If you're looking for a teaching job that’s fun, flexible, and lets you connect with enthusiastic young learners from the comfort of home, Qkids is worth a serious look. With a playful, game-based approach to language learning and a steady demand from students across China, Qkids has built a reputation as one of the more enjoyable ways to earn money teaching English online.
The platform is especially popular among teachers who enjoy animated lessons, preset materials, and working with kids in small groups. It’s designed for people who want a steady, low-prep gig without the stress of dealing with parents or creating their own lesson plans. Whether you’re a college student, stay-at-home parent, or digital nomad with a reliable internet connection, Qkids offers a way to earn meaningful income — all while helping curious kids grow their English skills.
What Is Qkids?
Qkids is an online ESL company that connects North American teachers with children in China, typically between the ages of 6 and 12. Founded in 2015 and based in several major Chinese cities including Shenzhen and Beijing, the platform now serves over a million young learners.
What makes Qkids stand out is its use of storytelling, cartoons, and interactive games to guide students through English lessons. You’re not just explaining grammar — you’re helping students follow along on quests, solve puzzles, and learn through play. The entire experience is driven by Qkids’ own curriculum, built into a proprietary teaching platform that runs on your computer.
Unlike many platforms that focus on one-on-one instruction, Qkids lessons are held in small groups (1–4 students), which adds energy to the classroom and mimics a real-world teaching vibe. Teachers don’t have to plan their own lessons or communicate with parents. You log in, teach the class that’s assigned to you, and get paid. Simple, structured, and surprisingly fun.
What It's Like to Teach with Qkids
Teaching with Qkids feels more like hosting an interactive cartoon than running a traditional classroom. Each lesson is filled with vibrant visuals, animated characters, and game-like exercises designed to keep kids engaged. As a teacher, your job is to bring the energy — using expressions, body language, and enthusiasm to guide your students through each activity.
You’ll typically work with 1 to 4 students at a time in a 30-minute class. The platform handles all the materials and lesson planning for you. Before class, you’re expected to preview the lesson slides so you’re familiar with the flow. Some teachers use simple props like puppets or flashcards to add extra fun — but it’s not required.
There’s no grading, no homework correction, and no chatting with parents. You log in, teach, wave goodbye, and move on with your day. It’s a great setup for anyone who wants the rewards of teaching without the extra admin.
Types of Students and Learning Goals
Qkids caters to young Chinese learners between the ages of 6 and 12, with most students falling somewhere in the middle of that range. These kids are often learning English as part of their school curriculum or with an eye on future international education. You’ll help them improve speaking and listening skills, build confidence, and occasionally prep for early exams.
Most students are eager, well-behaved, and used to structured online learning. The younger ones may need more encouragement, repetition, and TPR (Total Physical Response), while older students tend to follow instructions more easily and enjoy the challenge of word games or short dialogues. You’ll get used to adjusting your approach depending on who shows up to class.
Overall, expect friendly faces, curious questions, and lots of high-fives (virtual ones, of course).
Pay Structure and Incentives
Qkids pays a base rate of $8 per 30-minute class, with two additional incentives that can bump your rate higher: a $1 attendance bonus for showing up on time, and a $1 performance bonus based on class engagement and parent feedback.
That means you can earn up to $10 per class — or $20 per hour if you teach back-to-back sessions. New teachers doing trial classes earn $6 per session during the onboarding phase.
Payments are made monthly via direct bank transfer to U.S. or Canadian accounts, with no fees on your end. As an independent contractor, you’re responsible for managing your own taxes based on where you live. There are no benefits or paid holidays, but the pay is consistent and the bonuses are easy to earn if you're reliable and bring a positive attitude to class.
Requirements to Teach with Qkids
To join Qkids, you’ll need to meet a few core criteria — but they’re pretty accessible for most aspiring online teachers. First, you must be legally eligible to work in the United States or Canada. That’s non-negotiable, as Qkids only hires from these two countries.
A bachelor’s degree is required (any major is fine), along with a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certification of at least 120 hours. If you don’t already have one, it’s worth investing in — not just for Qkids, but for nearly any reputable online ESL platform.
While classroom or tutoring experience with children is a big plus, it’s not essential. What matters most is that you can communicate clearly, think on your feet, and bring a lively, engaging presence to class. A neutral or North American accent helps, and being friendly and expressive goes a long way when working with kids online.
Tech and Setup Requirements
Qkids is built around smooth, animated lessons — so a reliable tech setup is crucial. You’ll need:
- A desktop or laptop (Windows 7+, macOS 10.8+).
- No Chromebooks or tablets are supported.
- A webcam — either built-in or external HD.
- A USB headset with a microphone (clear audio matters!).
- A stable internet connection with at least 2 Mbps upload and download speeds. Ethernet is strongly recommended over Wi-Fi for consistent quality.
Inside the Qkids classroom, you’ll use a custom platform full of games, visual tools, and animated characters. Lessons are interactive and follow a slide-based format, with clear transitions and built-in tools like stickers, drawing boards, and sound effects. You can preview lessons ahead of time, which helps you prepare without having to create anything from scratch.
Scheduling and Time Commitment
Qkids uses a weekly scheduling system. Every Sunday evening, you’ll see your class schedule for the upcoming week — and you can manage your availability based on your own plans.
The minimum time commitment is just 6 hours per week, which makes it great for students, travelers, or anyone looking for part-time income. The busiest times for classes align with Beijing’s peak hours, which means early weekday mornings and weekend evenings for U.S. and Canadian teachers.
Here’s a rough idea of peak teaching slots based on your timezone:
- EST: Weekdays 6:30–9:00 AM, Weekends 8:30–11:40 PM
- PST: Weekdays 3:30–6:00 AM, Weekends 5:30–8:40 PM
Qkids doesn’t offer total flexibility like some 1-on-1 platforms, but it does give you consistent weekly hours and a manageable part-time routine — perfect for supplementing income while keeping your days free.
Application Process: Step-by-Step
Qkids keeps the hiring process clear and structured — but expect to show off your personality and teaching style along the way. Here's how it works:
- Submit your application: Upload your resume, a 1–2 minute intro video, and a screenshot of your computer specs.
- Demo Interview 1: A short call where you introduce yourself and demonstrate basic platform navigation.
- Demo Interview 2: A full-length mock class where you’ll simulate teaching a complete 30-minute lesson.
- Trial Classes: You’ll teach 2–5 live classes with real students. You’ll get paid $6 per class and receive feedback from families.
- Background Check + Contract: Once you pass, you’ll be offered a 6-month contract and complete a background check.
- Start Teaching: After onboarding, you can begin opening slots and accepting bookings!
The entire process typically takes 1–3 weeks, depending on your availability and response time.
Tips to Pass the Hiring Process
Qkids looks for teachers who are not just fluent in English — but expressive, fun, and engaging for young kids. Here’s how to stand out:
- Intro Video: Speak clearly and smile. Share where you’re from, your teaching or childcare background, and read a short children’s story with enthusiasm. This video sets the tone for your whole application.
- Demo Interviews: Practice navigating the Qkids classroom in advance. During the demo, use gestures (TPR), vary your tone, and keep a warm, friendly vibe. Pretend you’re really talking to kids — they want to see that connection.
- Trial Classes: Treat these like real lessons. Be punctual, energetic, and adapt to different student levels. Parents give feedback, so be patient, encouraging, and fun.
- Avoid Common Mistakes:
- Speaking too quickly or too quietly.
- Using a monotone voice.
- Not engaging visually or physically (TPR).
- Looking unprepared or distracted.
Bring your best self, and remember: they’re hiring someone kids will enjoy learning from.
Life After You're Hired
Once you're in, you'll manage your weekly schedule through the Qkids portal. Each Sunday evening, your upcoming classes will be posted based on your submitted availability.
To keep bookings flowing, focus on earning great student feedback and maintaining strong attendance. Your performance — including how you manage time, encourage students, and use the platform — affects future bookings and bonuses.
Qkids offers ongoing support through a dedicated teacher team, periodic training materials, and a friendly teacher community where you can swap tips and ask questions.
At the end of your 6-month contract, you’ll be reviewed for renewal. Keep up a solid track record, and many teachers go on to work with Qkids long-term while enjoying the flexibility and joy of working with curious, international students.
Strengths of Teaching with Qkids
If you’re looking for a low-stress, high-reward way to teach kids online, Qkids has a lot going for it. Here’s what teachers love most:
- 🎮 Fun, Interactive Lessons: With no lesson planning and a fully gamified platform, teaching feels more like guiding kids through a story than a traditional classroom.
- 👩🏫 Great for Developing Teaching Skills: Group classes with 1–4 students help build classroom management confidence — especially useful for teachers new to online education.
- 📆 Predictable Scheduling: Weekly class schedules are consistent and structured, which makes it easy to build a reliable routine.
- 💵 Stable Pay: With a clear incentive structure and on-time payments, Qkids offers dependable income — ideal for students, stay-at-home parents, or remote workers.
- 💬 Teacher Support: The Qkids coordination team is known for being responsive and friendly, helping resolve scheduling issues and answering tech questions quickly.
Downsides and Considerations
Qkids might not be the right fit for everyone, especially if you’re after maximum flexibility or full-time hours. Here are a few things to think about:
- 🚫 Limited Eligibility: Only U.S. and Canadian citizens can apply, even if you’re based abroad.
- 💻 Strict Tech Requirements: You must teach from a computer — no tablets, Chromebooks, or phones allowed. Ethernet is preferred, which limits some travel flexibility.
- 📉 Seasonal Booking Fluctuations: Like many platforms serving Chinese students, bookings can drop during holidays, exam seasons, or school breaks.
- 🎓 Less Suited for Academic Teachers: The game-based, animated style may feel overly playful if you prefer a more formal, academic classroom structure.
- ⏰ Set Weekly Schedule: Unlike fully on-demand platforms like Cambly, you can’t just log in and teach at will. You’ll need to commit to your weekly availability in advance.
Teacher Reviews
Qkids has built a strong reputation among online ESL teachers — especially those who thrive in energetic, kid-focused environments. Here's what real teachers are saying:
“The curriculum is adorable and super easy to use. It’s nice not having to prepare or grade anything. Just show up and teach!” – Reddit user
“The Qkids support team is amazing. They’ve helped me adjust my schedule multiple times with no hassle. It feels very human and friendly.” – Glassdoor review
“The only downside is the slow periods. During Chinese holidays, I sometimes have only a couple classes. But when it's busy, I get booked solid.” – Facebook group member
Common praise includes:
- Interactive classroom design
- Great team support
- Easy-to-use software
- Positive teaching experience overall
On the downside, some teachers mention:
- Occasional tech issues with the platform
- Long wait times between the trial phase and regular bookings
- Bookings that fluctuate depending on season or parent feedback
Still, most agree that Qkids is a solid platform for part-time work — especially if you love working with kids and want an engaging, low-prep way to teach online.
Who Qkids Is Best For
Best for:
- 👨👩👧👦 Stay-at-home parents, part-time teachers, and students looking for flexible, supplemental income.
- 🎭 Animated, expressive teachers who enjoy engaging with kids through stories, games, and fun visuals.
- 🎯 Those who prefer structured lessons without the need to plan, grade, or communicate with parents.
Not ideal for:
- 🌍 Teachers outside the U.S. or Canada, as legal work eligibility in those countries is required.
- 🧑🏫 Educators who prefer academic rigor or adult students over playful, gamified content.
- 💼 Anyone seeking full-time income or total control over their teaching hours.
If you’re the kind of person who brings big energy, loves connecting with kids, and wants a low-prep way to earn from home — Qkids is likely a great fit.
How to Apply
Getting started with Qkids is straightforward, but a strong application helps you stand out. Here’s what you need to prepare:
✅ Required Materials:
- A polished resume with any relevant teaching or childcare experience.
- A 1–2 minute introduction video (introduce yourself, share a fun story or read a short children’s book).
- A screenshot of your computer specs.
- Your availability for teaching.
- Proof of a bachelor’s degree.
- A TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (120+ hours required).
📲 Application Link:
🎯 Pro Tips:
- Make your intro video fun, clear, and kid-friendly — smile, use props, and show your personality.
- Test your internet speed (2Mbps upload / 4Mbps download minimum).
- Use a wired internet connection (Ethernet) for the demo and teaching sessions.
- Familiarize yourself with how Qkids’ platform works — their demo stage often includes mock lessons using their interactive tools.
Final Thoughts
Qkids offers one of the more playful, structured, and beginner-friendly platforms in the online ESL world. It’s not the best fit for everyone — especially those outside North America or seeking full-time pay — but for the right candidate, it’s a fun, steady way to teach and earn online.
Its strengths lie in its animated curriculum, student engagement, and well-organized platform. Teachers who thrive in a group setting and don’t mind set schedules will likely find Qkids a rewarding part of their remote work routine.
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