Job Discussion Forums

NorthofAmerica · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Location: Recovering Expat

Like a lot of people here I work very few hours a week but unfortunately ultimately am making peanuts. I'd like to set up a few privates as I did this at my last job and it ended helping me to make quite a bit more. How much is the going rate per. 45min-1hr in a decently affluent Chinese city? Where do you typically do them? I used to use a community centre but don't know of anything similar around here and there is no way I am turning my craphole apartment into a cram school haha

Thanks for any advice!

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

The going rate for privates depends on the teacher, e.g., experience, money needs, ability to negotiate, etc. Estimates vary but in the big city where I live it's 100 on the low end and 250 on the high end. Like other consulting jobs the best way to find work is to advertise by telling everyone you know or meet that you're a tutor looking for private students. Referrals and word-of-mouth should take you from there.

ttorriel · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 193

If money [peanuts] is such an issue then what brought you to China?

I'd stay away from common/community areas, as teaching and receiving payment for work that is outside your contractual obligation is illegal.

nhat · Joined: 30 May 2009 Posts: 19

Hi!

alter ego's advice is pretty solid. To add to that, it's cool to let people know that you are looking to tutor, but at the same time be discreet about it. Start off by asking chinese friends and people you trust to be on the lookout for students, just to be on the safe side. No need to draw any more attention than you need. This way usually starts off slowly, but after you start tutoring students regularly and get to know them, then referrals should become more frequent.

As far as a place, if you are doing one-on-one tutoring, try talking to some friends and see if they have any offices available. If you are really looking to teach a bunch of students at a time, you could always rent a cheap apartment and furnish it with a whiteboard, desks, etc.

Best to start with one-on-ones and go from there.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I'd also add be careful if your school finds out they may not like it.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

Sinaman · Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 85

It depends how many people in one class as well. You are obviously going to charge less per person the more people you have but overall you will make more money.

I, personally, would not waste my time on anything less than 200RMB per hour.

The advice given above about whether your school is happy with you teaching privately is also good. If they do not have a problem with it then go ahead, if they do then make sure they do not know about it if you decide to go ahead with it.

And keep it discreet because you may encounter problems re: your visa