Job Discussion Forums

parnett · Joined: 29 Jun 2012 Posts: 179 Location: China

I'm sure this topic has been discussed here before, but I haven't been able to find anything on it.
I am currently giving private lessons to three students (together) for 2 hours a day. I live in Fuyang (a suburb of Hangzhou). I am charging them the ridiculously low rate of 150 RMB total for 2 hours. The problem is they think I am ripping them off!!!!
How much should I be asking (I have 26 years of teaching experience)?

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

You're getting 150 total for two hours with two people? You should have been asking this question before you took these two on because changing it now won't be easy. If they think you're ripping them off and you're not happy with the situation tell them at the next class this is the last one. And then find other students and up the price. How much? Good question. Some people say it depends on who the students are, where you live, what you're preparing them for. . .

parnett · Joined: 29 Jun 2012 Posts: 179 Location: China

The reason I created this thread was to show the the three students what others are charging, and that I'm not remotely ripping them off.
The students are each 17-years-old, come from well-to-do families, and are preparing for the TOEFL test.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

Tell them they're ripping you off if they mention this again. Most people seem to aim for anywhere from 150-250 per hour but that's usually with one student only. If there are two students or more you can increase that, and split three ways it's still a bargain for them. Example: 250/hour total and split three ways, 80+ per hour from each of them but 500 for you each time you meet. Better than 150 and fair for both sides.

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

I do 150/hour for one on one lessons.
200 per hour for everything else.

Mr.Engrish · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 57 Location: China

250-300 an hour for one student, nothing less.

in your situation I would do 3 students x 200 for a total of 600 an hour.

parnett · Joined: 29 Jun 2012 Posts: 179 Location: China

Thanks for taking the time to reply, gentlemen. I have no desire to increase the lowly amount I am charging as I don't need the money, I like teaching TOEFL and it does break up the monotony. However, I don't enjoy being told I am ripping someone off.

kungfuman · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:07 am Post subject:

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I've been charging 200 per hour since 2008 for 1-6 students (children). Adolescents and adults are 200 for two students max. I'm going to raise it to 250.

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

No less than 200 an hour. If I had three students I might give them a break and charge 500 per hour for all of them.

I wouldn't teach anyone who accused me of ripping them off. I would tell them to go visit their neighbourhood training center and see how much they charge.

zactherat · Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 295

just want to point out, again, that private teaching is untaxed revenue
= tax evasion
= illegal

What is interesting to me is that many people that complain about China not being properly first world, selectively ignore the law and cheat the system themselves.

I'm sure Daveseslcafe used to have some kind of policy which forbid encouraging illegal activity like this.. maybe i have a bad memory.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

Mr.Engrish · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 57 Location: China

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

Lobster · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 4:21 pm Post subject: