Job Discussion Forums

[gharwell1]

Hello,
I'm trying to get together some ideas on what it takes to be a [b]Freelance English Teacher[/b]. Any ideas, information, experiences, tricks or advice you could provide would be appreciated.

Thanks
gharwell1

[MELEE]

Do mean, like only giving private classes?
OR do you mean working some hours at X school and others at Y school and once a week at Z school?
Or do you mean only given semester by semester contracts at a school?

[Guy Courchesne]

Freelancing, which I take to mean doing a lot of private classes, requires a solid procedure for handling needs analysis for your students. Almost the complete opposite of a traditional students-come-to-me class, where people comform to a set level or program, you'll likely have to shape programs around an individual, and work hard to keep it on-topic or of relevance to student to keep the class rolling.

Now, I suppose you could freelance and pitch a particular style or program to companies and groups. If you're doing that, then I guess your concern is how to sell yourself, apart from the many language schools you'll have as competitors.

You might run into visa problems this way too. Doing the odd private class usually won't run you afoul of immigration, but if you're taking it larger, then you'll need to find a way to bill your customers and handle taxes, especially with companies. Not sure what country you're in, but in Mexico, this means getting an independent FM3 and a tax number, as well as official invoices.

If you're looking for sales tricks and tips I have only one for you. Play up your uniqueness and strengths, likely that of being a native speaker. Are you good-looking? That's worth something. Have specialized experience in a particular field outside of English? Work that in as well.

Besides that...network, network, network.