DaDaABC
DaDaABC Review
DaDa ABC (website is down) They teach Chinese children between the ages of 4 to 16 in one to one classes. They want teachers willing to work a minimum of 3 hours per week and up to 20 hours per week. The company provides all the material and most teachers average 15 hours per week. Previous teaching experience with kids is not necessary but preferred, however an ESL certificate and a bachelors degree are now necessary requirements. They have classes from 7pm – 8:30pm (Beijing time) Monday to Friday and more on the weekends. DadaABC has recently changed their pay structure, they dropped their pay to a flat rate of $15 USD per hour with bonuses added after. There is a bonus for teaching a certain amount of hours per week. To apply you will need a copy of your passport or other ID, a CV with a photo and contact details and copies of your certification.
Please leave us your comments and reviews of DaDaABC.
58 Comments
Nis
Hello, at the time of my interview I entered the classroom and a pop up notification came up saying “it is detected that you have unplugged the camera or microphone, please restart the software or refresh the classroom”. How can I fix this issue? My camera is working fine and I’m using Bluetooth headphones. I opened the classroom on Safari on my ipad.
Junkerson
If you interview with Dada, they will hire your for VIPX (owned by TAL Education). Strange. Seems like dada is officially done.
J
The worst company ever. I have been teaching for 6 years and never have I encountered bigger liars. They created the new “project” a “freetalk project”. They hired natives and non-natives only to tell the non-natives after 30 days that they didn’t pass the probation saying “we reserve the right not to tell you why you didn’t pass the probation”. after that, they started firing natives too. We all had great feedbacks and hearts from the students and no negative feedbacks. But we all got fired, and guess what? they are still hiring stating that they want only natives. They hire native speakers only to fire them and hire some more.
I guess that their goal was that we do a good marketing for them because the kids were really happy with the teachers, and then fire us, even the natives because after the first month they have to pay you via bank transfer. They are in some deal with TeacherRecord and they pay through them and I guess they avoid paying some fees or law staff by paying through them and not through the bank. that’s why the teachers never get to the second payment.
No one is answering or helping teachers. over 300 teachers were sending skype messages, mails and not one recruiter, support or anyone from the company answered. If you want help, or if you have the emergency, don’t count on help!
PAY: they say one price at the interview with the increase, a lower one when you ask about it during the probation and you get even lower than that when they finally pay you. They owe me more than $20, some teachers said they are missing $70. And bonus magically got smaller without explanation or notice.
That is one desperate “company”, my friends. I could talk all day about instances where they were very dishonest, liars, deceiving and misleading. They were good once, now they are trash.
wellerman
Hi J. I was told that you couldn’t apply to do the freetalk job if you were already employed by Dada as a teacher with regular students.
So how did you land the freetalk job if you had been with them 6 years? Thanks.
wellerman
Oh, I notice you have been teaching 6 years, but not with Dada (sorry).
Todd Andrew Pruden
They changed their payscale. You max out at $18. Probably in the end you make $15 per hour (maximum.) I work there now.
wellerman
This goodbye message from a tutor to their students says it all:
I’m very sorry for my absence but this company constantly changes working conditions and cuts teachers pay. It’s hard to work for such an unreasonable and unreliable employer. The contract I signed up for has been changed at will. The company will charge parents more whilst constantly cutting staff pay. I truly don’t want to quit but I feel I have little choice. The company doesn’t care about the quality of teachers and only cares about profit. I loved all my students dearly, I wish you much success in the future.
wellerman
Whoever said that there are more changes on the way was right. Now thay have reduced Step 3 of the payment ladder from $4 to 3.6.
They just change things as and when they want. Disgusting.
maymay
I submitted my information and received an email saying they’re not hiring California residents.
English blah blah
I’ve been working with DaDa for a year and a half. They have been pushing this payment scheme that is suited to those who work longer hours. Then it became compulsory and I had to live with slightly lower pay. Covid came along and I was able to commit to more hours being in lockdown. Everyone else is in lockdown too so classes have dried up. Then this week they sent an email. My base rate has been reduced. I’m ready to move on.
wellerman
Yes, I don’t blame you. The Dada bio on this site needs changing badly. You won’t get anything like $25/hr now. All teachers from May 1st will be on $15/hr. Easy to blame CoVid, but I don’t hear about any other companies doing the same. It’s all doom and gloom at Dada as you can see by the reviews on Glassdoor. Enough said.
Az
I’ve been there for around the same amount of time. I don’t believe the new compulsory pay story, but it is what it is.
Az
Hi guys,
I’m a tutor with DadaABC but they’ve reduced my hours, despite being there for approximately two years. For those working here, what’s your experience there like currently?
Thanks in advance.
sk
This company is listed under the ‘Non Native Speakers’ list.
I am close to native and have been working with some other companies.
So do they now accept non natives or not?
Many thanks!
ally
yeah, “mizel” keeps making his “irrelevant” comments, just to stick his referral link. He/she/it probably does not know that the link is valid for 3 days only – that is not to apply through it but to be eligible for the referral money. Or maybe knows? that’s why keeps posting it over and over again, lol
wellerman
Yes Ally, its the best way to earn any decent money from Dada these days. Don’t believe a word about bookings and bonuses, that’s why they need teachers.
Mr Flibble
Be aware that there are a number of replies here that offer referral links and they receive remuneration for each referral.
While of course this doesn’t mean their comment is irrelevant, it’s something ot be aware of.
John
I’ve been working for Dada for three years. The company has gone through many changes over this time. Usually it causes uproar in the Facebook groups from the same toxic people. Once people get used to the new system implemented more often than not, they agree the change was a positive change. My advice would be to stay away for the groups on Facebook- they are full of moaners and know-it-alls. I have no complaints working with the company, the have been great for me. I appreciate that some people will have issues, of course, but overall it is a wonderfully easy, rewarding job. If you feel like applying you can apply through this link. I am happy to answer any questions you may have also
https://www.dadaabc.com/teacher/landing?referrer=J5H5J5K505
Ingrid
Do they hire non native English speakers? I was a teacher in the Phils for more than 9 years and is a permanent resident in Canada for 7 months now.
Tanya
After I have read all of the comments, I have decided not to apply for Dada. Only one person points out their advantages (if there are such at all). I would like to read more about Glen’s decision and progress in that company.
mizel
New teachers are offered a lower base rate but they can get bonuses. Worth negotiating a dollar a two Glen. It’s a good company.
Glen
I just got offered a contract with a base pay of US$13, however the recruiter said that with bonuses it’s likely to be more like $18. The minimum base rate I hear others talking about is more like $15 and earning up to 20, so feeling a little offended now.
Wellerman
What bonuses? The only way to earn more are with teacher referrals, or completing a trial class where the student subscribes. The decent Dada bonuses disappeared with the takeover. The base pay when I started was $16. They are just another very average Chinese company to work for now. Good luck, Glen.
LaTonya Higgins
My base pay with 10 years experience and 1 year online experience and Masters Degree they offered me $12 base pay and they have paid me late every month I have been with them.
Loida Mae
Do you accept non- native speakers?
Richard
Please explain to me the hours. If one cannot work 5 days a week but only 4 days, how would the work hours work out. One can’t teach consecutive days I read? Would that mean one could only work say Mondays and Wednesday? Or could one work 3 hours a day from Monday to Thursday? Thanks for your responses.
cemmy
how come this is in the list of companies hiring non-natives? does it mean Dada abc hires non-native speakers now??
mizel
The company hires passport holders of English speaking countries.
cemyy
how come this is in the list of companies hiring non-natives? does it mean Dada abc hires non-native speakers now??
Wellerman
So where was the misinformation?
George Hernandez
There’s alot of misinformation here.
Here’s what I know and what I’m pretty sure about.
Everyone should know what Dada is about: that’s why so many other companies want to know if you’ve worked for them. They are not exactly ethical. They (and people who’ve worked for them) are blacklisted in many other ESL/EFL companies.
They pay in renmingbi. What I mean by that is that if the exchange goes down vs the US dollar then your pay goes down. Yes. It’s in the contract.
The platform is pretty good and IT help is pretty good. But the teaching material is archaic. I mean OLD. NO interactivity.
Bottom line, folks (and please take note of this): if the company isn’t teaching 1 to more-than-one then it’s a bad business model and the company has to lower their prices to parents. And then lower pay to teachers. Pretty sure that’s what happened here.
Lastly, I worked for Dada for a few months, wasn’t happy, and submitted my resignation. Gave them 30 day notice, and on the last day I got an email with: You’re fired! Not kidding. I just had to laugh. And I still get a thrill about that.
So that old adage still holds true, even in this AI age: sleep w/ dogs and you get fleas.
Wellerman
Dada has nowhere near the number of students that they had 6 months ago. They are also cutting the standby pay now. The new ‘Teach More’ facility is garbage, and will often mean you are logged as late entering the classroom, for the simple reason, you were informed after the scheduled class start time. Bonuses are now non-existent. Worth a watch: https://youtu.be/1nFB_rduHtI
Elizabeth
Well, they don’t say on their webpage that they only want native speakers, in fact, I have seen people commenting on FB who are not native speaker. I have applied twice, the first time they never replied. The second time they replied in less than 24 hours that is the time now given. Despite having a bachelor’s degree, a TESOL certificate, an only teaching experience I was rejected not sure why.
wellerman
Hi Elizabeth,
I can only assume that you were rejected because of the hiring freeze. I think that once they get the number of teachers down to their target, you would stand a much better chance. Maybe try again in the new year. I have doubted the ‘no non-natives’ policy for a while. You only have to look at some of the names! 😀
Clairebear
I’ve been with Dada for a year now, it was my first online teaching gig and the first 6 months were great!
We had good bonuses, I always had a full schedule and it was easy and relatively straightforward, my start pay was 18 USD per hour.
The past 6 months unfortunately there has been a decline and many teachers have been terminated.
The company seems to have overhired and has also changed management in October 2018.
I’m still there however it feels rather shaky and I’m assessing my options. It’s a legit company but it has unfortunately gone downhill in recent months.
wellerman
Hi Clairebear,
Apparently, they had about 10,000 teachers (!), and nowhere near enough students to satisfy that amount. As you say, they have found ways to terminate contracts, by wanting proof of certificates, criminal record check, etc, and steadily, my bookings appear to be back on the rise. I think that the company will get back on its feet, though the excellent bonuses that they used to pay are gone forever. I inquired about the tokens a few days ago as there have been none available for months, and it’s supposedly being revamped, though don’t hold your breath!
wellerman
At the moment, Dada are doing all they can to deduct money from their teachers. This includes giving appointments when you only have five minutes of your working time left. Either you have already turned off your computer, thinking that there’s no chance of a class, or you enter the classroom 10 minutes late, whichever, the teacher loses money. They really are becoming the scum of the online teaching world.
wellerman
https://digino.org/dada-hiring-freeze/
mikedveenstra@gmail.com
Thanks for the link Wellerman!
Maria Steyn-Williams
Please note that the company went thru a whole lot of changes recently, the policy has changed a lot especially the standby policy, you don’t get paid for this anymore. It seems they employed too many teachers and now are terminating contracts without giving the teachers an opportunity of teaching, You are a number in 10 000 teachers,
HD
Many changes lately.
I’ve been with the company for three months now ….love their platform, you have a lot of freedom when it comes to teaching, the kids are amazing!
You can take long term leave now (up to 30 days) without penalties 👍
DaDa also now is asking all teachers to provide the following documents , they say ….
According the online education law，dada is required by the government to provide the following documents，
Education Background Documents and Teaching Certificates/Documents Request and Criminal background check report.
If you cannot provide them your contract may be terminated.
My husband and many of my friends work for different online companies in China and they never heard of this law .
I think it could be an excuse to get rid of teachers .
I don’t have a problem with a company, they have been very good to me, but unfortunately I think I will be one of those teachers that will be terminated , I don’t have an education background document such as a bachelors degree😔
If you do, it’s a great company to work for!
Alba
This is not true. For some reason, many teachers thought that they would no longer be paid for standby hours. The rumors spread quickly and many took it as true. However, this isn’t true and Dada even released an announcement to clarify to its teachers that (as is stated in the new contract) standby is still half-pay.
David WHITTALL
TAL Group became the Major Shareholder of DaDaABC, from April 2020. TAL Group has been making several changes (to the detriment of the Teachers).
1) Gone is the Contract and the 50% Pay from Contracted Sessions not booked!
2) Difficult to get New Students as Trial Classes are rare (and can seemingly get canceled, up to 5 min prior).
‘Pop-Up Classes seems to have died! One has to keep a Trial Class Student for 15 Sessions before they became a ‘Stable RS’!
3) Teachers have been losing Regular Students.
They can get switched to other Teachers, assigned to New English Speaking Classes.
4) There is no Fixed Term Contract anymore.
5) Teachers are losing RS’s, reduced number of sessions,
6) DaDa do not seem to book Classes if you open 30 min Timeslots @ Peak times
7) Ones income is dropping month by month. DaDa is a DuDu and may become a DoDo!
Lee Rumsey
Terrible company….no origination, bonuses taken away without notice, It department have no clue, they always , they offer a renewal of contract 10 days prior to expiry so if you dont have a renewal offer you are screwed. pay is good however they way they treat teachers is appalling,
they have penalties for taking time off and also for lateness, which by the way is sometimes caused by there system, sudden class can be given to you after the class has already begun which you would get marked down late for and penalized.
my advice if you just want some extra cash and don’t care about job satisfaction then go for it, if you want to work for a real company that values its employees and look out for their interests then you need to steer well clear of this company
Siren Watcher
Reading this looking for real experiences. I can see that some of these answers are paid for…. this makes me think the company is unsafe. That they cannot handle constructive criticism.
mikedveenstra@gmail.com
No comments are paid for. There are only some people here who post there referral link too much. I may have to crack down on that.
Helena
I’m not getting payed for writing a comment .
Everyone has different experience .
I ‘ve been with the company for about three years now .
The only complain I have is regarding taking time off.
If you have an emergency and you need to take time off you will get penalized for it if you have booked classes already.
petros
Is it true that DaDa ABC now pays with tokens?
mizel
Not true. DaDa pays real money and is a great, solid company.
Apply here
Az
Hi there,
Can you tell me please if you are paid for the paid for the contracted hours or the number of lessons you do? I understand students will sometimes cancel or not turn up.
Thanks
mizel
You get half pay on standby 🙂
Wendy
Not always. It depends on your contract which can and does change on a whim. It’s very difficult to predict what you’ll be paid as they have sliding scales. They’ve over-hired so now it’s difficult to get many hours in-spite of plenty of availability.
Helena
Not anymore , you don’t get payed for standby .
Many things have changed with the company since I stared three years ago.
I have no complains though .
I’m fully booked . …Staff has always been good to me .
I’m happy to answer any questions .
Bethany
You must be a bot for them. They are awful to their teachers who have been loyal to them. Took students away. Lowered pay. Awful for the teachers and the students.
Elijah
I worked for DaDaABC for about 4 months. I strongly recommend not working for them although the students where great and I always had a full schedule. I was paid 15-20 days late two of the 4 months working there. My checks where often shorted up to a hundred dollars. They require many hours of unpaid training and if you want to take 2 days off or more they’ll will deduct %10 from your paycheck.
Abdi S. Brown
I’ve been working for this company a while now, and I really appreciate the consideration and appreciation that the administrative staff displays towards us teachers. The kids are amazing, and their parents are very supportive. I have no complaints, and I’d strongly suggest that everyone check them out. I only wish that we could work longer hours; it is truly a pleasure!
sandi brown
How many hours do you teach?
mizel
I’ve been with DaDa since May 2017 and switched to the new contract two months ago. I LOVE it! New bonus structure lets me make more money, I can work extra time with no limits plus the awesome cancellation policy! And – I am fully booked. Full stop 🙂