This post lists eight steps required to be an online tutor.
1. Academic Qualifications
To be an online tutor, you usually need strong school qualifications. Most
tutoring websites want you to have at least a bachelor’s degree (that’s a
university degree) in the subject you want to teach.
For example, if you want to tutor math, having a degree in math or something
similar is really helpful. Some places might even ask for higher degrees.
That’s because students and parents like tutors who really know their stuff.
Having a teaching qualification can also help—this shows you know how to
teach, not just what to teach.
2. Know the Curriculum
It helps a lot if you understand what students are learning in their
schools—especially if you’re tutoring kids in countries like the UK or US. If
you know what their school expects, you can give better help and make lessons
that fit what they need.
3. Knowledge of Your Subject
You need to really understand the subject you're teaching. You should be able
to explain hard topics in simple ways.
If you tutor English, you should be good at grammar and writing. If you teach
math or science, you should understand those topics very well too.
Also, if you’ve taught or tutored before, that’s a big plus. Whether it’s in a
classroom, privately, or even volunteering, it shows you know how to help
different kinds of students.
4. Teaching Experience
Having some experience in teaching is very useful. You might have taught in
school, as a private tutor, or helped people one-on-one.
Working with different types of students helps you understand their needs and
how to support them best.
It’s also important to be flexible—change your style if something isn’t
working. Good tutors know more than one way to teach and aren’t afraid to try
new tools or methods.
5. Tech Skills
Since everything is online, being good with technology is a must. You should
know how to use video calls, online whiteboards, and learning platforms. You
should also know how to fix small tech problems if they come up.
Basic skills like using email or sharing documents are also important so you
can stay in touch with students and parents.
If you’re comfortable with tech, lessons will go smoother and be more fun for
everyone.
6. Communication Skills
Being a great communicator is key. You need to explain things clearly, give
helpful feedback, and talk to students in a friendly, positive way.
This helps build trust and makes students feel more confident.
Also, being able to write clearly in messages and emails helps students stay on
track even outside lessons.
7. Certification and Training
Getting extra certificates or training can help you stand out. This might
include teaching qualifications or training just for online tutoring. Some
websites even offer their own training courses.
Keep learning even after you start tutoring—go to workshops, take new classes,
or join online tutor groups. It shows you care about doing a great job.
8. Background Checks
Many tutoring websites will ask for a background check before you start. This
is to make sure students are safe.
These checks look at your past, like if you’ve committed any crimes, and they
often check your references and qualifications too.
Having a clear background check helps parents trust you more and shows you take
the job seriously.
Conclusion
To be an online tutor, you need a mix of things: good school qualifications,
strong subject knowledge, teaching experience, tech skills, good communication,
the right certificates, and a clear background check.
Having all this helps you support students better and makes parents feel
confident in choosing you as a tutor.
