Is Protostar Education the HIGHEST Paid Online ESL Company? My Review

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Need a TESOL? Grab this one: www.onlineteacherdude.com/tesol7 & also my free downloadable guide on finding the best online ESL company www.onlineteacherdude.com/freebie1 - Ask your questions below!

[@jamessouza8364]

On the 12th of April I'm moving to an island off the coast of Southern Vietnam. I bought land there and we're building a house this coming October. It will be 3 levels and one room will be my office / classroom. Once it is complete I won't have to worry about losing power because I'm having solar power installed. With the advice from you (Tim), Kasie, Cindy and Amanda you have all helped me grow to where I'm at on VIP Kid. All of you are the best!

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Fantastic James! It's been great knowing you. I hope to be in Vietnam when the borders are open again. Let's grab a Bia!

[@senorasarahCDMX]

I've noticed the lowering of base rate pay across the industry, too. It's so sad. They want native speakers with master's degrees/years of experience with umpteen certificates and wanna pay $12-$14 an hour. So sad. I left my company of 7 years because of this.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yup, very sad indeed! WHere are you working now?

[@senorasarahCDMX]

I used to work for itutorgroup. I now work with Gogokid and Cambly. I love the flexibility of Cambly, even though it pays less. I'd interviewed with VIPkid and was offered a contract, but I wasn't happy with a $7 base rate. So maybe if they chnage their policy in the future, I'll try again.

[@Hercules718]

My online company in Beijing is a nightmare to work for. Good luck. It is a minefield. I hate my company very much. They are incompetent clowns who sabotage me at each and every turn.

[@Hercules718]

@@senorasarahCDMX Cambly pays almost nothing. And, they suck big time. Their ‘team’ of watchers and spies is a bunch of morons who know nothing. They hassled me for chewing gum in class,but failed to watch the part of the class where the student asked what chewing gum was and told me to chew it. They actually didn’t care and scolded me for doing it. I told them to apologize so they fired me. I was fired from a ten dollar an hour teaching job for doing what any good teacher would do and they didn’t care. Plus, my feedback score was 98 out of 100.

[@senorasarahCDMX]

Most of them are minefields lol. This is why we need to create our own things. We can't expect them to look out for us. We gotta do it. No job is perfect.

[@amydubose8949]

I am a teacher with Protostar and I love it! I was actually one of the first teachers hired with the company. This was a great video, Tim. Thank you for featuring us!

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Thanks for sharing Amy!!

[@antonychen72]

Thank you Amy! Good to see you here ;)

[@123bingham58]

Hey. Is Protostar a Chinese company?

[@emiloubooks6708]

How many stages of interview are there? Thanks 😁

[@conniejohnson1552]

Are they still hiring?

[@mr.g.5040]

There’s a company called A+ Academy , also in the US and China that pays up to $60 per hour for native speakers as well 😊

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Thanks for sharing!

[@awakeningtam]

Thanks Teacher Dude! Your vids are right on target with the industry, thanks so much for keeping us informed. I am on the prowl for a new company, I am going to apply to Protostar!

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Thanks Tamara! Let me know how it goes.

[@LeahSparrow]

Thanks for the information! Companies and other opportunities are developing all the time. It will be interesting to watch this company grow.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes, this one is a nice little company that really treats their teachers well and gives a lot of autonomy.

[@lynniespringer1705]

I was told about Protostar word of mouth from a person asking if I wanted to get on the bandwagon. I thoroughly research all companies before I sign the dotted line. I believe I was asked at least 4-5 months ago. It sure hurts having an M.Ed and over 30 yrs. experience. We will never get a fair rate. It was not as if the degree came from a mill or a mail order. I had to sit for orals and take a written test.

[@LeahSparrow]

@@lynniespringer1705 I like watching the companies but I’m not going to work for a company. I’m a marketing consultant for online teachers who wish to go independent. I still have my contracts with those I started with because they were good springboards but I can’t see myself working so many hours for so little pay. I have a masters in curriculum and instruction and a bachelors in English (journalism). I worked in broadcast as manager second to the owner and worked with ad copy along with promotions. I just combined my experience as an online teacher and broadcast personality. I love what I do.

[@craftygabijamberryavongall7183]

This was interesting! I don’t have brick and mortar experience so I can’t do protostar. I’m always enjoying your videos. They are informative.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Thanks for leaving a comment. Yeah, you wont be able to do protostar but there are lots of options out there. Have you heard of NeuABC? You might like them!

[@craftygabijamberryavongall7183]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 no I haven’t heard of neuabc. I’ll have to check it out. :)

[@AbigailGabrielle]

you should start a podcast for teacher I recently came across your channel and have binged a lot of your videos, I think I podcast would be a great idea for your niche as your are so excellent in it!

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

oh thanks so much Abigail! I have thought of a podcast but I have no time for it at the moment - maybe in the future! :)

[@msevergreen7289]

Awesome info! High five from Cambodia🇰🇭

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

High five right back from Malaysia!

[@Gotoh1YuchiLover001]

I’m thinking about applying there eventually. I heard about this company a while back. Love your reviews!👏🏻☺️

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Wonderful - best of luck!

[@Gotoh1YuchiLover001]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 Thank you!:)

[@kelleyworley8169]

I just signed my contract with Protostar!! I’m really excited!! ☺️

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

That is awesome Kelley - way to go! Hope it all works out well :)

[@junquette3000]

Hi, this was great! I am wondering if you think someone should teach with another online ESL company before applying to Protostar Education (even if they tick all the other boxes). Thanks!

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Hi! They do want "some" online teaching experience as I mentioned in the video so I would suggest waiting until after a few months of online teaching under your belt.

[@emiloubooks6708]

Got my interview coming up. I'm in Malaysia, too! 😁

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Awesome Emily! Good luck :)

[@franciscomissycruz6065]

Super helpful, Tim! Thanks for this. Will be applying soon.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes.

[@danielvillarreal6610]

…and another question, this time about Protostar-how part-time can a teacher be? For example, can someone opt for just one hour of one of the 3-hour blocks of time, or just one day of the multiple-day blocks, etc.? Thanks!

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

That's a great question. To be honest, they want you in committed time slots over a long period of time with the same students so it's not really a company to get hired on with as a backup or to not open slots with. But yes, from what I understand, you can work 1 of the 3 slots as long as you are opening the same slot week after week.

[@gwensmith6889]

They want teachers to commit to at least 9 slots per week.

[@easyeverydayenglish7249]

Thank you so much for your videos. Very thorough and informative! I will be applying to Protostar. What is the name for you, that I can use as referral? Thank you, Fernanda V

[@easyeverydayenglish7249]

Got it! Got your email. Thank you!

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Great! Yes, just put my name on the form "Tim Gascoigne". Thanks.

[@juliegara7431]

Has Protostar basically wound down like VIPKID due to new regulations in China?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

No, they have students outside of China as well so they are still fine and they are based in HK.

[@shakiagriffith2898]

Hong-Kong has different rules than other parts of China ?

[@terrymoore3978]

Tim, can I use the TEFL certificate from VIP? The problem is it has my first name and a lot of ******. I meet all other criteria, as I am a retired teacher with an active certificate, and have been with VIP for 3 years. Thanks so much. I appreciate your videos.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes you can!

[@zakriyakhan4931]

Hi Tim, thanks for your informative videos, I recently completed my TESOL certificate ,for non native English teacher its difficult to find online jobs, could you please make a video or give any information about this. Thanks

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes it is hard and I would suggest Cambly perhaps to start with.

[@sonjarosestewart]

Super weird question...I've got brick and mortar experience as an essentials tutor for a homeschooling co-op...kind of different than just regularly homeschooling as I needed a lesson plan...do you think it counts

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

It might - they would definitely let you know so it's worth applying to check!

[@amydubose8949]

I would go ahead and apply. Do you have online ESL experience? (I’m an interviewer for the company).

[@AlexTighe]

Do you foresee Protostar having issues in regards to the new regulations in China? I was doing 40+ classes a week with GGK, so will be looking for new companies as soon as I'm back from summer holiday..

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

If they have Chinese kids, yes, they will be impacted.

[@4everletslaugh]

Your videos are very informative. Thank you. I meet all the requirements and would love to switch from my current position of brick and mortar to online teaching. However, I can not seem to make the jump...any words of encouragement? I think my fear is not being able to pay my bills consistently.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Hi Cathleen! I feel your fear for sure. I would start applying now and building up bookings and students and maybe get hired on with a few companies first. Once you see some stability, then jump ship! You could start now and get it built up before summer. Let me know if there are any companies I can help you apply to and shoot me an email and I can support you better. -tim

[@4everletslaugh]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 Thank you so much! I am really interested in Protostar. I will take your advice and get started. I’ll need to get the TESOL so I’ll use your link and start there. I taught ESL classes in L.A., CA and loved it.

[@mermaidgirl3730]

Hi , just finished the course and am ready to print off the certificate , would there be any discount link for that , otherwise fee looks like $29.99 ? Thankx !

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

No, you don't need the certificate, the one that comes with the course for $19 is free but the extra payments for other formats are not discounted.

[@Pooler29]

Why do companies discriminate against Native English Speakers from South Africa?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

I wouldn't say they discriminate I would say they just target a particular country and respond to market demand which is generally teachers from the US and Caada for the big companies in China. Often times they want a neutral accent as well. I did a video about companies that do hire from SA.

[@jstalnaker28]

Wow. That’s cool you live in Malaysia.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes, it's pretty cool!

[@sonyaballard4922]

Hi. I really love your detail videos. I also just downloaded your freebie and purchased your boot camp, so I am really looking forward to reading that. My question is that I am currently teaching a ESL class at my current job. I work for a huge medical company, and I teach English to a lot of our international employees in a classroom setting, and have been doing this for a few years. Will I qualify to work for this company, even though it is not per se a school? Please let me know. Keep up the great work.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Hi Sonya No, this would not count. It needs to be in a brick and morter school situation with children. ie: A classroom teacher. Hope that helps. Tim

[@rgasta7765]

I failed Gogokids twice, vipkids twice, magic ears once, bling abc. They say i did t use gestures, need stronger interaction with student, didnt use props. Should I just give up?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

No, don't give up. VIPKid gives you ample redo's - once you pass the demo, it's smooth sailing. You have to know what they want and study it, practice it, etc.. I can help you with GGK and VIPKid a bit more if you are one of my referrals.

[@madelinesanders6315]

I have 4 years experience as an instructional aide pushing into classes as well as helping online this year. I received my degree and teaching credential right before schools shut down. I’m wondering if this will count as brick and mortar teaching?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

I don't believe so but you can reach out and ask them.

[@hannahfayemutia8117]

What if I don't have TOEFL certificate, but have 20 years teaching experience in various levels?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

you can get a cheap TEFL/TESOL here onlineteacherdude.com/tesol1 - most companies want one.

[@ghaimbamahriz4644]

My application with them just got rejected.😞

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Hi, Did you watch the video where I talked about their hiring requirements?

[@ghaimbamahriz4644]

No, I had applied before you published your video.. their reason was that I wasn't born a native speaker.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

@@ghaimbamahriz4644 Well that is their requirement, yes. Sorry bud, keep looking - perhaps you could try Cambly....but its harder as a non native speaker.

[@ghaimbamahriz4644]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 I am a teacher with Vipkid..what does that mean? I have a bachelor's degree in English from the university of Calgary in Canada with 3.5 GPA and speak 3 languages.. How does that make me less of a qualified person?

[@sobeliever1638]

@@ghaimbamahriz4644 Companies have their own requirements. Not much to be done about it. I am a native speaker from California and can't apply everywhere. It is what it is.

[@teacherjaniceva]

How did Protostar weather the storm with the Ministry of Education?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

They are still in business I hear, but they had toes in other markets and a lot of students in Hong Kong so as far as I know they are still going.

[@emanshahid4009]

Hey great video, I will be applying after September 1st as their website says to apply after that date (idk why), there are two ways to apply, either fill the application form + video + resume and info, or just email your resume to them. Which one you do think is better? Email them my resume or fill the form on their website, it’s just I’m sick and tired of making introduction videso for each company when applying😩 lol Great videos btw, keep up the good work! Been really helpful :)

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

I would fill in the form in my video, I will send you email instructions on how to apply as soon as the form is submitted. I think you can just fill in the form on their website too, that would be my best suggestion.

[@emanshahid4009]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 Alright thank you, will be filling in the form + video after the 1st. Thanks!

[@rupert6001]

Got advice for the interview

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Sorry, this video is really quite outdated now and I have no idea if they are hiring.

[@chikitabonita8341]

33 an hour? Nope! That's if you get the bonuses, IF!

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes! As I said in the video $16+$6 / 40 minutes of teaching. That is $33 / 60 minutes of teaching. There are lots making $33 but as I said, most would be able to easily get $20/40 minutes of teaching, which is $30/60minutes.

[@MindyDanforth]

Interesting video. I’ve never heard of this company

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Thanks for watching Mindy!

[@shaundsouza-nx4cl]

Hii I like your videos I'm from india 🇮🇳 I want to get started as protostar teach or any online teaching tutor. Can you guide me please.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

I hope my videos can help you get get started! You can also join my free course: onlineteacherdude.com/freecourse

[@dorianphillips9253]

Hi online teacher dude, When they talk about a degree Is it any degree eg I have BSc Hons in public health

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

For Protostar they are more specific I believe - go ahead and apply anyway!

[@mayraolivianarespadilla3202]

They are extremely picki with accents. It MUST be neutral, I have a friend from Texas that was rejected for his "accent"

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Oh interesting - good to know!! Thanks. Was your friend actually told that he was rejected for his accent or did he fail the demo and assume it was his accent?

[@mayraolivianarespadilla3202]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 it was on his feedback. With other 3 minor things that could have been fixed with no issue.

[@englishonline1684]

I used to recruit for them and it’s true. They do reject a lot of southerners.

[@garyteacher2138]

Hi, online teacher dude, which site do you recommend for someone with brick and mortar experience but no online experieince yet?

[@garyteacher2138]

Oh, plus I am an Ireland/ UK citizen, not North American.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

If you are from the UK, I would recommend Whales English, Cambly (adults), or Protostar.

[@DJV-fo5sp]

What's the student age range for this company?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

If I remember correctly, since this video is a few years old, they are elementary and middle school. To be honest, I have no idea if this company is still in operation or not.

[@cocoxo2735]

Are they hiring at this moment? (mid April 2022)

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes they are!

[@Ojosraros23]

Can you choose the age groups you would like to teach?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

I do not believe so.

[@FairyChicPaintCo]

Is protostar a Chinese based company? Ie no good to apply to in current climate?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

They are based in the US but they teach Chinese students. I would apply, sure why not!

[@CalistaHanemann]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 I am thinking we won't have an opportunity to teach here very long, if hired.

[@jennifermartinez1276]

Hello! I have been substitute teaching for a year in a brick and mortar school. Do you think that would be enough to qualify?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

I think it will, reach out to them and double check - they will get back to you in a couple of days.

[@jennifermartinez1276]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 ok, thank you!

[@sandragordon6219]

Do they teach with class in? I applied for a company and they used class in platform and I quit lol. It was complicated to use

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

They used to lol Now they use Talk Cloud.

[@sandragordon6219]

Can that be used on a laptop

[@amydubose8949]

Sandra, it can be used on any device with Google Chrome.

[@michaelvogt6050]

Hello! If I am to apply, and use you as a reference, do you have a first and last name?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes, you can put my name on the application form. My name is Tim Gascoigne (or you can put my channel name :) Thanks

[@leighdiaz3359]

Are they hiring at the moment?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes, as far as I know!

[@HolisticLifeUnscripted]

Do they have any US evening hours? Or only morning?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Only what I listed in the video. Its evening hours in China.

[@elvinakrasniqi9055]

Can you suggest me some companies who hire non native English teacher?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes, try AllRight - English School. Email me for the link.

[@elvinakrasniqi9055]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 what’s your email?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

@@elvinakrasniqi9055 Its in the video description. I cant write it in a comment.

[@paulinerubin92]

What is their absentee policy?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

I mentioned that in the video a little but it's basically flexible with penalties if you cancel last minute, just like most other companies.

[@paulinerubin92]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 sorry...I must have missed you talking about that! I’m with Magic Ears and they gave an awesome absentee policy even for last minute. This company sounds very interesting though! Thank you for the review 👍🏻

[@medenosrce4968]

What is your name so I can put you in the reference while applying?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

My name is Tim Gascoigne OR you can put my YT channel name.

[@kelleyworley8169]

Do they strictly teach Chinese kids?

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Protostar is in other markets, as well as based in Hong Kong.

[@jstalnaker28]

What is your full name if I decide to apply and need you as a reference.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Yes, you can put in "Tim Gascoigne". If you click the link in the description of the video, you will get an email within 5-10 minutes of how to apply with me. Thanks!

[@MrMatt-qs2ck]

They say $33 per hour, but that doesn't include the 10 minute break between classes... really 27.50 at most in an 'actual' hour. Not bad, but overpromising always leaves a bad taste. Great video - thanks!

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Hi, Thanks. It's not overpromising because it is possible but you won't get make that starting out. Its a range. If you look at 60 minutes of teaching, its possible on the very high end of the teachers who work there. There are teachers making $33/hour (60 minutes of teaching time). You are looking at an hour differently than what they are telling you the range is.

[@MrMatt-qs2ck]

@@onlineteacherdude1284 Good point. Overpromising is too strong. Still, the "technically true" statement that they pay $33 per hour is still a let down. At least for me, that's not how I plan my schedule or think about my pay. Just seems like marketing spin.

[@beautifulcrazy]

Thanks for not animating yourself. Your videos are professional. In the maze of rubbish on the internet, it is refreshing to get a trustworthy content creators.

[@onlineteacherdude1284]

Aw thanks so much.