The VIPKID Application Process

VIPKID changed their application process around October of 2018. Not much has changed. In fact, I think it is a lot less daunting than the previous process. Continue reading below to get a detailed explanation of the entire process. I've even thrown in some tips to help you pass! Let's go!

1. Application Screening

The two main requirements to pass this step is to have a bachelor’s degree and some type of teaching or mentoring experience. Don’t run away just yet! I actually didn’t pass this step when I first applied to VIPKID. I was later informed, that just teaching in a classroom isn’t the only thing that counts. You can include being a camp counselor, babysitting (counts as mentoring), teaching children in church, being a TA, and the list goes on. If you are unsure if your experience counts, leave it in the comments or email me at teacherkirsten.vipkid@gmail.com and I'd be happy to reply!

Once you submit your application, you will immediately know if it passes. It doesn't have to go through a living person because the passing answers are programed into the application. So let's move on!

2. Live or Recorded Interview (aka Demo)

Once your application has passed, you will be in the "Interview" stage. There are two options to choose from when booking an interview. You can do it "live" (over webcam with a real person) or pre-recorded. I did a live interview but there is nothing wrong with recording it. Just pick however you perform your best. I perform better in person with someone, but some people might get too nervous to interview in person, so choose the pre-recorded option! In this option, you can do the demo lesson as many times as you can fit in 30 minutes and they choose the best one when they grade you. The in-person interview consists of meeting the interviewer (a seasoned VIPKID teacher and coach), explaining your background, and teaching a segment of the demo lesson. The demo lesson is about 12 minutes long so the interview usually isn’t more than 30 min. The thing that may throw some people off is, this grown adult pretends to be a 6 year old who doesn’t know much English while you are teaching the demo lesson.

3. Teaching Prep

Congratulations, you passed the interview! In this section, you will learn more about what it’s like being a VIPKID teacher and all of the ins and outs of the job. You will read some material about VIPKID and maybe take a quiz or two. This step is fairly quick and shouldn't cause much anxiety!

4. Interactive Level 2 (and more)

This is where you can certify for interactive level 2. It is very similar to the demo lesson you taught in your interview. You will begin by reading materials and taking a quiz. Then, you will pre-record yourself teaching this lesson as if there was a student on the other end. I believe you get an hour to record in this classroom, so if you mess up and need to start over, you will have time. Make sure you are watching the clock while you teach because staying on time is a huge part of passing! Once you pass Interactive Level 2, you will be able to move onto the next stage. But in order to teach more levels, you will have to get a certificate for each level.

5. Sign contract and start teaching!

This is where you submit your personal information, send a pic of your ID and degree, and sign your contract. Each contract lasts for 6-months so if something comes up during that 6-months and you can’t teach, that’s okay! VIPKID doesn’t have a set minimum or maximum when it comes to teaching classes.

Now are you wondering what to do next? I'm planning on writing a post soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, email me at teacherkirsten.vipkid@gmail.com and I'll get back to you ASAP!

If you are interested in applying, click the link here. If you have already applied, add my referral code "KIRST0052" so I can help you along in your journey.

Happy Teaching!

Kirsten

Ooey Gooey brownie chocolate chip cookies

There is nothing better than dunking a warm cookie into a glass of milk and devouring it. Wait, there is ... dunking two cookies. These cookies are ooey and gooey and stay very soft. They aren't the classic crisp on the outside soft on the inside cookie. Let's just say they are sort of a mix between cookie and brownie!

Let's get to the good stuff!

Ingredients

1 C. flour

1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding (4 serving size pack)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 C. butter, room temp

1/2 C. brown sugar

1 egg

1 egg white

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup nuts, optional

Directions

1. Combine flour, pudding mix, and baking soda in a medium bowl, set aside.

2. Cream together butter and brown sugar in a separate bowl.

3. Add egg and egg white, stirring well between each addition.

4. Gradually beat in flour mixture.

5. Add chocolate chips and nuts, if desired.

6. Roll into golfball sized balls and refrigerate for at least one hour.

7. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

8. Cool on cooling rack for at least 30 minutes before eating.

9. Good luck with step 8.

You may also freeze the dough after step 6 and enjoy raw (not recommended by the FDA) or let them thaw for 30 minutes at room temp and bake them according to step 7!

I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as I do!

Kirsten

5 Things I HATE About VIPKID

You can read the article below or just click on the video to watch 5 Things I HATE About VIPKID. Head to my YouTube Channel for more videos!

Hate is a strong word, but I really really really don't like ... these 5 things about VIPKID:

1. Waking up Early ... really early

The most asked question I get when I tell people I work for VIPKID is, "Don't you have to teach at like 3:00 in the morning? My answer: "Not really, but close."

With VIPKID you get to set your own schedule and work as little or as often as you like. With my time zone, the peak hours are 4:00am - 6:00am. I usually open up my schedule from 5:00-7:00. Sometimes that last slot doesn't get booked, but it usually does.

I wake up at 4:40 every weekday morning. Yes, it's early. Yes, I hate my alarm. Yes, I would love to sleep more. But, there is one reason I keep doing it. I love it!

2. IT Issues During Class

Even people in 9-5 jobs experience IT issues and they are always a pain. Teaching students from across the globe is pretty cool, but it does come with its share of IT issues.

It is pretty frustrating when you have prepared yourself for class, you get into the classroom, and the student can't see the slides or maybe they can't see you or hear you. These are things that we really can't prevent on our end, but good thing there are "firemen" in the classroom that can come in and help fix your problems. Usually IT issues in the classroom are a pretty quick fix. Just move forward and continue teaching the lesson. We've all been there.

3. Not Having a Boss

OK, I get it. I know what you're thinking, "Kirsten, but that's a perk!" Let me tell you, it's not that much of a perk when you get thrown into this and you really have no idea where to start.

"How do I fill my schedule?"

"How do I navigate this teacher's portal?"

That's why I'd say it's important finding someone who is also a VIPKID teacher who could help me your mentor. You can bounce things off each other when you have questions.

I do have to say that the VIPKID website has a lot more resources these days than when I first started, so that's helpful.

And with being my own boss, I have learned to push myself to better meet my goals.

4. Misbehaving Students

So maybe you have this student, let's call him "Sam". Sam likes to bring toys to class. He gets very distracted constantly and has a hard time putting things down and won't pay attention to you.

It happens. It's okay. If a student doesn't acknowledge you or respond to you (and there are no IT errors) then you can always call the "fireman" and they will call the parent's cell phone to let them know the student is misbehaving and needs extra help.

This is a very extreme example. A lot of times you may have a student distracted for 30 seconds, but you can bring their attention back to the lesson and continue with it.

The key is knowing how to deal with it. Every student is different. Some students might respond to being called out. Other students might need a break to talk about something that interests them. And then some students might just need a more engaging reward system.

PRO TIP: If you have to call a student out on coloring during the lesson, make sure they aren't just taking notes... OOPS!

5. Cancellation Rules

To break it down there are two different types of teacher cancellations:

>24 hours before class begins

24 hours or less before class begins

They both show up as cancellations but you don't get a payment deduction if you cancel a class before 24 hours before the start of that class.

It is annoying losing money when you wake up sick and it is out of your control. It would be more annoying if teachers were able to cancel whenever they would like without penalty.

Alright folks that is all I have for "The 5 Things I HATE About VIPKID". I hope you found these useful. Please comment on this post or email me with comments/questions. You can always contact me at teacherkirsten.vipkid@gmail.com and I'm happy to respond!

If you are interested in applying, click the link here. If you have already applied, add my referral code "KIRST0052" so I can help you along in your journey.

Happy Teaching!

Kirsten