If you’re a part of my Facebook group: VIPKid Newbie Teacher Island, you have probably heard me talk about WeChat. I started using WeChat shortly after I began working for VIPKid in April 2018. I had to join the Facebook group that explains WeChat and other Chinese social media, but it did not take me long to figure it out.
I started with just one family on my WeChat account. Now, nearly every regular that I see is a part of my WeChat. I do not post things to the account every day. I do try to show off my life, VIPKid events that I attend, and places that I visit. Occasionally, a parent will ask me about something and we end up chatting for a bit.
Last December, one of my students created an amazing project for her assessment. I took a picture of it just so that I could save it. Later, I asked if I could post that picture on my WeChat. I did, and the response to that post was surprising! Parents loved that post!
A few weeks later, another student had an amazing project! I took a picture again and posted it. This time I also wrote something like, “Look at this beautiful picture from one of my students. This student received a perfect score on their assessment, because they remembered to do the project! Well done!” Then I used the “mention” option to tag the parent of this student. Again, there was a response from many parents.
I realized that I might just have a really good idea! I decided to keep up this project post. Each time one of my students does their assessment project, I post to tell everyone how great it is and how it allowed this student to get a perfect (or at least a better) score on their assessment.
Guess what?
The response has continued to be amazing!
Before doing this, maybe 50 percent of my students brought their projects. Now, they want to be the example of what is good! They want to be featured on WeChat! Now, the percentage of students that bring their assessment projects is nearly 95 percent in my class.
Has WeChat been helpful to you? How?
Your suggestions for joining with parents on WeChat?
Hi Kim!
When I want parents to use add me on wechat, I typically wait for about 10-20 classes. I want to make sure that that this is a real connection. Then, I will hold my phone up at the end of class to show them that they can scan it. If there is a child without a parent around, I will ask them if their mom or dad is there and if they would like to talk on wechat. They, 90% of the time, will say “yes”. Usually, you will see the parent using their phone quickly and excitedly so that they can add you. Some people will also add their user name to their feedback or in a card. If you ask in a card, you can always show them the QR code later so that they can find you. Sometimes it is very hard to find people by their user name.