Job Discussion Forums

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

Interesting that people should have problems collecting money over this issue. I`ve had two classes with 2 private students and I actually collected more money than what I had quoted in one.
I have two students who worked in the same government office and wanted to be in a class together. I told them that I had to charge them 150 for the first student and 50 for the second and they would have to split the cost down the middle when both showed up. For some strange reason, they misunderstood me and both ended up paying me 150 pesos!!! Yes, incredible, I started to explain to them their mistake but they did not understand the explanation and I just bit my tongue.
One of the students dropped out and another replace him and the fiscal arrangement persisted. Oh well.
The other situation was one with a father who wanted classes for his teenage children during Semana Santa. I charged him 200 pesos and not a word questioning the price as I charge him 150 when he comes to class alone.

MELEE · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:15 pm Post subject:

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

I was referring to corporate classes, where I use this type of scale, but I take Guy's point and would never give group classes without the backup of a company. Besides, I recommend payment in advance for private classes - at least a quincena if the student isn't willing to pay a month...and a cancellation policy, agreed in advance.

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

I guess I discovered and utilized a USP here for private tutoring, but I might not be able to duplicate it in Mexico (maybe in the Philipines). All my earned income now comes from Koreans in Thailand, who are being hit with the double whammy of currency exchange and local inflation. So, I've just reduced my rates almost 10% until mid-August, so I don't lose them.

Still, I am amazed at 150 pesos per hour for private lessons. C'mon, can you only get that in DF?

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

MELEE makes some good points, to which I would add, or summarize, that it is imperative that you have your policy (payment, cancellation, etc) established, written agreed and signed before starting classes. It may be different in each case, but it is worth the work.

kdaca · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 31

Great thread, you guys!

I was just approached about giving private lessons yesterday. Such a recent thread is super helpful for me, as this would be my first time taking someone up on their request.

USP?
Check.

A better understanding of why my colleague charges 500 pesos for corporate classes?
Check.

Now the contract/policy is on my mind. I'm already familiar with freelance contracts in the states, but there neither teaching-oriented nor in Spanish.

Phil K (or anyone who'd like to share), what else do I need to include in my contract/policy besides payments and cancellations? What language do I need to make the document legally binding? Where is the best place online to find a teaching contract/policy template in Spanish?

Thanks,
K.

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

Do you guys offer and credit for missed classes?

I used to give 50% credits to students missing no more than one class a week with prior notice but this has become a disaster similar to Guy's comments about getting more than one student to split the charge.

MO39 · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject:

kdaca · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 31

Sorry, M039. When I said "check" I just meant that I can put a tick next to X on my checklist of things to do before I start tutoring/teaching privately. So, yes, I have a USP; and yes, I have a better grasp of what to charge.

Apologies for any confusion.

K.

ontoit · Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 99

Clearly the more flexible you are, the more students you'll get.

I say "get" because my experience is that no matter how much you bend in terms of price and location, individual students will come and go without regard to how nice you've been about everything.

In the end, therefore, I've found it best to state my conditions avoid budging.

One important consideration where I am (different country) is that I expect to be paid for the month rather than per lesson. This means that I expect to be paid even if the student misses a class, and I also expect that my fee for the month should be paid even if one of the class sessions in a given month falls on a national holiday, which I take off. If, on the other hand, I cancel a class for personal reasons, I pro-rate the monthly charge. If a student needs to take a month off for whatever reason, I waive the charge and hold the spot in the schedule.

How do you all handle cancelled classes?

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

ontoit, that is a good point about private students, that some will withdraw even though the teacher has done most things correctly. I have lost several students who needed extra help on their arrival to international school, and then their needs decreased (and the currency exchange went crazily expensive for them). Once they could understand their lessons at school (all in English for math, science, history, etc.) they did not need a special tutor.