Private TEFL tutoring

SGB2604

I am thinking of doing a TEFL/TESOL course so that I will be able to teach English as a foreign language via private tutoring in this country as a way of generating a second income. A couple of years ago, my plan was to gain such a certificate and then teach abroad, but for one reason or another (mainly financial) it didn't happen. Besides, this way of doing things will hopefully help me decide if studying abroad is something I really want to do should the opportunity present itself in the future-at least I'll be already qualified!
I just wondered if anyone else has taught english as a foreign language as a private tutor in the UK before, and could give me an idea of how to advertise for students, what fees to charge, how much extra tax I would need to pay and generally how it worked out for you. I'd consider doing small group tutoring as well as individual and look at all types of clients eg for business people, uni students etc. Also, does anyone know if there is much call for this kind of thing at the moment?
Any feedback would be great! It's just an idea at the minute-still doing my research!

Norman_Bean

Sorry I can't help with your specific question. FWIW I think it's a great idea ... I'm sure there must be a certain amount of call for it. When I met my (French) husband in the UK he (and all his mates) could hardly string a sentance together in English.
I'm now living in France and signed up today for an on-line TEFL course - I plan to start it next week and if you want to know what I think of the course, how it's going etc I'd be happy to let you know.
Good luck
Norman x

Mrs_Money

Well, my local language schools are always advertising for TEFL tutors - summer, easter, Half-term etc - not sure about the money they are offering "from" £37 per morning - for autmn half-term!
Also - are you aware of the cost of a TEFL training course (actually the recommended industry standard course is the CELTA) its around £1000 depending on provider!
Good luck any way - but I think teaching English abroad may be more lucrative!

SGB2604

Thanks for both your replies!
Norman, which course have you applied for? This is the thing-I'm a bit confused about which course to consider because there are so many different options! Yes, the CELTA is expensive, which makes me wonder why some TESOL and TEFL ones are so much cheaper and yet can still qualify you to teach! I know that CELTA courses take a year to do and are more comprehensive, but when there are so many cheaper options, it makes me think why not bother doing those instead!
I need to find some people to speak further on this to clarify all these terms!
Out of interest, Mrs Money, which part of the country are you in?

scotsbob

Gumtree always has lots of people advertsing this service you might want to check out the one for your local area to get an idea of what is on offer.

It's very rare for any college to ask to see certificates, get a basic TEFL online if you are that bothered about it. Never heard of CELTA but who would pay £1000??

MrsMoney has the right idea. I spend a couple of months each year in the middle east and I get the equivalent of £20 for a half hour privately and £200 a day in a language school (no tax to pay either)

amy_lou_4

I have taught English in France as a Language Assistant during my year abroad from university, and to prepare we were able to take a 20 credit course at uni (Manchester) in second year which was brilliant, and I wish had been worth a proper qualifiication! Our tutors had all taught English abroad in many different countries and were full of advice- one of the main things they said was, take a Cambridge (CELTA) or Trinity qualification if you want to work for the British Council, who provide you with more stability than other TEFL employers and longer term prospects. I don't know about other TEFL qualifications but from what they said, I would only choose one of those main ones, presuming they cost more due to quality of teaching and materials, and amount of classroom time and feedback received.
Best of luck, my tutors all LOVED their time abroad and tried to talk us all into doing it- I love teaching in a classroom situation and still do English summer camps, but hate planning lessons and doing assessments (too nice )

hellnearth

Hi there
I'm an ex EFL teacher and worked abroad for 20 years. Did my CELTA ( when it was the the RSA Prep Cert! ) in Bournemouth, got a year's experience in Turkey under my belt, then got my DELTA ( Diploma ) while working in my first job with the British Council and went on to tutor on both these programmes.
Like a previous poster says, the CELTA is the best recognised and has the best reputation. Yes, it's expensive but I learned more on mine than I did in three years at University. The British Council tend not to employ people without it and at least a couple of year's experience. That is unless you are in situ and they are very short of teachers!!!
The thing about the CELTA and other 'short' courses is that they focus mainly on classroom teaching and if you do anything on tutoring or one-to-one teaching, it will only be a quick skim of the surface really. You do cover a lot on the course, but the real learning is acquired over your first couple of years teaching. You also learn an awful lot from working with other teachers.
I looked into coming back to the UK at one point and teaching, but it's not lucrative here at all, not even when you're in a management position. And it's not that lucrative abroad either, unless you are working in the Middle East.
I hope that helps, and if you have any other questions, fire away - I'll answer if I can.
P.S. There are lots of intensive or semi-intensive CELTA course that take a lot less than a year.