Teach English online with a major company by acing your young learner demo lesson
Teaching English online to children is BIG business. At the time this post was written (2020), it was estimated that just one company, VIPKid, taught over half a million Chinese children, employing over 65,000 teachers. Demand for teachers was certainly high – but so were standards, and, increasingly, pay rates. As a result, prospective teachers have to meet certain recruitment criteria and give a crucial demo lesson as part of the interview process.
(Update: China’s 2021 regulations – see our post on the end of online English to kids in China – have since closed the mass market that companies like VIPKid served. But demo lessons remain a standard part of recruitment for young-learner and general teaching platforms worldwide, so every technique below still applies.)
But what are kid-focused online English companies looking for in this demo lesson? If you really want to be a part of this industry, it is vital you get your demo right. So, how can you be sure you ace yours and get hired? Read on and watch our short video below for the answers.
What do employers want from your demo lesson?
Firstly, let’s consider what these kid-focused companies are looking for in your demo lesson.
They’ll be testing your accent, your manner and whether you are engaging and kid-friendly.
They will likely give you a steer about what they expect from your online demo lesson beforehand, so you won’t be going in cold. Be sure to read everything they send you and practise before your interview. Expectations from demo lessons vary a little (depending on the company) but there are some things that a demo lesson will have in common.
What are online demo lessons like?
Typically demo lessons:
- are 2-5 minutes long
- may have a prompt or slide with something for you to teach, such as I like vs she likes, for example
- are either live with the interviewer adopting the position of a five year old, for example, or you may be able to record your segment and upload it for them to view (this is preferable as you can have a few goes at it before uploading the version you are happiest with).
How should you come across to be successful?
Remember, the idea is to be engaging, friendly and enthusiastic. Adopt the mindset of a kids presenter on TV and you won’t go far wrong. You can still be you, just an exaggerated, more confident version of you. Be sure, also, to incorporate these important ideas and techniques in your demo lesson.
It helps to remember what the interviewer is actually picturing as they watch: a real five-year-old on the other side of the screen, with a short attention span and limited English. Every technique below exists to hold that child’s attention and make meaning clear without translation – which is why energy, gesture and visuals count for more in a young-learner demo than a polished explanation ever could. (Teaching adults instead? The structure is different – see our walkthrough of how to structure a general English online lesson.)
What are the 5 techniques that will ace your demo?
The 5 key techniques to help you ace your demo lesson are:
1. Total physical response (TPR)
This means using your body and gesture in teaching. You need to do this A LOT.
So, don’t just say: Good. Do a big thumbs up while saying: Good
Don’t just say: Hello. Smile broadly and wave while saying: Hello
Want them to repeat? Incline towards the camera and cup your ear to encourage this.
2. Short, direct sentences and lots of repetition
My name is Louisa. My name is Louisa.
What’s your name?
This is a ball.
This is a ball.
(Now cup hand to ear to get them to repeat.)
3. Props
Use lots of them. These may include a physical whiteboard behind your head, your name coloured in on card, puppets, flashcards, a ball, for example. If you can have a kid-friendly background when teaching, even better. It sets the tone and tells the company you are serious about teaching kids.
4. Rewards
Many companies love this. Reward correct sentences by putting a star sticker on the whiteboard or bring up an image of a trophy on screen, for example.
5. Be prepared to be a bit silly
Yes, you might have to lose your inhibitions. I’ve sung Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes getting faster and faster. I’ve done chants, mimed swimming, riding and eating, as well as the adjective smelly. I’ve been attacked by my own puppet to get a laugh. I’ve even changed the virtual background on zoom to show a bear which I’ve had to run away from. Bring energy, personality and enter into the spirit of it; it can be a lot of fun.
The 5 techniques at a glance
| Technique | What it looks like on camera |
|---|---|
| Total physical response (TPR) | Big gestures with every word: thumbs up for Good, a wave with Hello, cupping your ear to prompt repetition |
| Short sentences + repetition | Simple models said twice or more, then an invitation to repeat |
| Props | Whiteboard, name card, puppets, flashcards, a ball – and a kid-friendly background |
| Rewards | Star stickers on the whiteboard or a trophy image on screen for correct answers |
| Being a bit silly | Songs, chants, mimes and puppet antics – energy and personality over dignity |
Good luck and enjoy the experience.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an online teaching demo lesson be?
Most young-learner demo lessons are just 2–5 minutes long. Some are live, with the interviewer role-playing a young child; others let you record and upload your segment, which is preferable because you can do several takes and submit the version you’re happiest with. Either way, rehearse until the timing feels automatic.
What equipment do I need to teach English online to young learners?
The usual online-teaching kit – solid computer, stable internet, headset, webcam, good lighting – plus young-learner extras: a small physical whiteboard, flashcards, a puppet or soft toy, and a colourful, kid-friendly background. Props matter here more than anywhere else in online teaching; they show employers you’re serious about teaching children.
How much can I earn teaching English online?
It varies by platform, experience and specialism. Company and marketplace rates start modestly and rise with reviews and a recognised TESOL qualification, while independent teachers set their own fees. Teachers who are confident with young learners – a skill many teachers avoid – often find it easier to stay fully booked.
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