Why Preply Is a Game-Changer for Filipino English Tutors
The Philippines is the third-largest English-speaking country in the world, and Filipino tutors are in massive demand globally. Preply connects you directly with students from Japan, South Korea, China, Brazil, and dozens of other countries who want to learn English from native-level speakers.
Unlike traditional BPO jobs that pay ₱18,000-25,000/month, tutoring on Preply lets you earn $15-50/hour (₱850-2,850/hour) depending on your experience, certifications, and specialization. That translates to ₱40,000-150,000+/month working just 3-4 hours per day.
Requirements to Teach on Preply from the Philippines
Here is what you need to get started:
- Fluent English — C1/C2 level (most Filipinos qualify naturally)
- Stable internet connection — minimum 10 Mbps (PLDT Fibr, Globe At Home, or Converge)
- Webcam and headset — decent quality for video lessons
- Quiet teaching space — no background noise or interruptions
- TESOL/TEFL certificate — optional but boosts your rate by 30-50%
- College degree — not strictly required, but helps
You do not need prior teaching experience to start, though it helps you charge higher rates from day one.
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Get Started Free →Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Preply Tutor Profile
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to Preply's tutor registration page and sign up with your email or Google account. Select "English" as your teaching language and "Philippines" as your country.
Step 2: Record Your Introduction Video
This is the most important step. Your intro video is what students see first. Keep it 1-2 minutes, speak naturally, smile, and show your personality. Mention your teaching style, specializations (business English, IELTS prep, conversational), and why you love teaching.
Pro tip: Use natural lighting, face a window, and wear a professional top. Students prefer tutors who look approachable and professional.
Step 3: Set Your Hourly Rate
New Filipino tutors on Preply typically start at $8-15/hour. Here is a realistic rate guide based on experience:
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate (USD) | Approx. Monthly (PHP) |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner (no cert) | $8-12 | ₱22,000-34,000 |
| TEFL certified | $12-20 | ₱34,000-56,000 |
| Experienced (1-3 years) | $18-30 | ₱51,000-85,000 |
| Specialist (IELTS/business) | $25-50 | ₱71,000-142,000 |
Based on 20 hours/week. Rates approximate at ₱56.5/USD.
Step 4: Complete Your Profile
Fill in your education, certifications, teaching experience, and write a compelling "About Me" section. Students search by keyword, so include terms like "conversational English," "business English," "IELTS preparation," "Filipino tutor," etc.
How to Maximize Your Preply Earnings
1. Get Your First 5 Reviews Fast
Start with a lower rate ($8-10/hour) for your first 2 weeks to attract students quickly. Once you have 5+ positive reviews, raise your rate by $3-5. Reviews are everything on Preply — they determine your ranking in search results.
2. Specialize in High-Demand Niches
General conversational English pays $10-15/hour. But specializing in these niches can double your rate:
- IELTS/TOEFL preparation — $20-40/hour (huge demand from Asian students)
- Business English — $25-50/hour (corporate clients pay premium)
- Kids English (ages 5-12) — $15-25/hour (parents pay well)
- Medical/Legal English — $30-50/hour (niche but lucrative)
3. Offer Package Discounts
Preply lets you offer discounts for 5, 10, or 20-lesson packages. A 10% discount on a 10-lesson package encourages students to commit long-term. This gives you predictable monthly income instead of one-off sessions.
4. Optimize Your Schedule
Filipino tutors have a timezone advantage. Your evening hours (6-10 PM PHT) overlap with morning hours in Japan and Korea — the largest markets for English tutoring. Your mornings (7-11 AM PHT) overlap with European evening hours. Use this to fill your calendar.
Getting Paid: Preply to Philippine Bank Account
Preply pays tutors via:
- Payoneer — direct to your Philippine bank account
- Skrill — withdraw to GCash or bank
- Wise — best exchange rate for USD to PHP conversion
We recommend setting up Wise for the best PHP conversion rates. Wise charges only 0.55% compared to Payoneer's 2% exchange rate markup. On ₱50,000 in monthly earnings, that saves you ₱725/month.
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Get Started Free →Preply vs Other Tutoring Platforms
| Feature | Preply | Cambly | iTalki |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $8-50 (you set) | $0.17/min (~$10.20/hr) | $5-60 (you set) |
| Rate control | Full control | Fixed rate | Full control |
| Commission | 33% first lesson, 0% after | 0% | 15% all lessons |
| Student base | Global (180 countries) | Mostly Asia | Global |
| Non-native speakers | Yes | Native only | Yes |
| Payment methods | Payoneer, Skrill, Wise | Payoneer | Payoneer, Skrill |
Tips from Successful Filipino Preply Tutors
- Respond to trial lesson requests within 1 hour — speed dramatically increases your booking rate
- Prepare lesson materials — use free resources from British Council, ESL Library, and News in Levels
- Get a TESOL certificate online — platforms like Udemy offer affordable 120-hour TESOL courses for ₱500-2,000
- Build repeat students — 80% of top earners' income comes from recurring weekly students
- Join Filipino tutor communities — Facebook group s like "Filipino ESL Tutors" share tips, materials, and referrals
Conclusion: Start Teaching on Preply Today
Teaching English on Preply is one of the most accessible ways to earn $15-50/hour from the Philippines. You set your own schedule, choose your students, and control your rates. Combined with Wise for the best PHP conversion rates, you can realistically earn ₱40,000-150,000+/month working part-time from home. Sign up on Preply now and start earning this week.