Many people think VIPKID as a second job is too good to be true…Is VIPKID worth it?
With all the economic uncertainty (and general uncertainty) in the world right now, you may be looking for a new way to make money.
Bonus points if that new way to make money is from home.
Teaching English online is a popular side hustle. For many people, including myself, it’s even served as a primary source of income.
But, one Google search has likely shown you that there are many MANY online teaching platforms. Which one should you choose?!
Even if you’ve just dipped your toe in the online ESL waters, you’ve likely heard of VIPKID.
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
You’re curious and beyond ready to start making money online, but…is VIPKID legit? Is it a scam??
After this post, you’ll know if taking on VIPKID as a second job is right for you.
This honest 2021 VIPKID review:
- Tackles whether or not VIPKID is a pyramid scheme
- Gives the ONLY advice you need to get through the rigorous hiring process
- Provides helpful tips for getting bookings as a new teacher
- Answers this all-important question:
Is VIPKID worth it?
What is VIPKID?
VIPKID is an online teaching platform where Chinese children learn English from native speakers.
Launched in 2013, VIPKID is a giant in the online ESL game. The platform has more than 500,000 students and 60,000 teachers from the United States and Canada, according to Wikipedia.
Utilizing its own curriculum and online-classroom portal, VIPKID facilitates 25-minute English language lessons. The online-classroom portal features video chat which enables face-to-face interaction between the student and teacher.
Can you actually make money with VIPKID?
Yes, you can actually make money with VIPKID.
Since 2017, I’ve personally made tens of thousands of dollars with VIPKID.
Less than $500 of that has been from referring other teachers, so NO, VIPKID is NOT a pyramid scheme.
It’s a legitimate way to make money online.
In fact, when I first moved to Mexico, VIPKID was my only source of income. Thanks to the affordable cost of living here, I didn’t even have to work full-time.
If you are interested in making VIPKID your full-time job, it’s certainly possible. I’ve read about people living in the U.S. who teach 40+ hours per week and earn a respectable income.
How much do you really make with VIPKID?
Updated Oct. 2, 2020, to reflect the new VIPKID payment system
Starting on Aug. 1, 2020, VIPKID started the process of transitioning all of the existing teachers on its platform to the newest version of its incentive pay system.
The New Service Fee Structure has been in effect for all VIPKID teachers hired since Dec. 2019.
This new pay system is significantly different that VIPKID’s previous pay structure. I left the company before the transition but have updated this post to reflect the changes.
The New Service Fee Structure factors in the number of classes you have taught since starting with VIPKID. Your “lifetime number of qualifying finished classes” will place you in one of 10 tiers.
Your tier determines how much extra incentive you earn per class. This incentive is on top of the base pay rate which is determined when you’re first hired.
For each 25-minute class, you earn a base rate that ranges from $7-$9 USD.
Your experience level and demo lesson performance determine your base rate. When I was first hired in 2017, my base rate was $8 per 25-minute class.
Under the previous pay structure, your base pay rate could increase over time. However, under the new pay structure, there are no longer base pay raises.
In this post, Online English Teaching does a great job comparing the two systems and provides examples of how it works for both new and experienced teachers.
The big takeaways from the new VIPKID pay structure are:
- If you teach fewer than 163 classes/month, you will earn less under the new system.
- To earn any tier incentives, you must teach more than 40 classes/month.
- Experienced teachers (Tier 7+) who teach more than 181 classes per month will benefit the most.
Again, I have not worked under VIPKID’s new pay system myself. If you continue reading this post, you will hear firsthand from a new VIPKID teacher who has only taught under the new payment structure. She gives her opinion as to if VIPKID is worth it for new teachers.
Personally, had I still been with VIPKID when the new pay structure was implemented, I don’t think I would have continued teaching with the company.
It’s clear that the company has implemented this new system as a cost-cutting measure. The overwhelming majority of VIPKID teachers will earn less money under the new system.
To find out how much you will earn under VIPKID’s new pay structure, check out Online English Teaching’s new service fee structure calculator.
How many hours can you get with VIPKID?
Of course, how much you really make ultimately depends on how many hours you can get with VIPKID.
Unlike other language teaching/learning platforms, VIPKID has set hours for when teachers can work. These hours are noted as “peak hours” and “peak-peak hours.”
Since the majority of VIPKID’s students live in China, teachers work on a Beijing schedule. Here’s how that breaks down:
- Peak Hours
- 8:30 p.m. – 10 a.m. EST
- Peak-peak Hours
- 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. EST
- 9 p.m. – 9 a.m. EST (Friday night through Sunday morning)
You can open your schedule for booking anytime during peak hours. Peak-peak hours are the times most popular with students.
If you’re living in the United States, teaching with VIPKID means early morning and late nights. Those hoping to work full-time won’t be able to structure their schedule like a normal 9-to-5.
But, it’s possible to get a lot of hours with VIPKID.
I read about one guy who regularly taught for 13 hours per day. That meant he was pulling all-nighters with just the five-minute break between classes.
When VIPKID was my primary source of income, I taught 25 hours per week. For months, I woke up at 3:30 a.m. and had my first class at 4 a.m.
I was teaching four or five hours per day six days a week. With incentives, that came out to around $2,000 USD per month (note: this was under VIPKID’s old pay structure).
If you’re motivated, you could definitely work more than that.
But, don’t underestimate the schedule. Teaching late at night and early in the morning isn’t for the faint of heart.
Personally, I found it very difficult to teach 25 hours per week while living a normal life. It’s ultimately why I decided to scale back my hours with VIPKID and seek other sources of income.
Does VIPKID hire everyone?
So, here’s the rub: VIPKID has strict requirements for the type of teacher they’re looking for and a very rigorous hiring process to weed out everyone else.
In short, no. VIPKID does not hire everyone.
To pass the “basic info” portion and score an interview, here are the VIPKID requirements you need to meet:
VIPKID Requirements
- Be a native English speaker
- The company prefers a North American accent.
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- What you majored in doesn’t matter
- Be eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada
- You can teach from anywhere in the world (I worked for VIPKID while living in Spain and Mexico), but you must be LEGALLY allowed to work in the U.S. or Canada.
- As of Dec. 2019, VIPKID is no longer hiring teachers from California due to a bill that was passed there.
- Have some experience working with children
- Don’t worry, formal teaching experience isn’t necessary.
- Motherhood, babysitting and tutoring all count.
- Have a reliable internet connection and appropriate tech
- Your internet connection should be at least 20 Mbps.
- To teach, you need to have a laptop or desktop with a camera (external webcams are fine too) and a headset with a microphone.
If you’re hired, you will have to submit to a background check. VIPKID uses a third-party service for this.
You don’t need to have a TESOL certification to apply, but before you can start teaching, you will have to complete VIPKID’s TESOL program. It takes about 10 hours to complete and meets the Ministry of China’s requirements.
If you already have an ESL certification of some kind, you’re good to go.
Smart demo, mock classes, TESOL certification: Teacher Tina has the latest about the 2020 VIPKID hiring process.
What kind of person does VIPKID hire?
Teaching English online is a lot different than teaching in a classroom.
If you want any chance of keeping your student’s attention, you have to bring the energy.
After you pass the “basic info” portion, you’ll be asked to either record a demo lesson or do a 30-minute live interview.
Whichever option you choose, you really need to go all out. This is your chance to show VIPKID that you are a high-energy teacher that can keep students’ attention in an online classroom.
Seriously, don’t hold back. If you think you’re acting crazy, then you just MIGHT be doing enough.
- Use TPR.
- Smile till your cheeks hurt.
- Make funny faces.
- Sing your heart out.
A lot of people make the mistake of thinking VIPKID is hiring teachers.
They’re not.
They’re looking for performers who can deliver their curriculum in a fun and engaging way that keeps students coming back.
VIPKid Classroom Setup: What You Really Need
If you’re going to be a performer, you’ll need a stage and props.
While I definitely was one of the more minimalist teachers during my teaching English online days, there were a few items that I deemed essential for my VIPkid classroom setup.
Ethernet Cable
When it comes to teaching English online, your internet connection is everything. Instead of relying on your WiFi alone, purchase a cheap Ethernet cable so you can plug directly into your modem.
Mouse
I thought the click pad on my laptop was enough until I started having wrist and finger pain. If you don’t want to have to ice your hand after you finish teaching, pick up a wireless mouse to use with your laptop.
But, don’t stop at just the mouse. For maximum comfort, use a mouse pad with a gel wrist support. Seriously, you’ll thank me later.
Headset
After a poor internet connection, the biggest parent complaint is bad audio quality. It could even hold you back from getting hired by VIPKid in the first place.
Stop negative feedback in its tracks with a headset. This headset with a microphone is affordable and will help hide your bedhead during those early-morning classes.
Laptop Stand
With all the time you’re going to be spending in front of the computer, you want to be as comfortable as possible.
This sturdy ergonomic computer stand will help you maintain good posture.
Ring Light
Ring lights aren’t just for selfies! These handy rechargeable video lighting clips easily attach to your laptop and make having a bright VIPKid classroom on a dark morning a snap.
Map
Some teachers really go all out with their VIPKid classroom backgrounds, but if that’s not your style, then the easiest way to decorate your background is with a kid-friendly map.
I tacked a map similar to this one on the wall behind my desk using poster putty.
Flashcards
Many VIPKid teachers swear by a dry erase board as their go-to prop.
Personally, when a student and I finished a lesson early and needed to kill some time, I opted for games with flashcards. Here are some of my favorites:
The Only VIPKID Advice You Need to Get Hired
Because I’m not a particularly high-energy person myself, the mindset shift (teacher vs. performer) helped me not only get hired but go on to teach for three years (very successfully) with VIPKID.
When I sat down at my computer to teach, I imagined I was flipping a switch. It was my cue to get into character.
Then, for the duration of my 25-minute class, it was balls-to-the-wall energy.
At times, I felt ridiculous. But, my students loved it.
I consistently received positive feedback from parents and never worried about bookings. My teaching schedule was full from almost day one.
Over the years, I’ve given this advice to many other VIPKID hopefuls including my boyfriend.
It took VIPKID rejecting him twice to finally listen to me. His third time applying he BROUGHT THE ENERGY and passed the demo lesson and mock classes with flying colors.
You can find lots of VIPKID advice online about pacing, what your background should look like and how to pronounce the letter “m.”
But, compared to energy, those things are all minor. The right feedback and they’re fixed.
If you do nothing else during your demo lesson and mock classes, you need to show VIPKID you have the energy and enthusiasm to be the face of their brand.
Is VIPKid worth it for new teachers?
Okay, I kind of went off on a little tangent there, but I feel very passionate about what VIPKID is looking for when they’re weeding out candidates during the hiring process.
Let’s jump back into whether or not VIPKID is worth it. Specifically, is VIPKID worth it for new teachers?
Some people are worried about working for VIPKID because they believe it’s impossible (or, at least, very difficult) to get bookings as a new teacher.
Because it’s been a while since I was a new teacher with VIPKID, I talked to my boyfriend’s sister, Julie, who signed her contract in Feb. 2020.
She has only worked under VIPKID’s new payment structure.
Julie is a few months into teaching now and really liking VIPKID. She’s especially grateful for the job since the state where she lives is currently under a shelter-in-place mandate.
Since starting, Julie said she’s had consistent bookings but hasn’t been able to get more than 20 hours per week. Usually, she teaches between 16 and 20 hours per week.
To date, the most she’s taught in a single week is 22 hours.
With VIPKID being her only job at the moment, Julie would like to be teaching between 30 and 40 hours per week. She’s opening enough time slots, but they have yet to be booked.
During the week, Julie teaches until midnight and wakes up early for bookings during the peak-peak times. On the weekend, she sometimes teaches in the morning but tries to take at least one day off.
In Julie’s opinion, VIPKID is worth it for new teachers. Although she would like to increase her bookings, she is happy teaching 20 hours per week and said the money is enough for her to live on.
7 Tips to Make Sure VIPKID Is Worth It
So, recent-hire Julie said she thinks VIPKID is worth it for new teachers, especially with the current economic situation in the U.S.
She had some advice for new VIPKID teachers looking to make the most out of their first few months with the company.
For new people getting started, I’d say to take the quizzes to get certified for more than just one level and for the trial courses. Being willing to be flexible with hours and time when you first start is helpful. Then, make a schedule with the hours you want later.
Teacher Julie, started with VIPKID in Feb. 2020
Furthermore, Julie said getting consistent bookings with the same students (“regulars”) is the key to success.
I couldn’t agree more with Julie about the importance of “regulars.” When it comes to getting bookings, they are your bread and butter.
The best ways to keep students coming back are teaching your heart out in every single class and leaving positive, upbeat feedback.
Here are more of my top tips for teachers to help ensure VIPKID is worth it for you:
#1: Start teaching ASAP after signing your contract.
Last year, VIPKID hired one of my referrals, but she wasn’t able to start teaching right away. She opened her first time slots a few months after signing her contract but was never able to get any bookings.
I’d never heard of this happening to anyone else, but I think VIPKID stopped showing her profile to parents. Just to be safe, open your first time slots as soon as you possibly can after signing your contract.
#2: Open as many time slots as possible.
Julie touched on this, but I wanted to reiterate how important your initial availability is. Consider doing a teaching blitz when you’re first starting out in order to get yourself on the radar and accumulate parent feedback.
If nothing else, make sure you open time slots for peak and peak-peak hours.
#3: Have a backup plan if your internet goes down.
Teacher no-shows are a killer.
Not only do they hurt your standing as a teacher (parents aren’t going to book you again), but you have to pay a $10 fine when you miss a class without more than two hours notice.
For a VIPKID teacher, there are few things more stressful (and infuriating) than waking up to see that your internet is out.
When you teach a lot of classes, this is bound to happen at some point so you want to be prepared. At the very least, you should have enough data on your phone so you can use it as a hotspot in a pinch.
#4: Set multiple alarms.
On the subject of backups, set multiple alarms to make sure you wake up. Sleeping through your classes will hurt your standing and result in fines. That $10 per class adds up.
Not to mention, you could get fired.
VIPKID’s policy states that teachers will be dismissed after six teacher no-shows. If you slept through an entire morning of classes, that’s two teacher no-shows right there.
When you start waking up early, your body is going to go through an adjustment period. Try to establish a regular bedtime to make it as easy as possible on yourself.
#5: Spend time on your intro video and profile.
When parents are deciding whether or not to book you, all they have to go on is your intro video and profile. Without a lot of feedback from other parents, it’s essential you use these to make a good impression.
For both, keep the language simple. Copy and paste your profile into Google Translate to see how it reads in Chinese. Your intro video doesn’t need to be elaborate. Just be sure to speak slowly and clearly.
#6: Make a feedback template.
Strictly speaking, VIPKID discourages its teachers from using feedback templates. But, as long as you’re not leaving identical feedback for every single student, you’re fine.
I made templates for major courses, different trial classes and unit assessments.
After each class, I would customize the feedback for the student with what we covered, what they did well and what I wanted them to work on at home. No matter how the class went I ALWAYS kept the feedback positive and upbeat.
Having feedback templates will save you time, and the less time you spend on VIPKID stuff outside of teaching the more VIPKID is worth it.
#7: Don’t go crazy with props.
It’s easy to go overboard with the props. While it’s really lovely to want to prepare something special for each and every student, it’s just not practical if you want VIPKID to be worth it.
As with the feedback, any time you spend on VIPKID outside of teaching decreases your hourly rate.
I was a prop minimalist. In addition to a few laminated reward systems, the only props I used on a daily basis were my ABC flashcards and animal finger puppets.
A big smile and even bigger energy are better than any props.
More Posts About VIPKID as a Second Job
- VIPKID 101: How To Start Teaching English Online
- 5 Reasons You’ll LOVE Working For VIPKID
- How to Quit Teaching English Online & Start Freelance Writing
Is VIPKID Worth It? Final Thoughts
Before rendering my final verdict on if VIPKID is worth it, I wanted to share a bit about my experience with the company.
Since I’m no longer actively teaching, I can be totally honest…
I started teaching with VIPKID in Feb. 2017 when I was living in Madrid. Since I was also teaching English as an auxiliar de conversación, VIPKID was just my side hustle. The money mostly went toward travel.
When I moved to Mexico in Oct. 2017, VIPKID was my primary (read: only) source of income. I was teaching around 25 hours per week, and because of the inexpensive cost of living in Querétaro, that was more than enough.
If it weren’t for my job with VIPKID, I wouldn’t have been able to move to Mexico. It was my “full-time” job for more than a year.
While I’ll forever my grateful to VIPKID for the vital role it played in my being able to live abroad and work for myself, in the end, it just wasn’t sustainable.
It was impossible to live a normal life while waking up at 3:30 a.m. six days a week to teach.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, I lived in constant fear of my internet going out or sleeping through my alarm. Too many teacher no-shows and I would lose my job. That would have most likely meant having to move back to the U.S.
In Sept. 2019, I taught my last class with VIPKID. I was finally earning enough money freelance writing that I could say goodbye to the early mornings and internet speed tests.
It was a relief.
VIPKID as a Second Job vs. Full-Time
All that being said, when someone asks me “is VIPKID worth it?” I tell them yes…
But, it depends on your situation.
In my opinion, VIPKID is only suitable as a full-time job if you’re living in Asia or Europe. Otherwise, the hours are just too difficult.
Under the new payment structure, you have to teach A LOT of classes for VIPKID to be worth it. In my opinion, there are better options for a side hustle.
Of course, if you really need a paycheck and can only work remotely, VIPKID is worth it regardless of what timezone you’re located in.
I think it’s a good fit for parents that need a way to make money from home in off-hours.
You can teach while your child is sleeping and not have to pay for childcare. Just make sure there’s someone who can tend to your kid if they wake up since you won’t be able to leave in the middle of class.
If you’re one of the many people stuck at home right now and in need of work, VIPKID is definitely worth it.
You probably won’t want to teach for them forever, but it could be just the ticket to get you through these tough economic times, jumpstart your travel fund or allow you to move abroad.
Got questions about VIPKID? Leave a comment below.
Hi Alex, great blog post! I am an online teacher as well as a side gig, but for a different company (VIPkid does require a LOT of energy ;). I’d love to read a future blog post of yours about how you transitioned into freelance writing as your full time income! In the meantime, stay safe and take care.
Hi, Matt!
Thanks so much for reading my post and taking the time to leave a comment. Now that my VIPKID days are over, I have a lot more energy for other things. The energy required for writing is totally different, although from time to time I do miss being silly with my students 🙂 Other people have told me as well that they would like to see a post about how I transitioned into freelance writing, so it seems like that’s something I need to put on my content calendar. Thanks for the input!
All the best,
Alex
Awesome read and very informative. Thank you ??
I’m glad you found the post helpful. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for your honest account of working for VIPkid. Coming from a background in alternative education (Waldorf curriculum), I find the idea of being a “performer” a little scary. Not sure I have the energy for this kind of teaching, but I can see how it would work for young folks traveling and willing to put in the odd hours on Beijing time.
Hi, Mary!
Thanks so much for reading & taking the time to leave a comment. Yes, I wanted to be completely honest in this review so people would know what they’re getting themselves into. I will be forever grateful to VIPKid because it gave me the freedom to move abroad & travel. But, I am also incredibly grateful to be doing something else now.
Take care,
Alex
Good perspective. Since you are not currently a VIPKID teacher, they have completely changed the pay scale and incentives for all teachers. So, I would definitely update that info in the article. It is a major point of controversy among a lot of teachers. I have been a teacher since 2018. although I loved it at first, it is very draining because of the hours. It is very hard to make a sustainable full time income.
Hi, thanks for reading & sharing your experience! I just contacted the friend I interviewed in the post & will be updating it ASAP. I appreciate you letting me know about the changes.
What are the new changes to pay scale and incentives? I am looking to apply in a few weeks. I am American and live in Europe now, so this is a great option for me. I have a Bachelor’s, TEFL and a lot of energy. I also love helping people learn English and children.
Hi, Kristyn! I just updated the post to reflect the new payment structure for VIPKID. I included a link to a calculator so you can figure out how much you would earn as a new teacher under the system. I must say it’s quite complicated compared to the old one!
I’ve been working for VIPKid for two months and I don’t find it possible to live off from the money I make. It honestly seems like they want teachers to spent money on printable materials and other start up costs. I definitely don’t feel like I will ever make enough to pay for equipment I needed to have this job. It is not a job where you can work more than a couple hours a day and forgot having holidays off!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Sara. The changes VIPKID made to its pay structure seems to make it very difficult for new teachers especially. Your insight will be very valuable to people thinking about applying.
I was just hired (I have not signed the contract yet) with VIPKid and I found your article researching if it is even worth it. That rate is pretty low — I have 20 years of experience and am transitioning from my full time job to part time work so I can develop my own business, and although I think I can perform with the best of them, I am not sure it is sustainable or will give me any added income…thanks for an informative article!
Very helpful, thorough and I especially appreciate the efforts at ‘transparency’ and ethics.
Thanks for reading, Richard! I’m glad you found the post helpful.
Thanks for this post. I’m a classroom public school teacher looking to retire and use VIPKids teaching as a supplement to my retirement income. Your insight is greatly appreciated. Although I’m a high energy teacher and an early morning riser, I’m still trying to decide VIPKid is a path I want to go down… thanks again fir an excellent post!
Thanks for reading, Merritt & best of luck to you!
I am tier 9 and my 6th contract and I do quite well (sole income). I will say that I disagree with the statement, they are looking for performers not teachers, as untrue. All types of teachers thrive, whether a minimalist or a performance artist. I am a fun and engaging teacher, I teach! I do not babysit or entertain. With all the platforms out there, I think parents are now looking for engaging teachers that can teach grammar rules, proper pronunciation, and conversation skills in the allotted amount of time. This is why some thrive while others sustain and the rest falter. I love working for VIPkid. With the new pay scale, new teachers will have to work hard to reach Tier 7…but it is worth it if you can do it well.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Stephanie! I agree with you that many different types of teachers can find success with VIPKid. If you’re still developing your teaching style, I think high energy is a good place to start. But, the more experience you have under your belt the more comfortable you will feel. With so many students on the platform, you’re definitely going to find some that respond to your methods. Thanks again for reading & taking the time to share your experience teaching with VIPKid!
Californian’s listen – After almost 3 years with the company and consistent 7 days a week work, they terminated my contract. I was a beloved teacher, with 515 “Excellent reviews” and many regular students. I had earned like 19 badges and several certifications. Suddenly, this year (2021) the “classroom” link often would no longer work. I would just get a blank page or a “loading…loading “message. Contacted VIPKID about the issue many times. Sent real-time screen shots, begged to be let into the classroom, contacted Fireman. I also sent ‘tickets.’ I was counted a as ‘no-show’ every time. Applied for change of finish type each time explaining that I was Not a no-show and sent all the supporting screen shots/ documentation. They sent me one line messages saying “Finish type remains unchanged.” I now know that the issue of the Classroom link not working was created by VIPKID and entirely purposeful. After so much distress. After now just losing my job I loved, for a situation I had no control over. I know that VIPKID had full control and intention. Why? Because, while I am actually residing in Mexico. My residence continues to be in California, my home state. They had caused me to violate the contract by creating an excessive amount “no-shows” because they are terminating teacher’s from California due to the new Independent Contractor law!! Awful! I’m now one of the millions of unemployed through no fault of my own. Beware, they will not be keeping California based teachers!
I’m so sorry that happened to you, Tam. Thanks for sharing your experience & taking the time to warn other teachers. Sending good vibes your way & hoping you will find more work soon.
I have been a teacher for 4 years and have taught nearly 5,000 classes. I can say they pay on time and reliably. The network and technical aspects of the classroom are relatively good too. In the beginning, I used their “Firemen” (tech support) regularly. Mostly they called the parents to work out computer problems on their end. It was helpful. In the last 2 years, I have rarely used them though. On the good side, there are ways to solve it yourself within the classroom and there really aren’t many disruptive problems to deal with, especially with established students. You do have to work through some annoying bad connections and echoes occasionally. The rare times I have contacted them lately, it has taken much longer for them to respond.
The new pay structure is also bad for sure. They seem to want teachers to compete for incentives now like tokens which add up to special discounts on rewards such as language classes and Starbucks. I have never bothered with them except one recently. They had a contest for any teachers that had a “perfect streak” of class attendance. I figured why not. It cracked me up when they sent me a message saying, “you did it!” The reward? I would be splitting $20,000 with 24,000 other teachers. That’s right. I made an extra 82 cents that paycheck! Woo hoo! Silly.
The hardest part to deal with is the impersonal relationship with the company. During the hiring process, you have face-to-face contact with a training teacher. After that, there is no contact with anyone except through virtual “Tickets”. If you are perfect, then there is no reason to talk to anyone. But if anything strange happens, the communication is very frustrating. Very little room for error. For example, I once discovered accidentally that they had designated me as a “left class early” for one of my classes. That was beyond ridiculous as I always go over time (which they also discourage). I submitted a ticket and attached the class video (which they recorded) and the feedback from the parent for that class. Despite the clear proof, they said their technicians had determined that I left early. After a month of back and forth, they finally admitted that it was an error in their system and apologized for any inconvenience. That kind of thing has happened too much over 4 years. It’s extremely frustrating and exhausting and takes energy away from your students.
I guess with 60,000 teachers, there isn’t much incentive for them to care how good or successful you are and it’s probably too difficult to have any kind of personal relationship with a single teacher. And likely it would be expensive for a company to provide more personal contact. They do seem to have a good community of teachers with social and support connections but I’ve never taken advantage of that. Overall, the company has frustrated and disappointed me but they are probably the best game in town simply for the reliable pay and technical strength. It is not a pyramid scheme but it is a numbers game for sure. Quantity over quality. More teachers, more students, more classes, minimal overhead = more profit. The kids are the only thing that keep me teaching. Those relationships are priceless. The parents have been wonderful too.
I also found the information about the hiring requirements and the importance of being a high-energy teacher very helpful. It’s great to know that VIPKID doesn’t necessarily require formal teaching experience but values enthusiasm and dedication.