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To become an online tutor, you will generally need to have at least a bachelor's degree in a related field, in addition to a...
Tutoring
2 minutes
Fact checked

How do I Become an Online Tutor?

To become an online tutor, you will generally need to have at least a bachelor's degree in a related field, in addition to a...
Tutoring
2 minutes
How do I Become an Online Tutor?
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A person who enjoys teaching others and seeks a work-at-home opportunity should become an online tutor. Online tutors work from the comfort of their own homes, helping students of all ages master academic material. Online tutors can be a vital tool for students aiming for academic success, whether in Algebra, Reading, test prep, or something else. The best online tutors meet students where they are and help students reach their individual academic goals. Some online tutoring platforms give students access to specific feedback and one-on-one instruction. Choose Learner as your tutoring platform, and your student will be even closer to reaching their academic goals.

What Do Tutors Do?

Because online tutors help with a range of topics, including upper-level math courses and test prep, tutoring can help students succeed. Many college students use resources they learned from their high school tutors after they transition to a university setting. If students need extra help with schoolwork because they are struggling with a particular subject or need higher test scores, they will often enlist the services of an online tutor. A variety of online tutoring companies exist to help these students improve their performance in school.


Online tutor


How Tutors Earn Money

An online tutor can earn extra money just by sitting at the computer and helping others learn through an online tutoring platform. This fact is the main reason why your average person would love to become an online tutor. Hours are usually flexible, since most tutoring companies offer tutoring services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All in all, tutors get into the tutoring business because they love helping their students. When searching for a tutor, it’s best to find a reputable site that matches students with the best tutor for a child’s specific needs.

How Learner Tutors Can Help 

If a person loves teaching and is an expert in a specific subject, she can usually find work as an online teacher. Learner tutors help students in a variety of subjects in many different age groups. Learner tutors can help students in middle school and high school. High school students can get tutoring that helps prepare them for university academics with test prep. 

Whatever a person's expertise may be, whether in reading, writing, test prep, or math, there is an opportunity for them to help students in need through Learner. Lessons cover a wide range of topics within a subject, and learners will benefit from their tutor's direct feedback. 

How To Become an Online Tutor as a College Student

Some students may leave high school with experience tutoring their peers in college exam prep or another subject. When students go off to college, they may want to use that experience to earn money while paying for and attending college. There are some companies that will allow, and even seek out, college students to tutor for them. 

Regardless of age, there are many companies that require tutoring applicants to show that they have experience or expertise in a particular field. If a student is in college and majoring in literature, some companies may take that into account and allow students to tutor.  But keep in mind, many tutoring companies will have some basic requirements, including tutors having a diploma or degree.

Some online tutoring companies require that their tutors have a high school diploma and possess either a bachelor's or master's degree. Still others state that any online tutor must have a valid teaching certificate or be a retired school teacher.

How Tutoring Works Online

Many companies are abandoning expensive buildings or home visits in favor of online tutoring. Online lessons are becoming so popular, and there has certainly been an increase in the number of online tutoring jobs out there. While there are numerous online tutoring jobs to explore, there are a few things that many companies will require. All online tutoring services require that tutors have a computer and access to high-speed Internet. 

Each person who wants to become an online tutor will need to undergo extensive training so that she can learn how to transfer her teaching skills into a virtual environment. Of course, since online tutors must teach using the Internet, they must feel comfortable with technology. Most online tutoring services use a variety of multimedia tools, including electronic whiteboards, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), and other methods to teach students in an effective manner.

private online tutoring session

Is Teaching the Same as Tutoring?

While teaching and tutoring are both encompassed in the education field in some ways, they’re different in several facets. First, a tutor can complete their business, or tutoring sessions, in short chunks of time while a teacher must work all day in the classroom or online classroom.

A tutor might need to prepare one lesson for an upcoming tutor session, while there will never be a day that a teacher only prepares one lesson. Both jobs require training, likely a degree, and the use of technology resources, but the jobs are very different. 

Steps to Become an Online Tutor

If someone desires to become an online tutor, she will need to apply to the company. There are several steps that a person must take to become an online tutor. This usually involves filling out an online application. The application asks the potential tutor about her educational background and work history. It also inquires as to whether she has previous teaching experience. If the company requires tutors possess a teaching certificate, it will ask the applicant if she can provide evidence of this credential.

The Application Process

The application will also require the prospective employee to state what type of computer she has in her home and whether she has high-speed Internet. Once the applicant is seriously being considered for an online tutoring position, she will have to submit to a criminal background check. Since online tutors often work with children, this is an important investigation that takes place in order to ensure the safety of children online.

Educational Background to Tutor

A person who wonders how to become an online tutor is already on the right track. This shows a desire to commit to helping students, but there are a few other things to consider before diving in. Online tutoring services seek educated individuals to work for their companies. They hunt for skilled teachers who know how to relate to students and bring out the best in them. If someone desires to become an online tutor, she can expect to earn extra money as she teaches students who need help with their schoolwork. The hours are flexible, and the work environment is the best it can be. After all, an online tutor works from home.

How to Become an English Tutor Online

If a person wants to become an English tutor, it’s best for this person to at least have a considerable amount of knowledge in this subject. This is best achieved by obtaining an English bachelor’s degree at the very least, and specifically perhaps a degree that allows a potential tutor to study literature. It might also be a good idea to brush up on grammar skills as this will be a topic that comes up when tutoring students. 

If someone is interested in becoming an English tutor, they should have a passion for reading and writing so that they may inspire the students they tutor as well. It’s important to be passionate about a topic so that it’s easier to express ideas and knowledge regarding the topic to students. If a person were interested in tutoring for other subjects, the process is very similar.

How to Become a Math Tutor Online

To become a math tutor online, a person will need to have a substantial amount of expertise in math topics, but it can also help if a person is passionate about a particular mathematics course. Most tutoring companies divvy up their math courses to different tutors, so one tutor may teach a few different math topics but may not be expected to teach all math topics to all ages. 

If a potential tutor has a desire to tutor in a specific math topic, this might be advantageous to a tutoring company as the more passionate a person is, the more likely they’ll be capable of explaining the subject to their students. It is also possible to become a test prep tutor.

How to Become a Test Prep Tutor

Test prep is an important step in preparing to further a person’s education by attending university. Test prep is a great way to prepare for the SATs, despite a student’s academic level. Someone interested in becoming a test prep tutor should be prepared to answer questions specific to sections of college entrance exams. Tutors must also keep up with changes in college entrance exam rules and regulations.Overall, tutors can be a great asset to students of varying academic levels. 

Is Tutoring Worth It?

There are many benefits to hiring a tutor or becoming a tutor. When a person chooses to become a tutor, they are choosing to invest in their community by helping students achieve their academic best. When a parent chooses to get a tutor for their child, they are showing their dedication to a desire to see their child reach their goals. Tutors are an excellent resource for families for a number of reasons. Tutors can help in so many ways.

She can help a child who struggles with long division or conjugating Spanish verbs. She can even help children who need improvement in their reading comprehension skills. Such a worthwhile job is something any tutor would love—especially if she gets to do this work while wearing pajamas. Build your own schedule as a tutor, and earn pay for doing an honorable job of giving back to your community through tutoring. Teaching online as a tutor is not only a fulfilling path for anyone to take, but also a convenient one. There are many online platforms out there, but Learner can help. If you're wondering how to become an online tutor, Learner makes it easy.

Are you interested in becoming an online tutor?

We currently have 3 open roles that we are actively recruiting for. If you are an English Language Arts Tutor, Math Tutor or an SAT/ACT Tutor and think you would be a good fit, apply via the links below.

Feel free to contact us today or visit Learner.com to learn more.

Get started with a custom-matched tutor for your child.

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About the author:

Mike developed his passion for education as a math instructor at Penn State University. He expanded his educational experience launching and running an Executive Education business - training over 100,000 students per year. As the CEO of Learner, Mike focuses on accelerating learning and unleashing the potential of students. 

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