Job Discussion Forums

[samhouston]

I've finally decided to take the plunge into teaching private lessons. I make good money, but why not try to make three times as much?

My target is middle and high school students. I have no idea what the market is around here. There are plenty of schools in this area, so I'm sure just based on numbers I should be able to find ten or fifteen kids whose parents are willing to hand over their money, I hope.

I'm not sure what to put on the fliers. I'll be certain to paint myself as the most qualified whitey to have ever walked the streets of suburban Shanghai. Should I highlight conversational English, or something more related to the terrible exam they all know awaits them? I don't know what they want to see. I'll teach them whatever they want, I just don't want to screw up right at the beginning by having a flier that's off the mark.

I want to include the intersection of where I live, but not my actual address. I'll put my Chinese friend's number on it so he can talk to any prospects that call. He'll give them all the details on cost and my address, how many days per week they want to study, what books they're currently using, how great I am and how lucky they should feel to have found one of my fliers, etc.

I'm sure many of you have done this. Any input would be massively appreciated!

[Lobster]

I would not recommend offering help with the Chinese exam unless you are very familiar with the exam itself. You will get questions like, "Teacher, why is 'He was standing on the corner." correct and "He was standing at the corner." wrong? The Chinese exam is riddled with errors, lack of context, and obfuscated references. The correct answer is the one that has been drilled into them by the Chinese teacher as the only acceptable answer. I don't know a single FT who would qualify to teach Chinese exam skills. That's the niche specialty of Chinese teachers, and they make money by coaching on the side. You're better off concentrating on the listening and speaking skills sections of their texts (Oxford or New Century). Because they study English grammar in Chinese, it would also be difficult to help too much there. I'd also suggest not limiting your classes to high school students. Adult classes should also be on offer.

RED

[Kootvela]

My fliers look like thtis:

a teacher of English for general, business and conversational English. One-to-one, groups and in-company lessons at your time and speed. Contact phone/email/website details.

That is enough to draw attention. I print them on coloured paper to catch the eye.

[samhouston]

[vikuk]

[samhouston]

[Kootvela]

My students pay in two ways: individual students pay for a month in advance (we agree about cancellation policy) and group students pay per term. My term is 23 meetings for 1,5h each.