Teach English Abroad
The Complete Guide
www.TeachEnglishAbroadGuide.com © 2010 - All rights reserved
How to Get Private Classes
One of the best ways to supplement your income teaching English abroad is through giving private classes. Unlike other types of ESL work it is up to the teacher to find students. Word-of-mouth is the most effective way to acquire new pupils. Starting off with one or two satisfied students will get you recommendations to family, friends and colleagues. To get your existing students to recommend you they need to feel your classes are a good investment of time, effort and money. This is by far the biggest factor in getting recommendations. If they are fully satisfied then they will talk about how they found a great teacher and are making real progress. If you use interesting and current material in class that they will talk about outside class then so much the better. Let them know you are available if they know anyone interested. Be tactful and remember they are paying you, not the other way around.
If you work in a language school, there will almost certainly be other teachers who have private students. Some may well have a full timetable and regularly have to turn down privates. Let them know that you are looking to fill up your timetable and ask them to inform you if they know of any further work available that they cannot take on or are not interested in doing. If you know of any teachers who are leaving to return home or move on, ask them if they have any private students that they could pass on to you. This is a great way to quickly get a handful of new classes. You can also find out what they have covered in class, materials used and levels.
Apart from word of mouth, you can advertise your services. Target first local newspapers with comprehensive classified sections. Think in which publications someone wanting English lessons would look. Some local papers don’t even charge for placing a small ad. If English classes are being advertised already see what others say. Do they mention price? Are they in English? Design your ad in a similar format including the type of information others have put but also try to make your advertisement stand out. Focus on the type of student you think it will attract (age, profession, need for English, etc) and tailor your ad to meet their needs accordingly.
Get business cards printed and carry several on you at all times. Give them out not just to people enquiring but to those who say they know someone who might be interested in classes so they can pass them on.
You can also advertise online. Find websites not only those that deal with teaching English abroad that sites focus on the specific geographical area like www.gumtree.com and post a classified. Make sure it gets viewed and update it regularly if necessary.
Pinning up notices and posters is another productive way of advertising your services. Notice boards where you think potential students might pass, such as universities, libraries, community centres or town halls, are a good starting place. Some teachers go around town pinning them up wherever they see a prominent spot. This will work better in some places than others.
If you work in a language school, there will almost certainly be other teachers who have private students. Some may well have a full timetable and regularly have to turn down privates. Let them know that you are looking to fill up your timetable and ask them to inform you if they know of any further work available that they cannot take on or are not interested in doing. If you know of any teachers who are leaving to return home or move on, ask them if they have any private students that they could pass on to you. This is a great way to quickly get a handful of new classes. You can also find out what they have covered in class, materials used and levels.
Apart from word of mouth, you can advertise your services. Target first local newspapers with comprehensive classified sections. Think in which publications someone wanting English lessons would look. Some local papers don’t even charge for placing a small ad. If English classes are being advertised already see what others say. Do they mention price? Are they in English? Design your ad in a similar format including the type of information others have put but also try to make your advertisement stand out. Focus on the type of student you think it will attract (age, profession, need for English, etc) and tailor your ad to meet their needs accordingly.
Get business cards printed and carry several on you at all times. Give them out not just to people enquiring but to those who say they know someone who might be interested in classes so they can pass them on.
You can also advertise online. Find websites not only those that deal with teaching English abroad that sites focus on the specific geographical area like www.gumtree.com and post a classified. Make sure it gets viewed and update it regularly if necessary.
Pinning up notices and posters is another productive way of advertising your services. Notice boards where you think potential students might pass, such as universities, libraries, community centres or town halls, are a good starting place. Some teachers go around town pinning them up wherever they see a prominent spot. This will work better in some places than others.