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VIPKid Application Process – How to Become a VIPKid Teacher?
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If you’re thinking about teaching English to students online, VIPKid is a great platform. They pay well, support their teachers, and let you work when you want. Before you can start teaching, though, you have to get through the VIPKid application process. It’s not an easy one, and it’s lengthy, but with the right support, you can get through it.
VIPKid’s application process starts with a traditional online application that asks for things like contact information, level of education, teaching/childcare experience, and so on. If you don’t have the answers VIPKid wants in this step, you won’t move on – they’ll politely decline your application, saving you both from wasting time on the next steps.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the requirements, tips, and tricks to get through the VIPKid application process easily.
VIPKid Application Requirements
So what do you need to get past the first step?
If you can’t say ‘yes’ to each of these conditions, VIPKid won’t approve your application. But, if you meet the above criteria, you’ll pass the first stage in the application process and move on to the quiz, demo, and mock class. Again, this is automatic, so you’ll know right away if you’re moving onto the next step or if they denied your application.
Before we move on, do you have a VIPKid referral code? It’s a question on the VIPKid application, and we strongly encourage you to have one. Here’s why. Without a referral code, you don’t have a ‘mentor.’ Your mentor is a current VIPKid teacher that can walk you through the process. Most mentors help new teachers through the complicated interview process and then continue the support through their teaching career.
Referrals receive a small bonus when you teach your first class, so they’re invested in you. Without a referral, you’re at the mercy of VIPKid’s customer service, which often takes 72 hours or longer to answer your questions, and they are little to no help during the application process.
If you don’t have a VIPKid referral code, we strongly urge you to use one. You may use this VIPKid referral code: LINDS1129 and to help you better understand how VIPKid referral codes work, read this VIPKid Referral Program article to help you out with some questions you may have in mind.
VIPKid Smart Demo and Quiz
Once you pass the initial screening, you’ll move onto the quiz and demo portion. Normally (before COVID), you’d have two options:
Because of COVID-19, VIPKid isn’t offering the live demo and interview due to a staff shortage. We’ll still discuss how it works in case they bring it back, though. For now, let’s focus on the smart demo and quiz. You’ll do both on your phone and must download the VIPKid app. Once you have the app, log into your account, and click ‘demo lesson.’ Go through the slides, read the lessons, and watch the videos. This demo lesson takes only a few minutes and then you’re ready for the quiz.
Don’t worry, it’s a short one – only five questions long. The questions pertain to the demo lesson’s material, but in a ‘real-life’ way. You’ll watch videos or listen to a quick audio and answer the questions. You have one minute and 30 seconds to answer each question. After completing the quiz, you’ll teach one slide as a part of the smart demo. VIPKid provides a sample video, we recommend that you watch it as it’s exactly what you’ll do, just with a different word. Your demo is to introduce a new vocabulary word.
You can record the video as many times as necessary. The video itself is only 2 minutes long.
Live Demo and Interview
If you’d rather deal with a ‘live’ person, you may choose the live demo and interview. Essentially, it’s the same thing as the smart demo, just conducted by a live person. The interview isn’t a traditional interview. Basically, you talk about yourself for 2 minutes, talking about your degree, experience with kids, and why you want to teach for VIPKid.
Next, the VIPKid representative will present you with some teaching slides, which you should review. You’ll then create your live demo (you won’t record it). We recommend watching YouTube videos on the live demo before signing up for it.
VIPKid Mock Class
Once you pass your demo, VIPKid requires you to teach a mock class. You have two options – teaching levels 2 & 3, or teaching levels 4 & 5. Consider teaching both mock classes, so you have a higher chance of securing classes but start with the lower class first.
During the mock class, you teach a VIPKid teacher via video chat who acts like a student. You’ll teach a real lesson and receive an evaluation at the end. You’ll receive two lesson curriculums beforehand so that you can prepare and practice. You won’t know which lesson you’re teaching until your mock class, though.
During the lesson you will:
Don’t feel pressured during the mock class; you don’t have to ‘ace’ it to get the job, and the interviewer will give you pointers on what to do better (even if you do well enough to pass). Here are a few of the top tips we’ve received:
If you don’t pass the mock class the first time, you can take it again, and again – as many times as necessary.
Submit Documents and Sign Contract
Once you get through the mock class, you’re through the toughest part of the VIPKid application process. If you use a VIPKid referral code, you should have plenty of help getting you through the process, increasing your chances of passing the first time.
Once you pass, you’ll finalize your position. This includes uploading your:
If you don’t have a teaching certificate, you must complete your TESOL, Teaching English as a Second Language course. It’s a 10-hour course, but most people complete it in much less time. Thankfully, it’s free, and VIPKid provides a nice summary sheet with the answers if you want to take the fast-track.
Finally, you’ll sign your contract and create your profile.
Creating a VIPKid Profile
Once you pass the mock class, your profile is the next most important thing you must do. Your profile is what potential students/families see when choosing a tutor. Make sure you choose a profile picture that makes you look happy and engaging. Remember, parents are choosing a teacher for their child. They aren’t likely to pick someone that looks glum or goofy in their profile picture. Once you choose your picture, you’ll make your profile. Here are some quick tips to make it stand out:
After writing your bio in English, use Google Translate to translate it to Chinese and then back to English. This sounds redundant, but you’ll quickly see if anything sounds awkward or wrong in the reverse translation.
Finally, you’ll create a VIPKid introduction video. You’ll provide the same information you provided in your introduction paragraph, but on video. This gives students and parents a chance to hear and see you. Just like in your bio picture, make sure you’re engaging, happy, and talk about your excitement in working with children.
Bottom Line – Should You Work for VIPKid?
Are you ready to work for VIPKid? It’s a great way to make $15 – $22 an hour helping students in China learn English. Again, we strongly encourage you to use a VIPKid referral code before applying. You’ll get much more support through the process than you would without a mentor. While you can search YouTube for video help, it doesn’t compare to the help a personal mentor provides.
The VIPKid application process is easier than it sounds – it’s just time-consuming. Since COVID-19, the application process takes longer than usual, so have patience as you work through the steps. If you meet their requirements, you’ll be making money tutoring students in China before you know it.
If you don’t have a VIPKid referral code, learn more about how having one can help you through the process here.
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