Who is hiring South African English teachers in 2026?
Here are some of the best online English-teaching companies and platforms that South Africans can realistically apply to. I have included companies with create-your-own-profile platforms and companies that specifically accept teachers from South Africa:
Flexible & Create-Your-Own-Profile (Marketplace) Platforms
These platforms let you teach online from anywhere (including South Africa) and often let you set your own schedule or rates:
1. italki
- Type: Language tutoring marketplace (1-on-1).
- Pros: You set your own rate and teach students worldwide. Works well for South Africans.
- Considerations: You’re essentially self-employed; it takes time to build a student base.
2. Preply
- Type: Teaching marketplace where you set prices and availability.
- Pros: Very flexible; teach adults, exam prep, business English, etc.
- Note: Platform fees apply, and competition can be high.
- Type: Global tutor marketplace.
- Pros: Set your own hourly rate and find students who choose you.
4. Cambly
- Type: Conversational English platform (adults & kids).
- Pros: Extremely flexible; no degree or certification required.
- Cons: Pay tends to be lower (about ~$10/hr) compared with structured teaching companies.
5. Palfish
- Type: App-based teaching platform.
- Pros: Can teach on mobile; flexible.
- Notes: Pay varies by program; may require a TEFL/TEOSL for certain classes.
Companies That Often Accept South African Teachers
These companies either explicitly hire Remote ESL teachers from South Africa or are known to accept native or near-native English speakers internationally:
6. The Really Great Teacher Company
- Type: Online ESL company geared toward South Africans.
- Pros: Specifically advertises roles for South African teachers: The Really Great Teacher Company
- Typical Pay: Around $7.50 USD/hour.
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree + TEFL/TESOL + experience preferred.
7. Education First (EF) – (South African Recruitments)
- Type: Structured online lessons.
- Pros: Hiring specifically for South Africa.
- Requirements: South African residency, bachelor’s degree, 120-hour TEFL.
- Pay: R63–R84 per hour.
- Type: English teaching to professionals (e.g., Koreans).
- Pros: Open to South African applicants.
- Typical Pay: ~$6–7/hr (USD).
- Flexible: Full-time or part-time opportunities.
- Companies like All Right and Alter hire internationally including South Africans.
- Notes: Some have lower or variable pay, but are options worth exploring.
Pay Ranges (Approx.)
| Platform/Company | Pay Range (USD/hr) | Notes |
| Cambly | ~10/hr | Conversational; flexible. |
| Preply / italki | ~$10–$30+ | Teacher set rates; freelance. |
| InTouch Language | ~$6–$7 | Professional learners. |
| Really Great Teacher Company | ~7.50 | Structured support. |
| All Right | Up to ~10 | Varies. |
