How to apply to teach English with Magic Ears

Magic Ears is a popular online English learning platform. In this guide, we’re going to show how to submit your application to teach with them.

Magic Ears focuses on kids between 4-12 years of age, using an innovative 1-on-4 classroom model for all of their classes. This means that you’ll be teaching up to four children in each class. Many other online teaching schools use a 1-on-1 approach where you’ll just have just a single student to teach. While this lets you focus all of your attention on a single student, it can also give the students more pressure and it can make your lessons rather one-dimensional. With these 1-on-4 classes, it can give a more dynamic learning environment and can also open up opportunities for peer learning (where students learn from each other).

Since the company and the students are based in China, the teachers are required to give lessons in Beijing hours. They pay up to $26 (US dollars) per hour and provide their teachers with lesson materials.

What you’ll need before applying:

Magic Ears sets certain requirements for potential. Before you apply you should check these requirements.

You could still apply if you don’t currently meet these requirements, as Magic Ears might update their hiring standards at some point in the future and follow up with you. An example of this happening can be seen with their list of required nationalities. Previously, Magic Ears only hired teachers from the USA or Canada, but recently expanded their list to also include several other countries.

How to apply:

Here’s a step-by-step guide showing how you can apply to teach with Magic Ears:

STEP 1: Registration.

STEP 2: Basic information.

This step has three parts. After you register, you will be redirected to the next page where you will need to enter your details in the application form. Magic Ears will ask you for your data, such as your name, your phone number and your country of birth and residency. Make sure to input all the information correctly and check for spelling mistakes!

On the second page, you’ll be required to fill out your teaching information, such as your first language and higher education. Magic Ears will also ask you to indicate if you have an English teaching certificate. In order to get accepted, you need to either already have a certificate or be currently pursuing one, as Magic Ears only hires teachers with proven qualifications.

On the third page, you will be required to indicate where you heard about Magic Ears and input your referral code, if you have one. You can also attach your resume here, but it is optional.

After you fill out all the information, you’ll either be asked to come back to the Magic Ears Teaching Portal within 2 working days to check the status of your application or you’ll get the great news: Your application has been successful!

STEP 3: Mini Demo

Congratulations! You’re on your way to become a Magic Ears teacher! Now, you will need to prove your skills by preparing a mini demo. You can choose to do it live or record it. Both are evaluated using the same criteria, so choose the option you feel more comfortable with!

Live Demo: You will need to deliver a live demo in front of a Magic Ears trainer acting as your student. Choose the date and time for the live demo lesson by booking a slot on the application page.

The live demo lesson will take place on the Magic Ears teaching platform, so it’s important that you get familiar with it as soon as possible. The demo lesson should last for about 5-8 minutes, including a short interview.

Here are a few questions that your interviewer might ask you:

• Where are you located?
• Tell me about your teaching experience.
• Where did you hear about Magic Ears and what made you want to apply?
• What makes you a good fit for this position?
• Do you have a teaching certificate?
• Are you aware of the time difference between where you are located and Beijing?
• How do you feel about working the peak hours, 7:00pm-8:30pm BJT?
• How much time do you anticipate teaching with Magic Ears every week?

Recorded Demo: You can record your mini demo either on your phone or your laptop. Make sure the recording is of high quality, that it has good sound and that you are following the cues given accordingly! You will be required to introduce yourself briefly and teach a short lesson on the letters “M & N” and keywords “Moon & Nurse.” To submit it, you will need to provide the link to the video in the box on the application page, under the tab “Recorded Demo”

Here are a few tips to succeed with your mini demo:

• Magic Ears loves teachers who are dynamic, so make sure you put a lot of enthusiasm into this mini demo!
• Your energy is everything! Smile a lot and keep your energy high!
• Make sure to speak slowly and use gestures.
• Use relevant prompts to make your mini lesson more dynamic!

STEP 4: Trial Demo

When you’ve passed the Mini Demo stage, you will receive an e-mail from Magic Ears with some training videos and an invitation to schedule your Trial Demo. This is a demo lesson that lasts for about 10 to 20 minutes, where a Magic Ears Success Manager will act as your young student. You will need to deliver it on the Magic Ears Teaching Platform. During your trial lesson, your Success Manager will provide you with feedback. This is a very important part, so make sure that you implement that feedback immediately into the next parts of your trial lesson!

If you don’t pass the trial demo, don’t worry! You will get a chance to do it again and your Success Manager will give you feedback on what you need to improve for the second demo.

STEP 5: Background Check & Contract

This is the last step! After passing the Trial Demo stage, you’ll need to pass a criminal background check. When you’re done with the background check, you’ll be able to finally sign your contract and become an official Magic Ears teacher! The contracts are for a 6-month commitment.