In June I was officially hired with a company called VIPKID that hires North Americans to teach English to children in China aged 4-12. It’s completely online, meaning you can work from home or really anywhere in the world with a solid internet connection.
I’m already an English teacher, so I thought I’d give it a shot as a means to travel and still make money. I knew I was going to have a wild summer schedule hopping from Spain to the U.S. to Scotland, so a job which gave me the freedom to work from anywhere in the world was a dream come true.
What is VIPKID?
VIPKID is a Chinese company, headquartered in Beijing, providing an international learning experience for Chinese children aged 4-12 years old. The company hires North American passport holders to teach 25 minute, one-on-one English language classes to children based on the U.S. Common Core State Standards.
Pros about VIPKID?
1. It’s completely online.
2. Teachers teach one student at a time.
3. VIPKID provides all the lessons; teachers just follow the directions.
4. You get to know adorable Chinese children!
5. You’re free to make your own schedule and take off time as need be.
6. Good pay and lots of incentives.
7. It’s fun and stress free!
To begin, let’s talk about the application process.
There are a few requirements to get hired by VIPKID. You must have a bachelor’s degree (in anything!), a working internet connection, and a headset. Everything else is optional, though it really helps to have experience with children whether it be teaching or otherwise. Also, a TEFL certificate and things of this nature can certainly help your initial application.
To apply, there are quite a few — yet simple — steps, so be prepared.
1. Fill out basic info showing you qualify.
2. Complete 10-minute demo lesson.
3. Complete Mock class.
4. Upload required documents.
5. Create teacher bio.
6. Get to teaching!!!
For me, the application process was quite painless, and I completed it all rather quickly and was able to start teaching in no time. One thing to note: For some new teachers, it takes some days to start getting students to roll your way. This wasn’t the case for me and many people I know, but I just wanted to throw it out there in case you come across this.
What are the hours like?
The great thing about VIPKID, besides being totally online, is that you get to make your own schedule and can update and change it at any time. You are free to work as little or as much as you want. However, there are prime hours where classes get booked and this is typically from 6-10 p.m. Beijing Time. For East Coasters, this means 6-10 a.m. If you open your schedule up for any of these time blocks, you’re highly liked to get booked by a student. You don’t necessarily have to start at 6 a.m., while on the East Coast I typically started at 6:30 or 7 a.m. and taught until 10 EST.
Also, classes from 9 p.m. – midnight EST (9-11 a.m. Beijing Time) are available daily, especially in the summer when the children aren’t attending school.
Friday and Saturday nights are also really popular for any night owls out there to catch kids who take weekend classes during the day. Peak times (higher booking rates) are available in EST from 9 p.m. Friday through 10. a.m. Saturday (9 a.m. – 10 p.m Beijing Time). The same 9-midnight slots are still available on the weekend, too.
Currently, as I’ve been in East Standard Time for most of this month, my schedule has been the following:
6:30 – 10 a.m. and 9 – 10:30 p.m. Monday-Sunday.
Sometimes I decide to not work the evening hours, depending on my plans for that particular day. And yes, I’ve mostly worked every day as it’s only a few hours a day, but if you are hired, this is by no means required.
How much can you make with VIPKID?
Once you complete your demo video, you’ll find out your $ rate per class. Classes are 25 minutes, and the pay will range from $7-$9 per class as a base pay, meaning $14-$18/hour. HOWEVER, this is just the base pay. You’ll get an extra $1 for each class you teach for being on time, and you’ll get an additional $1 per class for teaching 45+ classes in a month.
Teaching 45+ classes a month is very easy. I took off the first 4 days of the month due to travel and a couple of additional days throughout this month, but by July 31 I will have taught at least 105 classes this month, potentially more if my open slots get booked.
So with those extra $ incentives, that bumps that hourly rate up to $16-$22/hour. Woohoo! BUT. . .
But there are other types of incentives to receive more money, too. For example, if a “Short Notice” class books (a class booked within 24 hours of its starting time), you’ll get an extra $2 for that class!
Also, when you teach a trial class and that child signs up for VIPKID, you’ll get $5 for recruiting that student.
The company also pays you for participating in certain programs, referring new teachers, random giveaways, and so much more. They really try to make sure that their teachers and happy and satisfied.
How to sign up?
To begin your online teaching journey, click here! If you use this link, you’ll be using me as a referral, meaning I can help walk you through the process and help you on your way to digital nomadacy (I made this word up), or if you’re just hoping to use it as a side hustle or part-time job, then that’s awesome too.
If you need my referral code, you can grab it here: CHRIS0598
If you have any questions about VIPKID or online teaching in general, drop me a comment below, contact me through Instagram, or drop me an email at [email protected].
I hope you’ll take advantage of this. It’s such an amazing opportunity for anyone, whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, world traveler, student, or full-time employee looking for a side gig. There are teachers from many different working backgrounds, of all ages and experience, so don’t be afraid that you don’t meet the image because there isn’t one! Just have a positive spirit and a smile on your face and you’ll do just fine. Good luck!
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