Zebra English

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• Can anyone offer some updates about their experience with this company. I'm Black and tired of wasting my time with racist companies. I have a TEFL and a CELTA, an MA, and I'm a Cambridge Speaking examiner. I'm currently waiting to see if my initial app goes through. Then the dreaded video upload.
  For the Black teachers who got hired, can you offer any tips?

  • I can't vouch for this company, but I would recommend you try some European companies. They seem less racist.

• I would NOT recommend it to anyone. I have been working for Zebra english for 6 months now and I offer 60 hours every week but I get booked with just 2 or 3 lessons a week. It's a waste of your time !

• I was rejected straight out. Looking for younger people IMO. The interviewer was rude and distracted by others around her. Very little eye contact the minute the camera came on. I have also heard from people hired that they have very little or no bookings at all. Seems they are stacking papers and hoping for students. I recommend you pass on this company.

  • I had the same experience. Other companies wanted to hire me but the pay or bookings did not look promising so I passed. I was a successful VIPKID teacher until they started blocking the slots of more experienced teacher to get new, cheaper ones. My demos always get me an interviews but not with Zebra or Landi. I'm going to get a 120 hr. TESOL so I can interview with Magic Ears.

• I was kicked out of the Facebook networking group for questioning if I was rejected die to being African American. But I read that another African American teacher was recently hired, so that's good to know. I have tons of experience teaching Chinese students English online. And I thought the video went well, but I guess it didn't.

• They hire only natives.

• I just got hired by ZE and I'm loving how supportive they are so far! I believe they do only hire native speakers though. And you must have a degree and TEFL certificate as stated above. I definitely recommend them :)

• Was any one able to reapply?

• I had applied to Zebra English. I have a TEFL Certificate, a bachelor's and 2 years experience teaching English in a classroom. I'm a native English speaker. After I sent an introduction video, they rejected my application. I'm not sure what they want either.

  • Watch your back if you're interviewed by a woman who used to work for gogokid or vipkid. She hates them both and seems to be experiencing internal self-loathing for having worked there to begin with. If she finds out you have formerly or presently work there or for similar companies the interview may as well be over. If you're scheduled with her better to reschedule with someone else.
    She spent the entire interview yelling at me. I complained to zebraenglish using the recruiter email. I complained about how I was treated and that her yelling affected my ability to concentrate during demo 1. No answer. Though I did get the rejection email from no reply saying they were initially impressed but I'm not a good fit. They weren't very picky during the end of 2019, but have recently become cocky. So unless you have a high tolerance for screaming, I'd stay away.

• Hey Tiffany. I'm an African American as well. I went through the process and was hired recently(April2nd). Email them and get some constructive feedback as to why you were not hired. Join an online group if you're interested. Best wishes.

  • Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your experience. How are bookings for you, is it a slow start or did you manage to secure quite a few once you got started? TIA :)

• I was rejected to, after my video...I am African American...I think they are looking for mostly Whites because the parent books you.

  • I’m African-American. They seemed so excited to work with me, up until I sent in my introduction video. I used props, TPR, had high energy, a fun, clean background, appropriate clothing. Met all of their educational requirements.... Still got rejected. Asked for specific reasons why, will see how that goes.

    This has happened to me with a couple of other ESL companies now, including Whales English and PalFish OKC. You pass everything, and then you send in a photo/video ... instant rejection! It’s so frustrating. If they could just tell me a specific reason or reasons why I failed, then I could understand and avoid the same mistakes next time, but these generic responses just bug me because you put so much time, effort, and energy into your interview only to fail without a clue as to why.