What would you do?

Question

One of the teachers asked me if i'd mind tutoring a 13 year old boy who failed his english exam. I said ok, so she took my contact details. The boy came today and I read with him and taught him some poetic terms..Anyway, his parents didn't mention anything about the money...but the teacher at school told me to ask for $20 an hour. Is that too much?? The boys dad wants me to teach him for 1 and a half hours 3 times a week. How much should I charge and how should I introduce this subject to the parents without sounding rude? I'm a graduate and will start university in August. Help.

Answer 1

$20 / hour is minimum, even for someone your age. Hand the parents a proper, printed-out bill. Tutors get $35-$75 / hour.

Answer 2

First, you'd want to make sure your own English is up to par. In your paragraph are several errors: 13-year-old boy, not 13 year old boy; English, not english; boy's dad, not boys dad. It would help to know what exactly he needs to learn or improve. At the $20 rate, you're looking at $90 a week. That's a bit high for unproven results. As a novice, you should start at $10 an hour; then, after a month or so, if there are satisfactory results, you can increase it to $15. In an open market, the customer should pay for what he gets, and get what he pays for. You can tell the parents simply that tutoring fees vary, and that you are willing to start low for the first month until they are convinced that you are actually making a difference in the boy's competence and grades. After the one-month trial period, or for refresher sessions later, you can then ask for $15 or $18. If you had a college degree and were qualified in teaching, with a few years of experience in tutoring, then you could certainly quote $20 or even $25 per hour. How much do piano teachers or violin teachers charge? My professional chiropractor charges $30 an hour and works energetically for that.

With the money out of the way, you'd need to focus on what and how you teach the boy. Where will that knowledge come from? Are you familiar with some of Win Wenger's methods for accelerated learning? Here would be a great chance to test their efficacy. Good luck with your project.

Answer 3

If you are not a certified teacher, the pay is usually around $20 an hour for private tutoring. He would pay upwards of $40 + if the tutor was a certified teacher so I'd say NO it's not too much.

To break the ice, say something like "I'll accept a check if you don't have cash on you and instead of paying me every time I tutor him you can pay me once a week."

Answer 4

I'm an El Ed graduate, and I tutored between my junior and senior years at college. I charged $15 an hour, but you could charge more or less... it's up to you. It's going to be awkward to bring up the money unless they do, but you could ask tactfully how much they are willing to pay or if they are planning on paying you at the end of each week. You could also ask the teacher if she had told them anything about the rate you are charging or anything. But if you want to be paid and not have any surprises, I'd bring it up sooner rather than later.... good luck!

Answer 5

Frankly, I think that's a little too high for just a high school graduate. Perhaps $12 to $15 would be better. If you were an actual college student, I'd say $20 would be ok, and if you were a college grad, I'd ask for even more. But just a hs grad? Not much there.

Answer 6

Of course they should pay you! You are being copperative and you are interested in helping and they should compensate you for that. I think $20 is fair and I would type up an invoice and present it to them. Make it clear on the invoice that you would like to be paid per session (like at the Doctor's office where you will usually see the sign - Payment expected at the time of services). You are providing a service for the family! Good luck!

Answer 7

I would approach the parents and tell them that you are more than happy to help their child, but you are a starving college student who's time is valuable. Tell them that you didn't get the chance to discuss compensation with them the last time you met, but you do not work for free. Tell them you typically get paid $35.00 an hr for tutoring, but will make an exception for them and only charge them $25.00 an hr. They will feel good because you are giving them a great discount, and you will be reimbursed for your efforts.

Answer 8

I think the minimum you should consider for tutoring this person would be $30 an hour...and you need to be very upfront...I can't believe that the parents wouldn't want to work that out ahead of time.

Answer 9

For a high school graduate, I would say $20.00 is more than reasonable. If you are a licensed teacher or have a degree in the subject, then yes, I would say set your own rate.

Answer 10

$20 per hour is reasonable for a college grad. If you are just starting University, perhaps $15 would be more reasonable.