OiKID Review Summary

OiKID considers Native and Non-Native Speakers with neutral accents and Bachelor’s degrees. The application process is simple, they provide teaching materials and paid training, and don’t require TEFL/TESOL. Pay is less attractive for Native teachers, however, as is the lack of incentives and their transfer fees.

OiKID Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Non-Native Speakers with a neutral accent can apply
• No TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate required
• Paid training
• Lesson plans and teaching materials provided
• Relatively simple application process

Cons:

• Fairly low pay for Native Speakers
• Lack of bonuses/incentives
• Teachers must pay bank transfer fees on their salary
• Bookings are made by the students/parents (who can cancel any time), not allocated by the company

Is OiKID Legit?

OiKID is a legitimate ESL company, founded in 2016 and based in Taipei. They deliver online English classes to children of 3-15 years, primarily from China and Taiwan. The name OiKID (pronounced ‘O-I-Kid’) means ‘I love kids’ when spoken aloud in Chinese.

OiKID Salary / Pay

OiKID pays between US$4-6 for each 25-minute class, meaning you can earn $8-12 per hour.

OiKID payments are made via bank transfer, for which the teacher pays the transfer fees.

OiKID contracts are open-ended as they ‘expect a long-term partnership with teachers’. Reasons for termination include too many late arrivals, indecent behavior in class (including inappropriate language), and 3 no shows without prior notice. Your probation period consists of your first three lessons.

Whilst another review site claims OiKID offers up to 4 bonus schemes, Glassdoor reviews from actual teachers who work there bemoan the company’s lack of incentives as a major negative of working there, so don’t expect any.

OiKID Hours

OiKID hours are 9am-10pm daily (Beijing Time), with peak hours falling between 6-9pm weekday evenings and all day on weekends.

Classes are 25 minutes long, though the company allows 2 extra minutes to leave comments. Preparation time is not included.

OiKID Requirements

While the OiKID homepage states they are looking for Native English Speakers (from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand), their Contract Term page clarifies that ‘Native speakers are preferred, but not required’ so long as Non-Native Speakers possess a neutral or ‘native-speaker accent’. An ability to speak Mandarin Chinese is an advantage but not necessary.

OiKID only accepts teachers with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, though a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate is only desired and not essential.

You must be willing to commit to teaching with OiKID long-term and display the following soft skills in your application and interview:

• Good teaching skills and attitude
• High energy
• Great with children
• Motivated
• Creative
• Passionate
• Patient
• Encouraging

Technical Requirements

• Good at using computers – Excellent at tutoring through digital media
• Desktop, laptop, Apple Mac, or Microsoft Surface​
• Webcam
• Headset with microphone and stable output/input jack
• Stable internet connection in a quiet environment (you can test your internet speed here)

How to Apply for OiKID Jobs

To apply for OiKID jobs, begin by visiting their website. Click on the ‘Fill out form’ button which will take you to a Google form (you’ll first need a Google account) where you’ll be required to submit the following personal and professional information:

• Name
• Country
• Phone number
• Email address
• Upload your CV/Resume
• Link to a pre-recorded self-introduction video (30-60 seconds long)

Below is a sample self-introduction video recorded for OiKID:

OiKID Interview

Should OiKID like your application, you’ll be invited to attend a 30-minute online interview comprising questions and a teaching demo.

These are OiKID interview questions that have been asked previously (so prepare answers in case they come up again for you):

• Where are you currently living?
• Why do you want to teach online?
• What experience do you have?
• How long do you want to teach?
• What is your passion and why?

In preparation for the OiKid demo, you will receive your practice materials ahead of time. The interviewer will pretend to be three different levels of student, so think about how you would grade your language differently for each. They will be assessing your teaching skills, how you prepare the lessons and the way you present them. Be sure to convey the soft skills mentioned above in the Requirements section of this review and use plenty of TPR (Total Physical Response).

If you pass the OiKID interview you will have to complete online training which amounts to around 5 hours time, but they do pay you for this, unlike many other ESL companies. You will be allocated a personal trainer, and your first three lessons will count as your probation period.

OiKID Online Teaching

OiKID online teaching is primarily conducted 1-on-1, though there are some small group classes too. You will have OiKID demo (or trial) classes which you’ll be expected to convert into regular classes. Students and parents book the teachers they want directly on the website and can cancel at any time, which can make it difficult for newer teachers to fill their schedules until they become more established on the platform or convert enough regular students.

Classes are 25 minutes long and students are between 3 and 15 years of age, based primarily in Taiwan and mainland China.

OiKID uses their own bespoke online teaching platform, as well as original teaching materials and lesson plans. The OiKID curriculum team creates materials for every class, which you must review beforehand, though you’re welcome to supplement these with related resources of your own. OiKID’s materials are designed to meet the United States’ CCSS and GEPT standards.

Here is a video that gives some insight into the nature of OiKID online classes:

OiKID Reviews

OiKID teachers give the company an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 on Glassdoor, with 54% willing to recommend them to a friend. The most-common positive comments relate to flexible hours, course materials and support, while negatives include the pay rate, penalties and lack of incentives.

Here is a representative sample of the most recent OiKID reviews (at the time of writing):

Conclusion – Is OiKID Worth It?

If you’re a Non-Native Speaker with a neutral accent and a Bachelor’s degree then OiKID might be worth considering, as the salary is more than many other companies are willing to pay Non-Native teachers. A relatively straightforward application process, paid training, and no need for a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate are also advantages. For graduate Native Speakers, however, the pay is just too low compared to what’s offered elsewhere, especially when one factors in the lack of incentives and the bank transfer charges.

You can join OiKID here.

A full list of other online teaching companies can be found here.