Just like in any career, to be successful in getting into any of the available VIPKids jobs, you must be well-aware of the requirements and the process.
Online teaching is one of the most popular virtual jobs in the United States today. It is, in fact, more popular among stay at home, working moms – which is not surprising given the flexibility of working as an online teacher.
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More and more companies are emerging that offer jobs in the online teaching field – one of them is VIPKid, a company that particularly teaches the English language to Chinese students.
VIPKis had been providing native English speakers specifically from the US and Canada online teaching jobs for some time now. Unlike other online teaching companies, VIPKid has very thorough requirements, which is why it has gained popularity, especially in the online ESL teaching industry.
Furthermore, the company takes pride in its growing community of online teachers – over 30,000 to be specific, and the company continues to grow to offer more VIPKid teaching jobs to both Americans and Canadians.
Now, if you are someone thinking about getting into this company, we got you. In this article, we’ll answer some of the common questions ask about VIPKid, which include the following:
- What exactly is VIPKid?
- What are the VIPKid job requirements?
- How to apply for VIPKid jobs?
- How to do it?
- How to land on VIPKids jobs?
- How much do you get from VIPKids jobs?
- How long is the effectivity of the contract with VIPKid?
- How is VIPKid teaching hours like?
- How do VIPKid students find you?
- Is VIPKid an MLM company?
WHAT EXACTLY IS VIPKID?
VIPKid is an online ESL teaching program specifically catering to kids aged 4 to 12 years old who are based in China. The company was founded by people who have decades of expertise working as educators and administrators.
VIPKid boasts having 500,000 paying students, at the same time, they make sure they give back by supporting 300 low-income rural schools situated in China through the company’s Rural Education Project.
All VIPKid classes are on a one-on-one basis and are conducted online using their very own VIPKid portal or learning management system.
Unlike other online teaching companies, VIPKid has its own curriculum, which makes it easier for their teachers to prepare for their lessons. At the same time, it allows them to save time. VIPKid based its curriculum on the U.S. Common Core State Standards. They use a flipped-classroom approach to hone the kids’ critical thinking skills, as well as their creativity.
WHAT ARE THE VIPKID JOB REQUIREMENTS?
To land on VIPKids jobs, you have to possess the following major requirements:
– A bachelor’s degree or even higher in any field.
– Have the eligibility to work in the United States or Canada.
– An at least one year of teaching experience – could be as a professional teacher, tutor, coach, mentor, or homeschooler.
In addition, VIPKid also looks for the following qualifications:
– A teaching requirement in any subjects particularly ESL. While it is preferred, it’s not necessarily required as VIPKid offers short TESOL courses if you do not have one.
– Speaks and write English fluently. You will be evaluated during your application for VIPKid jobs.
– Have experience in the K12 curriculum either as a teacher or as a student. Having one will get you ahead of the game.
– A North American accent is an edge as you will be required to teach American English.
Be updated, know the latest hiring process of VIPKid in this video shared by Kristina Garcia, a YouTuber who particularly focuses on sharing a step-by-step guide for people interested to become a VIPKid teacher.
It may also help if you have the following qualifications, which are not really required but are good to have and may help you get an edge for the job:
– Good with handling kids.
– Have the ability to make learning fun and enjoyable for children.
– Have taught English as a Second Language or ESL, and/or ESL-qualified.
– Have teaching experience regardless of subject/s taught.
– Have experience in tutoring online – this might earn you a higher rate, if we may say.
Apart from these, in order for you to land VIPKids jobs, you have to ensure you have the equipment listed below. These are essential especially since there is an interview process, plus you also need to go through 2 to 3 mock classes. The equipment and other items required are:
– A laptop or desktop computer
– A high- quality webcam
– A headset with microphone (we highly suggest getting one with noise cancellation ability to avoid distraction)
– Mouse
– Puppet (it’s essential to keep your students excited and to make learning fun)
– Colorful, happy, and kid-friendly background
– Plain, colored shirt (again, this helps keep your student’s focused on your class)
Obviously, looking at the requirements alone, most likely than not, you will get the impression that VIPKids jobs are not your usual online teaching job. They have a very competitive requirement. They don’t just hire anyone. They make sure that whoever they get for the job, he or she is really qualified, and really knows what he or she is doing or about to do if he or she gets qualified to sign a contract.
HOW TO APPLY FOR ANY VIPKID JOBS?
VIPkid jobs’ application process comes in 4 steps, and they are:
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Filling out of the online form.
All you have to do is go to the VIPKids jobs page at the VIPKid website and click the apply button. Once you’re at it, you will be asked to complete signing up the form. You have to ensure though that all the information you input is correct. Avoid making mistakes as it will affect your application process.
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Going through a demo/interview.
With VIPKid’s demo/interview process, you are given two choices – you could either go for a live demo/interview or a recorded demo/interview.
How to do it?
For the live demo/interview, you will conduct a demo lesson to your interviewer who will be acting like your 5-year-old student. It may be a little nerve-wracking, but if you have prepared enough, you will surely nail it. The interviewer may ask questions about you and your personal and professional background, so better be prepared to answer them.
With regards to the recorded one, there is a link where you can do your demo. You will conduct your demo class to an imaginary student.
Don’t worry about what lesson to prepare because VIPKid will be sending over the lesson that you will discuss via email.
Your performance during the demo/interview is crucial because your base rate will be based on it should you be hired for VIPKids jobs.
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Doing mock classes.
Mock classes are like teacher training. Again, you will have someone from the VIPKid recruitment team who will act as your student. Unlike the demo/interview process, this one has less pressure because you are given the chance to repeat classes. In fact, you are given 2 to 3 mock classes to hold.
Like the demo/interview, VIPKid will provide the lessons, so all you have to do is read them thoroughly, study them, and prepare. You are given ample time to prepare for the mock classes, so you will have time to practice or rehearse how you would go about your classes.
By the way, you are given 5 to 10 minutes to do your mock class, so make sure you get the most out of the provided time.
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The signing of the contract.
The last but definitely not the least, signing of the contract. Obviously, once you reach this point, you already have a sure job with VIPKid. All you have to do is go through the contract, review it and if you have questions, you may ask the VIPKid representative you are in touch with. If you have your own documents for signing too, you may also send it to them for their review.
Now here’s another thing that makes VIPKid set apart from the rest. VIPKid does a background check, which is quite unusual among other online jobs. It’s basically their way of making sure you are legit and real. Well, if you have nothing to be afraid of, you should not be scared of getting turned down, right?
HOW TO LAND ON VIPKID JOBS?
Well, just like any other job out there, whether it is online or offline, you just have to give it your best. When we say give it your best, we mean the 3Ps – prepare, purchase, and practice.
As we mentioned earlier, the most crucial part of winning VIPKids jobs is the demo/interview, and of course, the mock classes. Especially during the former, you have to really impress your interviewer. It’s like you make it or break it a moment.
The nice thing about VIPKid is that they give you time to prepare. They are not the type who will ask you to do a demo immediately without even giving you time to prepare for it. Also, take into consideration that VIPKid will be the one providing you the lesson. Thus, you have no excuse for not being able to give it your best once you are at it.
Okay, to give you more idea on what we mean by the 3Ps, here we go:
Prepare
When you go to your demo/interview, you have to be mentally and physically prepared. You have to make sure you studied the lesson, you have props with you, etc. Your interviewer may ask questions about your personal and professional background, so, make sure, to be honest the whole time – remember, they do background checks too. We thought it’s also their way of making sure you are consistent, and your details are consistent.
Part of the preparation is also buying the stuff you need for the demo and the mock lessons, which leads me to the next P.
Purchase
Buy the materials you need. Consider the demo/mock classes as real ones. So, for instance, if you are planning to use rewards systems to our students by using laminated prints, then have some laminated. If you are using a whiteboard, then buy one.
Also, keep in mind some of the items/equipment required for the job. Like if you do not have a headset yet or your computer does not have a webcam, then buy them. Also, do not forget buying a puppet, an interesting poster for your background, and a plain, colored shirt (choose the pastel-colored shirts although most of VIPKid teachers use orange top since it’s the company’s color).
Practice
Before even going into the demo or mock classes, make sure you rehearse. We do not necessarily mean you memorize word per word, but at least work hard to give your best presentation. If you have a teacher friend, ask him or her to help you out. Let him act as your student, ask him or her to throw questions at you, and then let your friend critic your presentation. That way, once you show up for the actual thing, you are prepared.
HOW MUCH DO YOU GET FROM VIPKIDS JOBS?
We think VIPKid pays its teachers fairly, which is probably one of the reasons why it’s becoming popular compared to their competitors.
Anyway, VIPKid pays between $7-9 per minute. In addition to that, you get $2 per class if you are able to reach a minimum of 45 classes in a month. So, imagine how much you get if you hit the goal for each month, right? Come to think of it, you can earn as much as $20 per hour by having two classes if you reach the quota. Definitely, not bad at all.
VIPKid’s classes last for 25 minutes per class, which is actually almost the same as other online teaching companies. But yeah, the pay really makes a huge difference, which we think is the reason why they have very strict requirements.
With regards to disbursing the money, VIPKid pays once a month through direct deposit, which we must say is very convenient for its teachers.
How about taxes?
Well, with VIPKid, the company treats its teachers as independent contractors. That said, you will receive 1099 with all your earnings. Also, note that there are no taxes withheld by VIPKid. Depending on you and your financial status, this may mean you have to file for quarterly estimated taxes. So, you better be mindful, you better check.
HOW LONG IS THE EFFECTIVITY OF THE CONTRACT WITH VIPKID?
As mentioned earlier, once you are considered for VIPKids jobs, the company will send you the contract online. You will have to sign it online too and return back to them along with other documents they may ask from you like an identification card, photos, proof of ESL qualification, and the likes.
The contact with VIPKid lasts for six months. With that, you are assured of a VIPKid job within six months. Depending on your performance, your contract may or may not be renewed. That is why it is important that you are consistently good with your classes. Also, it helps to get positive feedback from your students and their parents. Your number of classes taught is also part of the criteria. Thus, the more classes you do, the better.
HOW IS VIPKID TEACHING HOURS LIKE?
Now, here’s the thing. Since the kids are based in China, that means there is a 12-hour difference with regards to time. It is probably the most challenging part of working for VIPKid because you have to adjust to your students’ time.
Now wonder why a lot of teachers take on the early morning load, which starts at 4:30 in the morning. The classes include weekends, but that’s up to you if you will hold classes on weekends.
Yes, they have a flexible schedule, but as mentioned you have to follow Beijing time. But if you do not really mind about the schedule, you may consider taking classes during their peak hours, which starts from 9 PM to midnight EST.
What’s another nice thing about VIPKid is that there is no minimum or maximum hourly requirements. So, it is all up to you, really. If you want to earn more money, then you hold as many classes as you can.
HOW DO VIPKID STUDENTS FIND YOU?
With VIPKid, they have a so-called, “parent portal” where your profile is uploaded. On the same portal, you get to upload a few pictures of yourself, and also a short video greeting. With regards to the video, VIPKid has a suggested script for that in case you are new to this thing. However, we highly suggest you make it more personal and create your own script. The video only lasts for 15 seconds so you better make sure it’s something that will capture the parents’ interest to get you as their child’s online English teacher.
Apart from the portal, parents can also look into your profile. There they get to see the feedback from other parents about you as a teacher. The more positive feedback you get, means more classes, thus, more income for you.
By the way, parents can mark teachers as “favorites” if they like you. They are allowed to book up to two weeks prior to your scheduled class.
IS VIPKID AN MLM COMPANY?
Probably the most asked question about VIPKid is if it is a multi-level marketing (MLM) company.
The Federal Trade Commission describes MLM or multi-level marketing as “companies that sell their products or services through person-to-person sales,” which means “you’re selling directly to other people, maybe from your home, a customer’s home, or online.”
Given the above definition of MLM, we have to say that VIPKid is not an MLM company. However, they do have a program where they give a one-time referral fee to VIPKid teachers who are able to bring in new teachers to the company. Unlike MLM, this is given one-time only.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON VIPKIDS JOBS
Is getting into VIPKids jobs worth it?
Yes, it is! It’s legit, it’s very competitive, it pays fairly, what else can you ask for? We believe the company is serious when it comes to what they are here for. That is why they have strict requirements, which we think is very fair.
By far, we have not heard any bad comments about the company apart from the time difference, which is understandable because the company is very specific with their core customers or students. But to be honest, it should not be a problem because once you’re at it, you will eventually get used to it.
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