Yucatan Living

Teach ESL Online

5 June 2018 1

Update VIPKID now offers a native app for phone and desktop to improve communication and avoid technical difficulties. The app gives you access to all the normal classroom tools and enhanced usability features like connection speed data, better layout, and new rewards, like virtual stickers.

Recently, there have also been regular cash bonuses to bump teacher pay by an average $50-$100 US/month; not life-changing but better than a stick in the eye!

Learn more about this great company for English-speaking expats and nomads below.

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VIPKID is an online school for Chinese students to learn English from native speakers. I've been teacher from home for about two years and really enjoy it. I teach a few hours in my spare time without having to find students or prepare lessons. VIPKID takes care of all the lesson preparation and booking.

You will need:

• Bachelors Degree or Higher (in ANY field)

• An American or Canadian Residency (although you can teach from anywhere)

• One Year Teaching Experience or more

These are minimum requirements and DO NOT guarantee you a job. There is a rigorous interview process with practice lessons observed by education professionals. The process takes a few weeks.

VIPKID has been around since 2013. Founded by educator turned entrepreneur, Cindy Mi, the company started growing exponentially in 2016 after receiving a round of funding led by Kobe Bryant’s venture fund.

VIPKID's classroom technology was what sold the NBA star. The platform is like a video conference that allows the student and teacher to share a mutual power point that contains ready-made lessons. The classroom is strictly an English-speaking environment and lessons are modeled on the American Common Core standards.

The children warm up before class with apps and games about the material, then you review with them, strengthening weak points and expanding on areas of interest. At first I was nervous, but these kids just want to see you smile, laugh and read the pre-made slides, so they can hear a native speaker's pronunciation. Watching students progress to full conversations is very rewarding.

Classes are booked automatically using a simple booking system. Teachers mark a 25 minute time slot as "available" and students can sign up for the slot. When it's time to begin, you just click into the classroom and smile.

Good teachers quickly build reputations that draw more consistent bookings. There is no maximum or minimum number of classes to teach per month, but teaching times are limited to hours that the majority of students are available (in Beijing time).

Payment is calculated per 25 minute class and ranges from 7-12 dollars per class based on experience. A well-qualified teacher could make up to $24 an hour. This has made a big difference during my move to the Yucatan. It provides motivation to get up early, make coffee and laugh with some kids.

It is a remarkable freedom to earn money from anywhere with an internet connection for a skill you already have. I find this to be a fulfilling teaching job and lucrative side-hustle. The interview is rigorous, but there are many resources available to help with the process; including me, just leave a message in the comments or visit our new teacher Facebook group.

To apply, use my referral link and start filling out your info through the “sign up” tab. You can also plug in my referral code, 017YK9 on the sign up page. Using the link will earn each of us a hiring bonus (some extra cash last I checked) and may help your chances of getting hired. Again, don’t hesitate to contact me if you need more advice or have questions!

Best of luck to you.

Helpful Links & Resources

• VIPKID's FAQ
• Referral link to get started
• Ask questions on the Teacher Training FB group

Files & Downloads

Music & Audio