Job Discussion Forums

[innerm]

I am in a small (for China) city and there are only a few FTs and so many people in this town want to learn english and are willing to pay. I get paid ok, but i am think of just doing private tuition or even setting up a school.

What can I charge for an hour per student? And has anyone any ideas about how to go about starting a small school? I have a Chinese girlfriend who can help me (the school paperwork, if any, can be in her name) and quite a few good contacts from government etc. I have just started to think about this after 4 years in China, so I am j trying to get any info l can before i dive into the deep end.

[go_ABs]

I'm sorry, I have no idea. But, I'm interested to know how you get on. Keep us posted.

Cheers,

[cimarch]

I could be wrong but I think a Joint Venture is required to have a lot of money as start-up capital. I'd check out the Govt. regs before I did anything. If you go with a pure Chinese owned business with your girlfriend's name on the paperwork then she will have to get permission from the Government to employ you. You also leave yourself with nothing in the case that you split up (not that I'm saying this will happen mind you).

For tutoring you can charge whatever the market will bear. I currently have a private student paying me 150 per hour for 6 hours a week. However, her family is moving to Canada, bought a house and car for cash over there and have a 40 foot yacht. I have also been offered 30 per hour teaching a neighbour.

[amandabarrick]

For private tutoring I charge 100 RMB per hour. That seems to be about right for the city I am in. If i was in Shanghai it would be higher.
Last summer I taught a class out of my apartment of 8 students. It was an afternoon class for 3 hours, 5 days a week. It lasted 4 weeks total, and I charged each student 600 RMB. I probably could have charged them more but they were former students or friends of a friend, and I didn't really need the money that much. You could have your girlfriend ask around at the other English Training schools in your city to find out what they charge each student. For the best information talk to the local PSB or chamber of commerce in your city or province, they will let you know what is legally required to start a small business, etc...

Good Luck!

AB

[englishgibson]

You've said that you've been in China for 4 years, but you haven't said that you've been teaching. Have you been teaching in China? Do you have enough experience to make such a large step forward? That plus your qualifications might be of a great help in such a move.

Regarding your girlfriend, I'd have basically two questions: 1) What's her education and experience? 2) Does she really have enough connections?

With respect to your plan, you'll need academic material to set up your school and I hope that you have enough knowledge in that sense. Further more your girlfriend will definitely have to register that license and there is a "law" (in China) that requires your girlfriend to have at least 5 years of teaching experience, but hey if she has that guanxi. You can register a Language Center or a Language School. The first one is easier.

So 1) Lease a space that has to be 300 square meters at least.
2) Register that place as a school/center and call the government to come.
3) You'll need I think three teachers on your application.
4) Apply for the permission to hire foreing teachers (dep of 50,000 RMB)
5) Register with the tax office (3-5% tax, though not necessarily)
6) Make a good marketing plan and the right opening day.
"Be sure that you have all your Contracts from the lease to the employement well done". The lease agreement is good to be signed in a presence of your lawyer.

If you need any more hints pm me.

Cheers and beers

[englishgibson]

Sorry mate, I forgot to mention that if you do not have enough experience the private tutoring might be much better and a lot less hassle for you to begin with.

Cheers and beers

[innerm]

Yes teaching for 4 years. not sure about if ready or not, thats why i am trying to get as much info as possible. We have lots of connections especially my gf. so will see how we go. Thanks for the info you gave me. much appreciated.

[Mideatoo]

You are not very explicit is regards of where you are located, yet learn that to be legal the SB will have to discern you a school license, their ruling varies from province to province and some times counties.

Usually you have to show expertise in teaching, and most of all a MA degree in the relevant field.
Now, knowing high ranking official will definitely boost the matter� thought get ready with 1 or 2 envelopes�.

Package deal example:
1000Y, for 22 hours class, per students.

[robert45]

In terms of what rates people want for private teaching you can do a survey of the teachers listed on:

MOD EDIT

It depends on the teaching experience and qualifications of the teacher of course, but also on the location and the number of other foreigners in that area.

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[YankeeDoodleDandy]

In Hefei Blue Universe charges students 12 RMB per hour for spoken classes. Class sizes range from 16 to 22. Joy School charges 1070 RMB for a 3 or 4 month course that meets for 4 hours every weekend. Teacher's salaries range from 60 to 100 RMB per hour

[virago]

Don't worry Yankie. Robert is just promoting his website and not interested in talking about tutoring.

[bubblebubble]

try private tutoring for a while. it's tax free. build up a client base ... if private tutoring goes well, then start your own private school. good luck!

[Roger]

I doubt that being starry-eyed is the ideal condition for someone to actually get a business started up in a nominally-socialist country infamous for its business unculture!
Besides, do you have the prerequisite qualifications? Are you a trained educationist??? I doubt even that!

[Roger]

[englishgibson]

Interesting that this thread is alive again.

Roger, you are right on with that “market research” and much more there, although your remark on that Chinese girl is off in my opinion.