Looking for a new, fun, easy, and super flexible way to pursue your passion for teaching? Interested in making cross-cultural connections and a little extra cash along the way? We talked with three teachers who work for the online ESL teaching program Qkids. Check out their stories, and who knows? You may find yourself working in a virtual classroom in the very near future too.
What exactly is Qkids?
Qkids is an interactive learning platform that connects North American English teachers with over 600,000 Chinese students from ages 4 to 12 years old. Using a narrative game-based curriculum, teachers guide students through fun and dynamic learning experiences while in the comfort of their own homes. Qkids’ unique patented platform is user-friendly and engaging for teachers and students alike.
Each lesson is 30 minutes long and pairs you with 1–4 learners. You can teach anywhere from a minimum of six hours to up to 19 hours a week and can choose time slots from early morning classes seven days a week or evening classes on Friday and Saturday.
Who would be a good match for the job?
Qkids is a great fit for teachers who either need a change of pace or are seeking extra income. It’s also perfect for stay-at-home moms, recent college grads, retirees, or, really, anyone with a passion for teaching. “The job is so flexible,” teacher William Bermudez tells us. “You get to pick which days and which allotted time slots work best for you.” All you need is a BA and plans to acquire a TEFL/TESOL certification prior to starting.
Krista Norrid agrees. “I love having my work done early so the rest of the day is open. Also, I can travel and still work my hours wherever I am.”
Is the curriculum and software easy to use?
The Qkids curriculum and software are very user-friendly and designed to set you up for success. “Each lesson has a learning objective, and each slide in the lesson guides you through,” Norrid explains. “So once you get the knack of how it flows, it’s not difficult at all. After you have some practice with the tools in the program, you figure out quickly how each tool will work for you and how YOU want to use it. Learning how to pace yourself might be the trickiest part, in my opinion.”
Bermudez compares the software to a virtual whiteboard. “You have standard tools, such as a highlighter, a text box, stickers, and markers for free-drawing,” he tells us. “But the curriculum is developed so none of that is essential. All of the tools are extras to help develop your unique teaching style! Every lesson has all of the sections set up already, and your job is to guide students through the modules, which include fun interactive games like bingo, crosswords, card games, and more.”
Is there a learning curve?
“For someone who has no previous teaching experience, perhaps. It takes time, practice, and some finesse to manage an online classroom, and a person with teaching experience might find that easier. However, Qkids does have resources for teachers to help them adjust and improve their skills. The same with the technological aspect. If you are comfortable and competent with basic technology, the software is easy to navigate. It takes practice, but it is fairly straightforward,” says teacher Susan Mosher.
What is the training process like?
You begin with video demonstrations of the games and techniques designed to help you master the software. Then, you have an individual session with a trainer who teaches you and answers your questions. Finally, you have another session with an instructor who acts as a student while you to teach, and after provides helpful feedback. From there, you engage in real classes with actual students, and your coach provides support and advice.
“The training and class trials process that Qkids has in place is very appropriate, giving a new hire plenty of opportunity to learn the software, ask the questions they have, and become comfortable in a practice classroom before they go live,” Mosher says.
What about ongoing support?
After training, each teacher is connected with a coach who provides feedback and is available for guidance. There is also a comprehensive training segment built into the portal for reference and teacher development. “I still go back to the training modules and videos and review them from time to time to make sure I’m doing the games and activities correctly,” Norrid tells us.
“The staff [are] awesome—helpful, supportive, and friendly. I feel like I’m part of a family,” Mosher says. “I feel very connected with and understood by the Qkids staff, even though they are on the other side of the world. They’re understanding, accommodating, and extremely supportive. They not only work very hard to keep the software relevant and exciting for the students, but they also keep the teachers informed and offer training resources and coaching when needed. Wheels are always turning to stay on top of the latest in technology as well as pedagogy.”
How easy is it to apply?
The application process is very straightforward. Simply go to the Qkids website and enter basic contact information, including your availability for classes. You will then upload a résumé and a one- to two-minute demo video in which you introduce yourself and share your educational background and any experience you have teaching or working with kids. In your demo you will also tell or read a children’s story.
Any insider tips for getting the job?
According to William Bermudez, the most important part of the application, by far, is the video. “Make sure you follow all instructions, especially the time requirement,” he advises. “In your video, you’ll be asked to read a children’s story. Instead of just reading, make the story come alive through your words and body language. If you can tell a story with expression, enthusiasm, and body language, I can almost guarantee you’ll pass the initial application.”
How is the pay relative to the workload?
Base pay is $8 per 30-minute lesson plus potential attendance and performance bonuses of $1 each. With full bonuses, the pay is $10 per lesson, or $20 per hour. “Which is pretty good, considering you log on, teach, then log off. It can’t get much simpler. No lesson planning other than reviewing the upcoming lessons, no filling out feedback for each student, no dealing with parents. It’s so easy!” Norrid says.
What is the best part of the job?
When Susan Mosher transitioned from classroom teaching to a position in research and consulting, she realized she really missed one thing about her former career: the children. She tells us, “I heard about Qkids and figured I’d try it for a while to see if it eased my need-to-teach bug. Now I can’t imagine my week without it! Each morning, I look forward to starting my day teaching with Qkids, and I am not even a morning person! The students are adorable and eager to learn.”
For Krista Norrid, there’s something fresh about the experience of being a Qkids teacher. She tells us, “Each day is unique. Every student and class are unique. I love being able to use my skills to teach a lesson and have fun at the same time. I get to be part of a child’s life that is halfway across the world and learn about Chinese culture and share things about my culture. That’s cool!”
William Bermudez describes the experience as liberating. “Sure, you are required to master a new software and follow the curriculum, but everything else that happens between you and your students within your virtual classroom? That’s you. That’s your teaching style, your magic. I love that Qkids helps you develop and grow your own teaching style.”
Yes! I Want to Learn More About Teacher Life With Qkids!
FAQs
Is Qkids good to work for? ›
Fun and flexible
Love working with the kids and their families. The staff is great and very approachable and flexible. Great work environment plus, remote. Would recommend.
We are CLOSING 'The Qkids', 'The Qkids Theory', 'Game of Qkids', and 'Qkids Cafe: A Supplementary Group on Teaching/Learning' Facebook groups on 31 Jan 2021. Please be sure to request membership and join 'House of Qkids' and/or 'Qkids Official: Newbie Support and Mentorship'.
Is qkids still hiring 2022? ›This company is no longer hiring online teachers due to recent changes in China. However, you can choose to look at the helpful links below instead: List of Non-Chinese Online ESL Companies – featuring companies such as, Cambly.
How much do you make with Qkids? ›How Much Do Qkids Teachers Make? Qkids teachers earn between $16 – 20 per hour. The majority of teachers don't make less than $18 per hour and many consistently earn $20 per hour.
Does Qkids hire everyone? ›Unfortunately, Qkids is not for everyone. They place a strong focus on students learning American English, and therefore, only hire North American teachers. If you're lucky enough to reside within the U.S and Canada, Qkids is a great company to work for, offering a stable work-from-home opportunity.
Is Qkids a Chinese company? ›Xiamen, China
Founded in 2015, Qkids has become a national leader in cross-cultural online learning and established offices in Shenzhen, Xiamen, Guangzhou, and Beijing. The company has completed its Series B financing round led by IDG Capital and is poised to build lasting growth across the world.
By Emily Tate Sullivan Oct 11, 2022
But the “double reduction” policy announced last summer by the Chinese government prohibited live education classes between Chinese students and foreign educators, forcing VIPKid, along with its many peers in the industry, to collapse or adapt.
VIPKid gives teachers the potential to make more money than Qkids. Qkids only offers a maximum of 38 classes per teacher per week, whereas with VIPKid you have the opportunity to teach more classes, resulting in more money. At VIPKID, you can teach as many or as little classes as you choose to.
What is the best ESL online company to work for? ›- Open English Junior. ...
- Preply. ...
- Hallo. ...
- Learnlight. ...
- Lyngo. ...
- Skyeng Talks. ...
- SkimaTalk. ...
- italki. Another popular online ESL marketplace is italki, where teachers get hired based on their qualifications and introduction video.
How soon can I expect to hear from Qkids after I apply? If your application materials pass our preliminary screening, you will be contacted within 3 business days for further steps.
Where is Qkids located? ›
Founded in 2015, Qkids has become a national leader in cross-cultural online learning and established offices in Shenzhen, Xiamen, Guangzhou, and Beijing.
Do you need a TEFL for Qkids? ›Qkids Requirements
A minimum 120-hour teaching certificate, such as TESOL or TEFL (get one here for only $19).
With Qkids, you'll have the option to teach a maximum of 38 classes per week (approximately 19 hours total).
How much can you realistically make with VIPKid? ›Since classes are 25-minutes each, you can earn the equivalent of $14-18 per hour plus incentives (see next). From teaching more classes to referrals, there are lots of opportunities to earn extra. In general, with incentives, a teacher can earn the equivalent of $14-22 per hour with VIPKid.
Does Qkids require a degree? ›But, that's just the way it is. Qkids requires their teachers have earned (at minimum) a Bachelor's Degree, in any subject.
Is it hard to be hired by VIPKid? ›VIPKID is admittedly strict when it comes to their teacher requirements – while you might see some of their competitors hiring blindly and without defined criteria, VIPKID has earned the reputation of being very thorough and hands-on with their screening process and has requirements for everything from a teacher's ...
How many hours a week do you work for VIPKid? ›What Hours Do You Work with VIPKID? VIPKID targets Chinese students and teachers should expect to work from 9am-9pm Beijing time. There is no maximum or minimum number of hours you can teach but demand does decrease outside of the peak hours between 6pm-9pm.
Is working for VIPKid worth it? ›VIPKid is a great place to work if you need flexibility in your schedule. They paid on time. You must be able to meet the technology requirements and can never be late. This was stressful at times, when I had internet issues.
Can I teach English online without a degree? ›Yes, you can teach English online without a degree! While some of the major online teaching companies require a degree, there are many that don't. A TEFL certification can provide you with the training and qualifications that you need to get a job teaching English online.
Did GoGoKid close? ›GoGoKid, the online tutoring platform that Whitehead contracts with to supplement her family's income and help make ends meet, was shutting down immediately. She checked her email, hoping the mother had misunderstood, and found a message from the company confirming its demise.
Is VIPKid an MLM? ›
VIPKID is truly just an online English teaching company for young kids; it's not even close to an MLM. Some confuse it with an MLM because VIPKID awards referral bonuses. If you help another teacher start teaching with VIPKID, you'll receive a one-time bonus.
Does VIPKid report to IRS? ›VIPKID will provide a Form 1099 MISC in time for the next US tax filing season. It will include details about services provided to VIPKID, and payments made by VIPKID for the previous taxable year. This means it will be simpler for the IRS to determine how much tax you owe based on your individual situation.
Is China shutting down online teaching? ›At least 25 large Chinese online education firms closed up shop in 2021 after the government banned for-profit private tutoring, according to data compiled by Chinese research firm 100EC.
Can you still teach English in China online? ›Online teaching jobs China
There are essentially two ways to teach English online to Chinese students. Firstly, you can teach remotely from your own home country, or anywhere else you happen to be. Secondly, you can live and teach in China, working for one of the country's best schools.
VIPKid Global is still hiring, though they have fewer students since transitioning away from China into new international markets.
How much does Magic Ears pay? ›Magic Ears Base Pay. Magic Ears teachers earn up to $10 base pay per class ($20/hr) on their first contract. In order to qualify for a higher rate, you must: Taught 3,000 online classes with other online English teaching companies*
What is Magic Ears base pay? ›The base pay at Magic Ears is $8 to $10 USD per 30 minutes (25 minute class + 5 minutes to record student feedback). Your base pay is determined by your teaching credentials and experience.
What is high salary for ESL? ›Generally speaking, the highest-paid ESL teaching salaries globally are found in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the two biggest cities in the UAE. Salary packages for teachers in the United Arab Emirates can range between $3,500-$5,500 (12,300-22,000 AED) per month, depending on experience.
What are the highest paying ESL jobs? ›The highest-paid ESL teaching jobs abroad tend to be paid by countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). English teaching jobs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai pay particularly well, and teachers can expect to earn between $2,000 - $5,000 USD per month, tax-free.
Which online teaching platform pays most? ›- Magic Ears.
- Preply.
- VIPKid.
- Lingoda.
- SayABC.
- Qkids.
- DadaABC.
- Cambly.
How do you become a hard of hearing teacher? ›
To become a teacher of the deaf, you need a bachelor's degree, often in special education. You must also complete your state teaching license and certification requirements, which may include additional licensing in special education.
What hours do you teach magic Ears? ›To work with most kids' school schedule, Magic Ears has teaching hours from 5pm to 9pm (Beijing Time) Monday through Friday. What is this? Saturdays and Sundays are wide open (9am to 9pm Beijing Time) considering the students will be at home and can take classes anytime during the day.
What is magic Ears teacher? ›Magic Ears is a cutting-edge online English language learning tool for students aged 4 to 12. Their objective is to provide every child with a worldwide classroom experience and the best online job opportunity for teachers, with a strong focus on the long-term.
How much can you make a month with magic ears? ›As of Feb 2, 2023, the average monthly pay for a Work From Home Magic Ears in the United States is $4,874 a month.
Which online English teaching platform is best? ›It depends on your qualifications, but right now the best options are Preply, Cambly, and Italki because you can work remotely and you set the pay rate. There are lots of online teaching jobs out there, but if you want to teach English online, you need to make sure you're going with a reputable company.
What are VIPKid peak hours? ›The best chance to get booked is Peak Peak Time (PPT) 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (EDT).
Is it hard to get hired by VIPKid? ›VIPKID is admittedly strict when it comes to their teacher requirements – while you might see some of their competitors hiring blindly and without defined criteria, VIPKID has earned the reputation of being very thorough and hands-on with their screening process and has requirements for everything from a teacher's ...