Golden Voice English Reviews – A Great Online Teaching Job

Teaching English online is one of about a million ways you can make some extra money from home. There are dozens of companies you can work for, so the good news is that there’s no shortage of opportunities.

But which one do you want to work for? 

And, maybe more importantly, which one will hire you?

Our Golden Voice English review will give you a solid overview of the company, who it hires, what it pays, what it’s like working for them, what classes are like, and much more. 

Interested in learning more about this particular work-from-home opportunity? 

Let’s get started. Click on any of the topics in the Table of Contents to go straight to that section. 

What is Golden Voice English?

Golden Voice English (GVE) is a language school that connects English tutors with Chinese students throughout the country in all provinces.

Online ESL classes are a technique that is increasingly popular in Asia, and the reality is that many Chinese children live in areas where there are no native English teachers and English is taught in schools by Chinese teachers. 

GVE offers language classes for students from grades 1 through 9, from when they are about 6 or 7 through to when they’re about 15. This particular language school's goal is to offer supplementary support to students and it's in line with the government-mandated curriculum in China.

The company is based in Toronto, Canada, and hires only North American teachers.

Check them out in the video below.

Tutoring requirements

It probably won’t come as a surprise that Golden Voice English reviews application based on each tutor's qualifications and teaching experience. 

Any teaching job is likely to demand a good level of knowledge and require that you can demonstrate an understanding of teaching and ESL (English as a Second Language) / EFL (English as a Foreign Language).

Having TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or ESL teacher training certification and experience teaching English as a foreign language are among the company’s desired requirements, but they aren’t requisites. 

Keep in mind that volunteering, coaching and participating in community activities is considered experience. Having a Bachelor of Education degree is also desirable, though not required. 

Even if you don’t meet these “desired requirements,” it’s still worth applying to be a Golden Voice English teacher.

What the company is really looking for are tutors who have a real passion for education. You need to have a lot of patience to take on a role like this, and an understanding of ESL is important. 

Other actual job requirements include being a native English speaker, having strong communication skills, being punctual and passionate, and having a space at home to set up your virtual classroom.

It's worth noting that the class schedule can be awkward due to the fact that this is a cross-continental operation! 

Tutors do have some flexibility, but are expected to be available for at least 8 hours each week between 6:00 and 10:00 pm China Standard Time. Be sure to check what time this is where you are based, as it can make for some unsociable working hours, depending on your time zone.

As you would expect from any role like this, background checks are also carried out.

All this being said, the truth is that all you really need to get started is a computer, a reliable internet connection, and a good attitude.

How does Golden Voice English work?

Most Golden Voice English reviews will tell you that this is not a marketplace where anyone can sign up and become an online ESL teacher.

The benefit of this is that there is quality control. The fact that not everyone can be a tutor means you must go through an application process.

What happens if you become a tutor?

Tutors are connected with their students through video chat, and tutoring sessions are offered either individually in a one-to-one setting or with small groups of students. 

Most GVE teachers highlight the satisfaction they get from establishing a positive relationship with their students and building a connection with them. ESL jobs can be incredibly rewarding and surprisingly social. 

There is a schedule, and you will indicate the days and hours when you’re available. The company will then match you up with students, providing there is the demand for those time slots.

Teaching materials and support are provided, as are educational games and presentations that you can use in class. There is a large focus on gamification as part of learning, and teachers are given animated PowerPoint presentations with which the kids generally connect quickly.

Lessons are given between 6 am and 10 am EST (3 am to 7 am PST), Monday through Saturday, so keep this in mind when applying.

Golden Voice English pay

Golden Voice English teachers are paid via direct deposit once per month. Earnings are based on the number of classes you teach, and each class is 25 minutes long. 

In general, the starting pay rate is $16/hour if your bank is in the US and $18/hour if you’re in Canada. Contracts are indefinite, so there is no end date, and it’s possible to receive raises and bonuses, including for referring other teachers to the company.

GVE application process

Applications can be submitted through GVE’s website. 

Though it seems like they're always hiring, very occasionally new tutor positions are put “on hold”. When they are not on hold, you can get started by filling out a simple form.

If they like your application, it is usually followed up by a video interview process. 

A recruitment officer from within Golden Voice English will send you questions about your skills and experience, and you are then expected to submit a short video answering these questions.

If you get through this stage successfully, the next step is to carry out a “Live Orientation and Demo Session,” which is reviewed by the company’s Academic Managers. 

This is your chance to shine. 

The performance in this demo session can put you in a better position in terms of pay. You may be offered a higher hourly rate if you're able to demonstrate your experience.

There are other companies offering similar positions to tutors and they won’t want to lose the best tutors to someone paying more.

A tutoring contract is provided, should you be successful. This probably will not have specific set hours, and your hours will vary depending on demand at any given time.

Tech requirements

Given the fact that classes are given over the internet and on multiple continents, there are some tech requirements, too. 

Naturally, a reliable internet connection will be needed for this sort of online teaching job, and you will also need webcam capabilities. Although their website doesn’t specifically say so, it's worth making sure the webcam is decent, too, and isn’t from 1999.

Whether you’re a Chrome fan, a Safari user or a Firefox loyalist, it doesn’t matter: GVE’s English language education online platform can work in a wide variety of different browsers, which must be updated to the latest version.

The software which connects you to Golden Voice English students works on both Macs and PCs, though the recommendation is that 4 GB of ram is included in the specifications of your computer.

Another requirement is that a Microsoft Office package from 2010 or later be installed on your computer.

You should also have a designated space in your home where you can set up your virtual classroom, where you won’t be interrupted by your kids and which looks professional.

GVE schedule

The schedule for GVE’s ESL teachers is actually quite flexible. 

As we’ve already mentioned, being available between 6 am and 10 am EST (3 am to 7 am PST) is required, but you can choose which hours you are available within that time frame. The software will schedule your lessons in the time slots you make yourself available.

Some time slots are busier than others, so the more availability you have, the better your chances of being matched up with a student. You must commit to 8 hours a week and be available for at least 1 hour each day.

The small time commitment makes this the perfect side gig for a mom or dad who’s just looking to make some extra cash on the side by working a few hours per day or week.

Golden Voice English reviews - Pros and cons

Golden Voice English alternatives

Tutor.com is another excellent online company for those mamas looking to make an extra buck at home. You would be working with children based in the USA and can tutor in a variety of subjects.

This is actually an excellent good option for former teachers who have left their full-time roles to have children, for example.

VIPKid is one of the most popular ESL companies for teaching Chinese kids online. They pay $14-$22 per hour and they offer an outstanding opportunity to make some extra money, though there is a lot of competition among teachers for classes and it could take a while to get established and get a regular flow of students.

Read about VIPKid requirements to learn more and check out these VIPKid reviews to hear what current teachers think about the company!

DaDaABC is another online education company that lets you work from home teaching English as a foreign language. Though this is another option with variable pay, some tutors earn up to $25 an hour, which is higher than most alternatives.

This rate is based on the qualifications you have and the performance during the demo class you’re required to do. You also don’t have to be available for as many hours and can start with just two hours, two days a week.

Magic Ears is another online ESL company. Teachers teach students in China and can earn anywhere from $18 to $26 per hour. It has one of the most forgiving cancellation policies in the industry and has a great sense of community. Learn all about the requirements and hear what Magic Ears teachers think about the company.

Is Golden Voice English legitimate? 

Unfortunately, with so many online gigs available today, people are skeptical, and rightfully so. And it’s always a good idea to be cautious. 

Making money from home opportunities can feel like a scam; however, you can rest assured that GVE is a legitimate business offering ESL jobs.

Why this a great side gig for moms

While this is not a job suited to someone who wants to make a full-time income, it is an excellent home-based side gig for moms since you can teach for a few hours each day and make some money online as an English tutor.

Also, the lessons are all planned out for you in advance, so you don’t have to find time in your already busy day to prepare teaching materials for the students, and you can do it from your own living room while your kids are sleeping.

If you're seriously considering getting a job with Golden Voice English, or another online ESL platform, don't miss our insider's tips from 75+ online English teachers!