Expanish TEFL Blog
4 Things to Consider When Teaching English in Argentina as a Freelancer.
When teaching English in Buenos Aires you can choose to work at a school, for a company, or freelance. If you are thinking about working as a freelance teacher, this meaning that you are your own boss (do all the work – get all the pay), there are a few things you should consider before you get the ball rolling.
- 1. Lesson Costs – too much or too little?
We all want to make a lot of money in our careers but you must be realistic and charge an acceptable and worthy cost for the classes you give. Think in the local currency and do some research into the market, find out what other teachers are charging per hour, and follow that trend. Remember, don’t sell yourself short if you are a new TEFL teacher, you have the skills and a TEFL certificate to prove yourself worthy!
- 2. Organize – can you do it?
One of the biggest struggles for freelance workers is the ability to organize their schedules, students, etc. You must be able to keep a very detailed agenda, information about each students, their language level, class schedule, progress, etc, your costs versus your income, payments, and much more. No student wants a teacher that is late because they confused their schedule or who is unable to remember where the last lesson left off and where the next begins. If you choose to do freelance, you have to consider yourself your own business, which means all the responsibility (but all of the payoff too!)
- 3. Salesmen – sell, sell, sell.
Yes, you are an English teacher, but if you are a freelance English teacher, you also have to be a salesman. You are going to have to find new clients and keep the old ones or you will be out of a job.
- 4. Students – a profile.
One way you are going to thrive teaching English in Buenos Aires is if you pick the right clientele. Just because you are an English teacher does not necessarily mean that every student should be a client. You may have a knack if teaching children, or beginner levels, or specifically conversation. When you find the right students, you will notice that your teaching will be at its best, resulting in happy and long term clientele.
Freelance work is a great way to make a good living in Buenos Aires teaching English. Just make sure you can control each of the points above!
Learn more about the Expanish TEFL Course in Buenos Aires!
