Job Discussion Forums

[johnshoe118]

This question speaks for itself

However, some considerations -

How easy to get tutor jobs? What is the process - Arrive to country (Korea for example) and post fliers? Fliers in english -does that make sense?

Are their orgs that setup private tutoring?

Is this a viable option?


Thanks all!

[Glenski]

You are likely going to find different situations in every country, but I think basically you cannot work like that unless you have a valid visa to stay in the country first.

Speaking for Japan, the market here is very competitive, and you are not going to find enough private lessons to live on for at least 6 months or so. With no contacts or experience here, what else would you expect?

There are some online boards that let foreigners register for private lesson classes, and the locals scour them then respond if they are willing. After that, it's up to you to give a demo lesson, state your terms of fees, and hope that they stay with you. Private lesson students here are very fickle and will leave with zero notice.

[tttompatz]

[jonniboy]

[spanglish]

Not a fun way to live. Use your contacts to get a good job so you don't have to teach privately.

[Glenski]

[naturegirl321]

First of there's a separate Korea forum, so I won't get into country specific details in this post.

But, you're probably going to need a visa to stay legally in the country. Sure, you could stay illegally if you want, but you run risks.

Second, it takes a bit to build up a repuation.

third, students cancel on you,

Fourth, you might spend lots of time going all over town.

Over all, it's tough. I did it for two years. I made just as much teaching privates as working in an intl school, in Peru, so that's not saying much. I supplementing my earnings with teaching at a unviersity and tutoring at a school for kids with LD. It was ok, but I'm glad I have just one job now.

[naturegirl321]

[jonniboy]

[Justin Trullinger]

This question gets floated occasionally. I think it's caused by a few things-

Languages schools, and their owners/administrators are frequently (and often rightly) criticised in these parts.

Private lessons cut out the middle man, and often pay more (per hour) than entry level jobs.

Yet...the number of long term EFLers who make their living, or even a substantial part of it, from private classes is fairly low.

Many lifers, like me, will not do private lessons at all.

A private class or two can be a nice supplement to the regular income of a school. (though I will not do it.) But depending on privates exclusively is irregular, and requires a lot of work outside of the hours you're teaching to build up the business.

Also- as long as you're only teaching privately, you're not building experience that helps you later on in the job market.

And you never get out of the "teacher as servant" role, where you're "students" are also your direct employer, entitled to tell you what to do.


I just can't come up with any reasons that a bunch of private students would be better than just getting a good job.

Best,
Justin

[Glenski]

[naturegirl321]

I second Justin. It's very very stressful. If you were to teach Bueinss English and/ or exam classes, that's one thing. But I-d do it to add to my regular income and just save it all.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

In Russia, one can get an entrepreneur license, and then teach private lessons legally. One need only get a special accounting machine and be sure to take out their 13% in tax and they're golden. However (there's always a however in Russia, isn't there ), one must have residency first, no small consideration.
I thought about going that route, but I had been here some years and had a rather good set of contacts.
I agree with some of the other posters that getting a good job is generally the way to go.