Setting rates for private English tutoring should reflect your teaching experience and qualifications. Beginners in the field typically start with rates from $15 to $20 per hour. Experienced educators with a solid track record and additional credentials, like a TEFL certificate or specialized training, can sometimes charge up to $50 per hour. Many TEFL teachers complement their main teaching roles with private lessons and may eventually move to full-time tutoring. When establishing your fees, consider factors like your experience, the local demand for English lessons, the cost of living in your area, and what the market can bear to ensure competitive yet fair pricing.
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How much should a newly-qualified teacher charge?
How much can I charge once I have some experience?
General tips for setting your hourly rates
How much should a newly-qualified teacher charge?
A newly-qualified teacher, particularly one with a TEFL certification, can offer a fresh and modern approach to language learning which is valuable to students. While they cannot command the premium rates of veteran educators, they need not undervalue their services. Starting rates for beginner teachers are generally set at $15 to $20 per lesson, lasting 45 minutes to an hour. Offering an initial free or discounted trial lesson can be a strategic move to attract students and build a client base while gaining teaching experience. The focus for new teachers should be on establishing credibility and a teaching record, as much as on earning potential.
Also read: How can I save money while teaching English abroad?
What about online lessons?
While some online teaching platforms dictate the teachers' pay rates, many allow teachers to set their own fees. Many teachers also opt to offer online lessons independently, bypassing established platforms. Although setting a high initial price may seem tempting, unless you have substantial experience and a wealth of positive reviews, attracting a steady stream of clients might prove difficult. Online teaching is competitive; therefore, maintaining realistic expectations, especially early in your career, is crucial. New teachers venturing into online teaching typically earn around $10 to $20 an hour through online companies. However, independent teachers can usually charge a bit extra to exploit this difference.
Also read: How much can I earn teaching English online?
How much can I charge once I have some experience?
Technically, you can set your own prices, with rates varying from $20 up to $50 or more per lesson. However, factors like your location and the type of lessons you are offering should inform your prices. For instance, if you are teaching high-level business English in Berlin, you could charge significantly more than if you were providing basic conversational English lessons to a young learner in Bangkok.
What about group lessons?
Teaching groups mainly entails preparing a single lesson plan for all students instead of individual plans. However, group activities often require more time and managing varying levels of comprehension. For students, group lessons should be more cost-effective than individual classes. Generally, the group lesson rate per student should be about two-thirds of your usual individual rate. For instance, if you charge $25 per individual lesson, a group rate would be around $15 per student.
Also read: Which countries pay the best TEFL salaries?
General tips for setting your hourly rates
- One common strategy for retaining clients is offering discounts on package purchases. For instance, you could offer a free lesson for every ten lessons booked.
- Remember, private tutors thrive or fail based on their reputation. If you maintain an online presence, encourage your clients to leave positive reviews to enhance your portfolio.
- When determining your rates, remember to include any related expenses, such as teaching materials and transportation.
- Establish a clear cancellation policy to ensure you are not left out of pocket when a client cancels on short notice or doesn't show up.
- Review your pricing structure annually to account for your increasing teaching experience and inflation rate.
