How to Apply to VIPKID 2020

Like working with kids? Enjoy flexible work hours? Dream of working from home? Want to decide when and where you work? Love being goofy every now and then? If yes (and if you meet the requirements) then becoming an English as Second Language (ESL) teacher with the online company VIPKID is the perfect gig for you! I began teaching with VIPKID in March 2019 and have loved working for them ever since. VIPKID is always changing how they hire teachers and there is a new 2020 VIPKID hiring process. The hiring process can be a bit lengthy and there are some key factors you should know before you apply, so here is a breakdown on how to apply to VIPKID in 2020.

What is VIPKID?

Just like, the best online teaching company there is! VIPKID is a company that provides an online classroom that connects children in China with native English teachers for fun and interactive one-on-one English lessons. The kids are 3-14 years old with varying levels of English and so darn cute!

Teachers are provided with lesson slides in a virtual classroom where they can see the student, the student can see them, and both the student and the teacher can see the slides on the screen. Each lesson is 25 minutes and can be so much fun!

Why VIPKID?

Recently there have become more and more online teaching companies that you can work for these days. So why choose VIPKID? For me, there were ultimately three factors that it came down to:

1. VIPKID is a highly reputable company – ranking #3 on Forbes’ 2019 List of Top 100 Companies for Remote Jobs
2. VIPKID is one of the top-paying online teaching platforms – you can make up to $22/hr!
3. Unlike other online teaching companies where you can teach up to 6 students together in the same online classroom, with VIPKID you will be teaching only 1×1 classes that are just 25 minutes each.

The Requirements

1. Eligible to work in the USA or Canada

You must be a native English speaker who is eligible to work in the USA or Canada. This is one of the major requirements for becoming a VIPKID teacher and a valid USA/Canadian passport will be requested upon being hired. This has always been a requirement in the hiring process.

2. 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree

This is another major requirement for VIPKID and something they will check during the hiring process. It doesn’t matter where you attended school or what you studied, all that matters is that you have completed your studies and are able to submit a photo of your degree or official transcripts before signing your contract.

3. Teaching / Experience with Kids

Let me start off by saying that you do NOT need to be a teacher in order to work for VIPKID. However, any teaching licenses or certifications that you have will may you secure a higher base pay based on how well you do in your demo lesson.

With that said, you need to have at least 1 year of “teaching” experience in order to be interviewed by VIPKID. If you select anything less than this on the application form than your application will be denied and VIPKID will ask you to wait to apply again once you have 1 year of experience.

This experience does not need to be in a formal classroom setting and you can likely rack your brain for numerous examples of your experiences with children than can technically be considered as teaching experience. For example:

• babysitting
• being a camp counselor
• coaching
• raising your own kids/siblings
• tutoring
• volunteer work
• etc.!

VIPKID will not ask you to elaborate on this during the hiring process or after you are hired, however, if you truly don’t have ANY experience with children and don’t even really like children then you should not apply. Teaching ESL requires a lot of patience and care for your students to succeed, understanding, and respecting this is essential in order to work for VIPKID.

4. Sufficient Technology

To be able to teach students in China effectively you will absolutely need a strong internet connection and a laptop or desktop with a camera/microphone built-in or attached. This isn’t something VIPKID will ask you about during the hiring process but it will be evident during your interview/mock class if you don’t have a strong internet connection or are not able to meet the technology requirements.

Interested in learning more about VIPKID?

Consider me your free VIPKID coach 🙂 I can help you get hired and answer all your questions throughout the hiring process. Email me or sign up with my personal referral code: CASEY0133.

If you have already signed up and have not had your demo lesson yet, you can still add my referral code and receive my help by following the steps below:

Once you use my referral code, I will have access to your application status and will be able to help you as you embark on your wonderful VIPKID journey!

This post was updated July 2020.

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