work and travel

What is PalFish?

PalFish is an online English platform, based in Beijing, China, that gives teachers the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world using a smart device. It makes for a great side hustle or full time job.

When registering to work with PalFish, you’ll need to use your smartphone. Since the platform is app based, you’ll have to download the mobile app. Use my link to sign up and I’ll contact you directly through the app’s messaging feature once I receive notice of your signup. Once you’ve registered, you can download the app to your other iOS or Android devices to have them ready as backup devices. You can simply sign in using your phone number and password when you’re ready to use them. In cases of emergency, you can use your laptop or PC with webcam to teach lessons, but be prepared to experience decreased functionality and funky glitches. Ideally, you’ll want to teach from your phone or tablet because PalFish is optimized to work from a mobile device.

What can I do with PalFish?

What are the teacher requirements?

How much can I make? How does PalFish pay teachers?

As I mentioned before, there are multiple ways to earn with PalFish. Besides the previously mentioned ways of earning, the are also bonuses for inviting teachers and students.

This is your own home-based business. With a little creativity and drive, you can make a great income. As a regular teacher, you set your own rates for calls and lesson packages. As an OKC teacher, you can expect to earn between $15 and $22 per hour for official lessons. The actual amount you receive varies depending on the conversion rate of CNY to your country’s currency. PalFish pays using a tiered structure determined by a monthly credit score. The more classes you teach, the more money you’ll make per hour during the following month. As a new teacher, you will receive a new teacher’s bonus of approximately $15 USD. If a trial student purchases the Official Kids Course after having a trial lesson with you, you’ll earn a bonus of about $15 USD.

PalFish pays through Payoneer and Chinese bank transfer. Open your new account using this Payoneer link and receive $25 once you’ve earned $1000. Payment is held in your PalFish account until the 1st of the month when it is automatically withdrawn to your Payoneer account. The payment should reach your account by the 7th of the month.

What is the time requirement?

As a PalFish teacher, you have the luxury of setting your own schedule. You can work as little or as much as you’d like. There’s no set time requirement for Official Kids Course teachers, but it is recommended that you have at least 10 hours of availability. PalFish offers the ability to take random calls during your free time with just the touch of a button. If a student purchases a lesson package from you, you can coordinate the date and time (in Beijing Time) with your student, or you can open time slots for students to book. If you plan to teach adults and kids, I want to let you know that there’s an option to reserve time slots for kids only. However, there is not an option to reserve for adults only. So, once you open your slots, any time slots you have available for your adult students may be taken. To avoid this, coordinate with your adult students through the chat feature and only open them once they’re ready to book.

What are the technical requirements?

To effectively use the PalFish platform, you will need a compatible smart phone or tablet (Android version 7.0 or higher / iOS version 9.0 or higher). If your device is not compatible, the application will let you know once you’ve signed in. There isn’t a set internet speed requirement, but a fast, stable WiFi connection is important. I’ve found that a speed of at least 30 Mbps upload and download works best for me. If you’re unsure of your internet speed, you can check it here.

Lighting is very important. You will want to have bright lighting so that you are clearly visible in the camera. Shadows are frowned upon, so try to reduce them as much as possible. I use a set of lamps when I’m at home and two small portable LED lamps (bought in Korea) and selfie ring lights when I travel.

A headset with a noise cancelling microphone will help to reduce background noise during your lessons and make it easier for your students to hear your pronunciations clearly. The headphones set that may have come with your smart device can be used, but may cause audio issues for your student when the microphone brushes against your shirt. A Bluetooth headset may work well. I haven’t tried any, but I’ve heard from other teachers that they work fine (I’ll get hip one day 😀 ).

To add the app to your other devices, just head over to your app store, download the PalFish Teacher app for iOS or Android, and sign in using the phone number and password you used when signing up. There’s also a student app, so make sure you choose the one that says ‘teacher’.

You can find more information on the PalFish guidelines page and in the FAQs within the app . If you have any questions once you’re signed up, just shoot me a message through the PalFish app. I’ll be happy to help!