☕️ From Level 4 to Top 25 on PalFish: My Real Talk on Reaching Level 5 (and Staying There)
“Any tips for making Level 5 every month?”
That’s the question I got in my inbox from another teacher recently. And honestly? It’s a fair one. Because for a while, I didn’t make it either.
I’m not some polished PalFish guru. I’ve made all the mistakes. I’ve flopped, burned out, coasted at Level 4, and wondered if it was even worth it.
But now, for the second month in a row — I’ve hit Level 5.
And last month? I started ranked #6758.
I finished in the Top 25.
So here’s the real talk, teacher to teacher, on what helped me turn things around — and how you might be able to do the same.
🎯 1. First, What Even Is Level 5?
If you’re new to PalFish or you’re just not quite sure how the ranking system works, here’s a quick rundown:
PalFish rewards consistency, bookings, and sales performance (especially trial class conversions). Level 5 means you’re pulling in high bookings, showing up regularly, and getting good feedback from students and parents.
But it’s not just about being a “good teacher.” It’s about being a visible and marketable teacher.
⚠️ 2. I’m Not an Expert — Just a Teacher Who Got Back Up
Let me be clear:
I don’t speak as an expert. I’m just someone who stuck around, made some changes, and watched the results shift. I’m still learning every single week.
For a while, I couldn’t break out of Level 4. I wasn’t getting any trials. My Moments weren’t getting engagement. My schedule was wide open… and still no bookings.
Sound familiar?
🔄 3. So What Changed?
Let me break it down:
✅ I committed to a schedule
I opened 7 days a week. Yep, all of them. Every available hour. No more cherry-picking time slots. That visibility changed everything.
✅ I taught a popular, relevant course
I focused on a Minecraft-themed English course — and guess what? It was designed by Cambridge English.
Big name. Big trust factor.
Plus, the Minecraft movie had just come out in Asia. It hit.
✅ I made myself visible… without begging
I didn’t post, “Please book me! My schedule’s open!”
That screams *desperation.
Parents see that and wonder, “Why is no one booking this teacher?”
Instead, I shared posts on Moments that showed:
My life in China 🇨🇳
The original visuals and games I create for class
A taste of my personality and teaching style
Parents don’t just want a teacher. They want a person they can trust. Show them who you are — don’t sell to them directly.
✅ I used tech to stand out
I stream my iPad to my TV, so students can play games with me live in class. It’s interactive, different, and fun.
No generic worksheets. No PDFs. Just full immersion.
💡 4. My Tip for Trial Classes: Think Long-Term
Trial classes are your key to regulars.
They won’t always go perfectly.
But each one is a chance to:
Show your energy
Be memorable
Win over not just the child, but the parent
Once a parent sees how much their child enjoys class, they’ll tell friends, leave reviews, and — just like that — you start building a loyal base.
🚫 5. No TikTok, No Ads… So What Works?
If you're teaching from China, you can’t rely on TikTok or paid ads.
So what can you use?
👉 Moments. Moments. Moments.
This is your storefront.
Sales staff, head teachers, and parents all see it.
If you’re not showing up there, you’re invisible.
Treat it like Instagram for your teaching career. Don’t spam.
Post clever, useful, or fun stuff regularly. Show what makes you different.
💰 6. Let’s Talk Pay
Payment is now made via Payoneer, and you can choose:
Monthly payouts
or
Twice a month
The pay depends on your level, sales, and how consistent your bookings are.
The more trial conversions and regulars you build, the better your income.
📲 7. The Application & AI Demo
These days, you don’t need a degree.
You don’t even teach a real student in your demo — it’s now marked by AI!
Here’s what the process looks like:
🔹 Step 1: Download the PalFish Kids App
Create your account and set up your teacher profile with a nice photo, a friendly intro, and your background.
🔹 Step 2: Complete the Bootcamp & Demo
The Bootcamp is a short training.
Then you’ll record a demo lesson — no real child, just you and the slides. The AI will mark it.
Don’t stress — it’s about:
Speaking clearly (neutral native accent)
Being animated
Using props and gestures
Tip: You must wear a blue T-shirt and have a clean, classroom background.
Need help prepping for the demo? I’ve got you:
📺 [Watch this step-by-step demo tutorial](https://youtu.be/nU6Oaua3SZQ?si=HZtbBlPpA4xC3zvy)
🧸 8. Props on a Budget
You don’t need expensive props.
A few good ideas:
Hand puppets (even socks!)
Printed emojis or flashcards
Reusable whiteboard
Brightly coloured toys
Stick to simple things that grab attention and help explain concepts visually.
🧠 9. Extra Thoughts
Not all teachers are equal on the platform. There’s been a rise in fake profiles, especially from non-native speakers pretending otherwise.
I believe this is diluting the PalFish brand and making competition steeper.
A solution? Maybe split the program to reflect honesty in backgrounds.
It’s not about being the best teacher.
It’s about being the most visible, consistent, and memorable teacher.
🎓 10. Final Words
You’re not alone if you’ve hit a wall.
I’ve been there.
But when I stopped trying to copy others, and started just showing up fully as me — that’s when things changed.
So if you’re stuck at Level 4, or just beginning your PalFish journey, here’s my advice:
👉 Get real about your schedule
👉 Show up on Moments like a professional
👉 Use tech and creativity to stand out
👉 Don’t beg — attract
See you at the top. ☕️💪
Gary, PalFish Teacher + Minecraft English Wiz
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