Hi friends!
If you subscribe to my emails or follow me on Instagram you know that I just recently started teaching English with VIPKID! I know a lot of you have questions (just like I did) and are wondering, is VIPKID worth it? Now that I’ve been teaching for a whole month I wanted to share a little about why I chose to work for VIPKID and hopefully answer some of your questions!
So, is VIPKID worth it? Well, the short answer is YES YES YES. But I’ll give you a bit more than that. 😉
Is VIPKID Worth It?
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Why I Decided to Teach With VIPKID
Spending problem vs. Income problem
Back at the end of last year I read a book called More Than Just Making It by Erin Odom. In one of the chapters she talks about looking at your finances and figuring out if you have a spending problem or an income problem. I realized that I always look at our spending and try to cut back (which is good) but let’s be honest, you can only cut back so far. Instead of just looking to cut spending, you should also be looking at how to increase your income.
As you know, I’ve made a little extra money in the past through online transcription work and in a few other ways that I shared in this post here. But reading More Than Just Making It inspired me to look even harder to see what I could do to bring in some income while still being at home with my kids.
Thinking outside the box
Around the same time that I read More Than Just Making It, a blogger friend reached out to me about a product that she sold and asked me to consider selling it.
It was the first time I’d ever seriously considered selling with a multi-level marketing (MLM) company. While I ultimately decided that it wasn’t the right fit for me, opening myself up to even considering the possibility was a big step for me.
Once I decided that that particular company wasn’t a fit for me, I started trying to think of other ways I could make income from home. Was there another MLM company that I should look into (even though I’d always steered clear of them in the past?) I knew I could always get a little online transcription work, but I wanted something more.
Why I’d never considered VIPKID
I’d heard of teaching English online with VIPKID through their ads as well as through several friends over the last couple years, but never really considered teaching with them for a couple reasons.
First, I didn’t think it would work well with the stage of life I’m in. I’m a mom to three little kids. I’m always up at least once in the night with a baby. I just didn’t think the teaching schedule would be possible for me.
Second, I didn’t think our current home would work well for teaching. We have kids sleeping in both bedrooms and don’t have a separate office, den or anything like that for me to use for teaching.
Finally, the thought of teaching online intimidated me. Honestly this is probably the biggest reason that I had never looked into VIPKID.
Stepping outside my comfort zone
So, once I’d made the decision not to pursue selling with an MLM company, I remembered about VIPKID. Despite all my objections, I’d only ever heard rave reviews from friends on Facebook who taught with them, so I decided to ask one of my friends for her referral link and go from there. I figured it can’t hurt to try.
Well guys, stepping out of my comfort zone and signing up to teach English for VIPKID was the BEST decision ever. In case you missed the point I’m getting to, YES, teaching for VIPKID is worth it!
Why I Love Teaching For VIPKID (and why VIPKID is worth it!)
I can choose when to work
When I thought that VIPKID wouldn’t work for me in this stage of life I didn’t realize how flexible the hours are. I can choose when I want to work and I can teach as little or as much as I want!
Right now what’s working well for me is teaching from 6 -7 am every weekday morning as well as a few classes on Friday and/or Saturday evenings. I teach right at our kitchen table with a poster board behind me to create my “classroom” (as you can see in the picture below.)
It’s easy!
Teaching for VIPKID is really easy! All the lessons are provided for you (so no lesson planning, yay!) You don’t need a whole bunch of stuff either – just a computer, a headset/mic, lighting, and some fun props.
It pays well
Teaching for VIPKID pays really well, especially considering you can teach in your pajama pants. 😉 The base pay per 25 minute class is $7-9 (so $14-$18/hour), depending what is offered in your contract. You then make an additional $1 per class when you show up on time, plus $1 more per class if you teach 45 classes or more a month. That brings your pay to $18-$22/hour, and that’s not including other incentives that VIPKID offers each month!
You can also earn a bonus for each teacher that you refer and help to become a teacher themselves. I’m so grateful for my referral teacher and I hope she got a big bonus because she was so helpful to me through the whole process!
Teaching is rewarding
I was nervous about teaching English online but I quickly realized that I love it! The kids are so cute and fun and it’s really rewarding to see their eyes light up as they learn. The other day one of my little students told me “I like you” and I about melted. I love my students!
There’s so much more that I could say about why teaching for VIPKID is worth it but this blog post is probably long enough for now haha. If you have any questions just reach out in the comments and I’ll be happy to get in touch and give you lots more specific information!
For those interested in signing up to teach, I would be honored to be your referral teacher. Just let me know that you used my referral code (REBEK0163) and I’ll do everything that I can to help you through the hiring process and get you teaching ASAP!
I truly think that a lot more people would teach with VIPKID if they realized what an awesome (and easy) job it is! If you’re a VIPKID teacher comment below with something that you love about the job!
As always, thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Are you an email subscriber yet?? Sign up here for my (friendly, non-spammy) emails!
Thanks for sharing your experience! I know a few people who have loved VIPKID teaching as well and I may look into it in the future as I grew up in China and would love to work with Chinese children!
You would definitely love it!! The kids are awesome!
Interesting article. I’ve always wondered about VipKid!
It’s an amazing company to work for!
I thought about working with VipKid, but I’m not sure I’d be able to adjust to the time difference. After reading this post, you’ve sparked my interest. I might consider it.
Yes, the time difference always made me think it wouldn’t work for me. But actually teaching in the morning before my day starts works so well!! I feel so productive haha 🙂
I have really been considering this! I am really glad I found this post. Could you email me more about it? I don’t have a camera or headset yet as I didn’t want to purchase if I thought I would have no chance getting in to teach courses but I am a former high school English teacher and this might be a good way to work while I stay home with my 2 year old. @thebitsofbrit on IG
It would be a great fit for you as a former English teacher! I sent you an email this morning. Be prepared, it’s a bit of a book. 😉
I definitely want to look into this when I am unable to teach piano lessons anymore!
I’m definitely interested in VIP Kid and will use your referral code! Thank you!
Awesome Liz! Feel free to email me ([email protected]) and I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have! I’ve only been teaching for 2 months but it has already been such a blessing for my family!
I completely concur!!! I am getting ready to sign my 6th contract with VIPKid. Yes, you heard that right!! 2.5 years under my belt. It has been a wonderful way to help my family and my students are amazing. They become friends! You can set your schedule and take off when necessary if you plan ahead. If you just wanted to work an hour or all night on Friday or Saturday night, you could do that! As with any job, last minute cancellations are frowned upon but as long as it doesn’t happen too often, you’ll be okay. You can apply and just use your computer’s camera. I would suggest a cheap headset or even earbuds with a microphone instead of using the microphone on your computer. VIPKid is completely legitimate! I have never had a problem being paid. You can even choose to be paid twice a month. I think this is the perfect job for moms at home!!
A year later, do you still enjoy VIPKid? And do you still do transcription work on the side as well?
Yes, I’m still enjoying teaching for VIPkid and my husband has been doing it in the morning before his regular job as well! I’m not doing the transcription work anymore because I can make more per hour with VIPkid.