Answering all your questions I have ever received about VIPKids , the hiring process , teaching the classes , pay , and more!
If you have any questions not answered here - comment on this post and I’ll answer them for ya.
Q: What is VIPKID?
A: In my own words, VIPKid is an online teaching platform. Teachers teach English to Chinese Students living in China. Think Facetime + a google doc with lesson slides on it. The student can see the teacher, the slides and what the teacher write on them. The teacher can see the student, the slides , and what the student writes on the slides. It is one-on-one with a child. The goal for VIPKID is to provide North American elementary school experience to Children in China aged five to twelve years old. The curriculum is based on the US common core for English standards.
Q: Do I need to speak another language to teach?
A: NOOO. I , unfortunately, only speak English. As long as you can speak and have knowledge of proper English you can teach. Most students in China have been taking some form of English class since they began school (and sometimes prior). Depending on age, some know their letters and basic words…while older students can speak pretty fluently with pronunciation errors and some word misuse.
Q: Do I have to create lesson plans ?
A: No you do not. That would stink. All lessons are already formatted and created for you based on the students level in the program. You just show up before class and the lesson is already set and ready to go. You open your camera and turn on your mic when the time comes to begin class and teach!
Q: Okay great, but what about grading projects and homework ?
A: Not really. You are required to write feedback to the parent on how the student performed. Some higher levels assign projects that you must write feedback on but a majority do not. I have never had to assign a project. I will give advice on what I believe the child could work on at home and how they could practice it. I would never call it grading though, takes about 5-8 min per feedback.
Q: How long are the classes?
A: Each class is 25 minutes long. There is a 5 minute break in between classes if you teach more than one back-to-back. In one hour, you could teach 2 classes.
Q: When would I teach?
A: The class schedule is based on Beijing time zone. So, based on where you are, it is usually an opposite schedule of America. When China is sleeping, we are up and at it during the day. When we are sleeping, China is up and at it. Most students attend school during the day in China. So your options to teach are limited to early morning in America or later in the night in America. (This would mean after school for students in China or in the morning for students in China).
Below in my schedule from what I consider a ‘busy’ week. I am in EST. This was during the baseball season and my husband was away on Friday and Saturday. So, I was able to make a little extra by teaching those nights since I cut back on the morning classes those days.
Q: Do I make my own schedule?
A: YES! This is my favorite part about this job. You ‘open’ your time slots. Students can book your open class slots. If you wanted to teach 4 class five days a week, great. If you wanted to teach 1 class seven days a week, awesome. If you wanted to teach 2 classes total a week, perfect. It is up to you completely. I usually teach 6 classes Monday - Saturday mornings. If I needed to take off 4 days I can just simply not open my class time slots those days.
Q: Can I travel and work?
A: Yes, yes , yes! This is one of the biggest reasons I wanted to work for VIPKid! I have taught from hotels, my grandparents home, bathrooms in NYC , friends houses, and over 5 apartments so far. As long as I have wifi, I have a job and moderately steady income.
Q: This sounds perfect, but do I have to have any teaching license or degrees?
A: All that is required is a bachelor’s degree. It does not matter what kind of studies or the school. I personally have a bachelor of arts in Public Relations.
Q: What does the interview process look like?
A: You can apply using this link here. You will fill out an application, then film yourself teaching a 10 minute class (they give you the class prior and you can record as many times you would like), then you will teach a lesson to an employee of VIPKID in real time on camera. But, after you are hired…you can begin teaching the very next day! If you move through the process one after the other, wasting no time in between, you could probably be teaching in a week from starting. The process is not scary and is easy to prepare for! If you apply, use my link offered at the bottom and I can mentor you through the whole process. I would not have been hired without my mentor, so please reach out so I can help you!
Q: Now what we are all here for…the pay. What is it?
A: Pay ranges from $18 - $22 an hour. This range depends on the teacher’s experience, have they acquired a teaching license/degree, and their performance in the interview and demo class. Here is the only kicker about the pay - Taxes are not taken out. You will need to file as an independent contractor. This can be good on the months you really need the full payment, but don't be surprised if you owe a little when tax season comes around. Depending if you have another job where taxes are taken out or if you don’t teach a large amount…you may or may not be subject to pay many taxes.
Q: How will I get paid?
A: The payment is transferred into my account twice a month (which really beats a once a month payment). I have NEVER had a single issue with not receiving my payment or receiving an amount different than owed.
Q: Do I have a set contract?
A: VIPKID offers 6 month contracts. But, you are not locked in to them. You can quit, leave, or stop at any time you’d like. I always recommend waiting keeping your contract and teaching at least a class or so a month so you can still have the opportunity to teach more if it’s ever needed. Many teachers with VIPKID teach in the school system here in America. They teach with VIPKID during their summers. Most of them continue to teach every so often during the year so they keep their employment with VIPKID. If you needed some months off fully though, no worries…they won’t cancel your employment!
Q: Give me some cons to the job?
A: One of the toughest part about teaching with VIPKID is that some weeks you may be fully booked and others you may not be completely booked. This has never seriously affected me, but it may affect you. I have gotten pretty good at securing bookings so if you are nervous about this - let me help you!
Also, it can be early mornings or late nights, but I started to love waking up and starting my day. I’m usually done teaching and already made money for the day before my husband is awake. Which is pretty nice to have the rest of the day to do as I please.
Q: Do you get paid for signing people up?
A: Not for signing up…but if you go through the process, get hired, and teach a class I make $100. Yup, I hope you see how transparent I am about things now. But here’s the deal - YOU CAN TOO! If you refer other friends to teach with VIPKID, you can make $100 too. It’s the gift that just keeps giving.
Q: I already have an account, but can I still use your referral?
A: Yes! You can add my code to your account or email support and they will add it to your application! It is : CAROL0216