English Conversation Classes

[steverino]

I have been asked by 3 young ladies to teach them conversational English, and being a Gentleman how could I refuse?

They won't let me do it for nothing, so how much should I charge them for a 5 hour course over a couple of weeks?

I also have to ascertain what level they are at, so how should I do this? What would you pro's recommend?

Cheers

Steve

[Ijustwannateach]

After nearly a decade of TEFLing, I won't get out of bed for less than than 500B/hr, and that only takes me up the street to the BTS. If you want me on the other side of town (especially away from the BTS/MRT), add anywhere between 100B-300B depending on the time it takes to travel (you pay for taxi if required). If it's a group larger than 2, add 100B for every 2-3 students.

However, you seem to be a bit of a beginner, so you should charge a bit less- I'd say a base cost of 300B/hr with the additional plusses. If you are floundering, they'll start making excuses (that's your cue to lower your prices or cut bait).

If it's a mixed level class the group is doomed anyway. The one with the best skills will dominate the class and keep coming and the others will give up.

Testing and defining "levels" is a whole can of TEFL worms, but in a nutshell, make a list of questions of increasing difficulty (starting VERY easy: How are you? What is your name? How old are you?) and see how far each student gets in your list (interviewed privately without help from the others).

[idle44mins]

I have been asked by 3 young ladies to teach them conversational English, and being a Gentleman how could I refuse?

They won't let me do it for nothing, so how much should I charge them for a 5 hour course over a couple of weeks?

I also have to ascertain what level they are at, so how should I do this? What would you pro's recommend?

Cheers

Steve

You should at least get 250 Baht per hour.

Let them pay in advance and set a schedule approved by the 3 ladies, otherwise you end up teaching 15 hours private tuturing.

Price proposal for the ladies could be: THB 750 for 5 hours.

[RueFang]

Will you be teaching in a city or in a village? This makes a huge difference to how much to charge. Also how old are the "young ladies". Adults you can generally charge a higher price per hour. Since it sounds like you're not a professional teacher you can't really charge a lot. Just to give you an idea I used to teach privately at home in a small village and only charged 40 Baht per hour (and still people thought it was expensive!!). Definately make them pay up front though as at the end of the course I had a few who "couldn't" pay! grr..

[PeaceBlondie]

When I taught at a provincial govt. school, and used school buildings after regular classes, I charged 500 baht per hour and whilst the girls might have though it to be a bit expensive, they chipped in and paid. Now that I'm in underpaying Chiang Mai, I would not teach part time below 350 an hour (especially at an agency, which makes it unlikely I'd work there, even if they miraculously could hire me legally). But Ijustwannateach's figures are better.

[mrtoad]

I agree, the regional variations come into play. I teach a corporate group in the evenings and I get 700bht an hour. I also teach a private student a couple of times a week as well. I have given her a discount only 500bht an hour, as the course is not particulary taxing for me and it is quite nearby.

One bit of advice, if you are going to follow a course plan, then make sure you get the money up front and be specific about the time frame, as some students are notorious for cancelling and rearranging at the last minute, which in the end is no good to you and may prevent you from procuring further students.

[Ijustwannateach]

I agree with the advice to have a firm understanding about times, absences, and cancellations. They *will* take advantage of your time if you let them.

[Joe Walshe]

I taught English privately in Chonburi about 13 years ago and earned 500 baht per hour then. Some other teachers I knew got the same. My private classes tended to be with children of rich Chineese and they were happy just to practice speaking. I also spent time helping older rich Thai chinese to practice elementary English also at 500 per hour. Thailand was very cheap then. It surprises me that hourly rates have not goen up.

Eggcuse my English - gramer and spellin.