Job Discussion Forums

[chola]

I'm going to begin teaching/tutoring private students in order to supplment my income...hopefully, I'll be able to get some TOEFL students. Can anyone recommend a good book (of the many TOEFL prep. books) for this? What other advice or web sites do you recommend? I hope this isn't too vague. Also, for those experienced in teaching/tutoring/test prep. privately, do you recommend drawing up a contract in order to avoid the loss of income due to cancellations etc?

Thanks for any/all help.

[soapdodger]

Sorry, can't help you on most of the other points having never taught TOEFL, but as far as charging students goes, the following might be useful.

A contract as such might not be worth bothering with. It might put the student off, also you can't really force them to take up your services regularly and it isn't worth trying to do anything about it if they don't. It is far more effective to ask for money up front...just how much is up to you, and really depends on how much you think the student will be able to afford. A couple of weeks' worth to a month is a good guideline. Also explain that lessons cancelled under 24 hours without a very pressing reason, like ill health, are counted as done lessons. This is after all what schools do, so there's nothing really unusual about it. I always explain to the student that paying in advance is mutually beneficial; the student is going to turn up and get the language training they want and you are going to be there as well. Do keep a written record of lessons taught which the student should sign after every done lesson. That way there can be no dispute over what has or hasn't been provided. Also do give receipts of some kind so that what has been paid isn't an issue either.

Good luck and successful teaching!

[Kootvela]

I agree with the points said but I would disagree that the contracts puts students off. Then, if no legal binding exists, how sure you can be the student is going to come and pay regularly? One month student is not enough, they should attend at least for three months to benefit from language training, also you get substantial income. If they don't want a contract, there will come so who will. I always instist on a contract, simple in nature, duration, price and cancellation issues mainly.

[Glenski]

Even a verbal contract lets potential students know where you are coming from, and it shows that you are taking the classes seriously enough. Many private students are friends at first, and they think they can get reduced fees or other benefits for that reason, but they (and other students) often forget or fail to realize that private student fees pay for the teacher's rent, food, utilities, phone, and transportation, just like a regular job.

If you don't have a formal contract, at least give potential students a heads-up informative session on what your lessons will entail in terms of fees (smaller as the group grows?), absences (how much notice will you accept before you don't refund that lesson's fee?), and paying in advance (highly recommended).

[chola]

Thanks everyone....good advice..I think getting students to prepay their classes and having a cancellation policy is a good idea and I agree that you can't force students to take your classes any more than they want to....

So....nobody has a recommendation as far as teaching materials for TOEFL goes? I know there is alot on the net, but I was more interessted in a text source...just interested in hearing from those who have done this as to which they have found the most useful.

[notamiss]

As for teaching materials, check suggestions #3, 4 and 5 in this post: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=610982&highlight=#610982. I don't know the suggested books, but the poster is very positive about them.

[chola]

Notamiss, thanks for referring me to that page, good stuff. Another question, I'm in Toronto, do you think it's a good idea to post my flyer in my neighbourhood (lots of immigrants) or near university/college campuses with esl programs, or anywhere else..the library, local libraries, etc. Any good ideas?

[Glenski]

TOEFL.
Do you want to teach them the necessary grammar and vocabulary?
Or do you want to give them reading skills and listening skills?
Or do you just want to show them the tricks needed to get higher scores?

Doing all 3 is a bear.

Longman's Introductory course for TOEFL is not horrible, but it will do little more than just drill, drill, drill.

Thomson Peterson's "In-A-Flash" series had some nice reviews for vocabulary, reading, and grammar.

You might also want to just read the back of the TOEFL manual and take the list of idioms/phrasal verbs and teach/test those, too.

[Guy Courchesne]

[chola]

I don't have any private students yet, but I'm assuming I'll get a few (I hope) who want to practice for the TOEFL ibt.

The Longman book has also been suggested to me by a few others so I think I'll get it. (I used the Barron's before, it was ok..but I'm definately NOT a TOEFL expert; I have little experience teaching for this test).

Thanks for the ETS Link and all the other suggestions.

[Julieanne]

A general rule I follow is to have payment upfront. Makes life much easier and eases the stress. Then you do not have to worry about collecting payment and you can focus on teaching.

[Julieanne]

and yes I agree with Guy that Longman is very good.

[ecocks]

I would suggest the Longman series to support your drill (have the student use the enclosed CD) and practicing for test formats. Use your contact time for analysis of where their problems were. Whatever material you use watch the diagnostics rather than just the scoring. Exercise them on the difficulties rather than the scoring.

Regarding the contract situation, I explain the pricing and let them pay as they take each session. I don' use a written contract, only a verbal agreement. I will suggest that you not undersell youself though. Better to start high and work on holding your price, than to start low and try to work your way up to what you think you should be making. Of course, a dose of market reality helps, what do your competitors charge? Also, how do they collect the fee(s)? Upfront or periodically?

[Glenski]

I wouldn't count on a majority of students asking for help on TOEFL, but since you are dead set on hoping for that type, do you realize there are different types of TOEFL (as Guy asked)? Personally, I teach (formally, not privately) a TOEIC course at university, and I don't even use the drill books. The students need to understand test-taking strategies and get practice in listening skills and reading skills. That, of course, is just for the TOEIC that is reading and listening. TOEIC and TOEFL also have tests where the students have to write and speak. My recommendation is to prepare them for whatever they will be facing.

If you are in Toronto, university students will already have taken TOEFL anyway in order to get in, so you have to ask yourself what the population of pre-university students is. I estimate fairly small, so you should really prepare for private lessons that deal with other aspects of English.

[ecocks]

The TOEFL and GMAT Verbal sections are of more interest in this market (Ukraine). Recently, two students have asked for information on the IELTS but cannot really give a reason why they want to prepare for it. We think maybe they intend to use it in lieu if the TOEFL for an academic admission process. For some reason they do not want to take it at BC even though I referred them to it as the test center and more familiar with that program.