Job Discussion Forums

WhisperTrail · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 10

This is chapter three of a series being written by a teacher who is a friend of mine. I posted his earlier articles here a few weeks ago. Chapter three is concerning teaching private lessons. It is a little too long for me to post here So I will link to it.

Chapter Three: Teaching Is A Business

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Thatnks. Great article

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Thanks. I think he's right about the 1 in 10 conversion rate between those who express an interest in classes and those who actually start (and continue!) them.

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

With statements like this, I wonder if this is common in Santo Domingo and Uruguay (where he says he has taught). It is not that way everywhere:

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject:

[quote="Glenski"]With statements like this, I wonder if this is common in Santo Domingo and Uruguay (where he says he has taught). It is not that way everywhere:

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Nice article, but I think very few of us have enough global experience to make some of the statistical statements.

For example, in my own experience I would say about 8 out of 10 inquiries have resulted in lessons starting.

Also there is no way that students don't turn up "about half the time" to lessons at your home. It's happened a couple of times in about ten years, but in a vast majority of cases when lessons were cancelled they were cancelled with prior notice.

Finally, I can't imagine it takes all of us three years to build up a client base that supplies half of our income. The two times I've started afresh in a new country it has taken me about six months to make the switch from working for a school to living off a full-time self-employed income.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Exactly. It's impossible to teach in a couple of locations and extrapolate some standards regarding private teaching.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

In Japan and Taiwan you could probably live on privates if you know what you are doing. I am putting Japan and Taiwan on this list because they are counties in which one can have a visa without and employer. After five years in Taiwan you can sponsor your own permanent residence card.

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

I have fired two private students so far. This topic also needs some attention: what to do with students you hate?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject:

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

You can say that you refused to teach two students. Or that you refused to accept their money!!!

MO39 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject:

Maybe it's not very professional to say you've "fired" students, but I certainly like the concept behind the word! In my limited experience of teaching private students in only two countries, I can say that very often the students I'd like to "fire" end up leaving on their own. Very Happy

MO39 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject:

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