The clauses worth reading twice
The online teaching contract checklist
The contract is where you turn a worry into a line you can check. This is the list of what to verify before you sign anything — money, scope, exclusivity, exit — and the red flags that mean walk away. Tick it off on screen (your ticks are saved in this browser) or print it (Ctrl/Cmd+P) and keep it next to the offer. No account needed, nothing collected.
Money
Scope
Exclusivity and side work
Exit
Red flags: walk away
Contract questions teachers ask
What should I check before signing an online teaching contract?
Check five things before you sign: the exact pay currency and rate, the payout date, the full list of deductions, the cancellation and penalty rules in both directions, and your notice period plus final-payout timing. Also check whether you may teach on other platforms at the same time. If a promise is not written in the contract, treat it as if it does not exist.
Should I ever pay a school to start teaching?
No. Training fees, deposits, equipment charges and placement fees are the classic scam pattern — a real employer pays you, not the other way around. Schools that charge teachers any fee are banned from Plain Chalk listings on sight. If a school asks for money before your first paid class, walk away.
What is a normal cancellation policy for online teaching?
A fair policy is written in both directions. Typical: you may cancel a class with 12–24 hours notice without penalty, the school pays you full or half rate when it cancels late, and a student no-show still pays you (commonly 50–100% of the lesson fee). If the contract penalizes only you — never the school and never the student — that is a red flag.
Contract law differs by country, so have a lawyer in your country review any contract you are unsure about.