Great place to work - Online ESL Teacher HAWO Employee Review

-For two years I have loved this work-at-home contract teaching job with HAWO. I hope they keep renewing my contract each year. It is wonderful to work at home and teach Chinese students over the internet. I love the students I teach. I’m happy with the online instructional materials the company provides. -I live on the US East Coast. I start teaching at 5am and finish at 8am, so, I have the rest of the day for myself. -HAWO teachers are “group-class” teachers. We teach 4 students online for 45 minutes. I teach twelve group classes each week, a maximum of three group classes each day. -Because HAWO is for group classes, you have the security of knowing you have these classes BOOKED for 44 weeks. Many other companies are strictly 1-on-1 classes where you always have to hope students will sign up (and then they cancel at the last minute) . I love knowing I have classes solidly booked that will not cancel. -Teachers have a Facebook page for communicating with each other that's run by HAWO. Some teachers are generous to share their ideas and creations for rewards, games, and props. New teachers can ask questions they might have about procedures and the more experienced teachers provide clarification. -I have been paid on time every month for the past 2 years. I have a university degree and a TESOL certificate which is currently required to receive the base payment of $18 per group class. The pay structure has changed in the past, so there is no guarantee that it won’t change again. HAWO occasionally offers short-term bonuses for perfect on-time attendance. The bonuses are not regular and can disappear overnight, but very nice to have when available. -It is a wonderful experience to learn about Chinese culture. The students are hard working and smart and I love them.

-My first few months were not fully booked with classes. When I was hired it was not be at the beginning of a 44-week semester, so it took me three months to gain a full group-class schedule. Be prepared to earn minimal income during the first month or two. BUT after that, your schedule is set and you have the security that you will have those group classes for the whole term (unlike other companies where you hope you get students to sign up every day). -It's great that we’ve been getting approximately seven weeks of vacation time (unpaid). The dates, however, are strictly set by the company around Chinese Holidays and also 2 weeks off for our Christmas and New Year. You won't be able to choose your own dates for a week off. If you take off more than 2 days in a row we are told we will lose our scheduled group classes which is the main source of income. It could take months to regain a full group-class schedule. -Sometimes teachers complain on the Facebook page (or in these reviews) about penalties for being late to class or computer/internet problems that cause them to be penalized. If you accept a HAWO job remember, you signed a contract and the penalties were clearly stated -- you agreed. HAWO has a responsibility to the students/parents who are paying, in my opinion, ULTRA HUGE amounts of money to be taught by North American teachers. HAWO bonuses are for being on-time. I avoid being late by setting up MULTIPLE alarm systems to get me up in the morning, and alarms on my smartphone before each of the three classes. ALSO, I have a back-up laptop (low-price from eBay that meets minimum standards) and headset ready to go if my main computer has a glitch so I won't be late or disappear from a class and lose my bonus. AND I have a plan to jump in my car and rush to McDonalds/Starbucks with my laptop if my internet fails. Sign the contract and then plan for success! -I love teaching with HAWO and the items I've listed above work fine with my lifestyle, but it's good for potential teachers to be sure it works for them. And remember, this is a 1-year contract. Just like a contract job in the U.S. there is no guaranteed renewal and they don't have to give a reason for not renewing. Do your best work, go in with a positive attitude and stay positive. It's a great opportunity.

Love working with the children.

They just stopped giving me clients without any notice.