In case you missed it, I am a VIPKID teacher yahoo! Hard to believe it has been eight months since I started, not knowing what I was getting myself into. The main reason I started this second job was to help pay for my big adventure to Antartica in November, 2018! Little did I realize how much I actually missed teaching. While the early morning wake-up calls are rough, the actual teaching and seeing the adorable students make it all worth it. As I have gotten into the swing of things, I realized my prep-time is next to none thanks to everything hanging near me. (Yay magnetic closet doors!) What does take time is the secondary reward systems.
What are reward systems?
This is a way to congratulate your students for doing a great job, hence reward! As you are working with children aged 4-12, it is important to be engaging ands exciting. But, it is even more important to reward the students and be encouraging. This is how you get the students comfortable with speaking English, by letting them know they have done a great job. VIPKID has an internal reward system of stars. Throughout the lesson you will give the students 5 stars for doing well. However with anywhere from 25-30 slides, it is nice to congratulate the students to keep them more engaged in the lesson. This is where a secondary reward system comes in handy.
But…is it necessary?
YES. VIPKID definitely wants teachers to use a secondary reward system. it is highly encouraged from the interview stage through teaching and is mentioned in the training material and videos plastered throughout YouTube. While seasoned teachers will mention the fact they don’t use secondary reward systems, VIPKID has been known to side with parents who complain about teachers not using a secondary award. That’s right, if you get a one apple, VIPKID will not invalidate it for not having a secondary reward. Better safe than sorry, no? I don’t use a secondary award during the mid and final assessments, however, but that is for another post.
So, what can be used?
Literally anything. Kids love anything and everything, so you can make rewards, buy, rewards, and use rewards around your house (like your kids toys!). I have a mixture of printed rewards and ones I have bought from Amazon and Target or Walgreens. First, because I have a whiteboard behind me magnets and print-outs are my go-to rewards. I found cheap dinosaur, princess, modes on transportation, animals, and Minnie Mouse magnets that I use daily. There are some great groups on Facebook for 2D props- VIPKID Props & Rewards and Videos and Props, with lots of amazing ideas and printables for rewards. I have Disney princesses, My Little Ponies, robots, Find the Star rewards and more! I tend to rotate things out with the season or holiday too, i.e. red pockets with money in them for Chinese New Year.
Bottom Line
While printing, making, and buying props may add to your budget and take up time, overall it is worth it when it comes to working with VIPKID. Yes, sometimes your reward will be a flop, other times they will be a huge success. I have student who has picked princesses for the last 30 class and STILL dances when she gets the princesses. That makes me happy and fine in my book!
There you have it, my thoughts on reward systems. Think I am missing something or believe this helped? Shout out in the comments below! Don’t forget, feel free to use my referral code: 043GL5 and I am happy to help you with every step of the way!
Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.