Teach English Abroad
The Complete Guide
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Private English Classes
Private English classes are a direct arrangement between the teacher and student. Without middleman, such as a language school, taking their share of the fees and being “cash in hand”, private classes are one of the most lucrative forms of ESL work. The benefits for the student are convenience, value as well as a far more personalised service. All types of learners from business people, students preparing for an exam, to school children whose parents what them to improve their English skills, take private classes.
The informal arrangement however, does raise a few issues. Without a contractual agreement, class cancellations can be frequent. Unless you have an agreement beforehand, cancellations mean you don’t get paid. Holiday times are notoriously bad for cancelled classes. It is usually those teachers who have been working in the area for some time and have built up a “client” list that are able to depend solely upon private classes. Most people who teach English abroad see them as an addition to their regular income. Other drawbacks include a lack of supporting teaching resources, holiday pay and social security (unless registered freelance/self-employed).
Anyone who works for a language school should check the contract to make sure there isn’t a clause that prevents you from giving private lessons. In reality most schools don’t mind as long as you don’t pinch their pupils. That said, some of the more entrepreneurial teachers certainly do “pinch” students for privates. This can be at the suggestion of the student. If you plan to recruit pupils in this way it needs to be treated carefully.
With an informal relationship it is essential to establish a good rapport right from the start even more so than with other teach English abroad work. Most private students want lessons that are more conversational and less text book. This may sound ideal for the teacher but a clear learning direction still needs to be established. The student must feel that they are making progress and classes are worthwhile as well as enjoyable. Unlike academy lessons where they sign up for a course and have a commitment to attend as they have paid beforehand, if the pupil is not satisfied they will soon exercise their right to end the agreement you have.
Most private English classes are held once or twice a week similar to academy classes. The class length should not be more than a couple of hours as a one-to one class is quite intensive and any longer the student’s concentration is likely to drop.
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The informal arrangement however, does raise a few issues. Without a contractual agreement, class cancellations can be frequent. Unless you have an agreement beforehand, cancellations mean you don’t get paid. Holiday times are notoriously bad for cancelled classes. It is usually those teachers who have been working in the area for some time and have built up a “client” list that are able to depend solely upon private classes. Most people who teach English abroad see them as an addition to their regular income. Other drawbacks include a lack of supporting teaching resources, holiday pay and social security (unless registered freelance/self-employed).
Anyone who works for a language school should check the contract to make sure there isn’t a clause that prevents you from giving private lessons. In reality most schools don’t mind as long as you don’t pinch their pupils. That said, some of the more entrepreneurial teachers certainly do “pinch” students for privates. This can be at the suggestion of the student. If you plan to recruit pupils in this way it needs to be treated carefully.
With an informal relationship it is essential to establish a good rapport right from the start even more so than with other teach English abroad work. Most private students want lessons that are more conversational and less text book. This may sound ideal for the teacher but a clear learning direction still needs to be established. The student must feel that they are making progress and classes are worthwhile as well as enjoyable. Unlike academy lessons where they sign up for a course and have a commitment to attend as they have paid beforehand, if the pupil is not satisfied they will soon exercise their right to end the agreement you have.
Most private English classes are held once or twice a week similar to academy classes. The class length should not be more than a couple of hours as a one-to one class is quite intensive and any longer the student’s concentration is likely to drop.
Teach English Abroad Home