Hey there, teacher! I'm Teacher Marie. Grab a cup of coffee, tea, or - if it's been a long day - a glass of wine, and let's chat :)
Welcome to the vibrant world of online ESL. Today, I'll guide you step by step through the workings of one of the world's most popular online ESL platforms - VIPKid.
VIPKid, also known as VIPTeacher for the teacher's version of the platform, has been a leading player in the ESL Monopoly game since 2014. Students are mostly based in China. Their ages range from toddler - high school age. Whether you're a veteran in the ESL world or just getting started, VIPKid is definitely calling YOUR name to teach!
Read time: 15 minutes
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VIPKid requires teachers to hold a 4 year bachelor's degree in any subject. I personally studied psychology and Japanese.
The company also wants to see two years of prior experience with children. This could be formal teaching, coaching a sports team, or mentoring.
You must be legally eligible to work in The USA or Canada. Certain US States are excluded due to tax and employment laws. Check if your state is eligible. However, VIPKid allows you the flexibility to teach from anywhere in the world! You could be making a side income in your home office or backpacking the islands of Thailand!
You must also possess a TEFL/TESOL. I recommend the Premier TEFL 120 Hour Course. It is easy, straightforward, and can be completed in a few days.
This is where the real fun begins! ESL classes with VIPKid are all about play. In each 25-minute class, you'll guide your student through an interactive, ready-made lesson.
This is your chance to shine on camera - think of it as your Hollywood Big Break! To these young learners, you're a superstar! Stock up on as many props and costumes as you can. Wear a tiara and play princess with the toddlers. I like to play Belle!
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Doll up your teacher background, use lots of TPR, and have the time of your life!
After an enthusiastic goodbye song with your student, you'll be required to fill out a student assessment form. One form goes to the student's parents, and one goes to the next potential teacher. If there are any issues, such as the student requiring a level adjustment, you'll leave feedback for the Learning Partner. A Learning Partner is an additional aid to the student's learning process on the Chinese side. You will not have direct contact with the LP as a teacher. All feedback and suggestions are anonymous.
If you use my code, let me know by emailing me at mariedutainment@gmail.com and you'll receive a FREE VIPKid coaching call from me!
Teachers help out teachers is my motto!!
You'll need an up-to-date CV, intro video, and kid-friendly profile picture. Here are mine as an example!
Follow me for more teaching tips on TikTok!
If all looks in order to VIPKid, you'll be formally invited to a demo lesson.
Don't stress about it! It's nothing like a normal interview. It's as easy as pie:)
VIPKid will supply you with some sample slides that will include vocabulary words, pictures, and target sentence frames.
If you use my referral code, you can get a FREE coaching session where we practice interview materials together before you take the formal interview! What a relief!
In the formal demo lesson, you will meet one of VIPKid's esteemed interviewers. They're all super friendly! The interview will start with the interviewer explaining step-by-step what they will be looking for in the interview. This way there are no surprises.
For the first five minutes, you'll discuss your teaching background, your teaching style, and your excitement to be moving forward with VIPKid! At this point, the interviewer will be checking your on-camera personality, vocal clarity, and background. Remember that they require a proper headset with a microphone.
Example of a cute ESL teaching background!
In the second part of the demo-lesson, the interviewer will pretend to be a young student. This is your time to shine as their teacher! Bring out your fun props (also known as realia), use lots of TPR, and give the Interview-Student a reward for correct answers. Rewards can be anything from pretend money, a high five to the camera, or stickers. Get creative and make it your space!
Note: The interviewer will intentionally make English mistakes. They will be observing how you make kind and gentle corrections.
You will likely only teach a portion of the provided slides. Meaning, whew! You only have to teach for a few minutes! What a relief! And, if you accidentally make a mistake, laugh about it! They aren't looking for perfection, they're looking to see how you handle it. A big grin, a laugh, and a re-do goes a long way in the demo-lesson.
If you followed everything up until this point, you have undoubtedly passed! Congratulations! Shortly, you'll begin your onboarding process. This will involve a background check and passing VIPKid's course requirements. The courses will be available through the portal.
You'll earn between $7 USD - $19 USD per class. VIPKid payment functions on a tiered reward system. $7USD is the base pay, and an extra $1-$2 is added based on participation incentives. Another type of incentive is an extra $2 for last minute classes!
Payments are made weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly based on your preference.
Have your payment sent to a Wise account to minimize fees. This is especially useful if you're a teacher who likes to travel, like me :)
After being an online teacher for seven years, Wise is the most convenient way to get paid!
Alright, you're all the way onto the platform and ready to teach! Congratulations, teacher! However, one thing that you might not have been educated on is how to market yourself as a educator. Brick and Mortar classroom teachers rarely have to make teaching profiles to attract parents, right? Luckily, I'm an ESL marketing expert! Just follow this guide.
One final thing before you're ready to open slots is to optimize your profile with eye-catching banners and teaching-demo videos.
You'll need:
The Chinese means: "I will teach your precious child fluent English!" Feel free to copy the phrase - it's verified by an official Chinese to English interpreter. Eye-catching Chinese will make parents more likely to book you as a teacher for their child.
我可以教你的宝贝说流利的英语
Remember, you're competing amongst other virtual teachers for bookings. Make sure that you stand out!
At the bottom of your profile, you have the chance to upload three teaching-demo videos. Here is an example of one of mine. I encourage you to make three videos similar to this in order to increase your chances of bookings. Remember, the better you market your profile to parents, the more money you make!
Congratulations on reading this full walkthrough, teacher! Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions that you might have. I'll respond to you within 24 hours at mariedutainment@gmail.com.
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