Last month, I celebrated one year of working with VIPKID! 13 months in, I still feel like I landed my dream job! Below, you will find a quick explanation of what our company is, a series of highlights from my job, and why you, too, should join VIPKID.
VIPKID is a Chinese company that hires teachers to teach ESL to students. Though it originally started in China, we employ teachers all over the world (more than 40,000 presently!). We also have young participants from other countries. Most of us work part-time, earning anywhere between $14-$22 an hour with added incentives (for showing up on time and ending class on time, etc).
Though I was originally hired to teach one-on-one, the other opportunities I was given were nothing short of life-changing! Through our company, I applied for the Jack Ma Project, a sister organization that helps bring educational resources to the rural areas of China. With VIPKID, most of our students live in large cities and have access to technological resources. Some of the pupils in our rural projects live in mountainous areas and walk a couple of hours to get to school (see video of my precious Jack Ma students below).
Our community and leaders are constantly working to improve the experience on both ends, for the educators and the educated. Occasionally we are sent updates that include new ways to work for the company. I seized one months into being employed, and my husband and I went on to make a series of educational videos for VIPKID. I enjoy teaching, my husband likes filming, and we were paid to boot!
The bonds I have formed with my students and their parents is a pleasant surprise. I was not sure how that was going to work with the distance. As it turns out, certain themes, like love, are universal. Bonuses have included: international friendships for my children, my multitalented students making great connections, and the use of fun props (see photos).
If you are interested in applying for VIPKID, please click here (requirements are a 4-year degree in any field and teaching experience). I have successfully referred 7 other teachers and would love to add you to the list! Come help us, “change lives without uprooting your own.”