TELL ME MORE!
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WHERE: Online
CONTRACT TYPE: Independent Contractor
CONTRACT TERM: 6 months
START DATE: Immediately after hire
WHEN • Anytime 9AM - 10PM Beijing Time
PAY: Uo to 22$/HR
VIPKID Teacher Requirements
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Eligibility to work in the US or Canada
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Native English speaker
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Bachelor’s degree in any field
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1 school year of traditional teaching experience or the equivalent in mentoring, tutoring, or alternative education
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Background check
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You must be a resident of the US or Canada (though you don’t have to currently live there), a native English speaker with at least a bachelor’s degree and some previous teaching experience (this doesn’t have to be in the classroom).
VIPKID Tech Requirements
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In addition to the teaching requirements, VIPKID also requires you to adhere to technology standards to ensure your classes are consistent – their tech requirements are broken out into equipment and system.
Are you ready to Apply?
Applying
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The application takes 2 minutes. You will receive an email within 2 hours, letting you know if you have been selected to move forward with the interview process.
If you haven't been selected to move forward, don't stress, you'll be able to reapply.
Click “APPLY NOW” to create your account and get started making some extra money!
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Step 1: Submit Info
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This is not a formal application, where you would submit your entire resume. Apply by using ONE position where taught, mentored, counseled or any experience you have or have had with children. (notice the keywords). Remember, whatever experience you have should be equal to one year or more.
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Step 2: Interview
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This step is either done live or via a recorded video that you create (your choice). If you chose the live option it will be on China time (just like your classes) and will follow a normal interview format and include a short demo class.
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If you choose the video format, you will also need to teach a short demo class but you will do it on your own time and submit it online.
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For both of these, VIPKID will send you a lesson plan to use during your demo class so you can prepare – you don’t have to knock their socks off but you should review and prepare (for example, props are optional but can make a huge impact).
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Expect the interviewer to look for overall appearance, teaching style (make sure to use lots of TPR) and your ability to teach the lesson they provided. They will provide feedback and make the decision on whether or not you should move forward in the interview process.
Step 3: Training
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In this step you will have access to the VIPKID training materials and be expected to review them and then pass a test on the material within 10 days. There are about 3 hours of videos and a training manual so make sure you read/watch everything as much as you need – though you can take the test as many times as you need.
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Expect the material provided to cover both teaching standards and technological processes (aka how to use their platform).
Step 4: Full Mock Class
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By this point you will have received both feedback on your demo class and access to the VIPKID training assets and it’s time to put that information to work.
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You will actually participate in 2 mock classes (scheduled at your convenience) with a senior VIPKID trainer overseeing the class and acting as a kid. You will be provided the lessons for both classes and the trainer will evaluate each in real time expect you to improve based on their advice for the 2nd class.
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For example, you might teach the first lesson for 10min, get feedback, prepare some more, and then teach the second. You don’t have to be perfect here but you should aim to implement their feedback.
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Both of these mock classes are evaluated independently and you can pass/fail either – though failing doesn’t mean the process is over for you, only that you might have to engage in more training before becoming a full teacher.
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We recommend preparing in full for these as they are not only your last hurdle to becoming a full VIPKID teacher but also a basis for the hourly rate you will receive. With this in mind, we suggest practicing, using props, and reviewing practice and walkthrough videos on Youtube for advice.
Step 4: Signing the Contract
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VIPKID contracts are for 6 months and you will need to sign their documents and submit a few of your own. As of 2018 they are also running background checks on all teachers so keep that in mind if you have any outstanding legal issues that might impact your application.
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The process here usually takes 3-5 business days and after that you will need to create a profile on their system and keep an eye out for booked classes.
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Congrats! You’re now a VIPKID teacher!
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If you didn't make it through the application process, no worries... You can reapply!
Reapplying
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YOU MAY NEED TO REAPPLY BECAUSE YOU...
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Failed the hiring process and want to try again.
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Accidentally signed up using a job site or blog and unknowingly used a referral link/code (which you may not be able to change after applying).
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HOW SOON CAN I REAPPLY?
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Right now! All you need to do is create an account using a different email address. Just use the instructions above to apply again.
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WILL THE HIRING PROCESS BE DIFFERENT?
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If they notice you are reapplying (they can usually detect this if you use the same phone number) they may not offer you the option to do the live interview. But that's not a big deal since the express interview and recorded interview is a great option. VIP Kid is slowly moving towards removing the live interview option all together anyways! The rest of the hiring process will be the same.
WHAT IS A VIPKID “BASE PAY RATE”?
This is how much you will get paid per 25 minute class you teach. It can be anywhere from $7 - $9 ($14 - $18/hour). But the reason it is called the “base” pay is that VIPKID has so many awesome incentives to encourage their teachers to excel. For every class you teach, you have an additional $2 incentive that you are eligible to receive. If you show up on time and teach the class, you get $1. There is another $1 per class available if you finish more than 45 classes in the month ($0.50 if you only finish more than 30).
This number of classes is very attainable!
So, how much can I make?
Well, your personal VIPKID salary will depend on your teaching abilities + availability
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Let’s assume your base salary is $9/class (or $18/hr) and you teach 50 classes per month – all of which you show up on time for. On top of that, 5 of your students are on a trial and signup after taking your class.
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In this scenario, you’d make a $450 base salary ($9 x 50 classes), $50 on-time bonus ($1 x 50 classes), $50 bonus for teaching more than 45 classes in a month ($1 x 50 classes), and $25 enrollment bonus for the 5 students that signed up after taking your class ($5 per student). All of this adds up to $575 for teaching just 25 hours, or $23/hr – not bad, right?
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Note: VIPKID pay and bonuses are always evolving, here is an image of the VIPKID pay section on their site taken in March 2018 for your reference.
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The way you make MORE money is by bonuses and incentives – VIPKID does a great job of awarding their teachers.
Here are a few ways you can boost your pay:
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Show up on time and teach the entire class: $1 extra per class
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Teach more than 45 classes per month (only about 2 per day): $1 extra per class
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Short notice or fill-in classes (when another teacher doesn’t show up): $2 extra per class
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Student signups after a trial class: $5 per student
Here is an example of the pay structure...
HOW LONG ARE VIPKID CLASSES, & WHEN DO VIPKID TEACHERS TEACH?
We teach pre-made 1-on-1 online ESL classes for 25 minutes per class. If you are teaching back-to-back classes, you have that 5 minute buffer window to finish your class and do whatever you need to do to prepare yourself for the next student.
What are the times VIPKid Teachers can teach? Basically Whenever they're awake in China! 8AM - 10PM Beijing Time
ARE THERE REQUIRED MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM HOURS WITH VIPKID?
VIPKid has no set amount of classes they require you to teach. Hello flexibility & freedom! You can open up as few or as many 25 minute class time slots as you want to be booked by parents during the available times (8AM - 10PM Beijing Time).
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMONLY BOOKED VIPKID CLASS TIMES?
Parents tend to request/book the following time periods most often: Monday-Friday 6PM-10PM Beijing time, and Saturday-Sunday 9AM-10PM Beijing Time. VIPKid does not require teachers to work full shifts, but having availability during the times mentioned above could ensure a higher possibility of being booked by the students. You are an independent contractor, so VIPKid does not guarantee any bookings. Parents book you based off of your profile that you create which includes a bio, intro video, and a few pictures as well as your past parent reviews and feedback. Making yourself available to teach during these “peak times” means you’re more likely to get booked.
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