Job Discussion Forums

[billyminer]

Hi all,

I'm a fresh grad with a bachelor's degree in business, and I'm going to be moving to HK in September. I was wondering if there is a demand for private tutoring? Looking to make some income for the time being while I look for another job. A little more about me, I'm Chinese and my parents are from HK, but I was born in Vancouver. I'm also wondering what kind of hourly rate can someone with my background charge? I've talked to some people and a lot of them have directed me here saying this forum is full of knowledgeable teachers

[sistercream]

Assuming you already have a permanent HKID, then you're set to go - tutoring rates can be anything from about HKD200 an hour for basic English tutoring to HKD600+ for university level tutoring in specialist subjects.

If your parents never got around to getting you your permanent HKID, then private tutoring is illegal for you, but if there is enough demand for your subject areas then you could possibly get a job (+ attached working visa) with an outfit like Alpha Academy - that's just the first company that springs to mind; there are a number of others in town.

[billyminer]

I don't think I'll have any legal issues as I do have an HKID.
I was also wondering what is the best way to advertise private tutoring services and gather students? Is it all self promotion or are there some agencies or such that I can sign up with that will help refer students?
Also a question about TEFL/TESL certificate.. I know for teaching in a school this may be pretty much required, but for private tutoring do the parents care about having this? Or if you do have it can you charge higher price?


Btw thanks for the reply sistercream!

[Joshua2006]

It depends on where you want to work. Also, you have to remember that if you use an agency, then they won't be working for free.

I don't know if it will work, but a cheap option, if you want to work near where you live, is to make a small flyer, 4 to one A4 page, advertising yourself, and then simply post it in every letter box in your apartment complex. And if you get no replies, do the next apartment complex....and so on. That way you'll a) be working near home thus entailing no commute, b) be able to set your own costs without paying anyone else, c) be able to choose the hours that you work, provided of course you get people interested, d) have minimum start up costs and e) test the market in case you want to take it up a notch as far as business is concerned.

Honestly, I tried it in one tower in my complex - 350 apartments, and didn't get one reply. However, there are about 3,200 apartments in my complex and there HAS to be ONE in there that needs English. I just haven't posted in all the mail boxes yet mainly due to time constraints.

Avoid agencies unless you really have nowhere else to turn......THEY want their pay too, and that comes from the work YOU do.

[billyminer]

How do the agencies take their pay tho? Is it a one time fee?

[Joshua2006]

If the customers pay the agency, then they will take their cut before they pass on your 'salary'. That's how these places usually work, or certainly that's how it is in the Uk and Korea....

[sistercream]

Lots of places advertise for part-time tutors - yes, they do take their cut before you see your money, but they also take care of all the admin stuff and faffing around with the tax people.
If you want to go solo, a couple of ads on the notice boards in local supermarkets can start you off slowly. Or you can make up some simple flyers and hand them to parents/ helpers of students just going into or coming out of primary schools (make sure you stand completely outside the school grounds, on public property), or to the students themselves, if you are aiming for more secondary students.