Private ESL Lessons
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Private ESL lessons or "privates " are a great way to supplement your income - if you're teaching in a low paying country - or need some extra cash in the bank - to pay off those debts - or plan future travel/vacations. If you're a bit of an entrepreneur, you could even replace your job with privates and become your own boss.

I know people who are making a very nice living purely teaching private ESL lessons, with a schedule they choose.

One particular friend of mine moved out from the dirt and noise of the City, to a popular beach resort - which is nearly impossible to find a TEFL job in. They also earn twice their previous full-time salary....while only working half as many hours! She has a schedule that suits her, teaches her own way, with her own curriculum, and doesn't answer to anybody.

Yes, I know you hear a lot of stories like this....and who knows how many of them are actually true. But, it is possible....it just takes a bit of work.

My friend worked hard to get there....it didn't happen overnight. She had a plan, good customer service skills and a bit of business sense. She marketed herself well and spent a long time planning and creating great lessons. This built her a great reputation...and fully booked classes!

Acquiring students for private ESL lessons is achievable in most countries. However in a lot of the poorer destinations, it's not very popular - and in some countries (such as South Korea) it's illegal. They even issue rewards to entice the public to snitch on moonlighting teachers. If "captured" you could end up getting slapped with a fine and deportation.

So it's wise to be discreet. Your boss might not be impressed with your little gig....especially considering they might have just invested a load of money to get you into the country to work for them. You're supposed to ask the permission of your boss first, and they have to make the necessary arrangements (immigration etc) but the chances of permission being granted are slim.

Most teachers poach their students from their full-time job and from their existing students. Handing out flyers, posting around town and door to door mail drops, hardly ever work. It can be costly too....especially if you hire a person to do the dispatching for you, and they dump them in the trash!

If you manage to secure a few students and do a good job, your reputation will do the talking, and news will spread via word of mouth. Along with this, getting some business cards made up and handing them out to people you meet....letting them know you're available to teach private ESL lessons, should get you fixed up in no time too.

A small sign posted discreetly on your front gate and/or around you're neighbourhood can also bring you in some customers. But don't forget! You have to be able to come up with the goods - quality lessons!

The Benefits of Teaching Private ESL Lessons:

• No office politics
• Set your own Schedule - vacations and days off when you want. Work comfortable hours.
• No more / hardly any commuting
• Keep all the profits
• No bad contracts
• Set your own fees and salary - You decide the limits
• No dress code
• No extra curricular activities - Summer camps etc
• Use your own materials / curriculum - teach who and how you want
• Hardly any paper work
• Group lessons - Make more money per hour, or work less hours

A full time position is safer and easier to obtain, but teaching privately - if done correctly - can be relaxed, more fun and highly rewarding - personally and financially.

So....are you ready to join the elite? FIND STUDENTS NOW!

Teach English Online

Perhaps you're interested in teaching lessons online? This option could prove to be a very useful alternative, for teachers in countries where private English teaching is prohibited.

With the technology available now, it's quite easy to replicate a good classroom environment online. You can also take your private students with you, and continue to teach them wherever you are in the world!

If you're interested in teaching online take a look at our online tutoring page Or you can TEACH ENGLISH ONLINE NOW!

Coming Soon....


How to be become a private tutor and be your own boss.

Freelance Teaching

Private ESL Lessons << Back to TEACH ENGLISH