Honest review … Magic Ears is an online English tutoring company – and they are constantly hiring! This is a fairly new company, so there is an opportunity to move up in rank quickly with secondary positions. I started working for them in April this year and my starting pay was $22/hour. It is a wonderful company to work for.
Related: How to Teach for Magic Ears in 2019
The Good
You are treated as a person, not a number. I receive emails, calls and texts via Skype regularly when they (or myself) wish to communicate. There is always a way to contact someone if you need assistance.
You are not penalized for sick or emergency days. No voice, stuffy congested head – no worries. Inform them that you are sick and Magic Ears will trust you. No doctor’s note required.
Teaching platform is awesome and smooth. Very rare to have tech issues. The classes are interactive and engaging for both the students and the teacher, which makes the time fly by. Classes are 25 minutes long.
The company is so kind to you as a person. I am often called or emailed with a message to tell me I did a good job. Even feedback from them about an area to improve on is given in a loving manner in order to help me to be a better teacher.
Work from anywhere in the world as long as you have a stable and fast internet connection. Currently, I am living in the Dominican Republic. I work early in the mornings for a couple of hours then take a break and walk across the street to the beach all day. After dinner, I work for an additional couple of hours in the evening.
Related: Traveling the World while Teaching Online
Do I like waking up early and staying up late at night? NO! But, Magic Ears pays really well and the schedule permits me to do whatever I please during the whole day … which is getting a tan on the beach, taking a walk or snorkeling for fresh conch to cook for dinner that day. This sure beats the wintery mix in the Northeast right now (I came from Pennsylvania, USA).
Speaking of the US, Magic Ears only hires native teachers from Canada or the United States. They are looking for a specific accent.
Starting pay is great with a chance to go up to $26 per hour.
The Bad
Honestly, the only con for me was the length of time it takes to get started. And even this (although annoying) is a good thing. I got hired in early April and it took about 3 weeks for me to complete the application, training and probationary period. This is because they pace it very slowly and it is not possible to hurry and finish it all in a few days (even though I wanted to).
Then, I was teaching classes – but this was also a slow process. For the next 3 weeks, I was only scheduled 1 or 2 classes a day. Finally, after almost 2 months, I was teaching almost every slot I choose to open up.
Related: 9 Must-Have Magic Ears Props
The Rest
Be willing to accept constructive criticism. Once you are on a roll teaching, you will receive feedback or Skype messages telling you to improve on a specific topic. This is not optional and you must make adjustments to your teaching style immediately or you will not have future bookings. Remember, we are hired to work for someone else’s company and they have a right to call the shots. Don’t take things personally and put up an offensive “I know what I’m doing” attitude. Just listen to their suggestions and make a slight adjustment.
I hope this answered some of your questions regarding this ESL company. I really do like working for Magic Ears and I highly recommend it.
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like more information. Below is a link to apply – you will have a better chance of getting hired if you use a referral code.
jenica.burello@gmail.com
56 Responses
Thank you very much, your information was very informative. They have already reached out to me and I wanted to hear from someone who had experience with the company.
Thank you for this.
what hours do u normally work? I have a baby and would need to be able to work around her needs, whike shes sleeping, or be able to get a sitter.
Hi Jess – it depends on your time zone but the most popular hours are generally PM hours in China, so mornings on the US East Coast and super early mornings on US West Coast.
I have a baby too! I teach at 5 am because I know for sure that she will be asleep at that time plus my hubby watches her for the 25 min i am teaching in the event she decides to sleep face down (Lord forbid). But yea it’s possible! Just figure out your little one’s sleep sched and then find a time slot that will work around that 🙂 Best of luck to you mama~~
Thanks for sharing this information. Does this job require recording mock videos during the hiring process? Were you compensated for the training outside of the certification?
Thank you so much!! Your review, very helpful. Gave insight to the timeframe
Hello! Thank you so much for an insightful article. Only question is, do they require previous teaching skills?
No, experience is definitely an asset but not a requirement.
Hi,
I am currently teaching and would like to supplement my income. I have been doing research into online companies and I really like the reviews I have been seeing for Magic Ears! I’ve got a few quick questions regarding the early morning time slots. I leave at 6:45 to travel daily. Is it possible to pick up a class or two before leaving? How late are the time slots in the evening?
Thank you!
Hi Dar – what is your current time zone?
They do not require previous teaching experience
Are available hours set or can they be changed? I can set my hours but every 8 weeks when my daughter’s school schedule changes, one of my days might change. I only have this for the next year. Also when you go on vacation, is it possible to teach from another location?
Hi Rhonda – I believe you can open and close your schedule as needed.
Hi. Did you get paid during your training time? And how many hours were you training for a day/ week?
How are we paid by the company since we are not residents there?
You can change your hours with them. Just give them a heads up of when you need it changed.
Once you’re up and running, how many hours can you teach? Could it be enough to be considered a full time job making $46,000/year?
$46k would be difficult, though we did do an interview with a VIPKID teacher who earned $75k per year.
To be honest, Magic Ears is not enough to make all that. I read somewhere there was a teacher who was making an additional 1,000 each month but even she mentioned how you shouldn’t count on ME to be your primary source of income. So to answer your question no
Good day,
I am a South African citizen and would like to know if I could apply? I do have a degree an would be very interested to teach English online.
Hi Robyn – right now I believe they only accept applicants from USA or Canada.
@Robyn, I am also from SA, have you had any success thus far in being accepted by any online companies that accept SA’s. if you could let me know your experiences etc that would be great, i am totally new to this industry.
Regards,
Mandy Burger
South Africa
Go for it! Worst thing to happen is for them to say no. You got this!!
Do you have to have a bachelors degree to work for Magic Ears? I have an associates degree.
Yes, you need a bachelor’s.
Hello
quick question I am applying to a teacher in our school district and I will be taking online master classes ontop of it. How long is the contract for magic ears? And can I do it as little or as much as I want because I have 2 kids and a husband that I dont want to neglect either in this whole process?
Thank you so much for your time
Kari
Hi Kari – contracts are 6mo I believe and you can set your own schedule within the available hours for a bit of flexibility.
I currently am a teachers aide at a middle school and need a job when school is out for summer. When should I start the training and how do you get paid? Is it direct deposit? I have a bachelors degree and a basic understanding of the English language but sadly no teaching experience. Would they still want to hire me?
Hi Jett – most companies pay via direct deposit or Paypal and it’s never too early to start training your skills! Also, I’m sure being a teacher’s aide gives you plenty of skills an employer would find valuable so don’t worry too much about that – the biggest issue is that most companies are going to want you to commit to a 3-6month contract, how long is your summer break?
Please I am currently in my final year to get my bachelor’s degree.Since it is a requirement to work in Magic ears, How do i let them know that my bachelor’s degree is in view so that am not refused when i apply
Hi Emma – I believe you will need to complete your degree before being eligible for Magic Ears.
Hi – what an informative article! Thanks. I do, however, have a few questions. I have a bachelor’s degree, must I have a certificate in ESOL as well? If so, can I obtain this through Magic Ears? If so, what is the cost? Would I have to sign a contract?
Yes, you need a TEFL certificate and you can get one through Magic Ears – check out their course here https://magicearsuniversity.teachable.com/p/me-120-hour-advanced-tesol – I believe it’s $20. And yes, you will have to sign a contract to work with Magic Ears.
I’ve been working at Landi for almost 2 years now and too many bad changes and it’s time to move on. Can you tell me about the salary these days? Has it changed? Thanks so much. Waiting to hear and then I’ll gladly use your referral!
Hi to every one and really thanks for all these valuable information. I am new to these industry too, in view of getting a bachelor this year (Cameroon), disappointed they do not want tutor from other countries except Canada and USA. This may change in time and in case they do, I will like you notify please. That said my question is; Is it possible to teach any other course apart English, say commercial courses for instance?, Must one have a both Bachelor and TOELF certificate in pocket before she is booked in for a course ? Do other teaching sites exist that accept tutors from every where, ( say west , central Africa, or even South Africa instead of just US and Canada like is the case with Robyn)?
Have you tried sites like Preply where you can register a profile and teach pretty much any subject?
Hello!
I have 6 months experience teaching ESL in a classroom and have taught photography for the past 10 years in a classroom. I haven’t yet taught online. I am about to start on a TESOL/TEFL certification. Once I complete the certification, would I have the experience needed to teach with Magic Ears? I should mention that I have a masters degree as well. Is age a consideration? Does the company prefer to hire teachers in their twenties and thirties? Thank you!!
Hi Amy – yes, you seem to meet the requirements for Magic Ears. However, they do seem to prefer younger candidates but it’s not a hard and fast rule.
thank you so much for all the helpful info! I wanted to ask you if you thought it was realistic to expect to work 6-7 hours a day?
Hi Uni – that’s possible on the weekend but harder to achieve during the week.
I’m from England. How good does my accent have to be for magic ears? Is it worth a try?
I believe they only accept applicants from the US or Canada – see our guide here https://eslauthority.com/teach/online/magic-ears-guide/
So I’m 41 years old. Is that too old for them? I’m a preschool educator and have my TESOL.
Most of their teachers do skew younger in age but given your qualifications, it’s definitely worth applying if you meet the rest of the requirements – see our guide here https://eslauthority.com/teach/online/magic-ears-guide/
Hello! Is a TESL still required if you have a valid teaching certification? Also, if you are in the process of doing the TESL certification can you start teaching or does it have to be completed before starting?
Thank you!
Hi, I’m a recently retired elementary teacher, willing to complete the ESL certification. Am I too old to apply?
Hi Deb – I don’t think there is an age limit with Magic Ears, though they do prefer younger teachers.
I have recently retired and am currently taking the ESL certification program. Does Magic Ears hire individuals over 65?
HI, i am a US citizen and live in the US, I am also an ESL certified teacher. I currently teach ESL students young and adults in one of the public schools in my state. My question is that I am not a native speaker although I have a very good accent. Is this going to be a problem?
If you are based in the U.S. and the company is in China, how do taxes work?
You are considered a contractor and responsible for reporting all income and paying all appropriate taxes – a quick Google search on how to do taxes as a contractor should give you a good amount of information.
Hello.Do you get paid monthly or weekly?
Are you certain that they only hire people from US and Canada? Because I was given a link from a South-African already working there and I am from Europe (not the UK). They don’t say anything about location limitations in their requirements either, usually, these companies do state it clearly if they’re looking exclusively for North American residents.
Hello, do you have to prepare your teaching materials every lesson? Or they did provide you with the materials you will use in teaching?
Hey, I want to use magic ears for supplement income. About how many hours would you say that teachers receive a week? I have a comm degree and this sounds like a great opportunity.
Can you carry out the sessions udon a mobile phone?