Filipino Online Tutoring: Side Income Guide

Filipino Online Tutoring: Side Income Guide

Online tutoring is one of the most accessible side income streams for Filipino professionals + students. English fluency + clear explanation = tutoring opportunity.

Two main types

ESL tutoring (English to non-native speakers)

• Largest market: students in Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam
• No specialised teaching credentials usually required (some platforms require TEFL)
• Rates: ₱200-₱600/hour depending on platform
• High volume (4-8 hours/day if doing full-time)

Subject tutoring

• Math, science, English (essay/grammar), test prep
• Higher rates: ₱400-₱2,000+/hour
• Lower volume (1-3 hours/day typically)
• Better for licensed professionals/teachers
• Long-term relationships with students

Major platforms

ESL platforms

51Talk

• Chinese student market
• Rate: ₱150-₱350/25-min class
• High demand in Chinese evening hours (PHL morning)
• Teaching credential preferred (TEFL/TESL)

RareJob

• Japanese student market
• Rate: ₱200-₱400/25-min class
• Steady demand in Japanese evening hours

Cambly

• Open conversation focus
• Rate: USD 0.17/min (~₱9.50/min, ₱285/30 min)
• No credentials required for Cambly Kids requires more
• Flexible scheduling

SkimaTalk, Engoo, Native Camp

• Various markets
• Mid-tier rates
• Different scheduling models

Subject tutoring platforms

Preply

• Global, multiple subjects
• Set your own rates: USD 5-50+/hour
• Commission to platform: 18-33%

iTalki

• Global, language focus
• Set your own rates
• Lower commission than Preply

Wyzant

• US-focused, requires US bank
• Higher rates: USD 30-100/hour

Local PHL platforms

• TutorOcean, MagisChool, others
• Tagalog-language tutoring possible

Direct tutoring (no platform)

• Find clients via Facebook groups, referrals
• 100% of fee retained
• Higher administrative work
• Best for established tutors with reputation

Income realistic ranges

Part-time ESL (10-15 hours/week)

• 12-20 classes/week × ₱250-₱400/class
• ₱12,000-₱32,000/month gross

Part-time subject tutoring (5-10 hours/week)

• 5-10 sessions × ₱500-₱1,500/session
• ₱10,000-₱60,000/month

Full-time ESL (35-40 hours/week)

• 60-80 classes/week × ₱250-₱400/class
• ₱60,000-₱128,000/month gross
• Full-time level income

Full-time subject tutoring (25-30 hours/week)

• 25-40 sessions × ₱600-₱2,000+
• ₱60,000-₱320,000+/month

Top tutors with strong reputations + premium subjects (test prep, advanced math, specialised topics) earn ₱200K+/month.

Required setup

Equipment

• Laptop with webcam (HD recommended)
• Reliable internet (10+ Mbps recommended)
• Headset with microphone
• Quiet, well-lit room
• Whiteboard (digital or physical)

Background setup

• Plain wall or curated background
• Good lighting (window or ring light)
• Professional appearance

Software

• Zoom (most common)
• Skype (some platforms)
• Platform-specific apps
• Document/whiteboard sharing tools

Getting started

Step 1: Choose path (ESL or subject)

ESL is faster to start, lower rates, more volume. Subject tutoring takes longer to build, higher rates, more relationships.

Step 2: Get certifications (if ESL)

For ESL platforms:

• TEFL (Teaching English as Foreign Language): online courses ₱5,000-₱20,000
• TESL (Teaching English as Second Language)
• 100-hour courses sufficient for most platforms

Step 3: Apply to platforms

• Submit application + video
• Most platforms accept within 1-4 weeks
• Some require demo lesson

Step 4: Build reputation

Initially:

• Take low rates to build reviews
• Be punctual + reliable
• Ask satisfied students for reviews
• Respond quickly to inquiries

After 6-12 months:

• Raise rates as reviews accumulate
• Build student loyalty
• Some students refer others

Time management

ESL scheduling

• Peak hours: depends on student market timezone
• Chinese students: PHL 5 AM-9 AM + 6 PM-11 PM
• Japanese students: PHL 6 AM-9 AM + 7 PM-11 PM
• Western students: PHL 9 PM-5 AM (challenging)

Many tutors do early morning shifts (5-9 AM) before day job.

Subject tutoring scheduling

• Often weekends + evenings
• Direct scheduling with students
• More flexibility

Tax + legal

Income tax

Online tutoring income is taxable:

• Register with BIR as Self-Employed Professional (if earning regularly)
• 8% tax option for under ₱3M annually
• File quarterly + annually

Platform tax handling

• Most platforms don't withhold tax
• You're responsible for declaring + paying

See Filipino freelancer financial planning for details

Scaling beyond 1-on-1

Group tutoring

• 4-8 students simultaneously
• Reduced per-student rate, higher total income
• Set time slots

Recorded courses

• Build once, sell repeatedly
• Platforms: Udemy, Teachable, your own site
• Higher upfront work, passive income later

Tutoring centre

• Hire other tutors
• Manage scheduling + billing
• Significantly more administrative work

Specialised programmes

• Board exam tutoring
• Test prep (SAT, IELTS, TOEFL)
• Premium pricing for expertise

Common mistakes

Underpricing forever

Many tutors stay at starter rates after building strong reviews. Raise rates regularly.

Inconsistent schedule

Cancellations + late starts kill ratings + bookings.

No specialisation

"I tutor everything" is weaker than "I specialise in board exam Math."

Ignoring tax

Eventually caught + back taxes + penalties.

Burnout from over-scheduling

Online tutoring is more draining than it appears. Limit hours.

When tutoring is NOT for you

• Hate explaining things
• Find video calls draining
• Need predictable income (tutoring is variable)
• Can't maintain consistent schedule
• Poor English fluency (essential for ESL)

Where Super Tutor fits

Super Tutor is an AI-powered tutoring platform — for students it's an alternative to human tutoring; for licensed teachers it's a tool to use within tutoring sessions.

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