Job Discussion Forums

[Oovreta]

i've been teaching for a couple of schools for quite a while and some of my students have started approaching me for private lessons for friends of theirs-i know they don't have a lot of money so i don't want to ask for too much but on the other hand they are paying for my time and i want to make it worthwhile for myself too-i've heard of teachers charging up to 700cK for an hour's teaching-of course, i won't be asking for so much but can anyone pls let me know the going rate?-(the private lessons i've been offered so far have all been 1-1-THANKS SO MUCH

[ITTP]

Hi Oovreta.

For private one-on-one lessons the going rate in Prague is really anywhere upwards from 200,-CZK per 45 minutes (with some teachers charging a lot more).

It really depends on how much you ask for, how much your student is willing to pay, and also on how experienced a teacher you are. Students also may pay more for a bilingual or semi-bilingual teacher (Czech language skills).

It is important to note that whilst schools may pay you for last minute cancelled lessons, it is unusual for private students to have this agreement with their teacher and may either cancel or re-schedule a private lesson last minute without monetary compensation. I would therefore recommend supplementing your income with private lessons but not necessarily focussing solely on them as a means of main income.

From talking with teachers currently teaching private lessons in Prague it would appear that the going rate is approx 250,-CZK-350,-CZK per 45 minute lesson (sometimes with a meal/ drink(s) thrown in too).

If you need any further info then feel free to get in touch.

Hey, thanks again!

Neville

[BELS]

I haven't got much experience in the Czech republic, I'm interested and that's why I am here. But I do have a lot of experience of private lessons both in group and one to one. All private teachers I know won't bother with one to one because no student will expect to pay the going rate what is proportionaly got from a group price. Also depending on one student alone to attend your precious time schedule with attendance and complete the course is risky in comparison to a group.

Sorry my comments were a little bit condensed , I will expand on request.

[musicalchef]

As a follow-up to this conversation, I also have a few questions about private lessons:

1. What is the best way to find students if you are not yet teaching through a school? (advertising, etc?)

2. Are there any legal requirements to teach privately? (I just arrived in Prague this week, and have begun the process of obtaining my work permit, with the help of the school that is hiring me) Do you need a Zivno? Is there a difference between what is actually legal and what everybody does?

3. Do clients usually expect you to meet them at their home or at a public location? If it is a public location, what kind? (I used meet clients at the public library in the US to tutor Spanish) I am female, and wouldn't feel comfortable meeting a male client in his home.

Dekujem

4. Do clients generally have their own books they are studying with? If they do not, what do they expect from the teacher? To recommend a book for them, and teach from that? To make up their own lessons? Just conversation? I realize this probably varies, but I just was wondering about the experiences you've had.

[spiral78]

Most students are found through word of mouth recommendations. Few people are going to actually call someone whose posted a flyer somewhere, for example.


My privates always paid in cash, and no one reported anything. So, technically you might need a zivno, but I would say not unless you did a substantial amount of teaching privately.

I always met my students at a quiet cafe. They are around, depending on location and hours.

Privates generally want you to do something individual for them. Sometimes you can steer them to a book, but not always.

[cks]

My privates used to be considered an extra source of income; but now they are my bread and butter during the turbulent summer months. I have always obtained mine through word of mouth and they are easy to get after you have been here for a while. I know they are not always reliable, but many of them can surprise you- especially the ones who want to prepare for an exam. I have a few who almost never cancel. I usually load my schedule with as many as possible knowing I will most likely not be teaching the full load each week.

I think you should grab as many as you can during this economic crisis. Too many companies are cancelling their English lessons; and these are the big corporations in Prague. Give yourself a safety net; just in case.

[musicalchef]

Thanks for all the tips!

[cks]

Oh yeah, as for prices. I still think that most people find 300 kc reasonable for 60 minutes and 500 for 90 minutes. I used to charge 1000 for 4 lessons if they pay in advance, but too many people kept asking if they can pay me the next week and then another week gets delayed and it can become quite awkward.

When the economy picks up we can start raising the prices a bit more. But I agree with your concerns; we don't want to charge too much and scare them away, but not too little because our time is valuable. I know some people who charge as much as 500 per 60 minutes and that is too extreme, but then I see some ads for 200 kc per hour and that is not sufficient enough.

[ITTP]

Yes, 200 CZK per 45 minutes or 60 mins private language teaching is far too low and encourages lower private lesson fees.

If you have a Zivno and are paying taxes then definitely go for the upper end - your student might even be able to write the classes off their taxes in this case, such as if you find a private class at a company for example.

I don't know if I would recommend full-timing it with privates though simply because of the high risk of cancellations.

Damn, my flight to Prague has been delayed 2 hours.
Damn BAA!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Narodni 21
Prague 1

[cks]

Full-time with privates is impossible and will not keep you legal unless you are on a zivno. They just saved my life this summer after one of my language schools went bust and I lost so many classes. KB, CSOB, and Phillips along with many other companies have dropped all of their classes as well.

With these difficult times, it is best to add privates in addition to your course load at a language school because you never know what can happen. Most summer classes are cancelled at the schools as well and privates are the ticket to stay afloat.

[ITTP]

[mr tree]

...which, of course, isn't to say that there ISN'T work in the summer. just not as much of it. you certainly can stay here in the summer, i've done this comfortably the last 2 years (last month was my highest-ever earning month!!)

i just wanted to throw my 400kc/60mins fee into the ring - i kinda fell into private teaching but i've really enjoyed it so far