If you’re like me, you might have been affected by the fall of many online ESL companies in China in 2021. You may have been an online ESL teacher teaching Chinese students but after the Chinese ESL crackdown, you lost your job. Alternatively, you might be a brand new online ESL teacher wanting to get into the industry. Lingostar might be a great option for you to start teaching ESL online.
Lingostar Company Overview
Lingostar is a non-Chinese online ESL company based in Singapore with students from China and other countries. They are growing quickly and committed to hiring quality ESL teachers to teach their students.
Some of their unique features include:
- Hiring Native English speakers (and fluent English-speaking Philippino teachers)
- Pay: $14 / hour (increases available)
- Students mainly in China
- Unique teaching platform
- Oxford University Press Curriculum
- Focus on consistent long-term students
Who is able to work at Lingostar?
They hire 2 types of teachers:
1. Native English Speakers:
- Native English speakers from US / Canada / UK / Australia
- Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or above (Or be working towards one)
- TESOL / TEFL certificate (this one is only $19)
- Some teaching online experience is helpful
2. Philippino Teachers
For Philipino teachers, they require that you have similar requirements as Native English speakers in addition to a strong grasp of the English language which will be assessed during the interview process.
How Much Does Lingostar Pay?
Lingostar pays Native English speakers a starting pay of $7 / 25 minute class or $14 / hour.
This can increase as per the bonus structure below. The bonus structure is determined by the number of active regular students you have:
As far as I know, Philipino teachers are paid $3 – $6 / hour.
How to Apply to Lingostar
Lingostar’s application process is a straight forward process and easy to complete, providing you fit their requirements. One thing I really like is that they do not require a live demo where you feel intimidated and awkward teaching a pretend student on a zoom call.
Step 1: Complete their online application
Step 2: Conduct a device test (to check internet connection)
Step 3: Pre-recorded Demo
Step 4: Training (self-paced and takes around 20 – 30 mins)
Other Important Features
Lingostar is an online teaching company where you can teach students in a 1:1 environment. You will have 30 minutes in each class where you are required to teach a minimum of 25 minutes.
The amazing thing is that all the lessons and material are provided which means that all you need to do is show up and teach!
Lingostar Minimum Requirements:
Lingostar does not require you to teach a particular amount of classes or hours each week or month but they do ask that you be available to teach a minimum of 10 hours during peak hours
Lingostar Peak Teaching Hours
Lingostar’s peak teaching hours are between 6p – 9p (Beijing Time) Monday – Friday.
My Review of Lingostar
For me, teaching ESL online has changed my life, and starting with a company was a great way for me to get my foot in the door before I decided to start my own teaching business and market to my own students directly.
In my years of teaching experience online I have found there are pro’s and con’s to all companies. There truly is no perfect online ESL company!
Lingostar appears to focus on giving teachers booked classes and not leaving them with an empty schedule. They recognize that teachers who get hired want to start teaching and they are committed to not over-hiring.
If you are looking to get started teaching ESL online, give Lingostar a try and start making money from home while having a lot of fun!
Thanks for the review Tim.
I appreciate your perspective as an experienced online teacher.
I am just getting started in teaching young learners online…I’m semi retired so this is all new to me.
Do you have any advice on doing demo classes for the interview?
Best
Tony
Hi and thanks for your comment. Yes, once you apply they will send you info on how to complete the demo. If you go to my chanel, Online teacher ddue, I have tips for demos as well as my free bootcamp course, you can subscribe on my website.