Job Discussion Forums

[zactherat]

[MisterOyster]

[zactherat]

[ecubyrd94]

[parnett]

I used to come here quite frequently (under a different name) years ago. Then, I stopped because no matter how harmless my post, it would always start an argument. It's your right to disagree, but insults are surely not necessary. I think living in China is beginning to drive some of you over the edge.

[kungfuman]

[7969]

[Brian Hugh]

For the last year I have been teaching VIP students. I am also writing this letter as an answer to the previous person who was accused of ripping off his students by charging two students 150 rmb an hour in Hongzhou. My answer is that you must deal through a Chinese agent in China. Chinese have a problem dealing directly with a lao wai.
I have been teaching VIP students for the last year. They too complain about everything. I present books that I have bought to study from they choose the book and later complain that the book is not good. So I get them another book or take them to a library or books store on my time and let them choose another. Most of the students are appreciative of my work but I have some that nothing makes them happy.
Teaching VIP students in a school is good in that I am less threatening to the Chinese English teachers working at my school. These classes are usually small sometimes only one student attends.
Do any other teahers have a take on this VIP system of English teaching?

[Mr.Engrish]

[The Steakinator]

This might be a bit off topic, but how easy is it to pick up private students within the first month of being there?

I'm a 28 year old white guy. In Turkey, that spelled death to private lessons (they want "blonde and buxom" women). Hardly anyone would take you unless you took paltry pay. In Syria, well, Syrians are fairly stingy so private lessons were out the window unless you were a blonde woman, even hideously ugly they'd pay great money. What about China, though?

[LarssonCrew]

Steakinator, I've found that generally the longer I am in China, the easier to pick up classes because of connections and people you know.

I originally worked at a training centre, and it was always possible to flick the topic to them renewing their contracts there. They don't want to pay 3 or 400 per hour, so they'll do a deal.

As well student's cancelling in private classes drives me mad, so now I insist on 10 hours worth of classes up front, and charge 1700, if they want to pay for 20 hours of classes up front they can have it for 3000, for most people the 3000 is enough for maybe a month. So you only need 4 students to take you up and you've got 12000 a month extra, although it is another 20 hours a week.

Anyways, if you know more people more people will come to you, and if you do a great job in the first few months most will recommend you to their friends.

[Opiate]

[The Edge]

I only do 'one on ones' and my minimum is 150 rmb per hour.
My maximum is 300.
It averages out over the course of a year to about 200 rmb per hour.
If I was to do two or more students at the same time (which I would not do as the parents kids like their kids to get 100% private tuition) then I would keep to the same prices.
Building up a reputation as a private tutor is mainly due to having good family connections and the word of mouth from the parents of previous students.
It is not everybodys cup of tea and I only do it to pass the time and to mainly help friends of my wife's family.
However, it certainly pays better and is a damn sight easier / rewarding than working in some crappy language mill or lower league university.
Each to their own though.

[fred13331]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]