In a small town in India, Meena, a 26-year-old homemaker with no formal teaching degree, started earning ₹40,000 every month — right from her smartphone. No studio lights, no fancy laptop, not even an office. All she had was a basic smartphone, decent internet, and a strong desire to earn independently.
Today, she teaches English to students from around the world on platforms like Cambly and Preply. Her journey is not just inspiring but also practical for thousands who want to start earning online with limited resources.
Let’s break down how she did it — step-by-step — so you can start your journey too.
1. Meena’s Background — No Degree? No Problem
Meena wasn’t fluent in English when she started. She had a basic understanding of grammar and could hold a simple conversation. Like many others, she learned English through movies, YouTube channels, and everyday practice. She did not have a Bachelor’s degree in English or any teaching certificate.
What made Meena different was her confidence, consistency, and willingness to talk, even if she made mistakes.
Lesson: You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be better than the person you’re teaching — and willing to help them grow.
2. The First Step: Choosing the Right Platforms
Meena researched beginner-friendly platforms that didn’t require formal qualifications. She found Cambly and Preply, two of the most popular online English tutoring platforms.
✅ Cambly
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Requirements: No degree or certificate required
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Audience: Students from Middle East, Latin America, Korea, etc.
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Payment: Around $10/hour (₹800/hour)
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Teaching Style: Casual conversation (no lesson plans)
Example: Meena’s first Cambly student was a 35-year-old businessman from Saudi Arabia who wanted to improve his spoken English. They discussed daily topics like travel, food, and news. No grammar lessons — just practice talking.
✅ Preply
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Requirements: Basic profile setup, good English skills
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Audience: Students worldwide looking for both conversation and grammar
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Payment: ₹300–1000/hour (You can set your own rate)
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Teaching Style: More structured, sometimes lesson plans required
Example: On Preply, Meena set her rate to ₹400/hour and got students from Brazil and Japan. She used free PDFs and YouTube grammar videos to help them improve.
3. How Meena Got Started — With ₹0 Investment
Many people think online work needs investment — lighting, microphones, laptops. Meena started with just:
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A basic Android smartphone
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A ring light worth ₹250 from a local store
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Jio internet plan (₹239/month)
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A free Gmail account to register
She created short videos practicing English, set up her tutor profiles, and applied on both Cambly and Preply. Within 2 weeks, she got her first Cambly call.
“I still remember my hands were shaking in the first call. But after 2-3 calls, I became confident. Now I can speak fluently for hours,” Meena says.
4. How She Grew to ₹40,000/month in 3 Hours/Day
Here’s how her routine looked:
🕒 Daily Schedule:
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Morning (9 AM – 10 AM): Preply student from Spain (Grammar + Conversation)
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Afternoon (2 PM – 3 PM): Cambly calls (2–3 random students)
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Evening (6 PM – 7 PM): Repeat Preply session or new trial classes
💰 Earnings Breakdown:
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Cambly: Approx ₹18,000/month (Avg ₹600/hour)
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Preply: ₹22,000/month (₹400/hour average, 2 students/day)
That’s ₹40,000/month from just 3 hours of work each day.
Tip: In the beginning, Meena charged less to get more reviews. As her ratings increased, she raised her hourly rate slowly.
5. What Tools She Uses to Teach
Even with no laptop, Meena’s classes were smooth because she used the following free tools:
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Zoom/Skype: For live video calls (Preply)
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Cambly App: In-app video calls (auto scheduled)
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Grammarly: To check student homework
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Canva: For creating vocabulary flashcards
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PDF Drive: For free downloadable grammar books
All of these apps are free and work well on phones.
6. How You Can Start — Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how you can start just like Meena:
✅ Step 1: Improve Your English
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Watch YouTube channels like Learn English with Lucy or BBC Learning English
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Practice speaking in front of a mirror or with friends
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Join English-speaking groups on Telegram or Facebook
✅ Step 2: Create Your Tutor Profiles
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Go to Cambly.com → Apply as a tutor
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Go to Preply.com → Create a full profile with video intro and description
✅ Step 3: Tips for Profile Success
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Add a smiling, clear photo
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Write a short intro: “Hi, I’m Deepa from India. I love helping people speak English confidently. Let’s improve together!”
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Record a 1-minute intro video (natural speaking, no need for fancy editing)
✅ Step 4: Offer a Low Price Initially
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Start with ₹200–₹300/hour to attract your first students
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After 5–10 reviews, increase your rate slowly
✅ Step 5: Deliver Great Classes
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Always be on time
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Focus on what the student wants (speaking, grammar, vocabulary)
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Encourage them to talk more
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Share feedback after each class
7. Common Questions (FAQs)
❓ What if I don’t speak perfect English?
No problem. You just need better communication than the learner. Most students want friendly conversation and confidence-building, not grammar lectures.
❓ How much time does it take to get students?
On Preply, students start booking within 7–15 days if your profile is good. Cambly may take weeks or even months — but once you’re in, it’s passive.
❓ How much can I earn?
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Starting: ₹10,000–₹15,000/month
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Intermediate: ₹25,000–₹40,000/month
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Advanced tutors even earn ₹1 lakh/month or more — by teaching full-time or adding private students
8. Tips from Meena’s Experience
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Be patient: Success took 1–2 months. Don’t expect magic in 3 days.
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Speak slowly and clearly: Many students are beginners.
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Avoid background noise: Sit in a quiet room or corner.
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Celebrate small wins: First class, first 5-star review, first ₹10,000 — celebrate it all.
9. The Bigger Picture: Why This Works in 2025
In 2025, spoken English is in huge demand — especially from countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Korea, Brazil, and Vietnam. Most students want casual, friendly conversation, not formal classes.
India has millions of people like Meena who know basic English and just need confidence and the right platforms to start earning. With a smartphone, 2–3 hours a day, and consistency, anyone can replicate her journey.
Final Words: Start Small, Grow Consistently
Meena didn’t wait to be perfect. She started small, kept learning, and built confidence with each session. Today, she teaches students worldwide and earns more than many office jobs — all from her home and phone.
You can do this too.
If you have a phone, know basic English, and want to earn from home — start your journey today. The world is ready to learn from you.
