All About Market Rates of Private Tutors

[senseimichael]

If you consider a TESOL to be a notch just below a school teacher, then pay just a notch below. A TESOL is normally used for adult training, or for learners of English as a second language (not for us, who use English as a primary language). I interacted a lot with language centres and teachers when I was a Head of Primary School (of an international school) in China, and a TESOL is used for that, and if the centre can get a licenced teacher (who normally works in international schools) to accept their paltry pay and benefits, then it is a BIG bonus to these language centres!


Ultimately whatever you want to pay and what what they accept are all basic economics of demand, supply and perceived value. If the teacher feels she is worth more than what you are willing to pay, then obviously there is no contract, and you will look for someone else willing to accept your price (and she will look for someone else willing to accept hers).

There are agencies, for instance, who hinted to me that I am very "expensive" but I do not bend on this. I mean, how do I explain to my other parents who can see my value and are willing to pay me the rate I demand, that I am charging the rest less so that I can fill up my slots? I’d be getting myself so killed!

不是猛龙不过江、不出大事太师不下山。If the tutor thinks that she is worth that value (and especially if she is able to prove it), she will not devalue herself even if she has only a TESOL and is not an NIE-trained teacher.

[mummyoftwo]

Hi can I know the market rate for an English home tutor. She is an ex-teacher and will come to my place to teach my daughter who is in P5. Probably 6 years of tuition background. She charges $70 per hour. Is this expensive as this is the first time I am hiring a home tutor!


Thank you for your advice.

[karenmok]

mummyoftwo:

Hi can I know the market rate for an English home tutor. She is an ex-teacher and will come to my place to teach my daughter who is in P5. Probably 6 years of tuition background. She charges $70 per hour. Is this expensive as this is the first time I am hiring a home tutor!


Thank you for your advice.

$70/hr is probably top of the line, even if she is willing to come to your place. $30/hr is the prevailing rate for most tutors. She should be excellent if she can command more than twice of market rate. Then again, if she is really good, go for her.

[TheAnswer]

karenmok:

mummyoftwo:

Hi can I know the market rate for an English home tutor. She is an ex-teacher and will come to my place to teach my daughter who is in P5. Probably 6 years of tuition background. She charges $70 per hour. Is this expensive as this is the first time I am hiring a home tutor!


Thank you for your advice.

$70/hr is probably top of the line, even if she is willing to come to your place. $30/hr is the prevailing rate for most tutors. She should be excellent if she can command more than twice of market rate. Then again, if she is really good, go for her.

$30/hr is for an average tutor. Tutors who have been teaching for more than 10 years and can produce results can command between $40-$50/hr for P5 level even if they are full time tutors.

[Udon]

We have a female current school teacher, charging $50/ per hour! Initially, quite happy but a couple of times she could not solve my son school P6 Maths!


She pictured it, some came back with solution but some by pass! And she told my son \"self help\"!

Luckily, my son classmate can solve and gotten help from classmate!

I am thinking, PSLE exam is 2 months ahead, how to change tutor! Thought that school teacher is the best but whose know we just bad luck!

So don't waste so much money on so called \"NIE trained\" tutor!

Anyone can tell me what shall I do now!


:moneyflies:

[junetan76]

mummyoftwo:

Hi can I know the market rate for an English home tutor. She is an ex-teacher and will come to my place to teach my daughter who is in P5. Probably 6 years of tuition background. She charges $70 per hour. Is this expensive as this is the first time I am hiring a home tutor!


Thank you for your advice.

Considering the following
- ex-teacher
- 6 years tuition experience
- P 5 level
- travel to your place (distance is also crucial)

If she's specializing in English, then $70/hr would be reasonable.
If she isn't specializing in English, then perhaps $60/hr is more reasonable. Then again, the distance she needs to commute is also a factor to look into.
And do check how long she's been teaching in schools too.

[junetan76]

karenmok:

$70/hr is probably top of the line, even if she is willing to come to your place. $30/hr is the prevailing rate for most tutors. She should be excellent if she can command more than twice of market rate. Then again, if she is really good, go for her.

$30/hr is for those non NIE-trained and probably A-level/ Poly grads for a P 5 level.

There's factors you've to consider why she's charging this rate;
NIE-trained, experience, academic level of student, ability to deliver, distance to commute etc.

[Mdm Koh]

It's expensive for P5 English, in my opinion. But if she can guarantee an 'A', I am sure there will be parents who won't mind paying.

[mummyoftwo]

Thanks for all the feedback. Now I felt the she is indeed expensive. There’s never guarantee in results & I might ask her for references to check out her ability.


Is there any recommendation for a good English teacher to come to my place at upper Thomson road?

Thanks

[Candiess]

Previously, my DD had a current school teacher charging $60/hr for primary 5, but she came every time without any preparation or worksheets. She would use the test papers and assessment books I bought and asked my DD to do, then she marked using the answer sheets. I was very angry because I can do that too.


Are home tutors expected to give their own worksheets or prepare some notes to guide the child? After a couple of these experiences, I decided to put my DD to learning centre at least they will provide notes and worksheets. They will go through topics by topics. Usually, I will choose new centres as they have newer, up-to-date notes and are more enthusiastic to teach (maybe to perform well to get more students?). Paying lesser at learning centre, also means can have more tuition on other subjects!!!