After a few weeks in your new job, you may begin to feel that maybe you should be earning a bit of extra money. How can you do that you ask? The easiest way is to become a part time tutor. Tutoring is an easy and relatively low maintenance way of making a couple extra quai (RMB). Most people, especially teachers at public schools in China will find that the extra money goes a long way. I am certainly in this boat. The last time I was in China, I tutored just to make ends meet. This time I have a bit more room in my budget, but I still want some extra spending money.
So what is involved in finding such a job you ask? It's actually not all that hard to find tutoring jobs teaching school-aged children. Every parent wants their kid to be "Best in Show" all the time and in all subjects. This is especially true in China where most families are placing their entire future on the success of a single child. The easiest way to land such a job is to put your name out there with other expats to see if they know anyone who is looking for an English tutor or instructor. Posting your advertisement in online forums is useful only if you can use Chinese-language forums (and read and write Chinese).
While looking for a tutoring job, there are several things you should consider:
First, if you are working at a private language school, you should avoid tutoring at another private school. This can cause unnecessary friction; and in most contracts, teaching for a competitor is expressly prohibited and would make you liable for termination and all that the "breach of contract" clause entails.
Second, try to avoid tutoring anyone who might otherwise become a student at your private school. Your school will not look kindly on you taking money out of their pockets (potentially). However, tutoring an existing student might be OK if you clear it with your employer first.
Third, you should try to tutor in your local area or online to cut down on transportation costs. You can also negotiate to have the students come to you.
Fourth, be wary of online advertisements or "help wanted" ads. These can be false and in the case of online ads, clicking on them may present you with some unwanted "surprises."
Fifth, before you agree to any tutoring job (public or private) you should make sure your rates and billing structure are understood clearly. Get it in writing if you must.
Sixth, if the client demands an strange or restrictive stipulations that make you uncomfortable, don't accept the position. There are plenty of other jobs out there.
So what should you charge? This depends largely on the nature of the tutoring job. More advanced and technical tutoring should demand a higher price. Business language tutoring also usually claims a higher pay rate. The average rate in Wenzhou for tutoring children is 100-200 RMB per student per hour. I charge 150 RMB if I must travel to the student. If the student comes to me, I typically charge only 125 RMB. Also, if you are tutoring at a business, you may negotiate to have them cover your travel costs or give a discount to them if they refer additional students. The terms and conditions of pay are almost entirely up to you. Remember to ensure the client(s) understand your pay and billing requirement BEFORE you start work.
If you have a class of 4 students at 150 RMB per student for one hour a week, then you are making an additional 600 RMB per week or 2400 per month. If you are teaching twice a week, that will double. Please note that these pay rates are approximate and apply only in Wenzhou. To find the average rates in your city, ask your fellow expats what they are charging and charge similarly. Also, remember that tutoring at a business or tutoring business English should command a higher price than tutoring children so do your research.
Happy job hunting.
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