How to Teach English Online with Magic Ears
Since 2016, Magic Ears has grown rapidly before facing significant challenges. What can TEFL teachers expect from it today?
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Teaching English online is one of the best ways to use your TEFL certificate. Once you’re qualified, you can teach students from all over the world, without leaving your home!
Many online platforms have millions of English learners, providing TEFL teachers with opportunities to teach and grow. One of these platforms is Magic Ears, which focuses on teaching children in China. China has more people learning English than anywhere else in the world.
Magic Ears is known for its group classes and large number of students. The company says it pays teachers up to $26 an hour. It also claims to offer career growth, all while helping close the gap between rich and poor students.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Magic Ears - the qualifications you need, how to apply, how much you can earn, and more.
What is Magic Ears?
In 2016, Magic Ears began as a platform for English-speaking teachers from America and Europe to teach Chinese children. All lessons on Magic Ears are group settings, usually with one teacher and four kids aged between 5 and 12.
Though the company started in Beijing, two years of growth meant expansion into the USA. In 2018, Magic Ears built a second office in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Magic Ears platform also offers career development for teachers. Besides giving lessons, you can work as an interviewer, train new employees, design curriculums, or even work on Magic Ears’ media team.
Of course, one thing to consider is China’s ban on tutoring for core subjects for school-aged students. Under the circumstances, you’d think Magic Ears would have minimal business. However, teachers online have shared experiences working for the company since the ban.
What are the requirements to teach with Magic Ears?
The first requirement on Magic Ears’ website is “a big smile, a passion for teaching, and a love for kids.” What else do you need to teach through Magic Ears?
A bachelor's degree
To meet Magic Ears' requirements, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree or be in the process of getting one.
If you’re a TEFL teacher without a degree but want to work online, don’t fret! Many companies and platforms allow you to teach English online without a degree.
TEFL certification
You’ll need accredited, high-quality TEFL certification to teach for Magic Ears. The company used to offer TESOL certification through its Magic Ears University portal. However, the Magic Ears University stopped running courses in 2021.
The industry standard is 120 hours of TEFL certification. An advanced TEFL certificate in Teaching Young Learners will also be helpful.
Native/non-native
Magic Ears asks applicants to speak English at an “idiomatic level,” which really means a “native level” or with enough fluency to understand English idioms. Having an IELTS or TOEFL can help.
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Magic Ears job description
What do Magic Ears teachers do? Once Magic Ears hires you, your basic duties are the following:
- Use the provided teaching materials and curriculum to teach Chinese children ages 4-12.
- Carry out 25-minute English lessons for groups of up to four children
- Use the Magic Ears online teaching platform to carry out engaging lessons
- Watch the progress of your students, giving feedback to parents where appropriate
- Attend training and development sessions
Magic Ears class type
What is a typical Magic Ears class like? On this platform, an online ESL teacher conducts group classes with up to four students at a time. Group sizes are kept small so that students can talk and learn from each other, practising what they’ve learned, while still getting attention from the teacher.
Each class is 25 minutes long. After each class, Magic Ears teachers spend an extra 5 minutes writing and presenting feedback.
Magic Ears assigns students to teachers, rather than allowing parents to choose.
Magic Ears Teaching Hour Requirements
Magic Ears recommends that online ESL teachers “open at least 10 teaching slots per week”. That said, there isn’t a minimum number of hours required. You can fit teaching online through Magic Ears around your existing commitments.
However, taking more classes will improve your company ranking and booking rates.
Peak Hours for Teaching with Magic Ears
There are hours in the working week when the demand for online ESL teachers is far greater. Magic Ears recommends being available at the following times (Beijing time zone):
Monday to Friday
- 7pm
- 7.30pm
- 8pm
- 8.30pm
Saturday and Sunday
- 9am
- 9.30am
- 10am
- 7pm
- 7.30pm
- 8pm
- 8.30pm
How Much Can You Earn Teaching English Online with Magic Ears?
One of the first things you’ll notice on Magic Ears’ website is the promise that it pays TEFL teachers up to $26 / £19.50 per hour. How much does Magic Ears pay in reality?
It’s not as simple as starting at $26 / £19.50 per hour. Magic Ears pays online English teachers a base salary of $7.50 - $10 / £5.60 - £7.50, determined by the strength of their interview, experience, and performance in the demo lesson.
Pay is in three tiers: Bronze, Gold, and Platinum. Platinum teachers are typically the most experienced and well-reviewed online English teachers. They have usually worked on other platforms and have received excellent feedback from students and fellow teachers.
Payment and incentives
On the 3rd of every month, Magic Ears teachers will receive their payslip. The company pays teachers for the previous month’s classes every 10th of the month. So, you’ll be paid for May’s classes on the 10th of June.
English teachers must submit their hours by the 8th of the month. If you earn less than $50 / £37 during a month, this will be added to the following month’s earnings.
As for incentives and bonuses, Magic Ears has three main routes:- An attendance bonus for being consistently available (especially during peak hours)
- Peak time bonus for opening 60+ open peak slots over a month
- You can earn bonuses starting at $80 / £59 through the Magic Ears referral programme
In terms of potential earnings, Magic Ears' salary offering is one of the best in the online ESL industry. However, the base rate is around the average for teaching English online.
The Application Process for Teaching English Online with Magic Ears
Applying for Magic Ears is similar to the application process for other online English teaching platforms and companies. Here’s our quick guide to applying for a job with Magic Ears.How do I apply?
To apply for an English teaching job with Magic Ears, you must fill out your name and, if you have one, a referral code on the website’s homepage under the heading ‘Become a Hero’. From there, you will be directed to an online application process. This is like any other job application you complete online - you’ll need to provide details about yourself, your employment history, and any teaching qualifications you have.
If you pass this stage, you’ll perform a demo lesson. This is recorded (3-5 minutes) or live, with an employee from Magic Ears.
Interview process
After applying, a recruiter will be assigned to you, who will guide you through each phase. This employee will answer your questions and help you prepare for your trial class.After your first demo class, you’ll get feedback to help you improve. Then, you’ll take part in a live trial class. There are two types of trial classes:- Teaching a lesson to an adult staff member (they will act like a student)
- Teaching a real group of learners (if they are available)
Your recruiter will tell you which type of trial class you’ll do on the day of your interview. This process helps Magic Ears see how you teach and allows you to show your skills.
Tips for the Magic Ears Interview
Here’s how to get the most out of your interview/demo classes with Magic Ears:
- Use your recruiter: They’re there to help you prepare for your trial class. Ask them plenty of questions and practice demo lessons with them.
- Use online resources: The Magic Ears YouTube page contains several demo lesson examples and advice for new teachers.
- Treat the demo like a real class: As far as you’re concerned, the demo class is real. Sometimes, you may have to perform an actual class for children.
- The keyword is “fun”: Magic Ears wants happy, engaged teachers. Keep the tempo up during your lessons.
- Props are always helpful: Creativity is another key part of success with Magic Ears. Using props is a great way to show your artistic flair. Puppets, flashcards, whatever you think fits the lesson - use it!
- Get familiar: The more you know about the Magic Ears platform, the better your demo lessons will go. Research, practice, and get a feel for Magic Ears.
What to consider before you start
What do you need to consider before launching into teaching English online through Magic Ears? Here are some of our key tips!
- Make sure your technology works: Before you start, check your webcam, computer, microphone, internet speed, and everything else you need.
- Time commitments: Magic Ears offers initial six-month contracts. Can you commit to this length of time?
- Young learners: At Magic Ears, you only teach students aged 4-12. If you’d rather teach adults, this isn’t the platform for you.
- Self-employment: Magic Ears takes on teachers as independent contractors. Therefore, you’ll be in charge of your taxes.
Magic Ears: Pros and cons
Every online teaching company has pros and cons. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working for Magic Ears?
Pros
- Salary: The salary at Magic Ears compares well with other employers of a similar stature.
- Engaging style: Teachers with boundless enthusiasm will enjoy the Magic Ears teaching style.
- Straightforward application process: If you have the qualifications and experience and can assemble a strong demo lesson, you’re in!
- Plenty of peak times: A significant number of slots are described as “peak times,” which means there are more opportunities to earn.
- Easy payment: The payment system that Magic Ears uses is very straightforward.
- Lessons prepared: Everything you need to teach is prepared for you, so there's no need to worry about last-minute class preparation!
Cons
- Uncertainty: The tutoring situation in China and mixed reports from teachers online about lessons being honoured have created uncertainty around the brand. It’s hard to know what’s going on!
- Limited audience: Magic Ears won't appeal if your schedule clashes with Beijing time or if you want to teach a broader audience of learners.
- Freelance contractors: This company takes teachers on as independent contractors. This means you’re limited in terms of employee rights and have to file your taxes.
- Limited contracts: Contracts only last six months, limiting job safety.
- 25-minute lessons: Though some teachers might prefer shorter lessons, it does come with restrictions. Parents will have particular learning goals for their children, and there’s little room for error.
Magic Ears Reviews
Magic Ears may have the most passionate fans and detractors of all the online companies and platforms. Based on close to 500 reviews, Glassdoor rates the company as a 4-star employer. Similarly, Indeed has Magic Ears ranked at 3.9 stars.
Yet, many teachers don’t like Magic Ears. Teachers have shared extremely negative experiences on Reddit, describing it as “madness”, and some have given examples of teachers being dismissed for yawning. On Glassdoor, the negative reviews detail long waits for payment and “being spied on.”
Teaching English Online with Magic Ears: Key Takeaways
What have we learned about Magic Ears as an online teaching company? Here are some key takeaways:
- Teaching Requirements: To teach with Magic Ears, you must have a bachelor’s degree (or be actively pursuing one), hold an accredited 120-hour TEFL certificate, and demonstrate native or “idiomatic-level” English fluency.
- Salary: Magic Ears advertises pay up to $26 per hour. However, the base rate is about $7.50–$10 / £5.60 - £7.50 per 25-minute class. Earnings can increase through bonuses for attendance, peak-hour availability, and referrals.
- Application Process: The process involves an online application, a demo lesson (recorded or live), feedback, and a trial class, with guidance from a recruiter at each step to help candidates succeed.
The future of Magic Ears will be interesting to follow, especially in a challenging market where tutoring is heavily limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need a degree to teach with Magic Ears?
A bachelor’s degree is required to teach with Magic Ears, though current students are also eligible.
Q. Is teaching experience necessary to teach with Magic Ears?
No, you don’t need experience to teach with Magic Ears. However, you will need a degree, a TEFL certificate and “a smile”.
Q. Do I need a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certificate to teach with Magic Ears?
Yes, you need a TEFL certificate to teach online with Magic Ears.
Q. How much can I earn with Magic Ears?
Magic Ears can pay teachers up to $26 per hour. However, the base rate is about $7.50–$10 / £5.60 - £7.50 per 25-minute class.
What are online teachers asking about Magic Ears? Here are the most common questions, and our answers: