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How much to charge for English tutoring?

Right now I'm waiting for a paper to get my work VISA to teacher in Bucaramanga, and since I currently have nothing to do, I figured I would do some tutoring for students at the local Universities.

Before making up fliers, I was wondering how much to charge?

I don't know if it matters regarding how much to charge, but I am a certified English teacher in the US, and a native English speaker.

I figured this would be a great place to ask since I've heard many people say they tutor here and make decent money doing so. Thanks for your input!

-Dan

By danronian on Aug 22, 2007, 20:07 in Friendly Talkzone.

vicshere says on Aug 22, 2007, 21:35:

Dan its not as easy as you may think to do this. Every student want tutoring I agree...but crapping out the money is a whole different ball game.....most students will pitch in and each one pays like 3 or 4,000 so maybe you get like 18,000 or 20,000.....be ready for "sorry I don't have any money till next week." they are full of shit they want to learn English but don't want to pay...be very careful with private work in B/manga

listo

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christobeldawg says on Aug 22, 2007, 21:40:

I looked into that, as a former high school English teacher in the states, but have pretty much decided just to try and make enough money here in the states to just go to Colombia and have fun exploring for a few months.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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Heidisch says on Aug 23, 2007, 05:55:

Here in bogota, you can start charging about $30.000 an hour for one student and then just add about 5.000 for aditional students in the same group. (if they are university students) Thats how much i charge. If they are executives charge them $40.000 an hour and always askthem to pay the week in advance (month in advance is better) because as vicshere says, these people specialy those who have to ask mom and dad for money, will usually invent excuses to pay you late or not pay you at all....

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Bill Turley (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 23, 2007, 06:41:

I generally charge $ 20,000 unless it is a teacher's kid etc. Then I give them a break. I have found that it is more effective if the STUDENT pays not mom and dad. I had one young man for example that made a model Chivas for a school project, I traded classes for a Chivas. This worked very well. (He is now a graduate of the Colombian Naval Academy). I have used work etc in exchange for lessons at times also.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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danronian says on Aug 23, 2007, 09:31:

Thanks for the advice everyone. I had a feeling getting them to pay after would be a bad idea.

This isn't really my solution as work here, but it will be a transition job until I get my steady job. (That is if I do...otherwise, I'll be moving back to the states in three months in order to secure a contract from there if this deal I'm working on falls through...)

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Heidisch says on Aug 23, 2007, 12:19:

GIB: Well if the student doesn't show up and didn't call to cancel. I charge the complete class which in my case would be a 2 hour class. If they call the day before the class we reschedule the class for another day, but you never canel the class.(because its your time) .. Any questions feel free to ask !..

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la campiña says on Aug 23, 2007, 13:44:

target a rich area 15,000 to 20,000 an hour give discount for month money up front then if they don't turn up your getting paid to pace around your app waiting and wasting your time been there done it

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Heidisch says on Aug 23, 2007, 14:34:

$15.000 to $20.000 is way too little for a Native Speaker..that's what Colombians are charging and they usually have a bad accent... Don't charge less than $30.000 an hour!

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