How to get hired at VIPTeacher: a current teacher's guide

By Teacher Ken · Facts last verified September 29, 2026

I'm Teacher Ken. I've taught English online with VIPKid (now VIPTeacher) since January 2019: more than 7,000 classes with over 1,000 students. I still enjoy it: the one-on-one time with students, watching them progress, and the freedom to choose my own hours.

This guide covers what VIPTeacher asks for, how hiring works, and what the pay looks like according to VIPTeacher's own pages. It's one teacher's view, not an official VIPTeacher page.

Who can apply to VIPTeacher?

Native English speakers from the U.S. or Canada with a 4-year bachelor's degree.

• Degree: A 4-year (bachelor's) degree is required. It can be in any field or major, and degrees from outside the U.S. and Canada are accepted.
• Work eligibility: You must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada.
• Experience: VIPTeacher recommends at least two years of experience in teaching, tutoring, coaching, or mentoring.
• Location: What counts is the mailing address you list, not where you teach from. VIPTeacher doesn't accept applicants with an address in California, Connecticut, New York, Washington State, or Washington, D.C. If your address is in another state, for example Texas, you can still teach while you're abroad.
• Also helpful: VIPTeacher's "ideal referrals" include teaching certification (e.g. TEFL/TESOL) and a passion for working with students.

Not sure you qualify? VIPTeacher's referral page says to apply anyway and let their recruiting team assess your fit.

What are the VIPTeacher hiring steps?

There are 8 stages, from registration to your first class. Here's what happens at each one (stage names are VIPTeacher's own):

1. Complete registrationYou create your VIPTeacher account, using a referral link or code if you have one.
2. QualifiedVIPTeacher reviews your application against the basic requirements.
3. Book the interviewYou schedule your teaching demo interview.
4. Pass the interviewYou teach your demo lesson and pass.
5. Materials checkYou upload your profile photo, a short intro video, your bio and ID, your degree document, and your teaching credentials, and VIPTeacher reviews them.
6. Contract signedYou sign your teaching contract.
7. Certificate & open slotsVIPTeacher verifies your certificate, and you open time slots so students can book you.
8. First class finishedYou teach your first class.

How long does it take to get hired?

VIPTeacher gives two different answers, so plan on anything from a few days to a few weeks. VIPTeacher's application page says most applicants take 2 to 3 weeks from sign-up to becoming a teacher. VIPTeacher's referral page describes onboarding as taking days, not weeks.

When I applied in 2019, it took me about 3 weeks from sign-up to my first class. In my experience the usual slowdowns are scheduling your mock class, waiting for the background check, and finishing required certifications. To move faster: book as soon as slots open, have your degree and ID scanned and ready to upload, and practice your demo with a timer.

What is the VIPTeacher demo lesson like?

VIPTeacher's application page lists two steps: record a short demo lesson (it says it tells you what to expect and how to prepare), then teach a mock class one-on-one with a teacher mentor.

In 2019 I taught a live 25-minute mock class, with a mentor playing the student and lesson slides VIPTeacher provided beforehand. I didn't pass my first mock class. I passed on my second try.

After my first attempt, the mentor told me I needed more TPR and needed to get more comfortable with the interactive teaching platform. Both are easy to practise before your demo: rehearse the gestures out loud, and click through the classroom tools until you can use them without thinking.

Setup that works

• Camera and light: a clear webcam with bright, even light on your face.
• Background: tidy and education-friendly, such as a map, alphabet letters, or your name on a board.
• Sound: a reliable headset with a microphone.
• Props: simple ones, like a puppet, a small whiteboard, and a reward system (stars or tokens).

What helps you pass

High energy, TPR (gestures that show meaning), slow and clear speech, lots of praise, and guiding the student to fix their own mistakes.

My top 4 tips for your demo

1. Speak slowly and clearly. Don't rush your words.
2. Use a timer. Don't spend too long on any one slide.
3. Use TPR and props to show meaning without overcomplicating it.
4. Smile and praise a lot. Keep your energy high and celebrate small wins.

Do you need a TEFL certificate for VIPTeacher?

VIPTeacher lists teaching certification (e.g. TEFL/TESOL) among its "ideal referrals", and the certificate is verified at the "Certificate & open slots" stage. At the "Materials check" stage VIPTeacher also asks for your teaching credentials.

I got my 120-hour TEFL certificate in 2019, before I applied, and VIPTeacher accepted it without question.

That's one teacher's experience, not a guarantee of what VIPTeacher will accept from you. If you still need a certificate, compare budget TEFL options here.

How much does VIPTeacher pay?

VIPTeacher says teachers earn $14–$22 an hour, or $15.60–$28.40 an hour including incentives. That's VIPTeacher's own published figure, not a promise of what you'll make.

• You're paid per class, so your earnings depend on how many classes you teach. In my experience, everyone starts at the same base rate: $7 per 25-minute class.
• You choose weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly pay, by bank transfer or PayPal.
• You're an independent contractor. VIPTeacher doesn't withhold taxes, and you fill in a W-9 before signing.
• Contracts run for 6 months.

What's it like teaching on VIPTeacher?

What I like most after 7,000+ classes:

• Students: one-on-one classes with kids of different ages and levels, cultural exchange, and seeing real progress.
• Flexibility: I choose how many hours I teach, and I can teach more when I want to earn more.
• Ready-made lessons: materials and a structured curriculum are provided, with clear guidelines on teaching style.
• Support: a technical support team, training, and a community of other teachers.
• Practical: just a computer and internet, no commute, teaching from my own space, a relaxed dress code, and 6-month contracts that are easy to renew.
• Reliable pay: a regular payment schedule, with bonuses possible for consistent performance.
• Balance: time for family, personal projects, and travel, and less burnout than traditional teaching.

Can you teach on VIPTeacher as a digital nomad or expat?

Yes. VIPTeacher's requirements page says you can teach from almost anywhere in the world as long as you meet its basic requirements. What counts is the mailing address you list, not where you teach from. Peak hours follow Beijing evenings, which land at comfortable times in much of the world.

• Internet: VIPTeacher's technical requirements page recommends a wired connection of at least 25 Mb/s, and a portable hotspot and backup power supply, especially when you travel.
• Work eligibility: You must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada. If you're a U.S. teacher, you fill in a W-9. Living abroad can affect your taxes, so check with a tax professional.

What are the downsides?

It takes time to get booked, the hours are early in North America, missed classes are costly, and your tech has to be reliable.

• Getting booked takes time. It took me about 2 months to get a steady stream of students, with my peak-time slots consistently filled. You're paid per class, so expect lower earnings at first.
• Early hours in North America. Peak times follow Beijing time. I teach Monday to Friday, 5–9 PM Beijing time. That's 5–9 AM U.S. Eastern in summer (4–8 AM in winter) and 2–6 AM Pacific. When I teach weekends, it's Saturday 8 AM–noon and Sunday 5–9 PM Beijing time, which is Friday evening and early Sunday morning in the U.S.
• Missing classes is costly. Cancelling at short notice or not showing up means no pay for that class and counts against a limit in your contract, so only open slots you're sure you can teach. Cancelling well ahead avoids the pay penalty.
• Your tech has to be reliable. You teach in VIPTeacher's app on a Windows computer or Mac; Chromebooks and Linux aren't supported. VIPTeacher recommends a wired connection of at least 25 Mb/s, a headset, and a backup power supply and mobile hotspot.
• Taxes are on you. You're an independent contractor, so set money aside for taxes.
• Terms can change. Pay, rules, and eligibility are set by VIPTeacher and have changed before.

FAQ

Sources

• https://www.vipkid.com/teach/teacher-requirements
• https://www.vipkid.com/teach/application-process
• VIPTeacher referral page (teacher portal)
• https://www.vipkid.com/teach/teacher-pay
• https://case.fiu.edu/opportunities/faculty-staff/_assets/vipteacher-recruitment-faq-for-new-educators.pdf
• https://www.vipkid.com/teach/technical-requirements

Last verified: September 29, 2026