From CELTA to Clicks: How to Start Teaching English One-to-One Online

Connor O'Donoghue
1 minute ago
3 min read

You’ve finished your CELTA. You can structure a lesson, stage activities, and give feedback with confidence. But what happens when you’re not in a classroom anymore? What happens when there are no pairs or groups to manage, just you, a laptop, and one learner staring back at you through the screen?

For many new teachers, the world of one-to-one online teaching feels exciting but also overwhelming. There’s a huge global demand, but the practical questions pile up quickly:

How much should I charge?
Do I need specialist software?
Should I freelance or sign up with an online platform?
How do I adapt what I learned on my CELTA for just one learner online?

The good news: thousands of teachers are already making it work, and you can too. Here are some practical steps to get you started.

1. Set Your Rates (Without Underselling Yourself)

New teachers often panic about pricing. It’s tempting to charge the lowest possible rate “just to get students.” But once you set a low rate, it’s much harder to raise it later.

Do your research: Check what teachers with your level of experience are charging on sites like italki or Preply.
Think in ranges: Start with a target range (e.g. £18–£20/hour) and move upward as you gain confidence.
Factor in prep time: Remember, an hour’s lesson includes planning, emailing, and follow-up. Price for the whole job, not just the live class.

2. Adapt Your CELTA Skills for One-to-One

CELTA gives you a great foundation, but it mainly assumes group classrooms. With one learner, you’ll need to adjust:

Change how pairwork operates: Step in as the learner’s partner yourself.
Shorten activities: What takes 15 minutes in a group might feel too long one-to-one. Break tasks into quicker steps.
Personalise every lesson: In one-to-one, you can make everything relevant to your learner’s interests: from football match reports to workplace emails.

3. Use Tools That Make Lessons Run Smoothly

You don’t need an elaborate studio, but the basics matter.

Video platform: Zoom is the standard, but always have a backup (Google Meet or Teams).
Interactivity: a Google Doc or other similar collaborative platform will replace a whiteboard.
Resource bank: Keep a folder of adaptable materials so you’re not starting from scratch every time.
Lighting and audio: A quiet space, headset mic, and light source in front of you can transform how professional you look and sound.

4. Find Students and Keep Them

This is the step teachers worry about most.

Freelance platforms: italki, Preply, and Cambly are quick ways to connect with learners (though they take commission).
Social media presence: A simple LinkedIn or Instagram profile can attract students.
Word of mouth: Don’t overlook your personal network.

Once you have learners, retention matters more than recruitment. Be reliable, professional, and tailored, and most students will stay.

5. Balance Freelance vs. Online Schools

There’s no single right answer.

Platforms/online schools: Easier to get students, less admin, but lower hourly rates.
Freelancing: More independence and higher rates, but you handle all the admin and marketing.

Many teachers start with platforms, then build freelance clients as they go.

6. Build Confidence with Tech

Technology doesn’t have to be intimidating.

Test your mic, camera, and connection before lessons.
Keep backup resources offline in case a website fails.
Master a few key platforms instead of trying every tool available.

Taking the Next Step

Transitioning from CELTA to online one-to-one teaching isn’t just possible. It’s one of the best ways to build independence and diversify your teaching career. But figuring it out alone can be stressful.

That’s why we created our How to Teach English Online course. In just 12 hours across four weeks, you’ll learn how to: