Job Discussion Forums

Czexpat · Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 42

I was just wondering if there is a standard price that companies pay language schools. My friend, who is a company director, asked me and I said I thought it would be about 1,000Kc per hour.

I've heard that anecdotally and it would probably fit with the rates of pay for teachers but a Director of Studies at a large school claimed their rule of thumb was at least 50Kc over what the teachers were paid. However, I can't believe that schools are working for that little.

Does anyone have any experience in this area?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The Prague Post has got a page describing most of the major schools in Prague (from an objective point of view), including stuff like who the DOS/managment is, where they're located, and who their major clients are. Prices per lesson are included there. http://bol.praguepost.com/Language-Schools-and-Agencies/The-BRITISH-SCHOOL-s-r-o-.html

Czexpat · Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 42

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'm sure it's per student, as it's far lower than what the teachers are paid Very Happy

Czexpat · Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 42

Chris Westergaard · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 215 Location: Prague

It's less than 1000 an hour for sure. Most companies probably pay around 450-700 per hour I would imagine.

Czexpat · Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 42

Mercury Morris · Joined: 28 Jun 2009 Posts: 27 Location: Prague

Wow that's a great list of schools and profile data from the Prague Post. But after looking it over I noticed some of the schools have already changed hands. For example TEC (Tailored English Courses) has been bought by Spevacek (SPA Agency). Even if the data is a bit dated, its an excellent resource.

The price schools charge varies, depending on which school and also which client. I think the schools negotiate different packages for each client. A typical contract for example would be 12,000czk for 16 90 minute lessons (750czk/90 min). Or maybe 520czk/60 min lessons, billed monthly.

The higher the teacher-to-student ratio is, the more money the school makes (at the teacher's expense). The profit a school makes on 1 to 1 lessons is maybe only 100czk give or take, but add just a few more students and the school is making a huge profit.

Here's a hypothetical contract with above mentioned pay rates: let's say a company signs a contract with an ESL school for English lessons agreeing to pay 750czk/90 mins per student, for a 5 student class: that's 3,750 per 90 minute class paid to the school for each weekly lesson. What does the school pay the teacher for this lesson? 480czk.

In one month from that one company the school has made 15,000czk.
How much did the school pay the teacher for those 4 classes? 1,920czk.

Little wonder ESL schools in Prague are such a racket Twisted Evil

You can imagine how VERY ANGRY ESL school directors become when teachers leave a school--and take a company contract with them. It happens. This is why you often see dead bodies of ESL teachers floating down the Vltava when heading to your 7.30am class Twisted Evil