VIPKID is a popular online teaching company and in this review, I’ll show you how I was hired- from putting in my application to signing a contract in under seven days. Let’s get started!
What is VIPKID?
So VIPKID is an online English teaching company that teaches Chinese children. They have their headquarters in Beijing, China and currently have several thousand students.
As a teacher, you will teach using your computer and webcam in a one-on-one environment with the student. The classes last for 25 minutes and then you’re on to the next student.
All of the material is provided for you in advance so this saves you a lot of time. The classes are meant to be fun and engaging which is why you are encouraged to use props and be animated in order to keep the children’s attention.
Now let’s get to the review of VIPKID!
Working for VIPKID- What You Need to Know?
Here are some details about pay and hiring requirements.
VIPKID pays its teachers up to $22/hr. The average pay is $14-$22 which will depend on your experience and other factors. You are paid per class and you receive bonuses just for being on time as well as having an open schedule.
They will pay you by direct deposit every month to your bank. They don’t withhold any taxes so this would be up to you to do.
The company encourages you to have availability during the peak Chinese times but this is not required. You also don’t have to have a minimum amount of hours available.
So to review, no lesson planning and no grading! How cool is that!
If you want to apply to VIPKID just click here.
The VIPKID Application Process
So what was it like to apply and go through the process you might be wondering?
Here’s how it went. I filled out the super simple online application form. Within the hour I was emailed and notified that I had been selected for an interview.
Since the interview also includes a brief 10-minute demo lesson I made sure to review all of the material provided in order to be ready. I scheduled my interview and answered a few questions and then began my demo lesson.
I was teaching the person interviewing me who was acting like a 5-year-old Chinese student. This was interesting to say the least, lol. After feedback, I was told that I would be contacted with my demo lesson results.
Again within the hour, I received an email notifying me that I had passed the interview and demo lesson stage.
So I was one step closer to working for VIPKID yay! Now for the next step!
Preparing for the Mock Lessons
Now comes the time to prepare for the mock lessons. The mock lesson is a combination of two classes of 10 minutes and 15 minutes that you have to teach based on the lesson material that is provided.
The classes are meant to determine whether you will be better suited to teach younger or older children. The training and prep materials are absolutely excellent and they really don’t leave anything to chance. If you go over it well you should be fine. They really want you to succeed.
Here are a few tips to help you get started working for vipkid quickly!
One way to do well on the mock lessons is to get some props. I went to Ikea and another local store and got a whiteboard, finger puppets, and a stuffed animal. This was a great investment because it allowed my interviewer to see that I was prepared and taking things seriously.
Another big tip is to get an orange shirt since this is the company color and what all the teachers wear. I was able to pick one up at a local sports store for a few euros.
If you want to apply to VIPKID just click here.
During the mock lesson, I tried to be engaging, friendly and also keep in mind the level of English of my student. My best advice would be to just have fun, be silly and make sure that you keep the student engaged.
After the first 10 minute portion of the mock lesson, you receive detailed feedback on what was good and what could be better. Make sure that you apply what is told to you for the next 15-minute section. This will show how well you listen.
After the mock lesson, you will receive notification of the results and whether or not you move on. I quickly received an email notifying me that I had passed the mock one lesson and that I would be moved on to the next stage!
Now normally, this would be the part where you start to prepare for your mock two lesson, unless you were absolutely amazing and were hired on the spot after the mock one. For me, things went a little differently.
I received an email with a special invitation to a pilot program which consisted of a two-hour live training which would basically guarantee me the job if I took it. This would be in place of having to take the mock two demo.
I happily signed up for the pilot training program and attended it the same day I received the email. The training was very informative and I was able to ask questions and see what concerns other teachers had. After this, I got the job!
If you want to apply to VIPKID just click here.
Working for VIPKID – Hiring Requirements
Let me talk about the requirements for those thinking of applying.
- You will need to have a college bachelors degree.
- You will also need to have an American or Canadian accent (sorry British people, I didn’t make the rules). They say that this is important because they don’t want to confuse the children with many different accents.
- It is also helpful if you have some teaching experience but this is not really required officially. There are many people that work here without having any teaching experience before starting. As long as you have worked with children in the past even something as simple as babysitting you can mention this and it will be better than nothing. If you have actually taught children in a school setting then this would be great.
- And lastly, you will obviously need access to a computer with a highspeed internet connection and a webcam and headset. That’s it!
VIPKID Review- Summary
VIPKID is a professional, reputable company who are one of the leaders in the online teaching space.
It’s a great job because like anything online you can do it from anywhere and focus on what you are truly passionate about outside work like volunteer service, travel or a favorite hobby.
I hope that my experience and VIPKID review has been helpful to you. If you are thinking about applying just go for it! You never know what it might lead to, soon you’ll be working for VIPKID too!
If you want to apply to VIPKID just click here.
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To Your Teaching Success
Antoine
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