Job Discussion Forums

rucontent · Joined: 12 Jan 2009 Posts: 28

any thoughts on scratching out a living on private lessons vs. working for a school?

I can imagine that private will take a moment to get a clientele, advertising, whatever else....... but besides the criteria for hustle... any comments about drawbacks about either....too many?

you can even ramble if you like.

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Besides what you'd already mentioned, the main disadvantages for private students I can think of:
* They often cancel at a whim;
* Inconsistent;
* If the student has a boring personality, teaching one-on-one can be a bit of a drag;
* Lack of interaction with other students (in group/pair work, for example);
* Privates can leave for a while. For example, in Russia, 90% of my privates are gone for all of August and January due to holidays-- therefore inconsistent pay;
* It can be an issue where to hold the lessons;
* It may be legally problematic to have private students (things like taxes, being an independent contractor, etc.).

Advantages:
* Work for yourself--you're dependant on yourself to make as much as you'd like;
* Fewer behavior problems;
* You can pick who you want to teach;
* It can be in a very comfortable place (a quiet cafe, or someone's home, for example);
* You can mostly set your own schedule.

I currently teach both privates and hold down a FT teaching job. However, in the future I hope to only teach privately while doing IELTS examining. I can feasibly make as much focusing on privates as if I'd just go solo, and would have more time to spend with my family. The biggest thing holding me back is having that consistent salary (very important when you have a family to support).

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Where are you shooting for? Japan?
Can't live on private lessons unless you've lived here a long time and acquired the contacts and have somehow managed to secure the right visa.

P.S. There is no work visa that allows you to work solely on private lessons.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

MO39 · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 3:47 pm Post subject:

In Mexico it is possible to get a work permit that allows you to teach independently and support yourself solely with private classes. Several people I know here in Mexico City make a living that way, including myself!

rucontent · Joined: 12 Jan 2009 Posts: 28

So i take it, that it depends where you want to do privates. Interesting thanks for the comments. At this moment i will be in Cuzco. I speak Spanish and am a Native English Speaker as well and i am looking to stay in Latin America, but who knows. Thanks for the info.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Building up enought privates is a negative point as wel.

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I go for little kids, my students are age 5 to 12. All diplomat kids. NO contract, they pay me AFTER I teach a month or so of classes. We have a trusting relationship. BUt if I were to start with someone I didn't know, I'd make them pay at least half upfront.

I'm at the point that I have 20 hours and a possible 3 more a week. I'm considering not going back to teach at uni because I'd be too busy with bussing around for 3 hours a day.