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RichJud

Hey everyone! Very Happy

My wife and I just recently moved to China from Spain! Neither of one of us is familiar with the going rate for private lessons and we were wondering if anyone out thier had an idea!.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

If you want to pay for private Mandarin lessons count on spending RMB 25 to 50 an hour.

If you were talking about ripping off, sorry: charging your students for private lessons, maybe you should ask your employer whether they allow you to do that.
The tuition rates vary from locale to locale.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

The rates around Beijing go from 100rmb per hour for the low end to 250 for a one on one with executives.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

tradinup · Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Shenzhen, China

How is charging your students for private lessons ripping them off? You are offering a service, they are wanting a service, and both sides consent to an appropriate price.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I do believe many backpackers are ripping their Chinese students off because they are here on tourist visas, give their Chinese takers no exact information on their educational background and on the whole are opportunists that collect royalties as long as it is convenient for them, and decamp as soon as they perceive greener pastures.
I am of course referring to IIs who avoid getting a legal status under a contract with a local school or training centre.
Those who are legit are not included in my observations; if you have permission from your employer to work on the side you can ask for upward of RMB 100.
I also would add that you should ask for payment up front so as to commit your students to a timetable.

tradinup · Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Shenzhen, China

Mexico... lol! why work in Mexico??? Sorry... just curious what you like Guy.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

I have never met anyone teaching privately....what people often mean is moonlighting at a school or company..happens a lot,,

Is it out there? It depends where you are.There is some in small cities but how can you find it? Usually you can find it through your employer (if you have one,) In big cities there is a lot but also a lot of competition.

As for why Mexico are you joking? Wink

RichJud · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:13 am Post subject:

Thank you for all of the helpfull feedback.

For the sake of clarification, I wanted to say that I am a TEFL certified teacher with a one year contract at a large Middle School in HeBei. Both my wife and I have cleared the idea of taking on private students with the leaders of the school provided that they takeplace in our in our home and do not conflict with the weekly work schedule agreed upon within our contracts (16 hours).

I agree that backpacking college grads with no training or experience hurt all of us when it comes to commanding a decent salary. Evil or Very Mad

China unfortunatly has no shortage of underqualified teachers and because of this the market is diluted and wages are lower than they should be.

I am interested in knowing what a TEFL certified teacher can pull in teaching small classes to various ages and levels in China. Unfortuanatly, many teaching methods implementing language immersion can be lost on classrooms of 60 or more students. I simply want to give my students the chance to learn...

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I think you can command 100 an hour in Hebei or maybe 120. However, I am dubious as to whether it is ethical to teach your own students in your spare time for a fee. I am not saying it is not right, but personally, I have never taught students from one of my classes in my home. In Hong Kong I was once informed by the principal of my school that I should not teach my own students for a fee.

BUt since you have the agreement fromn your employer you have green light.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

While in Changchun, I have know several Chinese teachers to hold classs during the summer vacation and to charge a fee for that service. The classes were composed of their students and their students friends. I think this is common amoung Chinese teachers as they are always looking for a way to pad their income...sometimes selling Amway to their class. It is against the law to hold classes in the house hold or in apartment buildings where others hve residence but no enforcement ever came her way and the children spent time in recess outside in the street...playing and loud.
While I was living in Changchun, I was approached to hold classes in my apartment by Chinese parents who were members of local govements administration. I never did.
Now in Beijing I know several people (all who are not native English Speakers) who are in country on an F or L visa and have housing They charge as much as 250rmb to private clients and I am not sure as to how they get those clients but I do know since I have been in Beijng only a few weeks and I have been offered private teaching assignments