Job Discussion Forums

autoenglish · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Valencia

Hi. I was just wondering how much EFL teachers charge for an hour's private class or one-to-one in Japan? What's the going rate?

Cheers, Bob.

sushi · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 145

Some charge upwards of 10,000 yen an hour, but more often than not they are for one on one lessons with young children. You know your basic ambitious type parents who want their kid or kids to shine in the neighbourhood type thing and perhaps get a head start in life.

madeira · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 182 Location: Oppama

Some people are nuts and under-charge. I've heard of PRIVATE lessons for 2,000/hour. You should get at least 3,000/hour plus transportation expenses. I still wouldn't touch the job.

Not until it reaches 10,000/hour.

This is my opinion, but I find privates mostly a waste of time. You have to be VERY firm about cancellations and absolutely in charge when the time comes to negotiate payment. Often, students think they can get a teacher at lower-than-eikaiwa rates, but willing to do lots more in terms of homework-checking/assignment re-writing/researching homestays or jobs abroad, etc.

I'm too soft at negotiating and end up doing too much extra work. Some people can deal with it no problem.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

The average rate these days seems to be 3000-5000 yen/hour for one student. If you have more than one per class, you might want to consider reducing the cost per person. That way, more would feel like joining, and you'd still make money.

Haven't heard of too many people successfully charging 10,000 yen/hour since the late 90s.

madeira · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 182 Location: Oppama

Perhaps it's unusual, but that's the only rate I'll consider. I don't charge transportation at that rate, if that helps..

A private lesson at GEOS is still starting above 10,000, and doesn't involve any extras.

abufletcher · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:47 am Post subject:

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

I get anywhere from 5-10,000 yen/hour for private classes. It depends on the distance and prep and how much of a pain it is to you. The ichi-man class is a one-on-one about a 20 minute drive away.

Nagoyaguy · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 425 Location: Aichi, Japan

I try to avoid one-on-one classes. Too much like work! Plus, if the student doesnt show or cancels, you probably dont get paid.

If possible, try to teach group lessons. Better and more regular pay, easier to teach, and generally happier. Here is my system;

1/ Group of 9 students. Each pays 6000 yen a month. One class a week, for two hours.

2/ Group of 12 students. Each pays 4000 yen a month. Ditto timing to above.

Some things to do;

a/ Do NOT teach at home. I get a room at the local community centre (for class 1/ above) or 1200 yen per class. Class 2/ pays for the room among themselves. It has conference tables, whiteboard and markers, and is more professional.

b/ USE a textbook. Easier than 'winging it' all the time.

c/ Encourage students to recruit for you. For me, anyone who brings a student gets half price tuition for a month. So does the new student.

d/ Get paid in advance, at the first class of the month.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Glenski

I think you are missing the point re Nagoyaguy's pricing rationale. I think it is sound. He is getting about 6000 an hour. Often teaching a group of students is easier than teaching a single student, don't you think? Class dynamics and all that.

I was getting 6000 an hour teaching a small class at an international school. Seemed good to me, but following your logic that equates to 300 a studnt per hour. From my viewpoint, it is 6K an hour rather than 20x300Y!

And by using a textbook for the class, rather than one-on-one 'free conversation', I think N.guy is onto a fairly good thing.

johanne · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 189

I think the point being missed here is that Nagoya guy is getting 6000 yen a month from each student, therefore with 9 students he is getting 54,000 yen a month to teach 8 hours, which works out to a little less than 7,000 yen an hour - not bad. For his group of 12 he is getting 48,000 so 6,000 yen a hour. Also, teaching a group lesson from a text is relatively easy, especially if you are experienced and know how to spice it up or adjust it for your individual students. I'd say he is doing alright and the students are getting a good deal as well. It's win-win.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I started at 3000 and hour to build my client base, 4000 for an hour and a half. I built up a steady income supplement, so now I only teach for 4000 and hour and I've stopped accepting low level students and kids who aren't already near fluent. I don't honestly care if I never get another student. Those I have are really consistent. They pay after the lesson in cash, and they never cancel less than a week ahead except when they are sick.

I recommend findstudents.net for getting students.
They don't build up quickly, but they definitely build up if you can teach. I've never posted a picture of myself.

If anyone in around Chiba is looking to pick up some privates around March send me a pm.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

my going rate is 7,000 yen an hour. Since I'd have to get paid at least this to get interested. I get hit up for free English when I go out. As soon as someone drops the "I want to improve my English" bomb I tell them my rate and then they usually leave me alone. I don't bother teaching privates. If I was working at an Ekaiwa that wasn't very taxing I probably would, but I find my current job to be enough. My friends who teach privates are forever pulling their hair out about unreliablilty. It's tough to find good long term students.

Jon Taylor · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 238 Location: Tokyo

It's interesting reading this link to see just how plain greedy many of you appear to be.

When this topic began it was a general question asking how much one should charge for a private lesson.

It really didn't take long did it before it became a contest on who earns the most cash for each lesson.

Some of the quotes....well, i just have to laugh really. How can some of your rates be justified.

Who the hell do some of you think you are......lawyers, doctors ??

Anybody and I mean anybody could teach English and many of you may take offence at that and tell me that you have 10 years experience with various qualifications......

So let's face it, a private lesson means talking in your native tongue for one hour. How difficult can that be ?

Many Japanese are keen to learn English and for one reason or another choose to go privately. In my opinion, a suitable charge is somewhere around the 4000 per hour mark.

This rate is similar to what the student would be paying for tuition at any language school.