Job Discussion Forums

aliaeli · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 46

Hello teachers,
I have quite a few questions I need answered. Basically, I have decided to give private classes or in small groups. Before I start making announcements about it, I was wondering if I could get some input.

1. Is it customary that the students pay before, or pay after the services are rendered. Is it usually done on a weekly, monthly or per class basis?
2. I don't prefer to travel to the homes of the students, I would rather meet them in my home or in a library or park or something nearby. Any input about students coming to you rather than you traveling to their home (which here in DF we know could mean racking up quite a few hours of travel time.
3. As a female, how should I procede with setting appointments with people I don't know?
4. I have been hesitant to put up announcements because I am still on my tourist visa, should I wait until my work visa is at least in process? Should I wait until I have it in hand? Or will it probably not matter?
5. What about claiming my income, to make my business more of a legit business? Will this require a lot of extra time and money?
6. Most important question: I know that there will probably be many students wanting me to prep them for the TOEFL or other similar tests. Where is there a good book store to help me get on my feet? I'd also like to find some kind of system of testing their level? Any good material recommendations? What other tests are out there that students will want to be prepped for?

Thanks for the help,

Eli

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

1. It's been my experience to charge students every week or two-week period (quincena here), after the classes have been given. I don't think it unreasonable to ask to be paid up front though.

2. I've mostly gone to companies or to the homes of my students, and charged more for it. I've also had people come to my home, have had classes at restaurants and cafes. My preference is the office of the student or the home. I think you might run into more last-minute cancellations if the student were to meet you at your home, than if you were to go to theirs, making it easier to collect on no-shows (since you at least traveled out to the class)

3. In a neutral place if you're concerned. A restaurant near the student's home for example. If it's in an office, there shouldn't be a problem.

4. You always run the risk of being caught if you teach on a tourist visa. However, what you propose is common practice in DF and I've never heard of anyone being caught. Know the risks, I say.

5. Yes, you will need to register with the tax agency here and pay taxes. It's not that difficult to do, but you should get a good accountant to help you with this.

6. The American Bookstore or New Option book store, in a mall between Gante and Bolivar streets, just off Madero in the historic center. Anything and everything you want is there, from TOEFL to British systems (such as First Certificate), testing prep courses to complete EFL courses.

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

1. My students pay me a month in advance if they are one-to-one, groups pay for the whole course (2,5months) and companies pay at the end of the month when I invoice them.
2. I rent a small place for teaching purposes. I used to go to students to give lessons but now it's not neither time nor cost-effective.
3. Stick with female students or in-company classes to begin with.
4. Visa issues-sorry, cannot help.
5. Paying taxes should be easier when you get a work visa, I suppose.
6. Though there might be a demand, do you have any experience? Sure, experience comes with practice but for example I don't take any exam classes because a) too much work b) too few people willing to pay real money.

Skookumchuck · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Mexico City

I am also looking to begin teaching private classes in Mexico but I'm wondering, where are the best places to publicize my services? Are there certain places to avoid posting advertisements if I am still on my tourist visa and want to stay clear of any legal interventions?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Everyone and his uncle, including his monkey, drop ads at segundamano.com.mx...don't expect much of a return there unless you update your ad at least every 6 hours.

Networking remains the best way to do it. Find a local friend, and make sure that friend talks about you.

MO39 · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:22 am Post subject:

El Gallo · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 318

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

MO39 · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject:

Wow, Jetgirly, sorry to hear about your awful experience in Italy. Shocked

I've been teaching privately in Mexico, and almost all my students have been men. I always arrange for the first meeting to take place in a caf� near my apartment - that way I can size them up and decide if I want to take them on as students. I trust my intuition, and so far it hasn't let me down. And this is very important because most of the time I give classes in my apartment. Perhaps the fact that I'm 63 has kept me safe, though my age hasn't prevented other men I've met from asking me out, or at least propositioning me (in the nicest Latin way, of course Wink

), so I guess I've still got something going for me in that area!