Job Discussion Forums

donb2222 · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 134

I was introduced to a woman that helps place Chinese students in foreign high schools and universities.
She asked me, with the help of a translator, if I could tutor a few students that are customers of hers.
I agreed to tutor 5 of her students, and I am paid after each class.
After each class I see the student or parent paying the woman, and then she gives all of the money directly to me.
I am not complaining about anything. I am very happy with the money and the students.
But, where or when is the woman making her money ?
I would guess that she would want a share of the money.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

If it works, don't fix it! Are you getting a fair wage? I would assume she's getting something from someone, perhaps services or other considerations. Offer to take her to dinner for helping you. (You sound like you have a conscience, so rare nowadays.)

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

It would seem that this women is well rewarded for placing students in the foreign schools and universities but can only do so if the students meet a minimum English standard be it TOEFL, IELTS or some other measure.

She is expecting you to help the students meet this standard so she can reap the rewards.

That would be my guess!

thefuzz · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 271

Don't worry...business is business and she is getting her money somewhere so if you're getting big bucks to tutor a few kids...don't complain! Very Happy

These sort of agents make a lot of money once they actually send these kids overseas. I know a guy who does this sort of business in Shanghai and each time he sends a kid overseas he gets paid between 100,000 to 500,000 RMB (depending on school and how rich the family is that is sending the kid overseas). The money she is paying you to tutor the kids is just a small speck in her money-making universe... perhaps in the future, if she likes your teaching, you can ask for a raise...I'm sure she would pay more if she can use you to send more kids overseas (that is: if they are actually learning and making quick progress through your tutoring).

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

The way it usually works is that there is a company, probably based overseas, that places Chinese students into the high schools. The students pay this company a rather large fee, maybe U.S. $30,000 per year of study. Part of the fee covers tuition at the high school if it is private (and also probably if it is public, because there are "out of district fees). Part of it goes to the host family for housing the student, or to pay for housing at some kind of dormitory setup. Part of it goes for the company's profits. And part of it goes as commission to the agent who matched the student to the high school.

These English lessons are somehow built into the deal. I would guess they come out of the agent's commission, but it is also possible they are built in as some kind of separate fee.