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May 2020

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Magic Ears: Requirements and FAQs

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Kids are so cute, aren’t they? Don’t you just love interacting with them? Would you like to be paid to have fun while teaching 4 -12 year old Chinese kids? If you answered “Yes” to those questions, Magic Ears could be the online ESL company for you.

Too many aspiring online TEFL teachers are heartbroken when they apply to a company only to be rejected before reaching the interview stage. If your resume doesn’t contain key qualifications, it will be rejected. To give yourself the best chance of progressing through the application process and getting the job, I highly encourage you to read through this list of FAQs and responses.

1. Do I Qualify To Be A Candidate?

To qualify to work for Magic Ears, you should be a native speaker from an English speaking country. You will need to have a Bachelor’s degree or higher and a 120-hour ESL certification (Magic Ears offers an accredited 120-hour advanced TESOL course for $20 USD). Teaching experience is not required, but it would be an asset.

**If you are a resident of California, you are not eligible to apply due to the AB5 Bill. Click here for more information.

2. Do I Need To Have Teaching Experience?

No. Teaching experience, although preferred, is not required. Magic Ears provides online training for new teachers.

3. How Much Money Can I Make?

Pay is per class. If you are hired at the Bronze base pay level, you will make $7.50 per lesson plus bonuses. See the image below for the company’s base pay policy and bonus incentives. Your base pay will depend on your qualifications. How much you make per week or month is up to you. You control your schedule. So, the more lessons you teach, the more money you make. You can expect the company to offer periodic monetary incentives to sweeten the pot. You can also bring in referral bonuses with your referral link.

Magic Ears Base Pay Policy

4. When and How Will Magic Ears Pay Me?

As with most Chinese online schools, Magic Ears pays on a monthly basis. Payment is made through Paypal or bank transfer on the 10th of each month.

5. What Does A Magic Ears Teacher Do?

As a Magic Ears teacher, you will deliver 25-minute English lessons to a group of four students. The students’ ages will range from 4 to 12 years old. The lessons are already prepared. So, all you’ll have to do is review the lessons and prepare your props. Once each lesson is completed, you’ll be required to leave class feedback for each student. The feedback needs to be submitted within 18 hours of completing a lesson.

https://videopress.com/v/3z5g35zU?preloadContent=metadata

6. Do I Have To Find My Own Students?

No, students are randomly assigned to available teachers by the Magic Ears system. Open those time slots and the students will come!

7. What Kind Of Schedule Will I Have?

Hooray for flexible scheduling! How often you work is up to you. You can work any time you want from 9 PM to 9 AM EDT. The times that have the most demand are Sun – Sat 7 AM – 8:30 AM and Sat – Sun 9 PM – 10 PM Eastern Daylight Time. Although it’s suggested that teachers be available for at least 10 hours, there’s no minimum teaching requirement.

8. What’s The Contract Length?

Contracts are 6-month. Renewal is dependent upon satisfactory work performance.

9. How Do I Apply?

The application process consists of a series of steps taking place over several days. After registering and submitting the application, you’ll need to schedule and perform a demo lesson which can be recorded (you only) or live (performed with another teacher pretending to be your student). The next step will be attending a private online coaching session to get some tips and pointers, and then you’ll perform another short teaching demo. After that, you’ll be assigned a trial lesson. Upon successful completion of the trial lesson, you’ll fill out a background check (3-5 days). If your background check is fine, you’ll be offered a contract. Once your contract is signed and submitted, you’ll be a full-fledged Magic Ears teacher!

Magic Ears says, “Please allow up to 2 business days for processing at each step. Throughout the application process, there are two places where you can find updates on your application’s status:
1. The email with which you applied (check your spam folder).
2. The Teacher Portal (logging into the website).
Once you start the application process on the teacher portal, you can use the “Contact Us” link in your portal to easily reach out to us at any time during the application process.”

If teaching with Magic Ears sounds like a good deal to you, you can sign up by clicking the button below to use my referral link (referral code T200462).

Apply to Magic Ears
Magic Ears logo

Magic Ears: Everything You Need to Know

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(Update) I do not recommend applying for this job due to recent events in the online industry. Kids are so cute, aren’t they? Don’t you just love interacting with them? Would you like to be paid to have fun while teaching 4 -12-year old Chinese kids? If you answered “Yes” to those questions, Magic Ears could be the online ESL company for you.

Too many aspiring online TEFL teachers are heartbroken when they apply to a company only to be rejected before reaching the interview stage. If your resume doesn’t contain key qualifications, it will be rejected. To give yourself the best chance of progressing through the application process and getting the job, I highly encourage you to read through this list of FAQs and responses.

1. Do I Qualify To Be A Candidate?

To qualify to work for Magic Ears, you should be a native speaker from an English-speaking country. You will need to have a Bachelor’s degree or higher and a 120-hour ESL certification (Magic Ears offers an accredited 120-hour advanced TESOL course for $20 USD). Teaching experience is not required, but it would be an asset.

**If you are a resident of California, you are not eligible to apply due to the AB5 Bill. Click here for more information.

2. Do I Need To Have Teaching Experience?

No. Teaching experience, although preferred, is not required. Magic Ears provides online training for new teachers.

3. How Much Money Can I Make?

Pay is per class. If you are hired at the Bronze base pay level, you will make $7.50 per lesson plus bonuses. See the image below for the company’s base pay policy and bonus incentives. Your base pay will depend on your qualifications. How much you make per week or month is up to you. You control your schedule. So, the more lessons you teach, the more money you make. You can expect the company to offer periodic monetary incentives to sweeten the pot. You can also bring in referral bonuses with your referral link.

Magic Ears Base Pay Policy

4. When and How Will Magic Ears Pay Me?

As with most Chinese online schools, Magic Ears pays on a monthly basis. Payment is made through Paypal or bank transfer on the 10th of each month.

5. What Does A Magic Ears Teacher Do?

As a Magic Ears teacher, you will deliver 25-minute English lessons to a group of four students. The students’ ages will range from 4 to 12 years old. The lessons are already prepared. So, all you’ll have to do is review the lessons and prepare your props. Once each lesson is completed, you’ll be required to leave class feedback for each student. The feedback needs to be submitted within 18 hours of completing a lesson.

https://videopress.com/v/3z5g35zU?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata

6. Do I Have To Find My Own Students?

No, students are randomly assigned to available teachers by the Magic Ears system. Open those time slots and the students will come!

7. What Kind Of Schedule Will I Have?

Hooray for flexible scheduling! How often you work is up to you. You can work any time you want from 9 PM to 9 AM EDT. The times that have the most demand are Sun-Sat 7 AM – 8:30 AM and Sat-Sun 9 PM – 10 PM Eastern Daylight Time. Although it’s suggested that teachers be available for at least 10 hours, there’s no minimum teaching requirement.

8. How long is a Magic Ears teaching contract?

Contracts are for 6 months. Renewal is dependent upon satisfactory work performance.

9. How Do I Apply?

The application process consists of a series of steps taking place over several days. After registering and submitting the application, you’ll need to schedule and perform a demo lesson which can be recorded (you only) or live (performed with another teacher pretending to be your student). The next step will be attending a private online coaching session to get some tips and pointers, and then you’ll perform another short teaching demo. After that, you’ll be assigned a trial lesson. Upon successful completion of the trial lesson, you’ll fill out a background check (3-5 days). If your background check is fine, you’ll be offered a contract. Once your contract is signed and submitted, you’ll be a full-fledged Magic Ears teacher!

Magic Ears says, “Please allow up to 2 business days for processing at each step. Throughout the application process, there are two places where you can find updates on your application’s status:
1. The email with which you applied (check your spam folder).
2. The Teacher Portal (logging into the website).
Once you start the application process on the teacher portal, you can use the “Contact Us” link in your portal to easily reach out to us at any time during the application process.”

If teaching with Magic Ears sounds like a good deal to you, you can sign up by clicking the button below to use my referral link (referral code T200462).

Apply to Magic Ears
6 Travel Movies

6 Movies That Will Inspire You To Travel

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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

One way to learn about different destinations is through movies. I made this list of movies that inspired me to add destinations like the DRC, Uganda, and Verona to my future travel list. I’m going to share them with you in hopes that they’ll inspire you to travel, too.

Movies That Will Inspire You To Travel

1. The Bucket List

This is a great movie that will inspire you to live life like it’s your last day on Earth. Laugh out loud and shed some tears as you watch this comedy-drama about two terminally ill cancer patients, played by Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, who break free from a cancer ward and set out to live life to the fullest before they die.

2. Queen of Katwe

Starring Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo, Queen of Katwe is based on the true story of a little Ugandan girl from the Katwe slum, Phiona Mutesi. Phiona had to drop out of school early, but at age nine when she discovers that she has a talent for chess, she and her family are given the opportunity to get out of the slum.

3. Letters To Juliet

Sophie Hall (Amanda Seyfried) dreams of becoming a writer. When she travels to Verona, Italy with her fiancé (Gael Garcia Bernal), she meets and teams up with a group of volunteers, who respond to letters about love written to Shakespeare’s Juliet. Sophie responds to a 50-year-old letter and inspires its writer to venture through the Italian countryside searching for her long-lost love. Sophie and her fiancé tag along. They experience some bumps in their relationship during the trip, but things work themselves out in the end.

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4. The Ramen Girl

Foodies, whet your appetite as you watch The Ramen Girl, a story about an American girl, played by Brittany Murphy, who travels to Tokyo with her boyfriend only to be dumped by him while there. She eats a delicious bowl of ramen and finds her life’s true calling: to be a ramen chef.

5. Virunga

According to the Global Wild Life Fund, there are about 1,000 mountain gorillas left on our planet. This documentary will inspire you to journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo to get an in-person view of its breathtaking natural beauty. In this film, you’ll witness the harrowing work of the individuals risking their lives to save Virunga National Park. The park is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth and home to about half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Take in the stunning landscapes, majestic animals, and the double-edged sword that is the connection between nature and humanity.

6. The Lion King

This was one of my favorite movies as a child. It’s a timeless classic. You can choose between the original cartoon version of the movie and an updated realistic version. Watch as a young lion prince goes from tragedy to triumph and becomes the new king of Pride Rock once he learns to put the past behind him. You’ll be inspired to book a flight to Africa to see the savannas in all their splendor.

You’ll reminisce about your adventures if you’ve already visited the places in these movies. If you haven’t, maybe watching these movies will inspire you to travel and experience them for yourself. Either way, you’ll be well entertained by them.

Person looking at winter lake scene

6 Powerful Quotes For The First-Time Solo Traveler

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Change your location, change your life.

Taking that first step into solo travelhood can be scary, to say the least. Here are 6 quotes that are not all travel-related, but can be applied to the solo travel lifestyle.

#1. “To Travel Is To Live.” – Hans Christian Andersen

You haven’t truly experienced life until you’ve made your way out of your comfort zone and expanded your mind. Happiness doesn’t just happen. It takes work. Exploring and interacting with the world around you promotes, among many other things, confidence, happiness, and a zest for life.

#2. “To do what you are afraid to do is to guide your life by fear. How much better not to be afraid to do what you believe in doing!” – Jane Addams

It can be intimidating to go somewhere alone, but you’ll find that doing so makes you stronger mentally and emotionally. We risk not doing what’s best for ourselves when we give in to fear. Instead of letting fear dictate your life, face your fears every chance you get. The more you face your fears, the more empowered you’ll become to do the things that matter most to you.

#3. “There is not enough time to do all the nothing we want to do.” – Bill Watterson

Whether you live to be 50 or 100, life is short. Don’t waste it sitting around living a boring, mundane life or letting others tell you how to live your life. Get up and get out. Pursue your dreams. Learn something new. Live in another country. Find out what makes you tick and feel alive. Live life fully.

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#4. “Before the development of tourism, travel was conceived to be like study, and its fruits were considered to be the adornment of the mind and formation of the judgement.” – Paul Fussel

Travel gives you the opportunity to live in the moment and expand your mind. Don’t just go to a destination, be the destination. Immerse yourself in the culture of your destination. Stay for a few days or more. Don’t be a tourist. Be one of the locals. Eat what the locals eat. Stay where the locals stay. Hang out in the clubs with the locals. You’ll gain a whole new perspective on life, yourself, and others.

#5. “Do your own thinking independently. Be the chess player, not the chess piece.” – Ralph Charell

Solo traveling removes you from the normal distractions you’re used to at home so you can free up time to truly think. There’s no familiar external voice in your ear trying to influence your thoughts and decisions. You’re able to put things into perspective and make your own decisions based on what YOU want for YOUR life.

#6. “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” – Mark Twain

No matter if you’re a man or a woman, we’ve all experienced some kind of fear or apprehension of a possible future event. Leaving your comfort zone tends to do that to you. The mind is capable of dreaming up all kinds of imaginary obstacles. As you prepare for your journey, come up with ways to minimize risks to your health or safety and replace any remaining fears with curiosity– What will you learn from your experiences? Who will you meet? How will your life be enriched?

There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored by YOU. Don’t let anyone, including yourself, stop you from your dreams of experiencing different countries and meeting new people. Face down your fears and take the leap. You won’t regret it.

herbal
Palacio De Bellas Artes, Mexico City

8 Must-See Sites In Mexico City

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México City is filled with amazing sites. Don’t know where to start? Here’s help!

If you’re looking for interesting tourist spots in México City, you’ll find this list helpful. I provided maps to make finding them easy.

  • The modern and old Basilicas of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
  • Zócalo, Catedral Metropolitana (L) and Palacio Nacional (R)
  • One of the rooms inside the Chapultapec Castle.
  • Getting creative @ Museo Franz Mayer
  • Palacio De Bellas Artes
  • Mucha lucha @ Arena México.
(Click photos to enlarge).

1. Basílica de Guadalupe (The National Shrine of México)

The second most important Catholic Shrine after the Vatican, the Basílica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located in northern México City. There are two structures, the Modern Basilica and the Old Basilica (El Templo Exiatorio a Cristo Rey). According to Catholic tradition, the site is where the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, the first American indigenous Roman Catholic saint, and requested that a shrine be built in her honor. You’ll be astonished by the beautiful old-style Spanish architecture of the old Basilica. The Modern Basilica, too, is an astounding structure. The decor inside the Basilicas is absolutely beautiful. At this site, there is so much to see! Nearby, you’ll also find the Baptistry and the Basilica Museum. There is a lovely garden with scriptures inscribed in stone slabs and a large statue of Jesus. You’ll also find the Pocito Chapel Capilla de Cerrito, Antigua Parroquia de Indios, and Parroquia de Santa Maria de Guadalupe Nasturtiums. A visit here can take several hours, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring snacks or money for snacks, and arrive early to beat the crowds.

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2. La Plaza De La Constitución

Another hot spot in Mexico City is the grand square La Plaza De La Constitución, also known as Zócalo . It’s México’s main public square and is surrounded by important sites such as the Catedtral Metropolitana, Palacio Nacional, federal government buildings, and shops and restaurants. It’s not unusual to witness some sort of gathering such a protest or celebration, so have your camera ready! Be aware that there will be lots of street recruiters for restaurants and shops, so be careful to not get scammed.

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3. Palacio Nacional

Palacio Nacional is located at Zócalo. This grand building is the federal seat of the Mexican President. Inside, you’ll find walls covered with beautiful murals by the famous painter, Diego Rivera. Admission into the palace is free, but be sure to bring a photo ID and be prepared to go through a security check.

4. Catedral Metropolitana

Also within the Zócalo is the oldest Latin American cathedral, Catedral Metropolitana. Built using stones from the ruins of Aztec temples, it boasts a combination of Spanish baroque, Gothic, neoclassical and churrigueresque architecture. Admission is free, but if you want to visit the bell tower and rooftop, you’ll need to purchase a ticket.

Book a sightseeing tour including Zocalo, Catedral Metropolitana, Polacio Nacional, Bosque de Chapultapec, the Xochimilco Canals, and more!

5. Bosque de Chapultapec

Bosque de Chapultapec (Chapultapec Park) is huge! I’ve been several times and I still haven’t seen the whole of it. There’s a roller coaster, a lake with paddle boats, a huge garden, museums, a beautiful castle, and so much more. There’s no shortage of vendors and you can enjoy live entertainment out by the lake.

6. Museo Franz Mayer

Browse German collector, Franz Mayer’s, private collection of antique furniture and artwork. Enjoy interactive exhibits. Stop by the cafe for some tea or coffee and relax in the courtyard. General admission starts at about $70 pesos per person and entry for children under 12 years is free.

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7. Palacio de Bellas Artes

Across the street from Museo Franz Mayer is the Palacio de Bellas Artes. It’s a large marble building that serves as a museum and center for the performing arts. The palace is closed on Mondays. Daily admission starts at about $70 pesos, but Sunday’s admission is free.

8. Arena México

You can’t visit México and not take in a lucha libre! Stop by the Arena México and watch as masked musclemen and musclewomen battle it out in the ring. The drama and wild and crazy acrobatics are sure to delight! Tickets start at $50 pesos and can be purchased on the same day.

Get amazing flight deals and mistake fares sent right to your email! Here’s a discount for 10% off a Premium membership. The average savings is $550 per ticket, so you’ll make the fee back (x 12).

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