Job Discussion Forums

[Paniota]

Hi-
I am wondering if anyone in CR/ESL community can provide me with advice on teaching private classes to individuals/small groups.

I am certified TESOL instructor and live in Costa Rica.

In August I am moving to San Jose to begin a job with an NGO to work a community development project-not ESL related.

However, I still need to have another source of income outside of this job gig.

The ideal scenario for me would be to teach private lessons independently.

I want to keep this venture-low key, manageable and stay local given the other professional commitment.

Thus the evolving questions are:
-What has been your experience in teaching private lessons?
Pluses and/or Challenges?

-Within the San Jose area what is a reasonable rate to charge?
And what do I need to figure into the equation when establishing a rate?

-Based on your experience who are the learner groups you most enjoyed working with and why? (ie) professionals, small children, college students.

-How many hours a week did you teach private lessons?

-What information do I include when advertising services?

-Where to advertise?
(I do have Tico friends who are helping me out, word of mouth)

Any advice/direction would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely-
Pani

[zeddiez]

Well Pani, you ask a lot of good questions. For private classes it really depends on their income level. Example: a doctor I would charge $15.00 per hour vs a low income person $4.00 an hour. But that's just me. Every ESL teacher likes different levels and ages. That's pretty much up to you. Best place to advertise is probably the supermarket billboards. Word of mouth is 60% of any business from my experience here in Costa Rica. Most I ever taught privately was around 16 hours a week, but that really again depends on where you live and who wants English. If you like high school kids that is a great area to go into because a lot of them fail English and Math. Those are the two subjects they can not memorize all the rules. Ticos are famous for memorization.

I don't think anyone is going to give you much more information than this unless you want to pay us. LOL

Hope that helps a bit.

Eddie