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LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

I'd also make a point if I may that many of the students are studying IELTS or TOEFL to go abroad. A huge majority, either for high school or university.

I therefore find improving their overall English through a foreign teachers class who knows what he or she is doing will also benefit their overall English. Listening to everyday English spoken [not the IELTS listening section, for instance] will enable them to have a better time when studying abroad.

This is a huge factor I would always point out to parents who complained that the Chinese teacher basically just ran the CD for the IELTS listening or reading part and sat and drank tea at the front.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Point of information guys.
If you were doing private IELTS prep would you expect students to improve their official score?
Or is that impractical or too expensive?
NS

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

I agree with Jim.

Just explaining a basic template that they can apply to writing, for instance, or even telling them to remember to use past present and future tense in a spoken answer, can bump them.

It's crazy that the writing ends up nothing like a university would expect, but as long as the first sentence explains what the paragraph will be about etc. then their score will improve

I generally say for a person level 6 or above you're looking at 6 months to go up half a point, and that's what I generally found.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Thanks.
You don't 'market' your IELTS prep by guaranteeing a one point improvement?

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

No, I don't like to do that.

Generally I have a pretty good rep, and the parents know I turn up on time, their kids enjoy the classes and I wil often stay for coffee or dinner if they invite me, they'll often ask me about travel and tips and advice on applying and what's going to happen when their kid goes abroad.

I also insist on ten hours up front. I had a couple of flakes, one kid who found it just way too hard [he was probably a level 2 no joke], and gave up after 4 classes and I pocketed the rest.

Most students probably repay 4 or 5 sets of 10 classes, so normally 3 months or so, possibly more because many take it once then the second time. Normally after they've secured their score they'll use the remaining classes to free talk and generally chat over what's going down when they arrive in the UK or USA.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Sounds like a happy win-win LC.
I assume you have been an IELTS examiner?

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Nope. I am fortunate that I work at an international school so even if my students don't need it, alot of their rich friends who attend other international schools need help too.

I found one student studying a level Law and cleaned him out for 500 plus an hour.

I basically am lucky that referring parents lay out the amount I expect to parents, and I have a goodish reputation.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

My main interest is in alternative (more entrepreneurial) avenue for FTs who have done the hard yards and are looking for better rewards.
You may recall a thread some years ago on this.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=28310&highlight=entrepreneur
Maybe JP an equally interesting thread would be: 'What were you doing BEFORE coming to China?'
Hypnotist!
WOW
Best

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I have no experience of tutoring for IELTS, but students at my school (China) focused on it a lot in their final year.
I agree that a '4' minimum before tutoring starts would avoid needless hassle with disappointed parents.
Here's my local (NZ) university English competence requirements across various testing regimes: This is for doctorate but it's the same for undergrads.

Victoria's English language requirements are strict and not negotiable.

If your first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency before you will be accepted as a PhD candidate. Requirements are:

TOEFL 575 with (preferably) a TWE of 5, or 237 on the computer-based test; or 90 on the internet-based test with a minimum of 20 in writing; or
IELTS overall band of 6.5, no sub-score below 6; or
CAE grade B; or
a minimum of two ratings of 5 and two ratings of 4 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test;
Pearson Test of English, A score of 65 (with a communicative score of not less than 5 Cool

.

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

As a teacher, offering IELTS prep classes could work as a profitable side venture. But if you are looking at establishing a business, focusing purely on IELTS would be a mistake as the focus is too narrow IMHO. In order to attract more clientele you would need to offer a much wider range of classes, especially ones tailored to your local market. Perhaps IELTS prep combined with lower level Cambridge courses (YLE, KET, PET, FCE etc), overseas prep courses, specialised prep courses for gaining admission to certain elite schools, phonics courses etc etc. A diverse student base is key. Younger students are (usually) more work but tend to be longer term than adult students.