Job Discussion Forums

St. Mongo · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Canada

Hi. I've been offered a private tutoring job for 5-10 students next summer. I've never taught before, and I'm being asked what I charge per hour. I don't know what to say. Any suggestions as to what a reasonable teaching rate in Canada is?

Thank you!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

You need to give us some background about yourself and the job.

What is your education?
Is this a group of students or multiple groups?
How far do you have to travel?
Where in Canada? Vancouver pays more than Yellowknife.
How many hours is the class? Every day?
How much prep do you think is involved?

Most importantly, what is it worth to you?

St. Mongo · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Canada

I'm a college graduate with a TESOL certificate
I think it's one group of students
IT's in the same city....1 hour travel time at the most I assume
Ontario
3-4 hrs a day, 3-4 days a week
no idea how much prep time is needed....I've never done this before

I don't know what it's worth to me...that's kind of why I'm asking you guys for suggestions.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

If you go to the nearest university, you'll prabably be able to find ads for private ESL tutoring posted on the walls. Most of the people doing it will be getting year long TESL certificates or MAs in Applied Linguistics (occasionally you'll someone with an English degree and a private TESOL certificate). You can also look up local ESL schools on the internet and find out what their going rate is and then half it, at least- there is a built in assumption with schools that the teachers have experience, even when they don't, but they have overhead to think about as well. Also, if the students are paying close to what it would cost at a private language school, they would probably just go to a private language school (where most if not all the teachers will have TESL Ontario certification). Also, sometimes people are asked how much they charge because the employer is looking for the cheapest labour they can get.

It will most likely require A LOT of preparation. Usually, you should be thinking about equal to double the length of the class (one three hour class might take three to six hours of preparation- probably six if you have never done this before) if you are looking for authentic materials, making up theme based units, trialing the material first etc. You can also get the preparation done in much less time if you already have lesson plans ready, or are working from a text etc.

You can probably help yourself a lot by asking some questions about the different levels you'll be teaching, the strengths and weaknesses of the students and whether the group(s) have a single native langauge or if there are various languages within the group (with single language groups it can be hard to get them to actually use English, even though that's why they are there). IME people who studied English in places like China or Japan who come to Canada tend to be very strong in reading and writing, but need a lot of work to get their speaking and listening levels up to the same level, but people who studied English in places like Afghanastan, Iran, Jordan etc, tend to have the exact opposite strengths and weaknesses.

Also, get yourself to a bookstore with a half-decent section on Linguistics/Teaching ESL (or to an on-line store and order books, if you do a search you'll see that which ones are good is a pretty common question). There are a lot of books that can probably help you and since you won't be teaching until the summer, then you could read a few of these to get some ideas.

Gnome · Joined: 05 May 2004 Posts: 74

Universities: Up to $80 / hour
Colleges: $21 - 45 / hour
Private Language Mills: $15 - 21 /hour

This is in Canadian dollars, of course, and is dependant on your qualifications, experience, etc. Sounds like you should expect $15 / hour at the most.

Given that prep time usually works out to this formula: 1 hour of teaching demands 1 hour of prep, and you won't be paid for prep time, you would actually get around $7.50 / hour. Good luck trying to live on that salary in any city in Canada. I'd suggest you get a job as a waiter/waitress. At least you would get tips.

St. Mongo · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Canada

you know, I am still in awe as to why a lot of people on this board are so mean to someone asking a simple question.

Just so you know, I already have a job that I live off of just fine. The teaching job I was refering to would be something to make a little extra money at and gain valuable experience before I go teach in another country.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

St. Mongo · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Canada

I don't agree with that.

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

I'm curious exactly what you don't agree with.
That you need a uni degree?

If so, the answer that is true in the most situations is that you do....

If you're not in agreement with some different aspect of the advice you've been offered, please specify. Maybe someone can be of more direct assistance.....we do try, you know. Old-timers on this board are really not here because we all hate newbies and try to discourage anyone. In fact, at my current uni, we are searching for qualified teachers.....

Interest, anyone? It's Calgary....job requirements include basic uni degree, specific training and experience (the more, the better) in teaching language to adults, and a flexible and innovative approach to teaching/learning. Oh, yeah, we aren't on permanent contracts....so a second family income is also desirable - but the job atmosphere is honestly great.

St. Mongo · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Canada

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Spiral means that old-timers DON'T hate newbies. I thought that was obvious.

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

I thought it was completely clear that my point is that we try to help. That we don't look down on newbies. What's not clear? I have to say at this point it seems St.M has a chip on his/her shoulder....I DID TRY TO OFFER ACTUAL ASSISTANCE....but it's obviously not getting through. Will work on something more constructive than this thread, I suppose.....sigh...

drteacher · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 17

St. Mongo,
I suggest that you call other ESL tutors, claim you have a prospective student who wishes to use their services, and find out how much they charge. Call several and use that information to establish what you should charge.
Idea

larosa23 · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Seattle

Sometimes its hard to get humorous nuances in text form. It seems to me that an offhand joking manner got misinterpreted here. But back to the question: From one 'newbie' to another: I make 14 dollars an hour (US) for group tutoring. This is on the low end of the scheme. Sometimes I wonder what I am doing, but then I remember that I only made 13 dollars an hour at my last job (which I hated) and I actually love tutoring sooooo.......