How to Teach English Online for VIPKID – Up to $2,000/mo. Part-time
Unfortunately this job no longer exists. China issued new regulations for online teaching companies as part of a national crackdown on ‘after-school classes’. For a full breakdown on what happened and companies that can still do this check this article out here.
Best Online English Teaching Job
Do you want to Teach English Online, have a flexible schedule and make a positive difference?
Consider VIPKID. You can make $2,000 a month from home for just 3 hours a day teaching children in China English as a second language. The typical pay ranges from $14-$22 per hour for children 4-12 years old.
Forbes ranked VIPKID as #1 of their “Top 100 Work From Home Companies” and is also considered as the best Home-Based Online English Teaching jobs. It’s in my list of the top 20 stay at home mom jobs.
If you find that teaching English online is not right for you, you’ll definitely have to check out other ways to make money from home from people who are doing it today.
I had the pleasure to interview stay-at-home mom, Brittney Sutton. She currently works for VIPKID and was kind enough to share with us her experience and daily routine. Check out our conversation below and decide if this could be a good fit for you.
Related Article: Work from Home Teaching/Tutoring up to $60/hr.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
Here’s How you can Teach English Online
How long have you worked for VIPKID?
I am currently on my 2nd contract. (VIPKID signs 6-month contracts with applicants who pass their screening process. You’ll need to inform VIPKID 2 weeks in advance if you want to take time off during your contract).
What are the Job Requirements?
You must have a Bachelor’s degree (in any field), be eligible to work in the US or Canada, and have at least one year of experience with children (Mentoring, children’s church, etc. are acceptable forms of teaching experience).
Whitney Here: Magic Ears, Qkids, and EF Teach Online are very similar to VIPKID, I discuss them here.
Can you describe your interview process?
The interview process does change its format, but when I interviewed there was a live interview in a “Skype” type format, then a quiz and 2 mock classes. Of course, all of these steps only take place if you pass the application stage.
Can You Describe What You Do?
I teach English online to children in China. It is a 1-on-1 format, and each class is 25 minutes long.
See how cool she decorated her teaching area below.
How Can you Book Classes as a Newbie?
You open slots that work with your schedule and hope that your bio and intro video is appealing.
What Was Your Income the First Month and What is Your Current Salary?
The first month I received a check right under $700. Now I make between $1200-$1700 on a regular basis.
How often are you Paid?
We get paid monthly
Can You Set Your Own Schedule? What is your Schedule?
I typically work from 6-8am Monday through Friday and 7-11pm Friday and Saturday but you choose your own hours. Each one-on-one session is 25 minutes long.
Is the Work Steady?
For me, the work has been very steady. Even after I took off a week for a trip to Disney, I came back to a fully booked schedule.
Would you Recommend this Job to Moms Who Want to Stay at Home?
This is absolutely the BEST stay at home mom job.
What are the Pros of this job?
You get to set your own schedule. You are an independent contractor. You can teach in your pajamas. You can work as little or as much as you want. The lesson is planned out for you. The money is good. The joy you get from the students makes it all worth it.
Related: 15 of the Best Summer Jobs for Teachers
What are the Cons of this job?
Biggest con for me is that I cannot teach during the day while my kids are at school. So I just get up and teach before they wake up, and on weekends, I usually teach after they are asleep.
How Many Children Do You Have and What Are Their Ages?
I have a 21-year-old daughter who works in Disney World. I have a 17-year-old son and a 9-year-old son.
How Do You Manage Your Time and Raise your Children?
I am completely blessed with how well this job works with my family. My husband is a big support.
Can You Teach the Students If You’re Not at Home?
You can teach anywhere you can get on the internet.
Does the Company Provide Benefits?
The benefit is how good you feel, but that is all.
Important Note:
Your interview and experience are what determine your level of pay, so it’s important to be coached. Brittney Sutton is kind enough to offer her help, but you must use her referral link here when you apply first and then email her at [email protected].
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Questions, comments? Put them in the comments section, we’d love to hear from you!
What hours are available for teaching? I have conflicts with extremely early morning hours. Does this make me ineligible for working with VIPKID
You can work 9:30 p.m.-Midnight, 11 p.m.-1 a.m., 4-7 a.m. Hopefully these hours will work for you. You choose which hours you want to work.
I would like to find out more about the application process.
I also need to know what you need to have in preparation for the interview.
Here is a good article that will show you the info you’re looking for https://www.myvipkidjourney.com/vipkid-hiring-proccess
I have teaching experience and a Masters Degree in education. However I don’t have any experience using Skype and no experience how teaching on Skype work. I am looking for someone who already works with VIP kids to give me a couple of couching sessions on using Skype and how Skpye works with teaching. Also prepare me somewhat better for the job interview.
Hi Melissa, I reached out to Brittney who I interviewed for this post and she will be reaching out to you. I wish you all the best!
What determines your pay per hour?
Your interview and experience. Which is why it’s important to be coached going into the interview. To be coached you can email Brittney Sutton at [email protected] but you’ll have to apply first using her referral link and then she will help you http://t.vipkid.com.cn?refersourceid=e01&refereeId=3252045
I am disabled. But I never had any children. I would love to do this. ?
Having children doesn’t matter for this job, you should definitely apply! Check out the other online teaching/tutoring jobs here https://triedandtruemomjobs.com/how-to-make-money-from-home-teaching-or-tutoring/
Do you have to have the bachelors degree for this job?
Yes, but QKids is very similar to VIPKID and they don’t require a degree. You can check them out here https://triedandtruemomjobs.com/how-to-make-money-from-home-teaching-or-tutoring/
Can I apply for the job if im living in South Africa ?
I think they are only currently hiring in the United States and Canada.
No, just US and Canadian citizens. There are many teachers who are living elsewhere in the world! It’s the accent they are after…..(on my 6th contract with VIPKID 🙂 )
Hi,
Great article. Is there another company like this? I grew up in the states, definitely have an American accent, I could get a job in the states if I wanted to, I have a Bachelor’s Degree but I live in South Africa.
From what I read in the article and comments VIPkids may not be for me.
Yes, here is a list of other companies I recommend with teaching English as a second language https://triedandtruemomjobs.com/how-to-make-money-from-home-teaching-or-tutoring/
I have experience in working/teaching kids from 4-11 years old.. But I do not have my bachelors, I just moved to FL with my 1 year old daughter and is looking for a at home job. Teaching/Tutoring is something I enjoy doing. I want to know do you have to have your BA in order to become a tutor ?
I am currently enrolling in college by the way.
Yes, I believe you have to as that is one of their requirements.
Ok, thank you
This sounds like a great opportunity for me as I will be getting my bachelor degree in English this May. I see you have to make a contract for a set schedule for 6 months, but are there chances to “pick up extra hours” outside of your normal hours?
There are no set schedules. Teachers sign a contract for 6 months but they can open as many or as few slots as they like.
can i teach different language?
No, just English
Do you have to know Chinese to start off?
No, you do not.
You don’t need to know or speak any Chinese. Please apply
https://t.vipkid.com.cn/mkt/landing/personal?referralToken=203e8ca84a55217c0e27d8067ac9fdc0&refereeId=3252045
What are the requirements and tools needed to teach online?
You’ll need to be a current resident of the US or Canada, “formal” or “informal” teaching experience such as mentoring, tutoring, coaching, or alternative education, and have a Bachelor’s degree in any field. You’ll also need a working desktop or laptop with high-speed internet that can handle both video and audio.
Though I don’t have a Bachelor’s degree. I do have eleven kids of my own and I’ve been homeschooling them for the past 24 yrs. Two of them went on to college and the eldest has her own business. Do I qualify?
Unfortunately no, even though I think you are more than qualified. I wish it were up to me :-/
What is the teaching experience needed. I have a Bachelors in English literature and I taught CCD years ago to children who had challenges. What type of teaching would qualify?
General teaching experience, it could be anything like mentoring kids and being an actual teacher is a plus!
Yes that would be accepted. Please apply.
https://t.vipkid.com.cn/mkt/landing/personal?referralToken=203e8ca84a55217c0e27d8067ac9fdc0&refereeId=3252045
Hello/Hola. I’m looking to find out if there is a program teaching in Spanish. I’m fluent in both languages. Also, how does one receive payment and can one request it be by PayPal? Thank you.
Payment for VIPKID is through direct deposit. VIPKID from what I know is only interested in teaching kids in China English. I’m not currently aware of any programs hiring teaching in Spanish but if I come across some I will let you know.
Hello!
Do they provide all the materials such as the name tags and maps you have hanging on the walls or are those all paid for out of your own pocket?
They provide you with the lessons but props are optional and at your discretion. So yes, you would be paying for those things yourself.
Hello!
I’m a SAHM and really looking forward for this type of job. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Restaurant and Management but I accomplished it from not a foreign country. Although, I’m living now in US for about 4 years. Would my degree will be accepted? Will they only accept fluent in English with an american accent? Do they only accept the ones who have experience with children in teaching?
A bachelor’s degree is required, from where I don’t believe matters but you’ll want to verify with them. Also, I’m not certain on the accent but I recommend applying and consider also applying to these other companies that teach children in China English https://triedandtruemomjobs.com/how-to-make-money-from-home-teaching-or-tutoring/
Hello, I was just wondering what would qualify as informal teaching experience? I have my Bachelors degree in fine arts, I’m a mother of an almost three year old ( so am comfortable working with children and helping them learn), however, I lack formal teaching experience. I’d love to know what other experience is acceptable so I can adequately prepare before I interview. Thank you in advance.
Mentoring, children’s church, tutoring are all acceptable
YES please do apply!
https://t.vipkid.com.cn/mkt/landing/personal?referralToken=203e8ca84a55217c0e27d8067ac9fdc0&refereeId=3252045
Hello! I’m Mimi. I am from Texas and living in Spain currently. I would love to do this at home. I have been teaching English here in Spain for the last 6 years from a Language Academy and now full time with my private students. I have 2 Bachelor’s degree from Texas and a U.S. citizen. My question is that even though I am currently living here, can I still qualify to teach for VIPKIDS? This is a very interesting and wonderful opportunity.
Thank you very much.
I definitely believe so, that’s the beauty of this job…You can work anywhere.
Yes you can work from anywhere. Use this link to apply and email me if you have any questions. continues to do well in class.
https://t.vipkid.com.cn/mkt/landing/personal?referralToken=203e8ca84a55217c0e27d8067ac9fdc0&refereeId=3252045
I have a question can i tutor if i do not have a bachelor’s degree? I only have an associate’s degree.
Unfortunately you’ll have to have a bachelors degree according to their guidelines
CAN I WORK FROM CURAÇAO TOO?
Unfortunately I don’t think so according to their rules