VIPKID
VIPKID Review
VIPKid is a large Chinese company that looks very promising. They have over 30,000 teachers. They exclusively teach children and teachers need to engage the children with toys and props. They want teachers from North America who have a degree. Scheduling is very flexible and there is no minimum amount of hours required to teach. Peak working hours are early mornings and weekend evenings in North American time zones. VIPKid pays between $14 -$22 per hour but your final salary depends on bonuses and incentives. You can earn $1 for every class you are on time for and $1 for every class if you have 45 time slots per month open on your calendar.
Please leave us your comments and reviews of VIPKID.
24 Comments
Ron
Word has it that VIPKid is trying to have 100 000 teachers on payroll. They currently have 90 000. However, they do not have nearly enough students to satisfy the teachers they already have employed. Many veteran and newbie teachers are seeking ways to supplement their incomes or are just letting their contracts lapse.
Reagan
I have been working for VIPkid for 6 months. I was initially attracted to the company specifically by their reputation for happy teachers, great pay, and flexible schedule. The teacher who referred me assured me that she only worked around 25 hours per week, and with the base pay and her consistently booked classes, she was able to make well over 1000$ per month.
I entered into the contract bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, yet 6 months later I remain extremely disappointed. I kept telling myself to wait it out that perhaps the fact that I began teaching in the summer answered for the fact that I was never booked to teach. The school year began and my bookings DECREASED. I have consistently kept my schedule open, peak hours plus all other possible hours open. I use their 24hour booking option nearly every day. I have both of their TESOL certifications. I have all trail class certifications, I have three student levels of certifications.
Yet, I will teach AT MOST 3 classes a week.
I have contacted VIPkid several times, they have reviewed my profile and given me extremely positive feedback. I can only assume this is due to an overflow of available teachers, there are too many teachers so not a lot of availability for all teachers to have classes. This is my main issue with the company. However, there have been several instances where I feel that I have been cheated on behalf of the company. I have been scheduled for classes more than once during a time slot where I had closed availability, I was not notified of the booking, to then, therefore, charged a 10$ teacher no-show fee. Multiple times the platform has not worked and I was unable to teach. Even with screenshots of the “SYSTEM ERROR” messages, I was charged another 10$ teacher IT problem fee.
VIPkid is not a personable company. In my opinion, it seems to be “whichever monkey dances the best” is rewarded. Bookings are not guaranteed, and there seems to be a lot of loopholes for the company to reduce your paycheck. I’m sure that for some teachers this is an awesome company and a great job, but unfortunately, that has not been the case for me. Proceed as you wish, but please use caution.
Mark
I was wandering if anyone here could provide me with an email, other than the standard main email used for applications, of someone in VIPKID who is in a managerial position, specifically to do with recruitment – or at least someone who could bounce on an email I would like to send.
— I am a very experienced and qualified teacher (Primary / Elementary and ECE (Early Childhood Education) – I’m currently studying for my Masters in International Schooling and have IB International Baccalaureate training and teaching experience –
Add to this 2 years teaching English in Japan for NOVA and having taught NOVA Kids as part of my ESL Teaching role. 7 x 1 hour lessons a day x days a week x 2 years = 5040-hours of face-to-face English teaching
Add to this 3 years teaching English in China – Working as a HOD English for a Government Experimental Language School – “Super Kids” English Program
Add to this 2 years working at an International School as a grade teacher and also teaching British HSC A-Levels English
— and my wife is Chinese and I have privately taught English to many of her friends children
– But after the very brief, ticking a few boxes, initial “First Step” of the teaching application process,
I get an email that says, in part, :” We wont be progressing with your application any further because maybe you are not as well aligned to what we are looking for as some other applicants”
I guess being a native English speaking Australian, despite having the background experience I have, is just not acceptable for VIPKID???
Gail Levine
Mark,
You have very impressive qualifications. Any company would be lucky to hire you.
I have been with VIPKID for just a little over 2 years now. In addition to a teacher, I am also a Mock Class Mentor. I work with teacher applicants to help them get hired by conducting their mock / demo lessons. I also have personally gotten dozens of teachers through the application and hiring process. VIPKID is also changing and enhancing their hiring practices. In the past, VIPKID ONLY hired teachers from North America, primarily from the United States and Canada. They want teachers who are familiar with the North American curriculum. They also want neutral accents. Teachers from other English speaking countries like Britain and South Africa were not hired either. Since things are changing quickly with VIPKID, it is definitely worth giving it another try. You might want to use another email, since the one you used is probably in the system already. A computer algorithm does the initial screening. If you can get past that and be granted an interview then you probably have an excellent chance of being hired. I would love to help you and anyone else navigate the hiring process.
Another wonderful thing that is currently being launched is that as of NOW (Sept. 2018) no one FAILS the mock class process IF you make it beyond the initial interview process. You are allowed to book as many mock sessions as you need to receive a passing score. VIPKID now offers a lot of help for applicants that did not exist before. They want to have 100,000 teachers on board by 2019. Currently there are around 60,000 teachers. When I got hired there were only 2500 teachers. The company has come a long way and is getting better all the time. I would be happy to help in anyway that I can. https://t.vipkid.com.cn/?refereeId=2228797&refersourceid=a01
For those wanting to apply you can use the link above or type in GAIL00001 when asked for a referral code. Good luck and Happy Teaching!
Kim
I have been with VIPkid since July. I love the company, my flexible work schedule ( I reach full time too), and the kids are awesome! It’s a great gig! Use my link to apply if interested! http://t.vipkid.com.cn?refersourceid=e01&refereeId=5788814
Kim
Jessica
been with vipkid for 45 days and Only taught one student. I got 5 stars from the parents so I did excellent but not getting any students. It sucks. I read great reviews about this company but I do not see the greatness about it right now.
Joseph
VIPKID only hires US and Canadian Citizens.
CJ
Does anyone know how good of an Internet connection you need for companies like VIPkid that use their own online software? Would 10 mb download and 1 mb upload speeds suffice?
Dee
Hi guys,
I am an Irish CELTA and PGCE qualified teacher and finally, looking into branching into the online teaching sector. Can anyone tell me is there any ongoing sign-up incentives? Or what do you recommend?
Thank you!
VKD
VIPKID only hires North American teachers.
Oliver Mayhew
I am interested in teaching on VIPKID’s platform, but it seems they are very focused on K-12 teachers or previously schooled in K-12 pupils. I wasn’t schooled in K-12, will that be a defining factor in my chances for employment?
mikedveenstra@gmail.com
I don’t think it will be a defining factor. As long as you have the educational requirements you should be fine. I had an interview with them and I was in the same position as you. They definitely want teachers who will engage the students though, you must use drawings and maybe some toys in the interview and they want to see you getting and keeping the attention of the kids.
Clarissa
Hi Christiane
I am currently finishing my law degree and will be done in a month at which time I will complete the TEFL course. I have no teaching experience. Will this hurt my chances of getting a job at VIPKID or any other online teaching job ?
kd
I just signed up and I did have a degree in education and some in class experience, but have done quite a bit of searching and they consider any interaction with children acceptable and a degree of any kind will help…
Babysitting, tutoring, parenting… it all counts! Good Luck! I’m recording my interview lesson in the morning!
Jac
I started working for VIPKID last week and love it. I live in NS Canada and am a certified teacher. I have worked everyday since last Friday, with a minimum of 3 students per day. This weekend I have 12 booked so far! I make $8 plus $1 bonus for being on time per each 25 min class….so effectively $18 per hour. Plus if I teach 45 classes in a month, I get an additional $1 per class….thus making my rate of pay with VIPKID $20 per hour. The bonuses are awesome too. This week two students taking trial classes from me signed up so I get an extra $5 each. Please feel free to message me with questions about VIPKID jaclawren@gmail.com.
Ciera Carter
Hi, I’m interested also to teach for VipKids. Please help me with the interview process. Thank you!
lloyd
hi my name is Lloyd from England ,I am thinking about joining vipkids ,please contact; below
Christiane Marshall
I’ve been working for VIPKID for 11 months and I love it! It’s a great company, and dynamic. They listen to the teachers and are making positive changes all the time. The forums are hopping with supportive teachers, and there are also several closed facebook groups. As I type, they have 20,000 teachers and they are still hiring. Company is going to expand into other countries. If it is okay to put my referral link in, let me know and I’ll send it to you. I will help mentor any teacher who wants to sign up. The application and hiring process is grueling and competitive.
Linda Jensen
Hi Christiane,
I started the process of applying for this company, but got busy over the summer and never completed it. I just received an email from them and apparently they are giving a bonus to sign up in September. What can you do to help me sign up and what is your mentoring all about?
Liam
Hi Christiane I’m interested. I have several years teaching experience with online ESL companies already, but with teaching adults. I’d like to work for VIPKID as well and would be interested in your help with the interview process.
Christiane Marshall
@Liam, and Lloyd — Email me at healingchef100@gmail.com. Put VIPKID in subject line and I will send you my referral URL and then we can set up times for me to help you through the process. If you can get through the process in September, they are guaranteeing $300 a month income even if no one books your classes. That will help during the first couple of months where no parent knows you! Christiane
Dadrion T.
Hello Christiane,
My name is Dadrion, and I´m a communications graduate from the U.S. After I received my TEFL certification, I started teaching at an interchange language school in Costa Rica. My students range anywhere from 8 to 40 years old. I´ve never taught online before but I´m definitely interested in working with VIPKID. I have a strong internet connection, my own materials and computer access, so why not?! I´ve heard how tough the application process can be, and would love any assistance available.
Valentina
Thanks for your generosity. Are you still around for advice? Thanks Valentina
Robin
Hi, Thanks for your generous offer to assist. Are you still available for advice? Thanks much, Robin