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Jmbf
Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663
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 Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 2:32 am Post subject: |
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| Tazz wrote: |
I don't know....I've only been back here a short while, but it seems to me that something is missing from this private tutor vs language centre, for 'extra work' debate....and that's the fact that it's illegal. The possibility of being caught by the authorities-and subsequent penalties/ punishments that this may entail, seem to be disregarded....? For somebosy employed by a public University, going to work at a language centre at the weekend....isn't it somewhat 'risky'?  |
There are visas that allow you to work freely (i.e. without restriction) but admittedly in China these are difficult to come by (it's easier in Hong Kong).
In any case, I would think that the illegality of taking on side work greatly favours private tutoring over working in language centres. If you are caught illegally teaching in a language centre, there's not much you can say or do to defend yourself. But if you are found tutoring privately in someone's home, who's to say that you are not just visiting as a friend? There's no paper trail or any documents that can be used as evidence against you. In fact, I've never heard of a teacher getting caught / deported for tutoring on the side. |
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OhBudPowellWhereArtThou
Joined: 02 Jun 2015
Posts: 1168
Location: Since 2003
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 3:17 am Post subject: |
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| joe30 wrote: |
| OhBudPowellWhereArtThou wrote: |
joe30,
It's a good thing that you took the next flight out. You should be able to register to take the PGCE now.
Good on ya! |
I'm not sure what you mean. I'm currently in the process of doing the course now - I started in September this year and will be finished in July 2017. |
Sorry. Chopin16 dropped out of the discussion. I had you confused with that forum member. You write similarly and have similar ideas. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:12 am Post subject: |
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| Jmbf wrote: |
| Tazz wrote: |
| I don't know....I've only been back here a short while, but it seems to me that something is missing from this private tutor vs language centre, for 'extra work' debate....and that's the fact that it's illegal. The possibility of being caught by the authorities-and subsequent penalties/ punishments that this may entail, seem to be disregarded....? For somebosy employed by a public University, going to work at a language centre at the weekend....isn't it somewhat 'risky'? |
There are visas that allow you to work freely (i.e. without restriction) but admittedly in China these are difficult to come by (it's easier in Hong Kong).
In any case, I would think that the illegality of taking on side work greatly favours private tutoring over working in language centres. If you are caught illegally teaching in a language centre, there's not much you can say or do to defend yourself. But if you are found tutoring privately in someone's home, who's to say that you are not just visiting as a friend? There's no paper trail or any documents that can be used as evidence against you. In fact, I've never heard of a teacher getting caught / deported for tutoring on the side. |
Sure but the 'your/place or mine', last minute cancellations, commuting time (not paid for) are real issues with privates.
The only private I did was a wealthy family intending to migrate to Canada.
They picked me up from school, took me to a different upscale restaurant each time and paid well.
I've heard enough horror stories about going to kid's homes to tutor and finding kid out or no-one home.
There's nothing risk free in China. |
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Jmbf
Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 5:06 am Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
Sure but the 'your/place or mine', last minute cancellations, commuting time (not paid for) are real issues with privates.
The only private I did was a wealthy family intending to migrate to Canada.
They picked me up from school, took me to a different upscale restaurant each time and paid well.
I've heard enough horror stories about going to kid's homes to tutor and finding kid out or no-one home.
There's nothing risk free in China. |
Agreed there are risks and downsides, the same as for any job. But you can mitigate / reduce a lot of these risks.
Commuting: Have them come to you (best option IMHO) OR arrange your student schedule by location, try and group them together. If your student's parents are onboard (and they should be if your reputation is good enough), ask them to talk to their friends and help you arrange a group of students in one location / area. I've seen this done effectively many times.
Last minute cancellations: Have them pay you cash upfront and in advance. Explain that cancellations are not accepted without advance notice (usually 24 hrs) otherwise that lesson's tuition fee will be forfeit. It's amazing how these lesson 'cancellation problems' will suddenly vanish if you lay out your requirements clearly from the start.
Yes, there will always be some issues to handle (some of which have never been mentioned here), but to me the problems that are always brought out with regards to private tutoring smack of amateur hour (no offence to anybody). They can be handled. Be professional, set yourself up correctly, establish your reputation and most of these problems will go away. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:44 am Post subject: |
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Good stuff.
But from a cold start getting to the situation you describe could take best part of a semester.
But as long as newbes who talk up a storm about how much they're gonna make - are warned.
Actually Saturday morning language school work can parlay into privates as you become known to parents.
Best. |
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Jmbf
Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:08 am Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
Good stuff.
But from a cold start getting to the situation you describe could take best part of a semester.
But as long as newbes who talk up a storm about how much they're gonna make - are warned.
Actually Saturday morning language school work can parlay into privates as you become known to parents.
Best. |
Absolutely. Like anything else, to become proficient takes time, study and practise. It could take much longer than a semester to get up to speed. I think it's important to highlight what's possible, but not at the expense of what's realistic. Building up a decent student base takes time and patience and it's not always a linear path. It CAN be very rewarding if you stick with it and do it well.
And yes language centres can play a role (as I have said before) and can be a good source of students. The tricky part comes when your private student base builds up to the point at which you start to struggle to find time for them. Then you have to consider whether to give up the language centre work in order to free up more time for privates or just leave it be. The beauty of tutoring is if you are well established, you can (more or less) decide your own workload. I've taken on more work when I've wanted to and intentionally reduced it at times when I've needed more time off for family / friends / holidays / whatever. |
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joe30
Joined: 07 Jul 2016
Posts: 112
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 9:57 am Post subject: |
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My honest opinion is most teachers would lack the capital, business ability and work ethic to make teaching privately better than doing it at a language centre.
If it works for you then great but I maintain for the majority, it's more profitable to work at a language centre rather than trying to grow a student base from nothing. |
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rogerwilco
Joined: 10 Jun 2010
Posts: 1549
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 10:30 am Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
Before dissing the peanuts jobs remember they usually provide housing and utilities and if on campus cut out the commuting and give you a place to hang if you work say 8-10 and then again 2-4.
They also pay a NY travel allowance plus all or part of your home country return fare.
Normally the workload is 16-18 50-min contact hours pw.
Plenty of time to do privates as long as you don't neglect your day job - or rub your employer's nose in it.
It's called an employment 'package'.
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Yes, most high school and university jobs provide free housing, round-trip airfare home, and they pay for and sponsor your work papers.
Most language centers do not provide most or any of that.
My last job at a uni provided meals 6 days a week, and laundry service. |
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