Becoming a private tutor- all questions here

therivierakid

I have to echo what MissTutor said:

Having your own website is a massive help. I started mine in August last year and I've had a lot of new students through it. Just make sure it's updated, has all your information on it and try and get it high in Google search results. Have a look for SEO if you're not sure about this. I got my website through Get British Business Online which gave me a one year free website through yola.com. I've just renewed it for another year for £18.

I've also had quite a few students this year through word of mouth recommendations. Giving out proper business cards can certainly help with this so make sure you give one to every student. Spend a bit with Vistaprint to get some professional looking cards.

I've had an ad on TheTutorPages for the last year but I won't be renewing it when it expires. I haven't had enough enquiries through it this year to warrant the £30 fee. First Tutors, UK Tutors, TutorHunt and Tutors4Me are all free and all well worth using. I've also been with Fleet Tutors for a few years but haven't had much through them.

moha_2

Hi all,

I am thinking of working as an Arabic language tutor here in the UK. I am a native Arabic speaker with MA in TESOL. I have experience of teaching Arabic here in the UK through an agency before, but I am planning to do it privately myself.
Just wondering how much I should charge? how would I advertise for my tutoring? I am based in Nottingham.

Your advice is much appreciated!

geek84

Hi Folks

I am thinking of teaching students in my own property. Apart fromthat saving myself some travelling time and petrol expenses are there other advantages of teachingstudents at your own home?

After all, you would be using your own gas/electricity during thattime, and even having to make a cup of tea/coffee for the students(s). Is itadvisable for taking out some special type of insurance for having students inyour home? For example, a student may claim to have fallen down the stairs atyour home and try & claim compensation etc?

Thanks in advance for your response.

mildred1978

geek84 wrote: »

Hi Folks

I am thinking of teaching students in my own property. Apart fromthat saving myself some travelling time and petrol expenses are there other advantages of teachingstudents at your own home?

After all, you would be using your own gas/electricity during thattime, and even having to make a cup of tea/coffee for the students(s). Is itadvisable for taking out some special type of insurance for having students inyour home? For example, a student may claim to have fallen down the stairs atyour home and try & claim compensation etc?

Thanks in advance for your response.

You would have to have public liability insurance to cover your clients and would have to inform your home insurers that you are running a business from home (premiums will probably increase). You'll need to register with HMRC as being self employed and complete a self assessment each year.

You could offset the expenses of travelling to your clients if you did that.

You'd probably need to be CRB checked regularly too to reassure parents.

What subjects would you tutor, to what levels and are you qualified to do so?

geek84

Hi Folks

There seems to be a fair few private tutors who give information regarding the subject they teach on their websites.

For example, a maths tutor may give information on his/her website relating to the topic of Algebra and related exercises that the students can complete in order to inprove/update their skills.

Are there any advantages to the tutor in doing that?

Thanks in advance for your response

tutorsam

geek84 wrote: »

Hi Folks

There seems to be a fair few private tutors who give information regarding the subject they teach on their websites.

For example, a maths tutor may give information on his/her website relating to the topic of Algebra and related exercises that the students can complete in order to inprove/update their skills.

Are there any advantages to the tutor in doing that?

Thanks in advance for your response

Probabably more to do with SEO than any specific benefit to the tutor themselves. The search engines love new and dynamic content so many sites include video clips, games etc as a means to grab attention rather than any real functionality.
I have a tutoring website and while it does have links to useful sites, like the exam boards, this is for checking sylabus content, exam dates etc rather than anything else.
I have a substantial collection of PDF past papers, exercises and help sheets but I would want to control which ones my students receive. Many of my students come to me because they lack confidence in maths and the last thing I want is them being frightened by attempting some worksheet that is beyond their current abilities.

geek84

Hi

Many thanks for your reply, Tutor Sam.

therivierakid

I've recently signed up to SearchTutors and TurtleTutors, both free to advertise on. I'm also still signed up with FirstTutors, Fleet Tutors, UK Tutors, Tutor Hunt, Vivastreet, Tutors4Me and MathsTutors4Me.

Trixi

I wonder if I could get some advice from English tutors? I'm secondary trained and have worked mostly with GCSE students this year. I have just been contacted by a parent wanting help with their 5 year old (reading and writing). I have done some work at Key Stage 2 but none at KS1, or for a student this young.

I'd like to take the job but am worried about offering value for the parents - do other tutors find it easy to adapt to different levels? I was thinking of starting with some workbooks (the kind that come with stickers/rewards) and going from there.

Sorry, I know this question is quite specific but I'd be really grateful for some opinions/experiences.

therivierakid

Trixi,

Nearly all of my work is for GCSE and A-level but I do have a few KS3 students. This is definitely where I am most comfortable. But I have had a few requests recently for primary school tuition (ages 7 and 8). Like you I am very unsure about offering VFM as I feel it comes down more to creativity in providing resources than my knowledge or ability to explain a topic. I've generally said no but in the quieter summer months it's fairly tempting to say yes.