I applied online through a Facebook link. I received an email almost immediately inviting me to schedule an interview. I conducted some research about the company, and although I had reservations, I scheduled the interview. The interview took place in what appeared to be a call center with someone in Beijing. I was only asked two questions, and the interviewer seemed to be in a hurry. I taught a 10 minute demo lesson to the interviewer who pretended to be a five year-old student. I passed the interview and received limited feedback at the conclusion. The interviewer negotiated an hourly pay rate, leading me to believe I had the job and that the Mock 1 lesson would be for training purposes.
Upon conclusion of the interview, I received email confirmation within minutes that I passed the interview and inviting me to schedule my Mock 1. The email also contained a contract stating the hourly pay that had previously been negotiated. It also contained links to practice material for Mock 1. You are also required to watch six hours worth of videos to prepare to take a 20-question quiz. The quiz is very easy and mostly pertains to company policy and procedure. I believe there was 1 or 2 questions about determining a student's level. It had very little to do with teaching.
Upon completing my Mock 1, I received feedback in an email that was nothing like the feedback I received from the mentor at the end of the lesson. For example, I ran out of time and the mentor told me that was very common during the mocks and that when I started teaching it would become easier. However, the email stated that I talked too fast. Go figure. That's just one example of the inconsistency between the mentor's verbal feedback and the feedback written in the email. The email stated I "rocked Mock 1" but was required to do a Mock 2 for "further training."
I scheduled the Mock 2. The mentor this time was from somewhere in South America. I had previously tested my equipment and internet connection and just like the previous two interviews it was working perfectly. I mention the location of the interviewer because during the Mock 2 there were internet issues, and I don't believe they were on my end. The internet went down twice during the interview, but I remained in the classroom. Eventually, the mentor came back on, and I finished the lesson. I received lots of positive feedback, very little negative. IF the internet issue was on my end (there were bad storms in my area at the time of interview), the mentor was not bothered by it. In fact, she indicated it was common, not to worry. During her feedback, she made several statements such as "....when you start teaching....", leading me to believe I had the job and this was just training as previously stated.
I waited nearly 48 hours before receiving an email that my application was no longer being pursued and that my account was deactivated. No feedback whatsoever.
I regret all of the time, energy, and money spent buying headphones, props, and craft supplies to make other props, just to be rejected after being led to believe I had the job. I did not spend money on these items until after the first interview and that was some of the feedback I received.
VIPKID leads you to believe you have the job by negotiating a pay rate during the initial interview. They even send a written contract; however, this does not mean you have the job. It is very misleading. My advice: don't negotiate a pay rate or send a contract until conclusion of the Mock lessons. Also, do not use phrases such as "when you start teaching" during the feedback process. Try to be consistent in your feedback. What the mentor tells the candidate does not reflect what is in the email.
In researching the company, it appears as though VIPKID does not necessarily value years of experience in classroom teaching. Many have stated that babysitting and teaching swim lessons counted toward their experience. In my opinion, this devalues professionals who have dedicated their lives to classroom teaching. I would also like to add that I have received numerous teaching awards over my 30 year career and have 10+ years experience in online teaching. I just don't believe the company is recruiting seasoned teachers. Note to VIPKID: one does not have to be a twenty-something year-old to exhibit high energy and connect with the kids.
If you are a highly qualified teacher with years of experience, do not waste your time, energy, and resources applying with VIPKID.
