Job Discussion Forums

[misteradventure]

I recently spied this posting:

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=9556

For teaching online (in real-time) it seems that 15,000 S.Kr Won/Hour isn't all that much (that's the price to ACCEPT one wire transfer to my bank!) And then you are picking up the cost of Internet, the computer, your office, etc.

MOD EDIT

The topic I'd REALLY like to discuss is rates for Independent Contractors teaching ESL.

I'd like to hear what is the going rate for teaching as an independent contractor in the various parts of the world. I know that S. America is cheaper than parts of Europe, but not necessarily the East.

For those who don't know, the definition of 'independent contractor' I'm using is: someone who is paid a set rate or fee for services without ANY benefits.
They arrange for their own supplies, transportation, health insurance, work permits (if any), billing and collections. No taxes are deducted and they are responsible for their own tax and legal expenses. They are basically their own little company or school providing training.

Anyone?

[Guy Courchesne]

Mexico City - 100-250 pesos per hour (9-23 usd)

The rest of the republic runs anywhere between 50 and 150 pesos per hour (4-13 usd)

[Nagoyaguy]

Japan is great for this kind of thing. For private lessons (one on one) the usual charge starts at about 4000 yen per hour. About $35 US I think.

Personally, I prefer group classes. I teach 2 groups as a part time income supplement. I design the curriculum, take care of the paperwork, and sometimes also rent a room at the local community centre for the class. The rental charge is 1500 yen per class, or 6000 yen per month (50ish US dollars). I also drive to my classes and do any copying by myself. Students pay for their own texts.

The class is once a week for 2 hours (Thursday, 630-830pm). There are currently 12 students. Each student pays 6000 yen per month for the class. My total income is therefore 72,000 yen, minus 6000 for hall rental, so about 66,000 yen per month for 8 hours of teaching. It works out to about 8000 yen per hour ($70 US per hour).

Other class is a business English class for Toyota executives. There are 6 students, each pays 2500 yen per class. One class is 90 minutes. No room rental charge, as I teach on site at their office. So, income is about 60,000 yen per month for 6 hours of teaching (4 classes x 90 minutes each), or about 10,000 yen per hour (90ish US dollars per hour).

[Guy Courchesne]

Daaaaaaaamn Nagoya! You are doing well...now I know where that fascist conservative streak comes from.

all in good fun

[Nagoyaguy]

Guy, believe it or not, my prices are not out of line! In fact, they are pretty reasonable, especially compared to what the big language schools charge here. Students routinely drop 8000 yen for a 40 minute private lesson at a conversation school. Compared to them, my prices are only half. You have to consider the cost of living, too. I pay about $1.10 US for a litre of gas for my car, about $800 on rent per month, and so on. Everything is relative.

It doesnt happen overnight, though. You have to know people and network a little. Plus, I think if you charge a fair price then your students are entitled to quality lessons. Not just a 'conversation partner', but a professional language lesson.

And, I was a fascist neo-con long before coming to Japan. I saw the light back when I was in university.

[Guy Courchesne]