Job Discussion Forums

ProfessorsWife · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Sharjah, UAE

Many of you have taught, or are planning to, in the UAE. I've been asked to tutor someones son. He needs help with his English. Can any of you give me a guideline for what sort of pay I should request. I honestly haven't got any idea what to ask for. Any help would be appreciated. I've already asked that the family tell me what they think, that was a nogo, they want me to set the price.I've got to meet with them tonight....

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

It depends on the subject and the level. For English, I would ask for 150/hour or more. Math and Science...you could ask over 200.

ProfessorsWife · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Sharjah, UAE

It's an 8 year old boy, in the 3rd grade. He speaks Arabic, but needs help with his English, and with his homework. Do you think that the amount still applies?

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

Yes-I think 150 might be a bit low, but if it's someone you know, it's fair.

ProfessorsWife · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Sharjah, UAE

I don't know them...I've only spoken with them on the telephone. I'm meeting up with them this evening, about 6.15 or so. I'll tell him if it's at his place dhs 160 per hour, if it's at mine, dhs 130....what do you think? I'm trying to be fair. It's a fairly prominent family. Not royal...but the father does work with the royal family so I doubt they're in a tight financial situation...

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

Don't differentiate the price for location of the lesson, you still have to do the job of teaching. Ask for more, you can always bargain. Also, make a point they pay for a month in advance at least and set the rules about cancelling lessons. Teaching children is not the best market, trust me.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

I generally would not tutor in my own home...drivers are late, parents are late...next thing you know you're babysitting on top of tutoring.

ProfessorsWife · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Sharjah, UAE

Great points from both of you...thanks so much! If you've got any other tips, please pass them on!!

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

What are your qualifications?

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

trapezius · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:00 am Post subject:

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the going rate is SAR 175-200/hr.

(SAR is roughly equal to AED).

Don't go below 150 at any cost. SAR 150 used to be the rate in Jeddah 3 years ago.

ProfessorsWife · Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Sharjah, UAE

Based off of what each of you has provided me with, I believe I'm going to do the following.

1 - I will request dhs 225 per hour and allow the father to advise whether or not he finds this to be acceptable.
2- I will request one months payment in advance.
3 - I will set guidelines for missed visits. - I think, and let me know if any of you feel differently, that it would be acceptable to provide the child with my mobile number, should he have a question when he's on his own. Do you think that's giving too much? I tend to let myself be available to people whenever needed, but I don't want to be too lenient.
4 - I will provide the child and his parents handouts that show what we've been working on and what progress he's making with me.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I wouldn't give out the mobile number until after a few months of teaching to see how it goes. Otherwise you may end up with calls in the middle of the night. (these kids often don't have scheduled bed times)

No lessons without prepayment... crucial...

VS

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

trapezius · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject:

Yeah 225 is a bit too much. I would ask for 200 and then have them bargain it down to 175 if need be. Or I would probably ask for 175 from the get go and stick with it.