Starting your own English teaching business

[Geo_star]

Anyone ever thought about starting their own business teaching English from their apartment or an office?

Has anyone actually done it?

[mycolumbus]

Yes definitely and it's not as hard as you think. I have a spare bedroom so have converted that to a classroom and advertise in the local community paper and notice boards. I live in a huge residential area and also put my ad on the apartment complex notice board.

Word got around, and now I have to turn people down believe it or not. Main thing is to keep your expenses low and offer a good learning atmosphere for your students. You need to treat it as a business and not a hobby.

If you need some pointers, let me know.

[rittyboniti]

Hello Columbus , how are you?

I was just wondering what you need to start your own English business.
Do you have to have a degree in English studies or Education? Or is it simply a matter of having an excellent knowledge of the English language?

I am coming to Korea to teach English in April. I will be contracted to a language school to teach English 30 hours per week. However, I was thinking that I could tutor English as well on the weekends. What do the students you privately teach normally need help with? Pronunciation, grammar, writing skills? Or is it basically everything? Please write and let me know if you have the time. I am trying to get myself into the mental framework of an E.S.L teacher & tutor.

Kind regards,

rittyboniti

[mycolumbus]

rittyboniti, you do not need any specific teaching qualifications as you will be your own boss. But of course, having a degree, TESL certificate and so on is a plus in attracting students as you can use this leverage in your ads.

What you teach will depend on your students' needs. Some students just want conversation, whilst others will want textbook work, games and so on. You need to custom each lesson style to the students' needs.

It's best to advertise as "English Conversation Classes", as this sounds fun and is what most students will want.

If you cannot start your English teacher business at your own home in a spare bedroom, then you can consider "Cafe Style" English lessons. Makes sure the cafe is quite and condusive to good study.

[rittyboniti]

Hi there, unfortunately I just received my teaching contract and it stipulates that I will only be permitted to teach for the school!



rittyboniti

[Geriatric]

Well politely ask them if you can teach some privates as long as it doesn't interfere with your main job.

[Mikepass]

You may want to check the legalities of private tutoring in Korea. If you are on an E2 visa I believe it is not legal. On an F2 residence visa (must be married to a Korean) you can, but you should get permission from your school. They may feel your tutoring is direct competition. Do a lot of research as the last thing you want is to run foul of the law.

[leozeh]

I also have my own English business. I have lots of private students but I really liked your idea of converting a bedroom into a classroom 'mycolombus'
I'd love to have some pointers if you don't mind.
Here's my e-mail adress: leo.english.tutor@gmail.com

Thanks !!

[exported_kiwi]

It's true that most, if not all , contracts stipulate that the teacher can't do any other employment but for the employing school. You'll find however, that most are pretty reasonable and if you informally inform them, and it doesn't interfere with your contracted duties, that most employers will quietly know nothing about it. We have to earn a decent salary and with what many schools pay out there, it's actually reasonable to expect to be able to earn more from "privates' etc.

[mycolumbus]

I suggest first starting with a spare bedroom. But don't just do a half-hearted effort in transforming it to a classroom. Remove all private stuff from that room - photos, dressers etc., and make it EXACTLY as a real classroom. Buy a small whiteboard, pin up poster's of the alphabet, seasons and so on. Have a supply of English text-books in the room too.

Remember, your classroom is what your students see. And if they see something they like, then the word will spread about your English school. Group classes are more profitable than privates as I find privates can only afford so much per hour.

Treat your school as a business. If you find yourself having to reject students because your schedule is full, then it may be time to move apartments to something bigger and devote 2 rooms for classrooms. Hire a teacher to teach in the other classroom.

Really, it's not that hard to succeed with your own English school. A very profitable and worthwhile track to take.