Viewing topic: Hello People!

I am currently in Novosibirsk and have been offered employment helping people with english conversation skills. I am very green and new to this type of employment and its an exciting new start for me but i have a few questions. If anybody could help me it would be much appreciated, firstly what are the going hourly rates roughly for an inexperienced person like me giving private lessons? i dont want to sell myself short but also i dont want to price myself out of the market. Are there any scams that i should look out for because a school seems to be acting like an agent for me. I have a very northern english accent not quite liverpool, but not quite a manchester accent either would this affect my work prospects.
Thanks in advance for your help ladys and gents

Hi and welcome!

Strong native accents often cause far less problems than people expect with foreign learners of English. Along with bobs12, there are many people here in Russia who come from even further north in the UK than you do!! I, personally, am from Cornwaaaaaall - but have a relatively neutral southern English accent

As long as you speak clearly, at a level and speed appropriate for the student(s) and are able to anticipate and avoid or resolve problems that learners might have - then you, too, should not find your accent is a problem at all.

You say that you have been asked to 'help with English conversation skills', which may not necessarily mean 'teaching' English. As a native speaker you should automatically notice when an error is made in speaking, but you will also need to be able to explain why it is wrong and give the corrected version. Merely saying "That's wrong' or "We don't say it like that" is not an ideal response to a student's error.

As regards pay: It can vary depending on where you are, student demand and what you are able to do. If you are just a conversation assistant then the pay won't be as good as if you are an experienced teacher with sole responsibility for student development.

There are 'scams' - but it is not that unusual for schools to offer you individual students, although it is more usual for such teaching to be done at the school or the student's home or business. The school will charge the student and then probably pay you a lot less than the student pays them. Of course, they may possibly not pay you at all !! - so make sure that the school you mentioned is reputable by asking around or you may (possibly) be able to get more information here. I dunno what the rate is in Novosibirsk but the going rate for a (hopefully) good teacher here (in SPB) working for a school - is about $15-20 per academic hour.

Have fun!!

Thanks for the reply, i would be happy with half what you said im not greedy and i dont think theres that much money here. As this is my first time ill keep you posted with my experiences, and what the school is like for a newcomer. Also as far as the business visa problems im here on a 6 month multi entry that i recieved in august. Novosibirsk has been notorious for being very hard to register a business visa, last visit i had big trouble, a lot of shouting and cursing was involved. This time i registered 17th nov until jan 30th no trouble no questions asked in the post office. Infact i was very surprised because i guy who i know was registering his private visa the day before me and they point blank refused to register the person before him in the que who had a business visa, it must be my pretty face. Any how thanks for the advice.
As for after jan 30th i think i will be attempting the student visa route theres no way im staying out of the country for 90 days

Well done with the visa! Was it your pretty face or your scampy pants that won them over?

If you look through the Novosibirsk area entries in the school directory, you'll find a couple of reviews from teachers who have been there. They might be able to give some pointers on prices.

Welcome aboard!

Definatly wasnt the pants they stink of fish, but i am a dead ringer for a certain beatle so that seems to help with almost anything here dunno why.

Ive got a couple of jobs lined up now ill give you some feed back of the schools here when ive experienced them. All the people i have met have been really nice and i couldnt imagine them trying to rip someone off but we`ll see how i get on. I am a little bit gullible sometimes.