Getting a job with SayABC - My experience!

As i've said before - this is my opinion taken from my own experience (Limited as it is thus far).
SayABC was my first experience with the online teaching world! I've been with them now for two months. Here are my thoughts on getting the job...

The first thing I did before taking the big plunge and signing up on the SayABC website was a LOT of googling ... and a LOT of You tubing! There are so many WAY more experienced teachers that have done amazing work that you can check out.

Then I hit the shops...No! not for a new wardrobe (although that would have been nice).

You will need a headset to teach and I didn't have one - I got this one from JB-HIFI.

I also hit Facebook Marketplace and gumtree to look for a puppet - specifically one with a mouth that moves! These are much harder to find then you would think (and I live in Sydney!).

I ended up getting a whole bag of puppets for $20 on Marketplace. They needed a good wash but they are fine! I also found this cute puppet on Amazon - and it came pretty quickly.

Then I went to office works and got this whiteboard and some magnetic letters. At least now I had the basics!

When you first sign up you need to provide a few 'tick a box' answers - the website will tell you straight away if you are someone SayABC are looking for - BE HONEST - They will ask for proof later in the process!

I had NO experience teaching ESL or Teaching Online! So I was honest - I did have two degrees and a lot of classroom experience though so I was hoping that would get me over the line.

Also! Look here to see if you have the Hardware and Software required to teach! (This is for the traditional 1 v 4 classroom - they are upgrading some classes to 1 v 6 which require higher tech specs check that out here)

Either way you have NOTHING TO LOSE! If you get past this part you KNOW that you have enough skills to be a teacher with SayABC! So give it a go!

Once you are past this initial applicant information process you have THREE STEPS left before signing a contract and starting to teach:


  1. Your Interview! You can select to do a self recorded interview or a LIVE interview. You can then select a time that suits to book in. I'll do another post on preparing for interview but there are some great YouTube tips you can watch here and here. 
  2. Your Self-study - This is a module you can complete on the SayABC portal- It's very easy!!
  3. Your Evaluation class! Here is where things get REAL! You will be booked to teach an ACTUAL class! With a real Chinese student! It's ok to be nervous! I WAS! But do your best because this is where the team will make their final decision on whether you can teach. If you pass you get paid for it too! (Since I started they've introduced a pay scale - depending on experience you will be put on a base rate in the range of $13-$15USD)
Evaluation prep is also a whole other post worth of information! Look out for it!

Once you've done your Evaluation class you will get told if you passed via email. This can take varying amounts of time! My Nephew knew the next morning! I didn't hear for nearly 48 hours. Keep those fingers and toes crossed and when you get the good news CELEBRATE! You've just been paid $13-15USD which goes some way to making back the money you've spent 😜 .

If you weren't successful there are plenty more 'fish' in the Online ESL word (see what I did there?!). Now you have the basic set up you may as well apply to a few companies and see how you go!

Happy Teaching x


P.S. Every company offers a referral bonus - If you're interested in getting started and would like my help with the process drop me a line! 

 Palfish referral code: 58910752 
SayABC referral code: EG63VF 


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