Those who are lucky enough to love their job, earn money while enjoying what they do. I am one of those lucky people, since I started teaching with VIPKid a couple of years ago. I had been working at different jobs, trying to find the right fit and a great way to bring in the income I needed, when I learned about VIPKid. I did some research on the company, found videos posted by teachers working for them, and decided to give it a try. I’m so happy I did, because it has been a fun and rewarding way for me to work in a great atmosphere, all from my home!
With VIPKid, I have the flexibility of choosing which days and how many hours I want to work. Since I homeschool my daughter, it was important for me to find something that would allow me to have the time I needed during the day to work with my daughter, while being able to work in the mornings or evenings. The company provides the curriculum used in the classes, which also saves me time, since I don’t have to gather materials and prepare lesson plans. I admit I love finding different props to use in my classes, because the students light up when I show them toys, stuffed animals, and especially pictures of my family or personal items. I’ve even had my daughter pop in at the end of classes with my regular students and they get so excited to meet her! Waking up and heading into my “classroom” to teach is so much fun, and getting the students to open up, learn, have fun, and laugh, is a wonderful way to spend my morning. My students range from 5 to 13 years old, and this keeps my teaching fresh and interesting. One of my students, Yoyo (the kids get to pick American names to use, if they like), was very timid and quiet in our first few classes. Now, a year and half later, we talk and laugh until it’s hard to control the giggles, all while she learns. I can’t think of a better way to work!
Each class is 25-28 minutes long and with only one student at a time, so you really get to build relationships with many of your students and learn about their lives, as well as teaching them about English and the United States. It’s a joy when they ask questions about what it’s like living in the U.S., and share what their lives are like in China. Having taught with VIPKid for almost two years, I now have many students whom I see a few times a week. It’s wonderful to connect with them and find out about trips they have taken, what their grades are in school, and to help encourage them in their regular schooling. I have even sent birthday cards to China for my students, and they love to show them to me once they receive them. Hearing “I love you!” from my kids (as I call my students) is so heartwarming and really makes me feel a part of a larger community. I have many places I can stay when I finally get the chance to visit China!
VIPKid was founded by an ambitious educator, Cindy Mi, who had a passion for teaching and wanted to find a way to provide a strong education for children in China to learn the English language. With North American teachers, students not only learn grammar, spelling, and writing rules, but also how to comfortably have a conversation. The company also provides great support to teachers, with training, workshops, online materials, and more!
There are some requirements for teaching with VIPKid. You need to have at least one cumulative year of teaching experience. Note that teaching experience does not need to be in a traditional classroom – so if you have ever taught a Sunday school class, coached a team, tutored, homeschooled, etc – that all qualifies as experience. You also need a Bachelor’s degree (in any field) or higher. Equipment needed is a computer with a camera, a headset, and a high-speed Internet connection. You can earn from $14-$22 per hour, and even more through the bonuses that they offer, and referring other teachers.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JOINING VIPKid HERE
