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Teach English Online With Lingoda

Last Updated on April 10, 2023

If you’ve ever dreamed of earning a stable income while sharing your language skills with adults around the world, Lingoda might be the opportunity you’re looking for. This online language school has carved out a space for professional teachers who value structure, consistency, and meaningful student interactions.

Rather than chasing after random trial students or spending hours designing lesson plans, Lingoda gives you the tools, materials, and motivated learners so you can focus on what really matters — teaching. With a curriculum grounded in real-world use and flexible scheduling that fits around your lifestyle, it’s become a go-to platform for experienced educators who want to keep their standards high while living and working on their own terms.

Whether you're settled in one place or exploring life abroad, Lingoda offers a way to keep your income steady, your students engaged, and your career moving forward — without compromising on freedom.

What Is Lingoda?

Lingoda is a Berlin-based language learning company that connects professional teachers with adult students around the globe. It started as a small European startup and quickly grew into one of the most trusted names in online language education, now operating 24/7 with thousands of learners and teachers spread across continents.

At its core, Lingoda is all about structure and quality. Lessons follow the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), which means each class is designed with specific learning goals in mind — no random fluff, just practical progress. Students can choose from private or small group lessons, all taught live on Zoom by certified teachers.

For teachers, the appeal is clear: you get access to well-designed materials, a global base of serious adult learners, and a platform that respects your time and effort. No cold outreach, no unpaid prep — just a system that works.

Whether you’re teaching English, German, Spanish, French, or another supported language, Lingoda gives you a chance to plug into a professional, international teaching environment while staying location-independent.

What Makes Lingoda Different?

Lingoda isn’t just another casual tutoring app — it’s built more like a modern language school with high standards and global reach. One of the biggest differences? You’ll be teaching adults only, many of whom are ambitious professionals, expats, or university students focused on real-world outcomes.

Instead of squeezing into a rigid 9–5, you can teach when it suits you. Lingoda runs classes 24/7, which means whether you’re in Europe, Asia, or Latin America, there’s a schedule that can work for you. You’ll also skip the grind of unpaid prep or making your own materials — every lesson comes with ready-to-teach, CEFR-aligned content, so your time is spent in the classroom, not on slides.

With a focus on small group and 1-on-1 formats, the experience is personal and effective — for both teacher and learner. It’s a teaching environment designed for serious progress, not just casual conversation.

Who You’ll Be Teaching

At Lingoda, your students are curious, driven adults from across the world. Some are learning English to qualify for promotions or job transfers. Others are preparing to relocate, apply for university abroad, or simply want to feel more confident when they travel.

The diversity is real — you might teach a software engineer in Berlin one hour and a business owner in Bogotá the next. What unites them is motivation: these students are choosing to invest in themselves, and they show up ready to learn.

Most classes are small groups of up to 5 students, which creates space for real conversations and ongoing improvement. You’ll also have opportunities to teach 1-on-1 sessions, especially with students preparing for specific goals like interviews or exams.

What You’ll Be Teaching

Lingoda offers a wide range of lessons built around practical communication, with a strong focus on general and business English. You won’t be stuck teaching “the cat is on the mat” — instead, you’ll guide adults through real-world topics like job interviews, presentations, intercultural communication, and travel scenarios.

All lessons are built around the CEFR framework (A1 to C1 levels), and you’ll cover the full spectrum of language skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing — plus soft skills like negotiating, small talk, and giving feedback.

While many teachers stick to English, Lingoda also hires qualified teachers for German, Spanish, French, and other major languages. If you’re multilingual and certified, there’s room to expand your offerings and reach more students.

Daily Life as a Lingoda Teacher

One of the biggest perks of Lingoda is flexibility — not just in hours, but in how you plan your week. You can log in and claim open classes, or schedule your hours in advance. There’s no minimum requirement, so you set the pace.

Lessons are delivered via Zoom, but everything else happens through Lingoda’s platform — including your calendar, course materials, and feedback forms. You won’t need to chase students or write your own curriculum.

Each class follows a clear structure: a quick warm-up, stated objective, main lesson activity, and a wrap-up with feedback. After the class, you’ll submit a short progress note — nothing too time-consuming, just enough to help students stay on track.

Requirements to Teach with Lingoda

To join Lingoda’s team, you’ll need more than just good vibes and a webcam — they’re looking for experienced, qualified teachers who can deliver professional lessons to adult learners.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • C2 level proficiency in the language you want to teach — native or near-native fluency is a must.
  • A recognized teaching certificate like TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, or equivalent.
  • At least 2–3 years of teaching experience (can be online, in-person, or a mix).
  • A professional tech setup: stable internet connection, a quality headset, and a working webcam.
  • The legal ability to work as a freelancer, since Lingoda doesn’t offer full employment contracts.

If you’re someone who values structure, delivers quality lessons, and already has some teaching under your belt, you’ll feel right at home here.

Scheduling and Flexibility

Lingoda gives you total control over your calendar. There’s no minimum or maximum number of hours you need to teach — whether you want to log on twice a day or twice a week, it’s entirely up to you.

You can book classes hours in advance or lock in a steady weekly rhythm months ahead. This setup works perfectly for teachers juggling other jobs, traveling, or simply enjoying the freedom of freelance life.

While many students are in Europe (making morning and evening GMT hours popular), Lingoda operates 24/7, so there’s potential to teach no matter where you are. Whether you’re in Bali, Berlin, or Buenos Aires — you can find slots that fit your lifestyle.

Compensation and Payment

Lingoda offers straightforward pay, with hourly rates ranging from $8–$13 USD depending on your experience, teaching performance, and how long you've been on the platform.

Here’s what to expect:

  • Get paid even if students cancel — you’ll earn 50% of your rate for no-shows or last-minute cancellations.
  • Payments are made monthly, either via PayPal or direct deposit, and teachers report that payments are always on time.
  • There’s no unpaid admin or prep work — since Lingoda provides all materials, your time is truly spent teaching.

While it’s not the highest-paying platform out there, the consistency, prep-free lessons, and cancellation policy help create a reliable income stream.

Curriculum, Tools, and Teaching Materials

One of the biggest perks of teaching with Lingoda is how plug-and-play the experience is. The CEFR-aligned curriculum comes with everything you need to teach confidently and professionally.

You’ll have access to:

  • Pre-designed lesson slides with clear learning goals.
  • A structured flow with warm-ups, main tasks, and wrap-ups.
  • Homework assignments and tasks built into the materials.
  • Tools for giving feedback and tracking student progress.

The platform supports your delivery, but you’re still encouraged to bring your personality and teaching style — just stick to the structure so students have a consistent experience.

Application Process Step-by-Step

Getting started with Lingoda is relatively quick and streamlined. Here’s what the application process looks like:

  1. Submit your application online, including your CV, proof of certification, a short internet speed test, and availability preferences.
  2. If selected, you’ll be invited to a 30-minute Zoom interview, which includes a short demo class using Lingoda’s materials.
  3. After passing the interview, you’ll go through online onboarding to learn how to use the platform and understand policies.
  4. Once you’re approved, you can start claiming classes and earning — some teachers begin teaching within a week of applying.

Tip: Make sure your tech setup is solid and your demo lesson shows clear communication, structure, and student engagement.

Cons to Consider

Lingoda offers a strong professional setup, but it won’t be for everyone. Here are a few potential downsides:

  • The pay is fair but not the highest — some freelancers on platforms like Preply or italki can earn more per hour, especially with private students.
  • You won’t have full creative control — Lingoda’s structured curriculum means less room for custom content or open-ended activities.
  • Booking classes can be competitive, especially for new teachers who haven’t built up a track record yet.
  • If you thrive on developing your own materials or teaching style, you might find the format a bit rigid.
  • No work with kids — great for some, but limiting for teachers who enjoy working with younger learners.

Lingoda vs Other ESL Platforms

Curious how Lingoda stacks up against the other big names in online ESL teaching? Here's a quick comparison:

  • Cambly: On Cambly, students book you spontaneously for casual conversation — no curriculum, no prep. Lingoda, by contrast, is structured, scheduled, and focused on goal-oriented learners.
  • Preply: Preply lets you set your own rates and style, but you must market yourself and create your own materials. Lingoda handles all of that for you, offering stability over flexibility.
  • italki: italki is a freelance marketplace with tons of freedom but little consistency. Lingoda appeals more to teachers who want a professional, curriculum-based experience with regular hours.

Real Teacher Reviews and Feedback

Lingoda gets generally positive reviews, especially from experienced teachers looking for a consistent, well-organized platform. Here’s what teachers are saying:

  • Students: Learners are often praised for being engaged, professional, and easy to work with.
  • Support: Teachers say Lingoda’s backend is well-managed and the support team is responsive.
  • Scheduling: Many like the ability to plan lessons far in advance or pick them up last-minute.
  • Criticism: The most common downsides are the moderate pay and lack of freedom in lesson design.

Across platforms like Glassdoor, Reddit, and Indeed, reviews are a mixed but fair balance — Lingoda is respected for its professionalism, even if it’s not the most flexible or highest-paying option.

Is Lingoda the Right Fit for You?

Lingoda isn’t for everyone, but it hits the sweet spot for many experienced online teachers.

✅ Best for:

  • Teachers who want structure, reliability, and adult learners.
  • Freelancers who prefer a ready-made curriculum and steady schedule.
  • Professionals with teaching experience who value consistent income without extra admin.

❌ Not ideal for:

  • New teachers without certification or experience.
  • Those who want full control over lesson style, format, or topics.
  • Teachers seeking ultra-flexible hours or who prefer working with kids.

How to Apply + Final Thoughts

If Lingoda sounds like a fit, the application process is straightforward:

  • ✅ Meet the basic requirements (C2 level, TEFL/TESOL/CELTA, 2–3 years of experience).
  • ✅ Prepare your resume, certifications, and speed test.
  • ✅ Book a Zoom interview and be ready for a short demo class.
  • ✅ Complete onboarding and start teaching — often within a week.

👉 Apply here:
Become a Teacher with Lingoda

🌐 Official site:
Lingoda Homepage

📘 Explore More ESL Platforms:
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