Thread: Private lessons... what's a fair price?

well I can see this thread degenerating into another panto scene of yes you are and no you're not.

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

You the MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't that what you have been fishing for?

nope.

read again.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Not really, you questioned why I do not tutor full time when i 'could, in theory earn 120K p/m' (your calculations, BTW, not mine). You presented this as an argument to my statement that 1000K an hour is perfectly attainable and a reasonable charge.

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

Don't get sore at me, I am agreeing that you are so much better than the average TEFLER. You know a business plan a Tefler could use to make at least double their existing salaries, but you are way too good to lower yourself to that level which all TEFLERS are to stupid to reach.

Dont recall saying that, please show me the link?

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

But still, the original poster may not be all that interested in your greatness. Instead that indiivdual may want more practical advice.

I've given some, as have others. You dont like my opinion, I wonder why?

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

So, you claiming you are so wonderful that people throw themselves at you wanting you to work for higher than market wages in an industry you only dabble in does not ring true. But, if you are TEFL SUPERMAN, like you are claiming, well, it must be true.

No I'm not, I've already said I am quite ordinary.

I do believe another poster said that they have bene approached in the gym or shops for private lessons too.

^^
I agree with KW. He is the MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so impressed with his greatness.

Ok, back to the actual topic of the thread

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

well I can see this thread degenerating into another panto scene of yes you are and no you're not.

Quite, I'm done arguing with this guy and his chip.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Quite, I'm done arguing with this guy and his chimp.

Me too.

Just to stop this Accidental Idiot guy making even more of a fool of himself I'll point out to him that KW is a proper teacha who teaches as international schools and that, yes, the going rate for private lessons for his students would be 1,000 - 2,000 baht.

I expect the main reason for the difference is that their is a limited number of qualified teachas and they already work long hours and so they will not work for low wages, whereas for teflas there are any number of people who are willing to work for relatively low wages which means parents are able to shop around for lower prices.

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

What you are doing is totally different from teaching "private lessons." If your "private students" don't get better grades in your classes than others, you can not sustain this practice and the income that comes from it.

This may be your situation, but it is certainly not mine. So fuck off with your negative bullshit, you don't know what you're talking about.

What you're doing is merely projecting your lack of knowledge onto the situation. There's a large and very fast growing segment of the teaching market here that does not involve grades or grading. What might that be, Ajarn fuckface?

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

How many groups of students do you teach you do not control the grades of? Do you think you could get students from a different school to come to pay for your extra classes?

Plenty...all of them, actually. Furthermore, I do get students coming over from the school next door to join my private classes.

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

So, you want me to fuck off? Getting a little testy? Why?

Because your dead wrong and are making false insinuations about my teaching character. Fuck off, loser. Are you jealous perhaps?

“yes, the going rate for private lessons for his students would be 1,000 - 2,000 baht.”

The key feature here is HIS students. Does the original poster work at a top international school? Is KW's opportunities typical of English Teachers? Why did KW feel the need to inform all of us of his elevated position within the teaching industry with a not too subtle implication that those without the same opportunities are inferior to the great one?

Because KW is SUPER ENGLISH teacher it is obvious he has opportunities that those working in a less elevated environment don’t.

KWs post was not intended to be helpful, but as a way to show off his elevated status (or at least what he considers elevated).

“fuck off”

“Ajarn fuckface?”

“Fuck off, loser.”

A bit hostile? Ironic, I just so happen to be using as a reference for a book I am working on an article about education in Cambodia and the same practice of charging for extra classes is used there which makes it difficult for the poorest students to attend and contributes to the high drop out rate.

If you are interested

Tan, C. (2007). Education reforms in Cambodia: Issues and concerns, Educational Research for Policy and Practice, 6 (1), 5-24.

Charging YOUR students for extra classes would be illegal in a Western country and obviously would be considered a conflict of interest, but when in Rome…, I wasn’t being critical, but teaching YOUR students extra classes is different than teaching privately.

Are you jealous perhaps?

Eh, hardly. Probably the only thing we have in common is we are both in the “education” industry, but in very different situations. I won’t say my position is “better” than yours, just different. I teach business and economics at the university level (not in Thailand by the way), both undergraduate and post-graduate courses and I also research and write on my academic specialties.

I won’t say I am superior to TEFLERS (As you can see I have defended them from insults such as TEFL Scum, and I have taught a bit of English myself before having the qualifications and experience I now have), but at this stage of my life I am hardly jealous of the salary or working environment of an English teacher whether they are a TEFLER or a “real” English teacher.

Is KW an English teacher or a teacher of English or another subject?

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

...I just so happen to be using as a reference for a book I am working on... I teach business and economics at the university level (not in Thailand by the way), both undergraduate and post-graduate courses and I also research and write on my academic specialties...

Good old AA, at it again. Wondered how long it would take you to find another avenue to start with all the self-professed academic nonsense again. Answer: not long.

^

Hi Ant

I see you are still going and going and going.

Energizer bunny ain't got nothing on you

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

Is KW an English teacher or a teacher of English or another subject?

Nuffink to do wiv teachin engrish, thought that woulda been kinda obvious.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Good old AA, at it again. Wondered how long it would take you to find another avenue to start with all the self-professed academic nonsense again. Answer: not long.

Quite ironic when you consider that is what he was accusing myself of doing .....

Originally Posted by klongmaster

I still stand by my original comment although now I wouldn't do it under 1500 per hour...

parents perceive your worth by what you charge, so by all means go in cheap and demean yourself in front of them...

greatest concern though is the burn out factor and you're already aware of that...

privates are fraught with problems...no shows...late cancellations...no homework just to name a few...

whatever price you set make sure you get the money in advance...charge them in 10 hour blocks paid up front...

have a cancellation policy in place and stick to it...don't listen to their sob stories...

Personally, I now turn down all offers for private work but have done it in the past by dint of financial needs...

pity you're in Phuket as I'm looking for teachers to work with me on corporate contracts which I cannot do myself...paying 900 baht per hour...

Klongmaster, this sound quite good to me. If you need some assistance I'm in BKK and I'm pedigreed. Send me a PM.

The rest of you guys, flame on!

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

Right, Thailand is filled with people who can afford 30-50 dollar an hour for private lessens. I think you would have some trouble getting people in Japan or Korea to pay that much. I am sure there are a few busy exectuves and rich families wanting special treatment for their kiddies willing to pay that price, but I doubt the demand for courses at this level of expense would be great.

AA - I just found this on your forum....

looks like I was correct..

Nevermind, I aint looking for an apology.

Originally Posted by Fortesque Smythe Brown

Probably the best way to self employment is to build a small network of private students.It does take tim and patience,however it works I have a friend who has done that and indeed he has made an extremely good living on his own for the last 6 years.

He averages 80,000 baht a month,yes he works weekends from 09-00 t0 16-00 hrs,he also has business clients he deals with in the evenings his days Monday to Friday are free from when he gets up until 17-00 hrs when his business classes begin.

I think that this proves it is possible to make a decent living without all the organisational structure that in essence is unproductive but as an employer you are paying for.

Build your network and it will provide you a good income this guy charges 1500 baht an hour for his business classes and I think 500 baht an hour for his weekend classes.

Hopefully this is of some help to you and indeeed proves that sometimes ''Small and personal service is better.

^

"Build your network and it will provide you a good income this guy charges 1500 baht an hour for his business classes and I think 500 baht an hour for his weekend classes."

Classes, not private lessons. Yes, of course getting 1,500 an hour for a business CLASS is doable, but for a private (one-on-one lesson)?

Originally Posted by Skettios

Originally Posted by klongmaster

I still stand by my original comment although now I wouldn't do it under 1500 per hour...


pity you're in Phuket as I'm looking for teachers to work with me on corporate contracts which I cannot do myself...paying 900 baht per hour...

Klongmaster, this sound quite good to me. If you need some assistance I'm in BKK and I'm pedigreed. Send me a PM.

The rest of you guys, flame on!

sounds good for him too!

I read it to say....... oh never mind.

Originally Posted by Accidental Ajarn

Yes, of course getting 1,500 an hour for a business CLASS is doable, but for a private (one-on-one lesson)?

OK, ok. you're right, I, and any of my colleagues was/were never able to charge 1000 baht per hour for students wanting tutoring, I obviously do not know what I am talking about, and I am just a dirty TEFLr earning 29,000 baht per month because it is not possible that anyone could possibly be more skilled or knowledgeable or even just plain luckier than yourself....

I was just trying to make everyone jealous, now you've succeeded in making me look stupid oh ever wise AA....

^

It is nice we finally agree.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Originally Posted by Skettios

Originally Posted by klongmaster

I still stand by my original comment although now I wouldn't do it under 1500 per hour...


pity you're in Phuket as I'm looking for teachers to work with me on corporate contracts which I cannot do myself...paying 900 baht per hour...

Klongmaster, this sound quite good to me. If you need some assistance I'm in BKK and I'm pedigreed. Send me a PM.

The rest of you guys, flame on!

sounds good for him too!

Agreed, but I wouldn't work for 900 baht if I could find 1500 baht per hour classes for myself. So I guess you gotta start somewhere.

Hi , I have read the posts on teaching English in Thailand with interest.

Like many middle aged guys , I have a dream of living in Thailand and supplementing my income by teaching English.I have two BA's , one in Internatonal Relations and History the other is in Poltics and History. I am currently sudying for a part-time Masters in Poltics.

I have visited Thailand 3 times in the last 2 years , I may have a Thai girl-friend (not a bar -girl - long boring story)

As to work background I have spent most of working life in the public sector in admin roles.

I am thinking of doing a TEFL course in London.

My question is how easy /diffult would I find a job teaching English ?.I would prefer motivated adults. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.