Korean Job Discussion Forums

Peter Jackson · Joined: 23 Apr 2006

I'm heading home to western Canada after over 6 years abroad. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with tutoring ESL students in Canada. I know most ESL schools in Canada require REAL ESl training (loads of overseas experience alone doesn't cut it) but there must be eager parents who want tuition of their kids, university students, etc, who want lessons. The Korean population alone in my hometown is large (and growing fast).

I'd be interested to hear from others who have had some success tutoring at home. Can you make a go of if? Good for some extra money?

Any stories...

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

Don't know about Canada but in Australia I put up posters at the Korean supermarket downtown(as well as teaching in schools-needed my Celta for that)I usually had 1 or 2 a week.Didn't do home tutoring much though,would usually meet somewhere neutral like the public library.

Students that weren't really into it and would often cancel,I'd cut them loose.They may have some funny ideas in mind,like,first lesson is free....won't actually check,will merely assume.Have all the details spelled out from the get go.I had them pay at the end of each lesson,longer term students volunteered to pay up front.

Longer term students that are reliable and have something specific in mind(eg a conference,some particular test or interview)can be good to have and I've kept in touch with some back here in Korea.

kimchi story · Joined: 23 Nov 2006

Last year I worked at GEOS for the summer before coming here. It's pretty much the only place besides the university that would hire me based on a B.Ed and teacher certification but no ESL certification.

It was odd, the staff management made me think of the service industry and the class environment was hogwannish. Pay was 19/hr and anyone was lucky to be getting over 20hrs a week. I tutored a couple of students as well - and they were predictably unreliable. I'm from Victoria, and I imagine it's the same scene in Vancouver.

Definitely do-able. pm if Vic's your hometown - I can give you more specifics.