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| How to Register as a Teacher on italki: A Step-by-Step Guide |
If you are a language teacher looking for opportunities to teach students online, italki is one of the platforms you may consider. It connects language learners with teachers and tutors for one-to-one online lessons.
However, creating a normal italki account does not automatically make you a teacher. You need to complete a separate teacher application and receive approval before your teaching profile becomes available to students. (Supatutor)
Here is a step-by-step guide to the application process.
1. Check Whether Your Language Is Open for Applications
Before preparing your application, check whether italki is currently accepting teachers for the language you want to teach.
Teacher availability can change depending on the number of teachers already offering a particular language. Therefore, you may find that applications for your language or teacher category are temporarily unavailable. (Online Teaching Review)
Start from the official website:
You can also try the teacher application portal:
2. Create an italki Account
If applications are open, create an italki account and begin the teacher application.
Depending on the options currently offered by italki, registration may be possible through an email address or an existing online account. Recent application guides also recommend completing the teacher application from a computer or laptop rather than relying on the mobile app. (Anteach)
Remember that registering for an account is only the first step. You still need to submit your teacher application and have it approved.
3. Choose Your Teacher Type
During the application process, you may need to choose the appropriate teacher category.
Traditionally, italki has distinguished between Professional Teachers and Community Tutors. Professional Teacher applications require evidence of suitable teaching qualifications or credentials, whereas Community Tutor requirements have historically been less extensive. (Anteach)
If you hold recognized language-teaching qualifications, check the current Professional Teacher requirements carefully before applying.
Requirements can change, so do not rely solely on an old YouTube video or blog post when deciding whether a particular certificate will be accepted.
4. Prepare Your Teaching Documents
If you are applying as a Professional Teacher, be prepared to provide evidence of your qualifications.
Depending on the current requirements and the language you want to teach, this may include documents such as:
teaching certificates;
language-teaching qualifications;
relevant degrees or diplomas;
evidence of teaching experience; and
identification documents during the verification/onboarding process.
Third-party application guides report that italki verifies professional teaching credentials as part of the application process. (Anteach)
Make sure your documents are clear, genuine, and consistent with the information in your application.
5. Upload a Professional Profile Photo
Your profile picture is one of the first things prospective students will see.
Choose a recent, clear photograph in which your face is easily visible. Good lighting, a simple background, and professional-looking clothing can help create a positive first impression.
Avoid blurry photographs, distracting backgrounds, or heavily edited images.
Your objective is simple: look approachable, trustworthy, and professional.
6. Write Your Teacher Introduction
Next, prepare the written description that students will see on your profile.
Instead of simply listing qualifications, explain what you can actually help students achieve.
For example:
Hi! I'm an experienced English teacher specializing in General English, IELTS preparation, pronunciation, and conversation. My lessons are structured around your current level, goals, and learning style. Whether you want to communicate confidently, prepare for an international exam, or improve your grammar and vocabulary, I will help you build a clear learning plan and make measurable progress.
A strong introduction should normally explain:
Who you are → what you teach → who you teach → how your lessons work → how students can benefit.
Recent guides to the italki application process confirm that the written introduction forms an important part of the teacher profile. (CHED Scholarship Application)
7. Record Your Introduction Video
The introduction video is another important part of your application because prospective students may use it to decide whether they want to book a lesson with you.
Application guides describe an introduction video of approximately 1–3 minutes, although you should check the instructions displayed in the current application form before recording because requirements can change. (Anteach)
In your video, briefly introduce yourself and explain your teaching experience, the students you work with, your specialties, and what learners can expect from your lessons.
Do not simply read your written profile word for word. Speak naturally and let students see how you communicate.
For an English teacher, for example:
Hello! My name is Zaki, and I'm an English teacher. I have extensive experience teaching General English and preparing students for international English examinations. In my lessons, we'll work on practical communication while developing your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading, and writing skills according to your individual goals. I look forward to meeting you in class!
8. Submit Your Application
Before clicking Submit, check everything carefully.
Make sure that your name and personal information are accurate, your qualifications are correctly described, your certificates are readable, your profile photograph follows the requirements, and your introduction video works properly.
One application guide reports that applicants should expect italki to communicate an application decision within approximately 10 business days, but processing times can change. (Anteach)
Therefore, treat the timeline shown inside your actual italki application as authoritative.
9. Complete the Onboarding Process
Being pre-approved may not be the final step.
You may still have onboarding requirements to complete, including identity verification and other account setup procedures before you can begin teaching. One recent application guide reports a 15-calendar-day window after pre-approval for completing onboarding, but again, verify the deadline shown by italki when you apply. (Anteach)
Complete these requirements as soon as possible rather than waiting until the deadline.
10. Create Your Lessons, Prices, and Availability
Once your teacher account is approved and activated, your next task is turning your profile into something students actually want to book.
Create lessons that clearly target different needs, such as:
General English
For students who want balanced improvement across the major language skills.
Conversation Practice
For learners who primarily want to improve speaking, fluency, vocabulary, and confidence.
IELTS Preparation
For candidates preparing for IELTS Academic or General Training.
Business English
For professionals who need English for meetings, presentations, interviews, emails, and workplace communication.
You can then establish your availability and pricing according to the options currently available in your teacher dashboard.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Students
Approval is only the beginning. A teacher can have excellent qualifications and still struggle to attract students if the profile does not clearly communicate value.
Instead of writing:
I have many certificates and years of experience.
Try communicating the benefit:
I help intermediate English learners become more confident speakers through structured conversation, targeted vocabulary development, pronunciation correction, and personalized feedback.
Students generally want to know one thing:
“How can this teacher help me achieve my goal?”
Your profile, video, lesson descriptions, and teaching specialties should answer that question clearly.
Final Checklist
Before applying to teach on italki, make sure you have:
Checked whether your teaching language/category is currently open.
Created your italki account.
Selected the appropriate teacher category.
Prepared your teaching qualifications and supporting documents.
Prepared the required identification for verification.
Chosen a clear professional profile photograph.
Written a student-focused introduction.
Recorded your introduction video according to the current requirements.
Checked your application for mistakes.
Submitted the application.
Completed any required onboarding and identity-verification steps after approval.
Conclusion
Registering as a teacher on italki involves more than simply opening an account. You need to check whether applications are open, select the appropriate teaching category, create a professional profile, provide the necessary qualifications, record an introduction video, submit your application, and complete the required verification and onboarding procedures.
Because italki can change its application availability, eligibility criteria, and onboarding requirements, always compare any guide—including this one—with the instructions displayed on the official italki teacher application portal at the time you apply.
Once approved, focus on creating a profile that does more than describe your qualifications. Show prospective students exactly who you help, what you teach, and what results they can work toward with you.