Post updated on May 12, 2026 with current information.
Today we have an Open English review for you to break down what working for them as an English language tutor is all about.
Open English is a language school that hires native English speakers to work remotely from home teaching English to non-native speakers. The school has been around since 2006.
In our Open English review below, we explain what they pay, who can work for them, what your schedule looks like, and more.
ESL jobs that are work at home are growing fast in popularity, so this may be a great opportunity for you if you meet the requirements to apply.
Before we get into the details, be sure to subscribe to my work at home email updates right here! These are free to get and you'll find new information on remote jobs and more in each email.
And my e-books you can see here are a good alternative to that if you just want one-and-done info rather than regular updates in your inbox.
How much does Open English pay?
Pay is between $8 to $13 hourly according to different reviews posted online. Sometimes you also get bonuses. Unfortunately, Open English doesn't publicly advertise their pay rates.
While this is not one of the high-pay ESL remote companies, there are still some features that may have you interested in working with them.
What are the requirements to become an English language tutor?
You have to be a native English speaker with an American accent, and you also must have some experience teaching the English language to people who don't speak English natively.
It is also helpful if you are able to speak Spanish or Portuguese conversationally, as Open English serves students across Latin America and Brazil. While the current job listings don't explicitly list this as a hard requirement, being conversational in either language will strengthen your application.
You can work from anywhere in the world provided you meet these requirements. Additionally, you need a good Internet connection, and you must be somewhat tech-savvy when it comes to navigating the Internet and using web-based programs.
While it may not be required to work here, it's always a good idea to have an English language certification under your belt.
How do you apply to become a tutor for Open English?
The Open English website has a short form you can fill out. You have to include basic personal info (name, mailing address, etc.) along with your hours available to work, employment history, technology experience, and your experience teaching English to non-native speakers.
They also want to know if you can speak Portuguese because they are adding some native Portuguese speaking students to their program.
In addition to these things, you have to upload a recording of your voice (I'm sure this is so they can hear your accent to be sure that you do, in fact, speak English natively). The form also has a field to upload your resume and proof of diploma/degree.
How do you tutor for Open English?
You work at home teaching English to non-native English speaking students over the Internet.
It is worth noting that Open English classes are group-based rather than one-on-one. Classes can include up to 20 students at a time, and students range in age from teenagers to adults.
You and the students interact with each other by both speaking and using multi-media learning content that is accessible to everyone over the Internet. The focus is heavily on conversational English.
Open English also has a separate program called Open English Junior for children aged 8 to 14, which is listed as a distinct teaching opportunity on their website if that age group interests you.
What is the schedule for Open English?
The job is flexible and you can schedule yourself for shifts when you know you can work. You can also change/drop shifts very easily when it's needed.
I have more “work whenever you want” type jobs listed here if you need more options for that.
However, you are limited to 26 hours a week, so this could never be more than a part-time work at home job.
One thing worth noting based on reviews from current and former teachers: several have mentioned that available hours can become less predictable over time as more teachers are added to the platform. This reinforces my advice not to depend on this as your sole source of income.
Does Open English hire people outside the United States?
It appears that this job may be limited to people living in the US, though the company does note that you can work from anywhere with a stable internet connection if you meet the other requirements.
Final Thoughts on Open English
If you meet all the requirements, you might enjoy this. The 26 hours per week cap means this will always be a side income opportunity rather than a full-time gig, which may or may not suit your situation.
The website is very well laid out and easy to navigate.
Reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed rate Open English around 3.7 to 3.8 out of 5. Teachers generally praise the flexible scheduling and say the students are motivated and friendly. The most consistent complaints are about the low pay, hours that can become scarce as more teachers join, and management that can be hard to reach.
Use your own judgment here. If you're a native English speaker who can also speak Spanish or Portuguese, it's probably worth checking into provided you are okay with the pay rate and the part-time nature of the work.
Want to apply at Open English?
If our Open English review has you interested in applying, you can go here to apply for the Open English tutoring position.
Looking For More?
If so, FlexJobs is a good way to find them if you create an account and do a search. Their job board isn't free, but I've been a member and found it to be really useful for me because all the job leads fit the following criteria:
- All jobs are either remote or flexible in nature
- Scam-free (all jobs vetted by humans before posting)
- No ads or junk on their site, so you can browse distraction-free
- Hundreds of jobs posted every day across tons of categories
- Respected, long-standing, and truly useful
They let you try them out for 14 days for $2.95. So there is not much risk if you just want to create an account and see if you find anything you may want to apply for.
Good luck!
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.