Job Discussion Forums

kpirello · Joined: 13 Jan 2015 Posts: 3 Location: Denver, Colorado

Hello everyone,

I'll be spending April and May 2015 in Ostia (right outside of Rome) in order to improve my Italian. While there, I hope to find some private students who want to improve their English.

Can anyone help me with advice about the best way to advertise for students? I prefer teaching adults but would consider teens.

I'm an American citizen but also have an Italian passport. I have a BA and MA in Linguistics and a TESOL certification, with extensive experience as a private tutor.

Although I've traveled extensively in Italy and have stayed with family, this is the first time I'll be living there on my own. I appreciate any and all advice for this 62-year-old female newbie!

Grazie tante.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Hmm. There aren't many who will want lessons for such a short time, though April/May are probably pretty good months for private lessons, given that it's outside of summer holiday time.

You might advertise that you can offer intensive, crash-course type lessons for specific purposes, such as IELTS exams or upgrading their CVs for new job applications. If I were you, I'd consider taking out ads prior to arrival along these lines, in the hopes of getting a few students interested and possibly committed even before I arrive.

kpirello · Joined: 13 Jan 2015 Posts: 3 Location: Denver, Colorado

Thanks very much, spiral78--helpful info. I could also offer a "crash course" in pronunciation, a specialty and something I really enjoy teaching.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Good idea; something with a clear value that not every teacher out there wants to specialize in (personally hate dealing with pronunciation issues myself!).
This is an aspect that can actually be impacted by a shorter term intensive course, so realistic to expect some noticeable benefit in the time period. Should be sell-able.

kpirello · Joined: 13 Jan 2015 Posts: 3 Location: Denver, Colorado

Thanks for the encouragement vis a vis Pronunciation tutoring. I will focus on that aspect. Now, does anyone have advice on where and how to advertise those services, both before I arrive in Ostia, and after? I'll be close enough to Rome that I could meet up with students there as well. Grazie tante!