Picture this: it’s a Tuesday morning. You’re at a cafe on the Camps Bay strip in Cape Town, overlooking a tidal pool. A few brave souls are taking the plunge while locals and their dogs walk past. You’ve ordered a cappuccino and you’re about to start reading the latest novel you’ve just bought.
Yes, it’s a Tuesday morning, but you’ve got nowhere else you need to be.
You’re an online English teacher living in South Africa as a digital nomad. You’re not tied to a desk job or the usual 9 to 5. Your days are flexible; your working hours fit around your day, not the other way around.
In this post we’ll take a look at the realities of teaching English online and give a realistic blueprint for teachers to transition from traditional teacher to digital nomad.
Read more: Smart Travel Hacks For Teachers Abroad
Becoming a digital nomad teacher
Becoming a digital nomad teacher is probably easier than you think.
What qualifications do I need to teach English online while travelling?
The essential qualification to teach English online is a TEFL certificate. Make sure the TEFL course you choose is accredited, and the TEFL course provider is reputable. You don’t need to do the most expensive course but it’s not a good idea to do a free TEFL course or cheap course you found on a deal website. As per industry standard, don’t do a TEFL course that’s shorter than 120 hours, as many TEFL employers won’t recognise it as a formal qualification.
Besides a TEFL qualification, some online platforms might require you to have a Bachelor’s degree. This can be a degree in any field; it doesn’t need to be in Education or English. But if you don’t have a degree, it’s still possible to find online teaching platforms - or you can be an independent online teacher.
Finding your teaching niche & platform
You might have heard that the online teaching market is saturated right now, and it’s certainly busier than it ever has been, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any space left for you. You just need to be smart about it.
Think about what area of English teaching you can focus on. What interests you and what are you good at? What kind of English do you have experience in that you could offer to potential students?
This will be your niche.
Examples of niches for online English teachers:
- Business English
- English for Tourism and Hospitality
- English for German speakers
- English Pronunciation
The next step is to decide if you want to be an independent online teacher who sources students themselves, or if you’d prefer to work for an online platform, such as Cambly and Preply, who take care of the marketing.
Sign up and find students
Once you’ve chosen your preferred pathway to teaching online, it’s time to make your presence felt.
Create a short introductory video or demo video and upload it where necessary. If you’ve signed up with a platform, they’ll let you know their specific guidelines and the different steps you need to take. If you’re going independent, find a platform for freelance teachers or set up your own website and social media accounts.
The essential digital nomad gear setup
Next up: what do you need to take your teaching on the road?
- Hardware: Reliable, lightweight laptop and a high-definition webcam.
- Audio: Noise-cancelling headset (essential for blocking out chaotic cafe or hostel backgrounds).
- The lifesavers: Portable power banks, universal travel adapters, and a backup portable wifi hotspot (eg, e-SIMs).
- Teaching paraphernalia: Teaching props, a backdrop and the like to use during your lessons.
Mastering logistics & the nomad reality
So far so smooth. But let’s be real. Teaching English online is one thing, teaching English online while travelling adds another level of complexity. Let’s look at what that means exactly:
Visas and red tape
Of course you can teach English online from your home if you’d like, but if you’re a digital nomad teacher you probably want to be teaching somewhere a bit more exotic. Consider your different visa options (look at Digital Nomad Visa requirements for your nationality) and let that narrow down your choice of preferred destination. Be patient with this process as it can take a bit of time. The good news is, you can teach online while you wait for your visa!
The internet commandment
How do online teachers get reliable internet while travelling? Speed is king when it comes to internet. A slow or dodgy internet connection is the easiest way to lose students. When on the road, use websites like Speedtest.net to make sure your wifi connection is as strong as you need it to be.
Time zone management
How do digital nomad teachers handle time zone differences? The beauty of online teaching is that you could be anywhere - but so could your students. This means that there will be times when your time zones don’t match up. Make sure you use an app or website (like World Time Buddy) to keep on top of this so you don’t miss any classes.
Read more: Best Digital Tools For TEFL Teachers in 2026
Final thoughts
What are the best countries for digital nomad teachers?
This is totally up to you! But of course, consider the cost of living and the infrastructure of the country to make your teaching salary go even further. Countries with low costs of living include Thailand, Vietnam, Costa Rica and Bulgaria. These countries offer great lifestyles for online teachers, as well as good connectivity and friendliness to digital nomads.
Can you actually make a living as a digital nomad teacher?
Absolutely yes, but you need to be realistic. How much you earn as an online teacher depends on how much you teach! The more you teach, the more you earn.
Honestly, the hardest part is setting yourself up. Once you’ve got yourself organised and teaching regular students, you’ll wonder why you didn’t teach English online sooner!
If this sounds like it could be your vibe, be sure to check out our guide on How To Start Teaching Online.
