Pros/Cons

The Good, The Bad & The UGLY

Sounds too good to be true? Here are a few of the bumps I have encountered along the way....PRO: With their app, I can track all my classes and keep up to date with my schedule using my phone. I receive notifications on my phone when classes are booked, parents leave feedback and I can make changes when needed. It's VERY EASY!

CON: Because you are teaching students in China from the your home in North America, your hours are based on Beijing hours. The hours start at 8:00pm (eastern time) and end at 8:30am. In other words, I work for a few hours EARLY in the morning (usually starting at 6:00am while my kids are still sleeping) and I resume classes after my kids are in bed (after 8:00pm). Some teacher work ALL night but my brain can not function based 11:30pm!

PRO: There is no prep work. You can ‘enter the classroom’ the evening before and review the slides you’ll be teaching the next day. The slides are there and made for you and they tell you exactly what they want you to teach. You have to prepare the props you want to use with it (letter flashcards, maybe a puppet or stuffed animal if they’re young, etc). After 100 classes, I am comfortable wit the slides so I do not require ANY prep work

CON: The instructions during the lesson aren’t always clear. Occasionally you’ll come across a slide that is a sort of game with limited instructions at the bottom and you either have to figure it out or make it up for yourself.

PRO: You set your own schedule. They no longer have the 7.5hr commitment per week which you may see on some older training material, but you will still need to work over 30 or 45 classes per month to get the related bonus. Also, your schedule doesn’t need to be the same each week, it’s really whenever you are available and want to work.

CON: Once something is booked, it’s booked. There’s no changing it unless you want a cancellation – which you only get six of per contract. If you want to build up regular students and bookings, it’s better to have regular availability. They will terminate your contract if you cancel 6 times per contract.

PRO: Short time commitment. Like with the hours, you’re not required to work too much a week, and your contract is only six months long – many other online teaching positions require a year with a regular schedule – not ideal for travellers.

CONS: If you can a class within 24 hours notice, you get charged $10.  Yes, that's right...you take a penalty.  They have a strike cancellation policy which is their biggest CON.  If you are smart with your schedule, you will be fine.  If you download the app on your phone, they will send you a 15 minute notice before your class starts.  Plus you can check your phone anytime to confirm upcoming class so keeping track of your class schedule is easy.  Regardless, their cancellation policy is limiting!

PRO: You can make EXTRA money by referring your friends to VIPKIDS. This is NOT a pyramid scheme. You are not required to recruit new teachers but if you do, you get a $100 bonus per referral. When you are referred by someone, that person will provide you with support during the application process by answering your questions (which VIPKIDS is not always quick to do).

PLEASE USE MY REFERRAL CODE:05KD2

My referral link: https://t.vipkid.com.cn/?refereeId=9348126&refersourceid=a01