How to Become a Successful ESL Tutor

You don't need an expensive teaching certificate or even teaching experience in order to make a living from teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Chances are that if you're reading this article right now, then you already have 80 percent of the skills needed to become a successful ESL tutor, (I.e, a good working knowledge of the English language).

The other skills involved are: self-confidence, the motivation to market yourself and a few simple tips that I'll outline below.

Step One: Take a Foreign Language Course

If you only do one thing in preparation for becoming an ESL tutor, it should be this. Knowing first hand what it's like to learn a foreign language is such a valuable resource for ESL teachers that Cambridge University makes it a prerequisite for enrolling in their teacher training course. Not only will it make you more empathetic to your students' struggles, but you'll build a better ear for grammar structures. In order to know the difference between an active and passive verb in German, for example, you'll have to understand what it is in English first.

And what better way to learn how to teach then by observing an expert in action? You can learn which teaching techniques, games or activities work and which don't and then later use them in your own lessons.

Step Two: Set a High Hourly Rate

One of the biggest mistakes beginning tutors make is undercharging for their services. They often charge half of what they should, figuring that they'll "get some experience" and then raise their rates. But what usually ends up happening is that they aren't able to make ends meet, become discouraged and then quit tutoring all together.

Be confident in yourself and charge the going rate. Even if you've never tutored before, the mere fact that you speak English and they don't means that you're an expert in a skill that they need. Don't forget that!

Step Three: Be a Professional

Type up a contract with your rates and outline of your cancellation policy. Have them sign it and make it very clear when you'd like to be paid. You can find a sample contract at Teaching ESL to Adults.

Sell yourself during your trial lessons. At the beginning of your first lesson with a student, take a few moments to explain your experience and qualifications. Treat it like a job interview because that's precisely what it is.

Step Four: Start with Coversation Lessons for Intermediate Students

Another common mistake that Newbie ESL tutors often make, is assuming that teaching beginner students will be easier. Wrong. A beginner's lesson will need to be extremely structured and well-timed or else you'll run the risk of rushing through all of your material in the first 20 minutes. To do it right takes lots of practice.

So save yourself the hassle and begin with conversation lessons for Intermediate-level students. An hour of free conversation with a complete stranger may seem daunting at first, but the key is to encourage them to talk about themselves. Print out a list of conversation starters from The Internet TESL Journal , look engaged and interrupt to correct their grammar when need be. But mostly importantly, be an active listener.

A Final Note:

Remember that most ESL learners don't know anything about teaching techniques either. In the end, they'll decide to hire you as their tutor because they like you. If you're a kind, friendly, self-assured person you'll become a successful ESL tutor regardless of your experience level.