Job Discussion Forums

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

Thanks for the help guys- I finished the semester and am headed to work in Warsaw so I guess I'll try it there. I never did privates in Korea b/c it was a hassle but heard that if you tried you could make good coin.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:37 pm Post subject:

I tried with a few privates, but they always seemed so d@mn LONG.

Justin

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

JUst as a matter of interest, am I the only one who momentarily expected the thread to be describing something different?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

Don't be so hard on him.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Well, I have had heaps of privates so I suppose I could share some of my experience.

First of all, get them to pay a tuition, just like any proper school would. Devise a token system and get a months tuition upfront.

Second, very important to establish a cancellation policy. I would say 24 hours notice for a cancellation and they don't have to pay.

Here in Japan people expect to get more bang for more bucks, don't undercharge.

If you are dealing with kids, the most important thing is to pay special attention to the mothers. Always keep them informed and go out of your way to be nice to them. Teachers often complain that the kids are brats or that they don't remember anything; as long as you keep the mothers happy you will continue to have students. Also, word of mouth spreads like wildfire with the mothers, do a good job and you will have kids coming out of your ears. Also, never over teach the kids. A 50-minute lesson should contain not more than 20 minutes maximum teaching, play a lot. Of course, always have snacks for their break time. Kids are cool and it can be fun if you do it right you can make more money than teaching adults, group them together.

The thing about most adult privates is they lose interest. They don't have the interaction with other stucents or the being part of the group thing that they like so much here in Japan. I have heard of friends having the same privates for a long time, but those are always when they are grouped together.

Hope this might be of some help to someone.

Have a great Monday,
s

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

All good advice, Sweetsee.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Thanks Gordon.

I might also add that my partner has, or had, heaps of kids coming over before we moved and is forever complaining. I guess you never know how good you have it unless you have spent a decade slogging all over Tokyo teaching your butt off. At least, on this forum perhaps my advice will not fall on deaf ears.

Thanks again Gordon,
s

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Wow, sweetsee, I wish I could handle groups of kids, but we don't have the room. Groups are definately better, less likely to have everyone cancel, and the peer pressure Twisted Evil

keeps them coming! One of the teachers I knew pulled a group from the school, they arranged the place, even the text, he just showed up and taught!

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Yeah, I hate to say it but I too liberated a group from my old Eikaiwa. They were more than happy with the arrangement and in the end it was me who bailed out.

Space is definitely a consideration, though if you are really interested I am sure you could find a classroom to rent out, not for a month but just for your scheduled classes. Have heard of such arrangements but it would require you doing the legwork to find it.

Either that, or you should upgrade your living arrangement to include enough space to accomadate group lessons, that is if privates are your thing. Myself, no way. I have a full-time job, I moonlight in Tokyo but I don't get any more money because I have a family. Sure is nice to finish work at five and be done with it.

Enjoy yourself,
s

merlin · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:09 am Post subject:

Yeah, I'm thinking of going back to kids but I'm worried I'd then be a paraiah again. The businessmen do pay more but they're so busy and they tire quickly. You can be the twinkle in a businessman's eye one day and the next day he's moved on to another thing. He cancels a lesson and you wonder - should I call him or should I wait for him to call me? You don't want to seem to needy but on the other hand you don't want to lose him.

If only it was more respectable to do children. But you tell someone you teach English to kindergarteners and you'll probably never be respectable again. Once you teach children you can't go back. Businessmen will see you as somehow - tainted.

I think it's better to rent a room separate from your accomodation. You really don't want to disturb the neighbors where you live. Plus if you can't pay the extra rent it's easier to get out of the contract than if you live in the place. But most of all a room for teaching children really should be designed specially for that purpose. I'm thinking of converting our cellar for the purpose. Right now wse just got a bunch of crap in there we need to throw away anyway and it shouldn't cost more than $5000 to convert it. Perfectly doable with a small business loan I hope.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Yeah, I have thought about renting a room, but I wonder if I have the time between 5 part-time jobs! But you never know, as I am looking for more work for my wife, who recently lost a major semi-fulltime job. I'm not sure if it would be best for my students or not, with her as a manger.

merlin · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:02 am Post subject:

Almost my exact problem(s) word-for-word. Shocked

What I'm gong to try and do is take advantage of the slow summer season (it almost isn't worth teaching adults in summer here) combined with saved-up holiday time to have a go at it in July-August - the exact time that working parents need someplace to put their kids. If all works out we're set and I give my assorted employers notice - if not I return to my work in late september after a long holiday with no one the wiser. Cool

MELEE · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:36 pm Post subject:

Now that the conversation has gotten serious...
Sad

I used to do groups of kids here in Mexico too, and that's probably the only private I consider doing again. I was able to charge them each low enough that it was a deal for the parents, but out of the group of 8 I made about three times the going 1 on 1 adult lesson rate! I downloaded all my materials from the internet. To solve the space problem, the lesson was held in the house of one of the students. All the kids were children of the professors at the university where I work and they lived in staff housing here on campus.