If you are planning to earn money on the side while you juggle academic work, teaching English to foreigners might be a good start. For one, there is always a high demand for English tutors, not only among high school students but also adults who want to hone their communication skills.

Aside from being lucrative, working part-time as an English tutor can also help you build your network and unlock opportunities for a career abroad. For now, if you need a way to pay rent and save money, get started by applying these important tips for building a stable part-time position as an English tutor.

1. Have a passion for language

It's one thing to communicate in English, it's another helping foreign students become proficient in it. Not everyone is cut out for a job in language teaching, but it comes off as an added advantage if you're passionate about it. Before taking a job as an English language tutor or coach, you need to ask yourself if it's something you’ll enjoy doing.

2. Take up a TEFL course

Whether you are working online or in-person, becoming a tutor doesn't require a degree. In fact, almost anyone can make a living teaching English. There are some cases, however, where having the right amount of training allows you to deliver quality lessons and put yourself in a better position to compete for clients. Even if it isn’t required, having the right certification goes a long way when it comes to thriving in such a highly saturated market. 

You might want to obtain a certificate in teaching English as a second language (TEFL) through a course that equips you with marketable skills that are bound to attract clients. The only trade-off is that you have to pay for the course, but while it may be an expensive investment, it can also provide you with opportunities to teach English abroad if you ever wanted to make a full-time career out of it.

3. Join the right platforms

Whether or not you have the right credentials to get started as an English language tutor, you can still look for jobs and market your services. Choosing the right platform is integral to this. There are numerous freelancing websites you can try out such as QKids and ZebraEnglish. You can also try out online job sites like Fiverr or UpWork where you can market your English tutoring services. You should focus on a single niche; Whether it’s teaching Japanese preschoolers or Eastern European business owners, be sure to commit to a market that matches your teaching style.

4. Refine your materials and strategies

Once you start getting clients, it’s important to update the way you teach English. After all, there is no single, perfect way to teach the language. Devise a teaching strategy that matches the needs of your learners, look for new materials and try to use innovative approaches. Doing this can help you find more clients and justify your rate.

With the right amount of perseverance and creativity, teaching English on a part-time basis can both be a profitable short-term venture and a long-term investment for professional success.