Written by Nicole Hasa-Bonitoculito // Fact checked by Sean Uorcraken // Researched January to March 2022 and published on 01 April, 2022
Thanks to the proliferation of online English tutoring services, learning English is now easier than ever. Today’s top English language tutors tend to work online and so learning is more focused on practical applications and lessons for any proficiency level or age group, rather than formal classes and traditional “homework,”
One-on-one tutoring of English as a second language (ESL) students reduced the occurrence of all error types, including subject-verb agreement, tense, articles, plurality, prepositions, lexical category, spelling, and grammatical errors, according to a study published by California State University, Chico.
While some English tutoring websites cater to specific groups or nationalities, there are plenty of options for tutoring a wider range of students using a variety of methods. There is definitely an option out there for you, from services catered to your flexible schedule to platforms with real-life features to one-on-one sessions and group studies.
The 7 Best Online English Tutoring Services of 2022
Best Tutoring Platform for Kids: Spires Online Tutors
Best Runner-Up: Skooli
Best Budget Tutoring Platform: Verbling
Best Tutoring Platformfor Adults: Spires Online Tutors
Best Tutoring Platform for Advanced Learners: Spires Online Tutors
Best Tutoring Platform for Casual Learning: Cambly
Most Flexible Tutoring Platform: Spires Online Tutors
BEST TUTORING PLATFORM FOR KIDS
Spires Online Tutors
Price: Tutoring prices are set by tutors
Ages: primary and older
Frequency: based on a students schedule.
Why We Chose It
Spires uses a tutoring standard that aligns with any school system and features one-on-one tutoring with professionals for some of the youngest learners. Not many platforms have exclusively professional tutors who have all been background checked.
PROS
- Quick 30 minute sessions are perfect for short attention spans and tutors work to the family schedule
- One-on-one tutoring from professional tutors
- Action songs, chants, and games help young children learn, the platform is very stable and easy to use
- Very quick to find a range of tutors that a family can work with
CONS
- Can be expensive and online tutoring requires a lot of parental input with kids of this ages.
BEST RUNNER-UP
Skooli
Key Specs
Price: $1 per minute
Ages: Elementary school through college
Frequency: As needed
Why We Chose It
With Skooli, you can get help when you need it and instantly connect to tutors with expertise in English or ESL. Plus there’s no long-term commitment.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Get help instantly
- No commitment needed
- Pay per minute makes rates reasonable
CONS
- 15 minute minimum
- No student-tutor relationship, since you’ll book as-needed
Skooli is best known for being a versatile, interactive platform for a wide range of subjects, especially for high school and college students. Did you know, however, that the service also provides ESL tutoring for students of any age or proficiency level?Skooli’s services may be a good option if you’re looking for tutoring but don’t want to commit to a set number or length of courses. Students can work with a tutor on a regular basis or simply log on for immediate assistance with specific questions. Skooli’s rates are pay-as-you-go, at around $1 per minute, unlike subscription platforms.Although the platform as a whole is adaptable, the tutoring standards aren’t. All instructors have a bachelor’s degree, a current teaching licence, and many have specialised certification in their field (in this case, some form of ESL teaching certification).The platform then allows you to video chat, practise conversations, write on a “whiteboard,” and more in virtual classrooms. Skooli’s setup allows for a degree of independence while still connecting with experienced tutors to learn from and practise with for adult language learners who are probably looking for a no-frills approach that still has all the resources they need to learn.
BEST BUDGET TUTORING PLATFORM
Verbling
Key Specs
Price: Differ per tutor. Tutors charge between around $5 and $75 per hour, but the average is approximately $24
Ages: All ages
Frequency: Based on your schedule and needs.
Why We Chose It
We think Verbling offers the best budget real English tutoring services because of the platform’s flexibility. You can book lessons per your needs and schedule as well as search for experienced tutors within your price range.
Pros & Cons
PROS
All tutors have a teaching certificate or experience teaching the subject matter
Search for tutors within your price range
Flexible schedules
CONS
No cohesive curriculum from tutor to tutor
Unclear which type of lessons you’ll be getting before hiring a tutor
Verbling has a multifaceted platform that helps students of all levels learn, but advanced students are especially likely to benefit from the extra features.The site includes the standard features—video chat and text-based chat—as well as some extras that help tutors and students personalise their learning. Tutors can send worksheets and real-life text examples to students in the “classroom” which includes the ability to share files back and forth. You can even make your own custom flashcards to study with in between live classes.Verbling has an unusually high percentage of top-tier teachers, owing to its reputation for using high-level pedagogy to improve the learning experience. A teaching certificate or verifiable language teaching experience is required of all tutors, but the majority have both. Inexperienced teachers will not be accepted, and the application process is competitive.Verbling can provide that assurance, as well as lower prices, if you’re an advanced student looking for an experienced tutor. Tutors set their own rates, but they typically range from $5 to $75 per hour, with an average of $2.
BEST TUTORING PLATFORM FOR ADULTS
Spires Online Tutors
Key Specs
Price: Set by tutors 15 – 150 GBP per hour depending on specialisation, level of study and tutor experience
Ages: Best for adult learners
Frequency: As the student wnats
Why We Chose It
Only works with professional tutors, simply, they have the best in the market and cover the widest range of subjects.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- One-on-one tuition with a top professional tutor
- Schedule on your time
CONS
- Can be expensive if you miss classes
If you’re looking for the perfect blend of practical, career-focused language learning with an actual class structure, Spires may be the right fit for you.
The platform is popular for students of all backgrounds and levels. Even if you’re not up for a language “challenge,” its lessons are well suited for adults’ learning needs and schedules.
Students taking three classes per week , but some may take more or less lessons. It is all focussed on the individual. Very slick payment process and easy to use platform.
The tutoring system at Spires is more structured than just one-on-one casual tutoring, but that’s what makes it work for adults who may be seeking “classes” they couldn’t take before. Students can sign up for one-on-one tutoring for 60-minute classes based on what topics interest them the most. They focus on exactly what they need to reach their goals and objectives.
The platform only accepts professional teachers with language teaching experience, so students at any proficiency level can rest assured they’re being taught not just by native speakers, but by trained teachers.
BEST TUTORING PLATFORM FOR ADVANCED LEARNERS
Spires Online tutors
Key Specs
Price: Vary by tutor, but the range is about $20 to around $100 per hour
Ages: Best for serious learners and those preparing for tests and exams
Frequency: As the students schedule demands
Why We Chose It:
Spires focuses on finding the perfect tutor for each student, and is great for advanced students with specific focus areas. The booking process is straightforward and the tutors are the best available.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Wide price range so users can search within their budget
- Easy to search for tutors with specific areas of expertise
CONS
- Can be expensive if you miss classes
Advanced English students are unlikely to find better tutors than those available on Spires, a tutoring service that includes language learning as one of its biggest attractions.
The process for finding a tutor is pretty straightforward, but it’s geared at making sure every student finds the right match for their needs. Since advanced learners are likelier to have more specific goals, the structure is perfect for them. Tutors set their own rates, which can range widely—from about $20 per hour to around $70 or higher.
Students can browse tutors’ profiles, searching by language, price, availability, or other factors that are important, and they can also see feedback provided by past students. There’s an option to talk with a tutor to find out if their expertise matches the student’s goals, and if it works out, they can work together to craft a lesson plan that addresses the student’s individual needs.
The emphasis is on customized, individual instruction, from the best tutors available. Many the tutors have experience with Oxford and Cambridge university students. All are full qualified professionals who can help with preparations for IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, or any other advanced English examination.
BEST TUTORING PLATFORM FOR CASUAL LEARNING
Cambly
Key Specs
Price: Approximately $41 per month to around $336 per month
Ages: Kids, teens, and adults
Frequency: Choose your own frequency, from 15 minutes per day twice per week to 60 minutes per day, 5 days a week.
Why We Chose It:
Often, the best language lessons are just being immersed in the language. Cambly allows you to video chat with fluent speakers to practice your language skills through conversation.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Immersion experience
Flexible plans
Guided courses available
CONS
Minimum chat frequency is 2 times per week
Minimum package is 1 month
Cambly might be the casual tutoring service for you if you’re not looking for formal, structured lessons. The service’s basic premise is simple: instead of speaking with native English speakers in a classroom setting or something similar, English students can engage in live chats with native English speakers.
Students can practise speaking on a specific topic, prepare for the TOEFL or IELTS, or simply brush up on their skills. Instead of heavily structured instruction, the emphasis is on real conversation with English speakers. Practical courses that are a little more structured are also available on the platform, and they’re almost all tailored to specific needs.There are also lessons on informal conversation topics (such as family, hobbies, food, and more) as well as business English. There are also a few intermediate to advanced courses on more niche topics like pop culture, fitness, and technology for intermediate to advanced students. It’s a relaxed approach to learning English in a practical sense, with an emphasis on the types of conversations you’ll have in the real world.
Cambly’s pricing is based on how often you want to use the service: get a quote by selecting two, three, or five days per week and 15, 30, or 60 minutes per day.
MOST FLEXIBLE ONLINE TUTORING PLATFORM
Spires Online Tutors
Key Specs
Price: Vary by tutor, but the range is about $20 to around $100 per hour
Ages: Best for serious learners and those preparing for tests and exams
Frequency: As the students schedule demands
Why We Chose It:
Spires is great for advanced students with specific focus areas because it focuses on finding the perfect tutor for each student. The booking procedure is simple, and the tutors are the best that are available in the market.
We love that students can log into Spires at anytime to catch up on video lessons. And with tutors all over the world, scheduling lessons is easy. The platform was the most stable of all those we tried and worked at all times of day and night.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Flexible and can be used as-needed
- One-on-one lessons
- Teachers are certified
CONS
- Not any that we could find!
Spires, which offers English as well as a variety of other languages, is another excellent option for students looking for a more informal approach to learning in addition to traditional methods.
Students can choose between Professional Tutoring, which requires certification in teaching their native language as a second language,One of Spires most appealing features is its flexibility, which is especially appealing to learners who may not have time in their schedules to attend a number of formal classes on a regular basis. Students (and tutors) can access the site at any time and from any location, and the payment plan is flexible, allowing students to pay per lesson rather than enrolling in a full course or monthly plan.Each tutor sets their own rates, which typically rangedepending on experience and level of study. Additionally, because tutors are available for a video chat via their profiles, you can meet to get a sense of what each tutor is like before connecting with them. It’s a lower-risk alternative that can still produce excellent results.
FAQs
What Is an Online English Tutoring Service?
Online English tutoring services connect English tutors with students learning English as a second language through online platforms. Tutoring services may provide a variety of options: Others provide one-on-one conversation and individualised learning plans, while some are structured as actual courses.
According to a study published by the Lebanese American University, many students believe that English language classes help them in their other university courses.
Students who practise English on a regular basis may find that they excel in other subjects as well.
Online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to ESL students’ confidence in English conversation, according to a study published in the Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics in 2021, though students may crave more feedback and in-person community.
How Much Do Online English Tutoring Services Cost?
Online English tutoring, like any other tutoring service, has a wide range of prices. You may be charged hourly, per lesson or class (or for packages of lessons and/or courses) or per session, depending on the platform. Individual tutors set their own prices in many cases, so it’s always a good idea to compare prices or even set up a test session if possible before making a decision. However, be wary of bargain prices that appear to be too good to be true: While some of those may simply be inexperienced tutors looking to build a portfolio, others may be providing inferior service or lack the necessary teaching skills to effectively meet students’ needs.
What Accreditations Should I Look for When Choosing an Online English Tutoring Service?
It all depends on what you’re after: If you only need a practise partner and have a basic understanding of the language, you’ll probably just want to make sure the potential tutor is a native English speaker or an experienced teacher. However, if you’re looking for a more in-depth learning experience, you’ll want to choose teachers who have experience and are certified to teach English as a foreign language.
Some of the acronyms to look out for:
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language)”
To attend university in an English-speaking country, students may need to pass the TOEFL exam. As a result, they may benefit from finding a TOEFL-certified teacher. The demand for TOEFL tutoring, according to Uni-Prep, drives much of the international English as a second language market, particularly for late high school and early university students.
Double-check accreditation if you’re not sure. Most online tutoring platforms have a section for potential tutors to see some of the basic qualifications, and it’s a good idea for students to read that section as well to see what types of tutors you’re likely to find.
How We Chose the Best Online English Tutoring Services
Because English language learning attracts a diverse range of students, we made sure that our selections catered to as many of them as possible. Rather than focusing on platforms that cater to a single language group, we attempted to find services that do not specify a student’s native language.Although price is important, it’s difficult to compare services when they have different pricing models—some tutors charge by the hour, while others charge based on pre-packaged courses. We chose a variety of services (some of which also allow individual tutors to set their own rates) and emphasised platforms with high standards for their tutors. Non-professional tutors are clearly marked as conversation partners rather than formal teachers on platforms that allow them (such as italki’s Community Tutors).