What One Should Consider Before Teaching Privately

When living and teaching overseas, I began to seek students to tutor privately. I learned a few things along the way and thought I would pass along this knowledge to those of you who are considering private tutoring. My experiences were abroad, but many of these concepts easily transfer to private tutoring in the United States.

In many foreign countries, native English speakers are in high demand. Many people, especially those in business, pay handsomely to sit one-on-one with a teacher to work on their English. While I was teaching, it would have been frowned upon to solicit students from my school. There are agencies that will match up students with tutors. However, I found that working through an agency was not profitable. There was heavy competition, so I got few students, and the agency got a commission, which came from my hourly fee, thus reducing my take-home pay. So, how does one find quality students?

Building a Reputation

While I couldn’t solicit pupils from my school, I found that building a reputation as a quality teacher did have positive effects. If one proves himself, word will reach beyond the school. Students compare notes when on campus, and the same is true of people in business–word gets around. In my experience, this is the best place for one to focus his advertising efforts. Speaking to administration of the local high schools and universities is a must, posting a bulletin is definitely worthwhile, but by far the most effective advertisement is word of mouth, fueled by your good reputation.

When Calls Come In

Any teacher knows that learning takes dedication on the part of the pupil. Often students expect magic from the instructor. In short, interest can quickly vanish after two lessons when little progress is made. A good teacher will explain the focus and effort that the student will need to invest if he/she wants to learn. Also, I recommend charging monthly and being paid in full before any lessons begin. This is the best way to keep your pupils engaged in their lessons, and it prevents them from canceling because something else came up, or because they haven’t done their homework/personal studying. Never sell yourself short. Should a student request a demo lesson, charge for it. It is not a good idea to ask for top dollar in the beginning, but don’t undercharge either. Remember that when you set a price for one student, it is very difficult to get more from other students, as it is all about word of mouth. One more tip: turn down a client if things don’t feel right. Your intuition regarding your teacher/pupil relationship is usually always right. Rather than get yourself in a situation where it is difficult to extricate yourself, just don’t start tutoring someone you have concerns about. Remember, your reputation is your best channel to clientele; a difficult separation/experience with an individual will travel by word of mouth in much the same way that your positive situations will be passed along.

Determining a Student’s Level

Have a good placement test for students. This will help you find out where their strengths and weaknesses are. As you begin your tutoring, it is also crucial to have your pupil articulate his or her goals for your time together in writing. Some people will want you to prepare homework assignments for them, and some will only want to work on the subject during the time you are together. Be sure you both know the others’ expectations. Also, once you have determined your pupils’ level and educational desires, evaluate your own skills. If you feel that you are not qualified to handle the subject matter, you should have no qualms about turning the job down. If you know someone who is better qualified to tutor that person, offer a recommendation. This will not only enhance your reputation, it may also result in reciprocal referrals.

Picking the Right Location

This seems like a simple obstacle to overcome. But actually, it can be quite difficult. Consider the subject matter:

• Will you need a table for writing, or are you simply conversing?
• Will a coffee shop be distracting?
• Do you know a quiet coffee shop or diner?
• Would it be comfortable to meet at one of your homes?

If your pupils are minors and you are meeting in a private place, I suggest that you require a parent, or third person to stay throughout the tutoring session. This precaution is simply a protection from false accusations.

Enjoy Your New Endeavor

Teaching privately can be both lucrative and rewarding. It is so gratifying to see your pupil progress, which he will most likely do at a much quicker pace than your classroom students. By taking a few of the above tips into consideration, I think you will find that you and your pupils will have a mutually enjoyable and beneficial relationship.

If you have experience with private tutoring, please take a minute to share your tips with the Lesson Planet Community.