Teach English Online in Shanghai – Your Digital Nomad Side Hustle
Become an Online ESL Teacher – Work Anywhere, Live Free!
Teach English online to children in Shanghai
This online English teaching job pays 100 RMB an hour, plus a bonus of up to 20 RMB an hour, to teach 1-on-1 lessons to children aged 6 to 12 in Shanghai. It's just 5 to 6 hours a week on a regular timetable, so it fits neatly around travel, study or another job. All you need is a laptop, a stable internet connection and a love of making learning fun.
- 100 RMB an hour + bonus
- 5–6 hours a week
- 1-on-1 with kids aged 6–12
- Work from anywhere
Online ESL teacher jobs for Shanghai students: what you'll do
You'll teach engaging, creative 1-on-1 English lessons online to children aged 6 to 12 in Shanghai. It's a part-time remote teaching job, so you can live anywhere in the world and still have a steady side income.
Your lessons
Every class is one teacher and one child, so you get to know each learner and tailor the lesson to them. Shanghai's young learners are energetic and curious, and the school looks for teachers who can connect with kids and keep lessons lively.
Tired of the 9-to-5 grind? This is a chance to put your Bachelor's degree to work in a flexible role with real impact on a child's confidence in English.
Built for digital nomads
Recent graduates, students and travellers all fit this role well. With only 5 to 6 teaching hours a week on a fixed timetable, you can plan trips, coursework or another job around your lessons.
Teach from your flat at home, a beach hut or a café in Shanghai itself. Wherever you are, your classroom comes with you.
Why this online teaching job is the perfect side hustle
A good hourly rate, a light weekly schedule and the freedom to work from anywhere with Wi-Fi.
Excellent hourly rate
Earn 100 RMB an hour, approx. £10.49.
Performance bonus
Unlock up to an extra 20 RMB an hour for great performance and perfect attendance.
Perfect for a side hustle
Only 5 to 6 teaching hours a week, in regular time slots.
Work from anywhere
All you need is a laptop and a stable internet connection.
Start ASAP
Join the team and begin earning straight away.
Paid monthly
Paid on the 15th working day of each month for the previous month's hours.
Teach English online in Shanghai: key facts
Here's the schedule and earning potential for this 1-on-1 online English teaching job.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Role | 1-on-1 online ESL teacher (part-time, remote) |
| Students | Children aged 6 to 12 in Shanghai, China |
| Teaching hours | 5 to 6 hours a week, in regular time slots |
| Base rate | 100 RMB an hour (approx. £10.49) |
| Performance bonus | Up to an extra 20 RMB an hour for high performance and perfect attendance |
| Payment | Monthly, on the 15th working day, for the previous month's hours |
| Start date | ASAP – you must be ready to join quickly |
| Location | Anywhere, with a laptop and stable internet |
| Recommended qualification | 120-hour Professional TEFL |
Requirements to teach English online to Shanghai students
This is an entry-level online teaching role, but you'll need a degree, a 120-hour TEFL, native-level English and some online teaching experience.
- Native-level English speaker
- A Bachelor's degree
- A TEFL or TESOL certificate of at least 120 hours
- Previous online teaching experience
- Proven ability to deliver creative, engaging 1-on-1 lessons
- A laptop and a stable internet connection
Need a TEFL certificate? Our 120-hour Professional TEFL for teaching Chinese students online meets the 120-hour minimum and can be finished in about 3 weeks.
Which TEFL course do you need to teach English online in Shanghai?
The 120-hour Professional TEFL is the course we recommend for this job, because it meets the 120-hour minimum that online schools teaching Chinese students ask for. If you don't already hold a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA, it's the quickest way to teach, earn and explore China's most populated city from anywhere.
120-Hour Professional TEFL
£99
Our most popular online TEFL, designed for first-time teachers. It boosts your CV and unlocks higher earning potential with online schools.
- Designed for first-time teachers
- No prior teaching experience required
- Can be completed in just 3 weeks
- Gives you the skills to teach confidently for the first time
- Internationally recognised
20-Hour Teaching English Online
£40
Add it to your 120-hour TEFL for extra practice and peace of mind before your first online lesson and your demo lesson.
- Focused on teaching through a screen
- Useful preparation for 1-on-1 online lessons
- Helps your application stand out
Want to compare every option first? See our TEFL course packages compared.
Ready to teach? Get your essential lesson plan toolkit
Get 100 ready-to-use TEFL lesson plans for just £4.99. They help you lead engaging classes without hours of planning, so you're always prepared and using up-to-date teaching methods. Less time planning means more time exploring.
How to apply for this online teaching job
The hiring process is simple and fully remote, so you can apply from anywhere in the world.
Apply
Complete the form below to start your application.
Online interview
All applicants are interviewed online.
Demo lesson
Deliver a short 10 to 15 minute demo lesson to a panel.
Start teaching
Join the team and start your regular weekly lessons as soon as possible.
Other ways to teach English online and in China
- See every remote role on our online TEFL jobs page, including teaching young learners online with HelloKid and flexible online lessons with Native Camp.
- Prefer to live in China? Browse our TEFL jobs in China, with classroom roles in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and beyond.
- New to teaching? Try our China TEFL internship for paid classroom experience with support on the ground.
Teaching English online in Shanghai: your questions answered
How much do online English teachers earn teaching Shanghai students?
This role pays 100 RMB an hour (approx. £10.49), plus a bonus of up to 20 RMB an hour for high performance and perfect attendance. That's up to 120 RMB for every hour you teach. You're paid monthly, on the 15th working day, for the previous month's hours.
Do I need to live in Shanghai to do this job?
No. The job is fully remote, so you can teach from anywhere in the world with a laptop and a stable internet connection. Your students are in Shanghai, but you can be at home, travelling or living in China yourself.
How many hours a week will I teach?
You'll teach 5 to 6 hours a week in regular time slots. The schedule is fixed, which makes it easy to fit around travel, study or another job.
What qualifications do I need to teach English online to Chinese students?
You need a Bachelor's degree, native-level English and a TEFL or TESOL certificate of at least 120 hours. This role also asks for previous online teaching experience. If you don't have a TEFL yet, our 120-hour Professional TEFL meets the requirement and can be completed in about 3 weeks.
Which TEFL course is best for teaching English online?
The 120-hour Professional TEFL is the best fit for this job, because 120 hours is the minimum most online schools ask for and it's designed for first-time teachers. For extra confidence on camera, add our 20-hour Teaching English Online course.
How old are the students?
You'll teach children aged 6 to 12, one at a time. Every lesson is 1-on-1, so creativity and the ability to connect with young learners really matter.
What is the interview process?
The process is fully remote and has two stages. First you'll have an online interview, then you'll deliver a short 10 to 15 minute demo lesson to a panel.
When can I start?
As soon as possible. The school is looking for teachers who are ready to join quickly, so apply now if you can start in the next few weeks.
Ready to start your digital nomad journey?
Turn your love of travel and flexible living into a rewarding online teaching career. Complete the form below to apply. Still need your TEFL? Start the 120-hour course today for £99.
Don't have TEFL?
Get qualified online from £99.
Find out which TEFL course is right for you.