Pros and Cons of Working for VIPKid

Pros and Cons of VIPKid 

Like with any work, working for VIPKid comes with both amazing pros and some cons as well.

Cons

Schedule - The Peak Peak hours (those that are the most likely to book) are late nights and/or early mornings. I have never opened a Peak Peak slot and I doubt that I will anytime soon. The company is open from 5:30pm - 7am on the West Coast (arguably the hardest US time zone to work in) and Peak Peak slots are 3am - 6am. However if you live on the East Coast your available hours are 8pm - 10am, with peak hours 6am - 9am. (During Daylight savings time). Friday evening, all Saturday slots and Sunday mornings are also PT or PPR. After one month of not opening any PPT and rarely a few PT, and I'm still growing faster than average. So there's hope for you too!

Time Zone - If you are like me all of the conversions are a pain to deal with. Since working with VIPKid Google has become my best friend. 

Bookings - It can take a while to get your first bookings. Some people do not want to wait. There are many things you can do to increase your chances of getting booked and I will work on this one-on-one with my referrals. I had my first booking within 24 hours of opening the slot. It is possible, but it takes some prep work to be prepared when you sign your contract. Feel free to join my Branding Yourself group on Facebook to get started on some of these things from day 1. 

Prep work - With anytime of teaching there is a decent amount of prep work in the beginning. You do have to learn the platform, and work on your bio, and find props, and learn the skills specific to online teaching. There is a steep learning curve. I am one month in and everything takes A LOT less time to prep. 

My profile on the Inside

Interview/Demo Process - There is a lot up front. The interviews and demos are more stressful than actual teaching. One way to look at this is like intensive training. You do a decent amount of training and you repeat this until you are ready.

Technology - We all know tech issues can get the best of all of us. Sometimes, especially early on, there is nothing you can do (or it seems). This is possibly the biggest downside for me.

Degree Required - I'm not sure that this is a con, but I have talked to some young people who are absolutely qualified in many ways and have more experience working with children than many adults, but Chinese parents are willing to pay for American (and Canadian) teachers with education and experience and that is what VIPKid promises. Requirements listed here. 

Pros 

Pay - This job really does pay well. I averaged $19 an hour for my first month. I expect that to reach $21 per hour with in 3 months (maybe two). Pay is advertised at $14 an hour for the lowest tier. As far as I can tell, you would need to start at the lowest pay grade, work less than 15 hours a month, never open short notice slots, and be late to every class to make $14 dollars an hour with VIPKid.

Pay scale

Flexibility - You get to set your own hours and work as much or as little as you want. There are incentives to work more and specific hours. I don’t take part as I’m pretty stubborn about when and how much I will work. 

Bookings - Bookings usually come in slowly at first and on average it can take up to a month to get your first class. I had one class my first week (and took several workshops), my second week I had 2 classes, my 3rd week I had 6 classes ,and some pre-bookings and my 4th week I had 7 classes and some pre bookings. My 4th week is when I’m typing this ;) And it is the week of a big holiday so everyone's bookings are wonky. For me, this gradual increase was perfect and allowed me to work my way into teaching. I didn’t teach back to back classes until week 4 and I still made over $100 in my first 3 weeks. goog_520935754

Interview/Demo Process - once this is complete you really are ready to teach. You have all of the skills.

Peak Peak Time incentive.

Incentives - There are always new challenges and offers available. Since you are your own boss you have complete say in whether or not you say yes. I opt out of the peak peak time incentives. 

Creativity - This is a great job for anyone who loves to create things. I have really enjoyed crafting many of my props and the others I have made on Adobe Illustrator and some in word (don’t worry, if you are my referral, I will email you my PDFs to get you trough the hiring process and more if you would like, you don’t need a graphic design degree to do this. Once you are a teacher there are groups on Facebook that give access to both free and paid props)

Cultural Exchange - There is something really special about being invited into life of someone else especially from another culture. If you enjoy learning as you teach, this job can be more than just a job! 

The Children - Some of the conversations I have had with the kids are so much fun. It has been interesting to watch them learn and grow and have a ton of fun, just being kids while they learn.

My profile inside the Hutong

Variety - I am currently certified for levels 2 - 5 and may certify for trials soon. I love that I can teach about Martin Luther king and math conversions in one lesson and in another we are going back to learning ‘he, she and it.” I really enjoy the upper levels of teaching history and science. Though if you want to stick with levels 1 and two you can. The level 2 and 3 lessons take a lot less prep for me and use my props more, but the more advanced lessons are a lot of fun and you can have great conversations.

Brand - I love the VIPKid brand. They have done a great job of creating community. There are a ton of facebook groups you can join. Many are full of loving wonderful teachers will to encourage and support you in your online teaching journey. VIPKid was the number one work from home job on Forbes list in 2018 and it made top 10 in 2019.

Gamification - This is not as big of a pro as the other things, but I LOVE when daily tasks are turned into a game of some sort. VIPKid has some great incentives, offers badges and all sorts of things. 

The Houtong - This means alley way in Chinese and it is where all the fun happens...but you have to get hired to join in...

More Pros 

Complete challenges to earn tokens and learn about Chinese culture!

You can wear sweatpants to work, or yoga pants, or no....never mind please wear pants

Your commute is to your home

You can work from a closet, spare room, garage, or a corner of your living room

I love this work. Every job has its cons! And this is no exception, but I can't speak highly enough about how much of a blessing it has been for me to work for VIPKid. 

Work With Me <3 

If you are interested in joining this crazy journey, be sure to use my referral code (FELIC0078 <- those are zeros) or this link. I would love to help yo get hired. I have PDFs to help you get through the interview and mock classes and am willing to talk you through the process, and once you teach your first class I'll send you some physical props as well. If you are serious about getting hired come join my Facebook group about branding yourself as a teacher and get some feedback, so you are ready to get bookings early on! 

Never-Ending Chinese Resource List

Keep in mind, I just began learning Chinese in April (and technically, I'm still in what I call the preparation stage, I'm just learning how I want to learn Chinese).

YoYo Chinese - Boost confidence (best intro series I've found)
Ms. Lin on YouTube - Lists in Description
Yi Zhao on YouTube - Use to make flash cards
Smart Mandarin - Katrina Lee on YouTube - Great to listen and speak along to

Duolingo 
Doulingo World List

Pimsleur - Often available at your local library or on audio
Mango -
ChinseseClass101 (used to be ChinesePod101)

General 
Read the Bible in Chinese - I'm not at this level yet (obviously)
Flashcards
Read Poems
Read children's stories

Apps
The aap Beelingual is great for reading
Chineasy - simple vocabulary builder and familiarizes you with Chinese characters
Chinese Skill - Panda - I'm really enjoying this app
Chinese Grammar (I have not used this one as much)
TaoTie - A new way to learn languages! If you are a native English speaker and want in on creators message me on Facebook (I'm just using my name) for how to make a little extra cast recording SHORT videos and I'll give you a code. Offer only lasts a couple months.

Lingo Bus - Is like VIPKid but for children who want to learn Chinese.

If you want to apply for VIPKid feel free to use my link and message me if you have any questions <3

Applying to VIPkid 101

So you keep seeing VIPKid and you're wondering, "Is this real? Is this too good to be true? Why can't I find what I'm looking for on their official website?"

I am very new, as of April 5, 2019. And I have done a full month worth of research. Here is some of what I have learned.

VIPKid is real and it does pay well. There is a plethora of information out there and I have sorted through it and have compiled all of my favorite resources for you here in this one place?

Requirements 

You need to have a North American accent and a degree. Teaching experience is helpful. There are no minimum teaching hours.

Process

The process does seem to change on a regular basis. We can choose to see this as a frustration or something that is helping us, as VIPkid teachers, and our students be the best we can be (An example is adding the FREE training courses). As of last week, my experience was as follows...

Application - 3 Requirements must be clear to a computer screening but pay is computed by a human. So include anything that gives you a leg up but make the following requirements very clear.

1. Bachelors Degree. It can be in anything.
2. 1 years experience with children - coaching, volunteering, teaching, Sunday school, foster parent, parent, babysitting, anything with children
3. Legal eligibility to work in the US or Canada

Interview - After your application, you will be emailed "the next steps." It will include links to slides and more information. This will happen each step of the way (if the process is different than in this list, follow the email, as things are always changing with VIPKid)

You will be given 1 to 4 options (this is one of those odd inconsistencies). Your starting pay will be based on your performance in your interview and your past experience. Take the interview seriously. You may be asked questions and you may jump right in.

1. Live interview - 10 min demo - this was a great experience and I believe is the most useful option in preparing me for the job. You get live feedback and an opportunity to ask questions.

2. recorded 10 min demo - This is another common option and I have heard that is has great feedback as well.

3. Smart Demo (NEW!) - This option is available via the VIPKid App. You will review some VIPKid  teaching basics, take a timed quiz (covering lesson objectives, repetition, speaking speed and language, TPR and modeling), and record your short (3 min or less) demo based on a slide.

Express (has been replaced by the Smart Demo as of Late April 2019) - I have been told that if you wait "Interview Express" will come in
the email as an option. This is a 3 min interview. This sounds great but you don't get the experience. I am also not sure if this option will say as I don't hear about it often.

4. Coaching Days/Fast Pass - This is a live 4 hour event/workshop/class in major cities with VIPKid teachers. You will want to take your laptop (with a camera) and have created a VIPKid account. You don't need your resume and documents with you.


Certification - When you pass your interview you will receive an email telling you the official up-to-date details with what mock classes you will prepare. You can find mock classes on YouTube, but please follow along with your slides and DO NOT COPY the videos online. Create your own style and have fun.

You get to choose what you certify in but you will prepare 2 lessons. These specific two lessons may change and when you get to the certification room they will tell you which class you are teaching. The most common recommendation and I agree is "Interactive level 2 and 3."

I would recommend taking one of the mentoring sessions before your class. Don't get down on yourself if you don't pass the first time. VIPKid is committed to training you. Think of this as free training. They will not let you teach until you are ready. Keep improving and growing. My understanding is that on average it takes two tries to pass. I know people have taken it 4 or more times. The more you take, the more prepared you feel. And you can't fail!!!

I certified for levels 2-5 and within 1 week of being contracted, I certified for Trial classes. I would recommend going for as many as possible, but you are your own boss.

Contract & Info - There are now multiple stages for the contract stage. Once you pass at least one certification stage you will move on to the contract stage where you will be ready to create your profile and take your TESOL certification. And then you can sign your contract.

1.TESOL - The Chinese government is requiring all online teachers to have this certification. It was really good and VIPKid offers it for free, which other companies are not free but often still require it. If you have teaching certificates in the United States you may be able to skip this step, but parents will still want to see this certification. Hint: If you have studied education, it will be quick. I took one education course (and have studied linguistics on my own) and it was mostly review ;)

2. Profile - I was thankful that I was prepared with my profile photo, two relaxed photos, and a video. Start thinking of these early on. You can record them and take them while you practice for your mock class and interview.

3. It took my profile a week to be reviewed. While you wait you can take your other available certifications if you didn't earlier on.

Like I said things change. Taking a week to review was strange. They may say that you have 3 days to move on to the next step. I took 5 and it was ok. I can't promise.

I know it's frustrating, but it's the way it is. I think it's pretty ok considering I got to wear yoga pants or sweat pants for it all.

4. Contract - This literally took 13 seconds since I had read through it previously (while waiting for my profile to be reviewed, but I do encourage you to read it).

Congratulations!

Open some classes and if you skipped extra certifications this is a great time to get started on those. It takes an average of 2 to 4 weeks to begin getting bookings. I've only taught one class at this point. I will post more on what it's like from the inside once I feel more qualified.




*I got emails saying the next step would happen within 24-48 hours, this usually meant 5min - 7 days. I know this isn't our preference but my best advice is to maintain your professionalism and when you say you will be there, you show up. Don't be late. Make sure things are going to work and that you are there when you say you will be and laugh when it doesn't go perfect.

Other Topics

Payment
Base Pay $7-$9 per class. Classes are 25 minutes long.
If you are on time you get + $1/class
If you teach at least 30 classes/month + $0.50/class*
If you teach at least 45 classes/month + $1/class*
My base pay is $8/hour and I teach less than 45 classes, so I make $18/hour. I will likely teach more than 30 or 45 classes a month in the future. Then I will make $19 or 20/hour.

But for everyone this = $14 - $22 per hour (there are ways to go higher than this)

There are always incentives.
Referrals - helping people through the hiring process (because it's kinda strange) = $100

Also, if you cancel, you can loose incentive pay. My understanding of the contract is that it can't go below the $7 per class, but please check with someone who understands contracts better than I do if you are concerned. My advice is don't skip/miss work.

*It's possible that there are one or both of these rules. I know that the $1 for 45 classes exists currently. I will edit this when I reach 30 or 45 classes. *wink**wink*

Props

Use my code or link, email me and once I see you as a referral, I will send you printable props to get you through the mock classes. You will also want a puppet or stuffed animal, a toy or two and dry erase board (I'll send you some tips to make these in the PDF document). Once you have taught your first class with VIPkid I will give you some options of other props and mail you more props to say thank you!! Don't stress over props! You do not need to go crazy! What you have around your home, the couple extras, and what I will provide you will get you a long way if you are on a budget.

Some of My Favorite Resources - Why reinvent the wheel?

Interview - My Feelings
Mock Clases 2/3 - A
Mock Clases 2/3 - B

Why Should You Pick Me to Walk Through This Process With You? 

I am not referring hundreds of people so I will have time to focus on you! I will chat with you one-on-one on Facebook or the phone. I will be upfront about what I love and the frustrations. And I will be making props to send to those who put my code in. E-mail me for more info and to request some basic welcome printable props and prop tips. Also, when you teach your first class I will send you some physical props.

There is so much information out there and I encourage you to become a part of the family. The community is great and if you are working with someone else, I encourage you to continue to work with them as I know there are a ton of great teachers out there....Over 30,000!!! Come join the team! Apply here!

Or type in my code
FELIC0078 (those are zeros)

Hindi Resource List for Teachers

I also have a never ending resource list with more thoughts, resources, and updates. These are simply the ones I think would work well for teaching the Hindi language (I teach English to adult learners)

Conversational
Pimsleur helps a lot with sentence order but only for a small portion of sentences 
Chatting and texting are my favorite methods!! 

Grammar
Learning-Hindi.com
Anil Mahato on YouTube 

Vocabularay
I would encourage sentence mining and use vocab from other lessons.

Speaking 
Spending time with Hindi speaking friends
Creating YouTube videos in Hindi

listening 
Hindi U on YouTube  
Bollywood Movies and Songs
Guli Guli Sim Sim - Sesamie Street
Shaka Laka Boom Boom - Kids show

Writing 
Flashcards

Reading 
TenguGo Hindi
Hindi Bible
Learning-Hindi.com has some great reading lessons
Beelingual - this app allows you to select texts and has some great tools for studying a variety of reading topics

Thinking 
Pimsleur Lessons
HindiPod101 helps with all areas
Doulingo it's out!! I just finished the tree and am writing a review!

I hope this list is helpful and I do encourage you to check out my "Never Ending Resource List" for more and future updates

Duolingo Hindi

I finished!!!

I am excited to announce that I just finished the Hindi tree on Duolingo.

Overall, I love Duolingo and think it's a great app for supplemental language study. I have been very out of language practice so this was really good to go back to.

How did it go?

The tree is very short. I tested out of the alphabet but a lot of my basic vocab skills were lacking, so I didn't make it very far passed the first checkpoint (the awful alphabet section that I will discuss later on). I use Hinglish (along with the Indians I know in the US). So my vocabulary for American foods and numbers and family was severely lacking.

But I was able to test out of moat levels individually, because the context and topic helped me remember and it was fairly easy to tell when I didn't know one or two vocab words in context.

I did have to complete one or two lessons from about 5 levels and then was typically able to test out. The biggest exception was the last two. I really struggled with those grammar concepts and even gave up a couple times because I was making so many mistakes.

But I made it and I am excited for the content to get more challenging and I think I will do several review lessons (the dumbbell in the bottom right corner).

My thoughts on the course.

Though it is officially out of Beta , I noticed a handful of errors or frustrating things.

'ne' is lacking an explanation.

It over and over expects uses to use Indian English, rather than American, which was quite frustrating for me. "You people do that thing," and leaving off articles were common. I've heard similar frustrations about other trees from bilingual speakers living in the US as well. Either way, the Hindi tree does feel like it was designed for Indian Hindi learners, which in the long run is great and I hope it will help with communication issues between states and help unify North and South Indians. So though frustrating, it could actually be good.

I also wish that there were grammar explanations for the more challenging concepts and more complete explanations for others. This will come.

A huge frustration is the Alphabet levels. They seem to be terrible. I have only passed one or two. I don't think I could have stuck with it if I had not tested out. I don't understand how they work or what is going on. I would highly recommend an app such as TenuguGo Hindi or even just making flashcards and memorizing before trying to use Duolingo before you know the alphabet. It took me two weeks (if I remember correctly) on TenguGo.

But my biggest complaint is that it's too short!!! I want more!!!

Conclusion

Overall, this is has been a great course and I will continue to use it. Being on my phone makes it so much more accessible than the other resources out there. Ans most of my frustrations will work themselves out, I'm sure...And if not, chalta hai, na?

Thanks to the volunteers! And good enjoy your studies!!!

How Do Keep Up With All Your Languages?

A friend who is fluent in Spanish (and let me tell ya, I am not close to 'fluent' in anything, so I'm always in awe of non-native speakers who acheive fluency) and she is quite an amazing and inspirational woman in general...any ways she asked me how I stayed up with my langnauges...well I don't, was my response...Which is true.

I don't but I do continue to dabble regularly, so here is where I am at with each langanuge and what I have been doing the last couple months (mostly the last week, since our foster placement left, FS13).

Hindi - I finished the Duolingo tree!!! This took me a while and here is my review. I only did it when I could use sound, so my main time to practice (at the Drs office or in lines, was not a Hindi option)

I have forgotten a lot of Hindi and am out of practice. I also get so shy when speaking, so texting is still my strength.

Urdu - I reviewed the alphabet yesterday with a group of Somali girls (one grew up in India and is half Indian and half Somali. And we were talking about the difference between Arabic and Urdu.

Português - Only duolingo (I completed this tree some time ago and am working toward completing level 2 on all leves. I also have played around some with our FS13 in Portunol, who speaks some Spanish.

Spanish - Our FS13 liked Spanish radio and it was a good go to when nothing else was appropriate.

French - I dabble in duolingo and sometimes text, mostly using a translator. I've also made it half way though Paul Nobles Learn French audio series while driving home from my chiropractor appointments.

Koine Greek - I was more excited about Hebrew than Greek for a long time, I think because the alphabet is more interesting to me. But a year or so ago, my pastor told me to learn Greek instead, so then I quit Hebrew for a while thinking his argument was valid (but didn't do much with Greek, just out of apathy toward the langnuge and lack of free resources for Greek and finding that my favorite ones were modern Greek, though my best Hebrew resourse was modern as well, I'm sure)...

...until now...

Greek is new to me. I found a great free resource, the Ginoskos app, and I have been taking it more seriously (lol for the last week since our kiddo left). But it has been a lot of fun to start to learn words and their Biblical significance <3 So far I've focused on relearning the alphabet (which I've failed at a couple times). I've copied a few verses and analized a couple others (taking notes from the same resource). I've listened to a couple videos. And I am working on biblical vocabulary. I'm not good at it but one thing that has made Greek fun, is that it's applicable to Biblical study and touches your heart even if you only know one word.

Sign Language - I sign durring worship regularly (not up front, which requires more practice and learning). I also met with a woman at our church (enjoy this story about the impact this meeting had on our FS13) to plan a sign langangue lesson for a ladies nithgt with our church. I also found 2 new songs that I want to learn in ASL. There is also one that is really challenging that I've been practicing for over a year now. 

Living Hope - Phil Wickham

Long Live the Cheif - Jidenna

LeCrae - Indwelling Sin

It will be a while, but you can watch my video of Heathens by 21 Pilots (I dressed as Harley for a fundraiser, so I figured I'd record it since I knew it)

Arabic - I'm amazed by how many Islamic friends (mostly Somalian, new to America) use Arabic and I know the words from Urdu...Every week I meet with a group of Somali girls and learn and use new Quaranic Arabic words. If I learn or study a dialect, I think it will be Sudanese, but for now, I just review the alphabet and use what I'm around for basic greetings and phrases.

Somali - I listen but have not studied much. There is now a girl that joins the times I meet with the Somali girls who is half Indian, so when the Somalis switch to Somali, we switch to Hindi (or just continue in English) instead of practicing the Somali.

Lakota - not practicing.

Latin - not practicing (I completed my 25 hour goal, to work through scripture and I did it. The goal was largely to look through the book of John and see that has not been corrupted since the Vulgate...this gets into some nerdy apologetics stuff. But I think that will be the extent of my Latin for a long time.)
Italian - not practicing.
All Asian languages (Chinese, Korean, Japanese) - not practicing. I haven't done much with these, just played around with the alphabets and young children.
Hebrew - not practicing.
African Dialects (Haitian Creole, Patois, Krio, Naija English) - not practicing. Though I have used bits of Krio in chats with friends.