’s no live interview or class simulation, but Cambly takes your intro video seriously—it’s often the make-or-break step. Approval times vary; in periods of high demand, it can take a few days to a few weeks to get reviewed, especially since Cambly occasionally limits tutor intake to protect active tutors’ schedules.

Once you’re approved, you can log in and start accepting calls or setting your availability right away.

Teaching on Cambly: What It’s Like

Teaching on Cambly is refreshingly low-pressure—especially compared to platforms that require detailed lesson prep and strict classroom management. Most sessions with adults are informal, one-on-one video chats focused on helping students practice conversational English.

Some learners come with a topic in mind—anything from business presentations to casual small talk. Others may want guidance, in which case Cambly provides topic prompts and conversation starters you can access with a click. You're not expected to be a grammar expert or give structured lectures—think of it more like guiding a curious friend through English.

For Cambly Kids, the structure is different. The lessons follow a colorful, pre-made curriculum with clear slides and interactive prompts. It’s a bit like running a short, virtual storytime session. You’ll need to keep the pace upbeat, pronounce things clearly, and engage young learners using visual cues, repetition, and smiles. Props can help, but they’re not required.

Regardless of age group, tutors are expected to gently correct mistakes, offer feedback, and encourage self-expression. It’s important to be culturally sensitive—students come from all over the world, and what seems casual to one learner might feel too direct or confusing to another.

Cambly also gives you handy in-platform tools:

• Bookmarks help you save regular students for follow-up lessons
• Notes let you jot down reminders or goals from past classes
• Recordings are available to students after class, but you can use them too—for reviewing what worked or spotting patterns in student speech

Whether you're helping a Turkish engineer prep for a job interview or guiding a shy Japanese teen through basic greetings, each session is unique—but always driven by meaningful communication.

Scheduling, Flexibility, and Priority Hours

Cambly’s flexibility is one of its biggest draws. There’s no required schedule, and you can log in anytime to start receiving calls—whether that’s during your morning coffee or after dinner. This is known as standby mode, and it allows you to connect with students instantly if there’s demand.

If you want more consistent bookings, you can sign up for Priority Hours. These are time blocks where Cambly guarantees traffic. If you don’t get any calls during a Priority Hour, Cambly still pays you a partial rate just for being available. These hours help you become more visible to new students, and the more you show up on time and stay active, the more Priority Hours you’ll unlock.

Time zones matter too. Since Cambly serves students globally, demand tends to peak during evenings and weekends in the student’s local time. For tutors in the Americas, that often means early morning shifts or late-night hours are busiest (especially for students in the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America).

There are no penalties for taking breaks or going offline. You control your availability entirely. Want to tutor while backpacking in Bali or from your apartment in Lisbon? Cambly makes that possible—as long as your internet is solid.

Pay, Payouts, and Income Expectations

Cambly pays by the minute, which makes it one of the few ESL platforms that compensates you for every second you're teaching—even if the lesson ends early. Here's the breakdown:

• Cambly (adults): $0.17 USD per minute ($10.20/hour)
• Cambly Kids: $0.20 USD per minute ($12.00/hour)

Payments are sent out weekly via PayPal, ACH (for U.S.-based tutors), and a few other methods like wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, depending on your region. The minimum payout threshold is low, and most tutors receive their payments by Tuesday evening (U.S. time) like clockwork.

So how much can you actually earn? That depends on your availability and student flow. Cambly doesn’t guarantee hours, so consistency comes with being online during high-demand times, especially during Priority Hours or popular time slots for your target student base.

Here’s a rough idea of potential earnings:

• Part-time (1–2 hrs/day, 5 days/week): $50–$120/week
• Medium (3–4 hrs/day, 5 days/week): $150–$240/week
• Heavy (5–6 hrs/day, 5–6 days/week): $300–$500+/week

To increase your earnings:

• Focus on Cambly Kids for the higher rate
• Be available during Middle Eastern and Asian peak times
• Sign up for Priority Hours to stay busy
• Create a strong intro video and profile to attract regular students
• Take advantage of Cambly’s referral program to earn bonuses by inviting other tutors

It’s not the highest-paying platform out there, but Cambly shines when it comes to simplicity, flexibility, and consistency of payout—making it ideal for side income or a low-pressure entry into online teaching.

Pros and Cons of Teaching with Cambly

Like any platform, Cambly comes with both perks and trade-offs. Whether it’s the right fit depends on your goals and teaching style.

Pros

• ✅ No degree or experience required – a rare find in the ESL world
• ✅ Fully flexible – set your own hours, teach from anywhere with internet
• ✅ Simple setup – no lesson planning, homework, or complex onboarding
• ✅ Diverse students – connect with people from all over the world
• ✅ Weekly pay – reliable payments through PayPal or direct deposit

Cons

• ❌ Lower pay – other platforms may offer more for qualified teachers
• ❌ No guaranteed bookings – success depends on availability and visibility
• ❌ Flat rate – no raises or progression for experience or loyalty
• ❌ Native speakers only – non-native teachers aren’t accepted
• ❌ Limited support and feedback – you’ll need to self-manage growth

For some, Cambly is the perfect launchpad into teaching English online. For others seeking higher pay or a more structured teaching experience, it might be better as a stepping stone.

Who Cambly is Best For

Cambly is a natural fit for people who want to start teaching English online without getting bogged down in red tape. If you're seeking total flexibility and the chance to meet students from across the globe, it's one of the easiest platforms to get started on.

✅ Ideal for:

• Native English speakers who don’t yet have a degree or TEFL certification
• Digital nomads, travelers, and expats who want to earn income on their own time
• New TEFL teachers looking to build experience and confidence
• Side-hustlers looking for extra weekly cash without stress
• Anyone who values conversational teaching and low-pressure lessons

❌ Not ideal for:

• Teachers who prefer a structured classroom or fixed curriculum
• Non-native speakers (Cambly only accepts native-level tutors)
• Professionals seeking full-time income or long-term financial stability
• Tutors looking for clear advancement or pay increases

If you're self-motivated, socially curious, and comfortable improvising your lessons based on student needs, Cambly can be a fun, meaningful, and flexible way to work online.

Alternatives to Cambly

If you’re weighing your options or want to combine platforms, here are a few great alternatives:

• Preply – Offers more structure and lets you set your own hourly rate
• iTalki – Strong global reach and similar flexibility, but more competitive
• Compare Preply vs iTalki vs Cambly – Side-by-side breakdown of how these platforms differ and which is right for you

Final Thoughts and How to Apply

Cambly is one of the most accessible platforms for online English teaching. It’s not about perfect credentials or polished resumes — it’s about connection, communication, and curiosity. Whether you're teaching from a beach in Bali or a flat in Berlin, Cambly makes it possible to earn while having meaningful conversations with learners from all walks of life.

To succeed, focus on:

• Having a warm, clear intro video
• Logging in during peak demand hours
• Staying consistent and being genuinely engaging

👉 Ready to apply?
Apply to teach with Cambly

🌐 Visit the official site:
Cambly.com

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