If you’re starting to teach English online with VIPKID, you might be wondering how the timing works when teaching students in China. This post will cover everything you need to know about the VIPKID hours for teaching around the world.
Important Update
In the years since this article was first published, VIPKID revamped their online teaching platform and changed the application process. They also started working with students from around the world, so the information about booking times is out of date. For the latest information, check out their official website.
About VIPKID
With VIPKID, teachers from North America teach one-on-one English lessons to students around the world. Lessons are 25-minutes long and cover a range of topics like speaking, reading, writing, and grammar.
VIPKID teachers can make their own schedules. There are no maximum or minimum teaching hours, which means you can work as much or as little as you want.
There is one catch to that though. Teachers can only schedule classes during times when there is a demand from students. Given the difference in time zones, this can mean some interesting VIPKID teacher hours.
When are the VIPKID Teaching Hours
VIPKID is open from 8:30 am until 10:00 pm Bejing Time every day of the week. Classes can be opened by teachers in half-hour time slots. For example, you can open a time slot at 8:30 am, 9:00 am, 9:30 am, etc.
As of a few months ago, China changed the rules for when online classes can be booked. In the past, students could take classes until 10:00 pm Beijing time. Now, the latest time a course can be booked is 9:00 pm Beijing Time.
The exception for that is trial classes. Trial lessons can still be booked from 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm Beijing time. However, from personal experience, you’re not likely to get booked during this hour.
There are times throughout the day that are in much higher demand than others. These times are more likely to get booked by students. High demand teaching times are called “Peak Times” and super high demand teaching times are called “Peak Peak Times.”
VIPKID Peak Times and Peak Peak Times
The VIPKID Peak times are from 6:00pm – 9:00pm Beijing Time on Monday – Friday. On the weekends, the peak time is from 9:00am – 9:00pm Beijing time.
Peak Peak Times (highest demand and most likely to get booked!) are from 7:00pm – 9:00pm Beijing time every day of the week.
You’ll have the best chance of getting booked if you open classes during peak times and peak peak times. Especially if you’re starting out, try to open as many of these high demand spots as possible.
VIPKID Hours with Daylight Savings
China does not change the times for daylight savings. This means that twice a year, your VIPKID Schedule will be adjusted either forward or backward by one hour. Luckily, this change is reflected in your calendar in the VIPKID Teacher portal so you don’t have to do any calculations your self.
Just keep in mind that peak VIPKID winter hours will start an hour earlier than peak VIPKID summer hours.
What are the VIPKID Minimum Hours for Teachers?
There are no VIPKID minimum hour requirements for teachers. You can teach as much or as little as you want, and you can take time off whenever you need to. I know teachers who do VIPKID part-time and others who teach nearly full-time hours. It can really be whatever you want it to be.
VIPKID Peak Hours For Teachers in North America
| Time Zone | Peak VIPKID Hours Daylight Savings (March-Nov) | Peak VIPKID Hours Non-Daylight Savings (Nov-March) |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Weekdays 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Weekends | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Weekdays 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Weekends |
| Eastern | 6:00 am – 9:00 am Weekdays 9:00 pm – 9:00 am overnight Friday and Saturday | 5:00 am – 8:00 am Weekdays 8:00 pm – 8:00 am overnight Friday and Saturday |
| Central | 5:00 am – 8:00 am Weekdays 8:00 pm – 8:00 am overnight Friday and Saturday | 4:00 am – 7:00 am Weekdays 7:00 pm – 7:00 am overnight Friday and Saturday |
| Mountain | 4:00 am – 7:00 am Weekdays 7:00 pm – 7:00 am overnight Friday and Saturday | 3:00 am – 6:00 am Weekdays 6:00 pm – 6:00 am overnight Friday and Saturday |
| Pacific | 3:00 am – 6:00 am Weekdays 6:00 pm – 6:00 am overnight Friday and Saturday | 2:00 am – 5:00 am Weekdays 5:00 pm – 5:00 am overnight Friday and Saturday |
How do I change Time zones in the VIPKID portal
If thinking about changing time zones is making your head spin, don’t worry! It’s very easy to update your time zone in the VIPKID teacher portal. When you do, your calendar of bookings will adjust to show you the correct times for you.
To change your time zone in the VIPKID teacher portal:
- Click on “My Info” and then “Account Center.”
- In the “Account Information” tab, scroll all the way down to the bottom until you see “Contact Information.”
- Click on the “Edit” button next to “Time Zone”
- Choose your new time zone from the drop-down menu
- Refresh your Teacher Portal
Where can I teach online with daytime hours?
I know it can be frustrating to only be able to teach in the early mornings or evenings. Many teachers want to find a teaching company where they can work during the day as well. If you’re looking for daytime online teaching hours, check out the following companies:
- Cambly: Teach English to adults around the world! Because students come from all over, there is a demand all day.
- iTalki: With iTalki, you can teach languages online to adult students all over the world so there is demand all the time.
Happy teaching!
