Job Discussion Forums

[China2]

Hi there!

I was wondering what are the best ways to advertise for students for private classes? For example, is there a way of advertising on Weibo in English?

Thanks

[Tazz]

I think the whole of China is overloaded with people who've accepted jobs for a lame salary-who are attempting to make it more reasonable by hustling for privates. best way to find 'em? Business cards, through the employer-if it's a government Uni, website, word of mouth...not interested myself. Sooner look beyond China-to an employer in a country that compensates me adequately for my services. I've seen/ known too many of the 'oh look, its 2 pm, time to put down the Shanghai Univeristy press text books, pick up Go-go loves English, and go tear-assing across town to teach the ankle-snappers' types.

[OhBudPowellWhereArtThou]

The search Engine is your friend:


http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=115382&highlight=privates+tutoring

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=115381&highlight=privates+tutoring

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=115119&highlight=privates+tutoring

[Jmbf]

[Markness]

^ That dude knows how to get the hustle game on with the privates. Haha.

Mainland is a bit different though, too many Peotr's, Olga's, Jose's and others who have the market down because of their low prices. Also some doofus' accept the low RMB/hour because they live near the place where they work.

Getting students to tutor is do-able, but requires a Chinese person to deal with the parents and requires you to do more than the average person would do. Competition isn't that great, but there is still enough where it is annoying. This doesn't even take into considerations the cancellations and other crap that are rather common when tutoring here.

[Jmbf]

Well, the private tutoring industry is incredibly diverse and there is often no 'one-size fits all' strategy.

With that in mind, my take on tutoring is this. Tutoring is a two way street. If you want to be taken seriously, you have to serious about it yourself. If you treat it too casually, then don't be surprised when the above mentioned issues arise. I've often seen tutors who are regularly late, don't do proper needs assessments, don't put in the effort to put together a lesson plan or bring the appropriate lesson materials etc etc...... and then they complain that their students cancel on them, or that they can't find new students, or they can't attract students at the hourly rate that they want.

Tutors who put in a bit of effort, try to be professional and develop their reputation usually have a better time of it. I make my stance very clear at the beginning, I can pretty much guarantee to significantly improve the student's English but only if the student / parents are willing to be serious about the lessons and commit to them. Lesson payment is collected for the month in advance and tuition fees are forfeit if they don't show up unless I get suitable notice (usually at least 24 hours) AND with a reasonable excuse. If your reputation is good enough you can insist on these points and more. I'm not concerned about those tutors who lowball the tuition rates because I'm not competing with them anyways.