Job Discussion Forums

[corporatehuman]

I'm interested in hearing from people who SOLELY teach Private Classes for their income. I have a few specific questions.

1. What are some rules that you set with your students?

2. What do you charge per hour and -where- are you located in Mexico? (If you care to share, how much do you generally make in a month)

3. Do you teach illegally or have you applied for an independent FM3? If you've applied for the FM3 and you only teach private classes, what was that process like? Difficult?

4. Do you have your own ESL books? Do you provide books to your own students? Do you ask students to purchase a book to have class with you? Or do you mostly create your own materials? Please elaborate on this question for me.

5. Have you ever tried combining private classes, what I mean is, essentially teach a small class. For example, instead of charging 70 pesos an hour, charge 30 pesos an hour for three people.

6. Any other tips, advice, things that you've learned specifically about private classes you care to share?


Thanks,

Chris

[geaaronson]

Even though you specified you only want full time people, I will throw my three cents in.
I teach at a language school and a prepatoria as well and had 4 private students back in June. I charged 100 pesos an hour in the city of Merida. The language schools are charging 140 to 160 pesos to students who want a 1 on 1 with a teacher.
I have phrasal word lists, regular vocabulary lists, xeroxes of �Legend of Sleepy Hollow�, Rip Van Winkle, Hemingway`s �the Quai at Smyrna�, OHenry�s �the gift of the Magi�, Shirley Jacksons �the Lottery�anne Dillards�Teaching a Stone to Talk�and �Solitude�as well as other short stories that I give out to my advanced conversational students.
The biggest problem is that many of my students are professionals with busy lives. They cut classes about 20% of the time and usually call 24 hours beforehand, which exonerates them from paying me for their absence. I am therefore out of the money with their absence. I have resolved to give a 15% discount to students who pay for 4 weeks in advance, no cancellations allowed,(except by ME) to keep my private income steadier.
I cull my short stories from short story anthologies, including the anthology �sudden fiction�If you don�t know the book I strongly recommend that you get a copy. I prefer very short stories with simple writing so my students don`t have to look up too many words.
I occasionally advertise in the daily newspaper along with several others doing the same.

[TheLongWayHome]

A few things I've noticed:

Bored, rich se�oras are the best market. Tons of spare time, spare cash and nothing to do with it.

Always teach individually. Don't let them make a group, you just lose money and they're never the same level.

Don't clock-watch, go at least 10 minutes over on a few occasions.

TOEFL and Cambridge preparation is another good market. These books are worth investing in. Don't teach anyone who wants this level but is not at this level, it's painful.

Knock a couple of pesos off the hourly rate if a student manages more than 5 hours a week.

Be careful where you advertise as immigration have been known to follow up on ads.

Charge at least $100 pesos an hour.

Don't get shirty about students cancelling, it's hard to cram into a busy day, unless you're a bored se�ora...

Have some coffee on the go, but not the cheap stuff.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[geaaronson]

Long Way From Home
Yes, good advice on all accounts. The one I have most trouble with is the one about getting shirty when students cancel out. It does annoy me like h--- and I keep it under wraps. I know I shouldn�t get upset. I don�t take it personally, It�s just that it means a decrease in income and that annoys me.

[mapache]

I teach only private students as a result of being tired of crooked or crazy school owners. Here are some rules I use. Students pay two weeks in advance. I allow two missed days in ten and refund for those days the next time they pay in advance. I use Cambridge Interchange Full Contact. You can buy the student books and teachers books (with tests) in many bookstores. Professionals are the best students because they have money, motivation and discipline. Continually run a free ad in the papers and when you need more students, do marketing by distributing flyers in the rich parts of town, at hospitals and at medical schools. Some of my daily students have been with me for over a year now and it's great being my own boss. Apply for an independent FM-3 (immigration may balk or expect a bribe but be persistent - they have to process your application within 30 days)

[corporatehuman]

Mapache:

Do you always travel to their location to give classes? Or do you have a set place and they come to you?

If you do travel, how much time do you estimate you spend moving around in a given week?


- Chris

[Sgt Killjoy]

[mapache]

One of the great things about teaching private students is the personalisation and friendship. For my students who are doctors, for example, I find new research news about their specialty to practice English reading. I have also helped them translate their professional brochures and PowerPoint presentations. When a teacher can add value to the students' lives and professions, he or she will be employed or a long time. This personal relationship often leads to referrals and opportunities to teach other family members.

Friendships can be extremely rewarding but also awkward. Usually, a good friend will understand your need for money to live and not take advantage of you.
I am often offered meals with the family and have even taken trips with one of my student's family. I consider a couple extra hours of translating a PowerPoint presentation for my friend's professional work a favour any friend would do because the favours and rewards are mutual.

The downside is that some private students suddenly disappear without notice. This is, I think, a part of he culture of avoiding conflict or saying no. This still doesn't set well with me even though I understand one should not take such situations personally

[Samantha]

Chris,

I do private tutoring and it was frustrating until I put some guidelines into place. It's still frustrating when they don't show, but at least I get paid now. I gained some excellent ideas from the following website. It can be tweaked to suit your circumstances. There's money to be made if you treat it as a business.

http://www.aplustutors.co.uk/tutors/profitable_tutoring-01.php

Let me know if this helps.

[suee]

i live in mex city and only teach privates. i charge for a full month in advance and allow 2 cancellations. I recommend books to the students and buy or photocopy them here. Delti.com.mx I have a freelance FM3..., and i don't charge less than $185 an hour...

[Samantha]

Could you tell us a bit about your Independiente FM3? Is it valid for a year, the cost, and are you able to have any number of jobs without divulging those names to INAMI? Comparing notes! Thanks.

[bradwelljackson]

I think the culture of Mexico is one that is geared towards friendships, even in work situations. I think it�s a good idea to develop a friendship with a private student. They will probably expect this and they will trust you more and want to keep you. Yes, they certainly will offer you food, and, considering the food of Mexico, this almost makes up for the missed classes. They will even start to treat you as an extended member of the family, and they might even be proud to show off their gringo friend. As obnoxious as this might sound, we might want to face the truth on this one.
Yes, it is a good idea to develop friendships with clients in Mexico. Not only is this part of their culture, but it�s rewarding for the teacher as well. I�m very happy to have people from Mexico as my friends. You can�t beat the warmness of the Mexican people.

[Samantha]

May I inquire how long you have lived in Mexico?

[Ben Round de Bloc]

I don't know. I think a teacher can be friendly with his private students, but I don't think I would give private lessons to any of my friends here. I prefer not to mix my private life with my professional life, but that's just me.