Mean Mail as I Undercut Private English Lessons in Istanbul
The Hobotraveler would be proud, I received some mean mail in my inbox today.
But the mail had nothing to do with Vagabondjourney.com, rather, it was in reference to the advertisements that I have been putting up in various online platforms advertising my services as a private English teacher.
————–
Wade from Vagabond Journey.com
in Istanbul, Turkey- February 27, 2009
Travelogue — Travel Photos — Travel Guide
All Travelogue Entries
————–
The cost of English language instruction is astronomical in this city, so, to re-provision my purse, I have been advertising my teaching services at half of the going rate.
I think that I am beginning to make the other private tutors in Istanbul angry.
I received the following message today:
Heu hero,
Charging 12 dollars an hour-what a loser?
From New York you say-was that supposed to make us feel proud.? Learn to spell loser
I read this mail and just chuckled. It is about time I start receiving some hate mail. I have no idea what “Heu hero” means, and I am unsure why this fellow thinks that I need to learn to spell the word loser, nor do I know why he thinks that he should feel proud about my place of origin, but I do know that he is annoyed with me for my attempt at cutting the cost of English instruction in Istanbul.
My advertisement to teach English in Istanbul:
An experienced and certified native English speaker from New York is currently offering lessons to individuals or small groups in Istanbul.
20 Lira/ hour for individuals
30 Lira/ hour for small groups
Please email to set up appointments.
Thank you.
The going rate for an hour of private lessons with a native English speaker in this city is over $25. I am hoping to take in as many students as possible by charging $12.
$12 an hour is a good wage for me, a vagabond. I will work all day long for $12 an hour. I do not care at all that other English teachers are charging twice as much, as I just need to make enough money to get me to Cairo.
Related Pages:
Vagabond Travels for Work
Search for work- round 4
Search for a Job in Istanbul round 3
Round Two
Round One
Mean Mail as I Undercut Private English Lessons in Istanbul
Filed under: Eastern Europe, Europe, Turkey
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
When I arrived in Istanbul in 1987 the hourly rate for a private hour of English with a native speaker was $30.00. I gave a discount to my long-term students to $25.00. They provided transportation and snacks. I made this amount without any credentials, only contacts through local friends and my daytime employer. I had a degree in the social sciences and a way with children.
Currently, the rate is $40 to $70, even $100 in the neighborhood where I live depending on the use (GRE prep, for example, commands top rates). Hell, the TURKISH teachers charge $100 a hour– in Turkey! (That's my rule, never charge less for my language than they do for theirs)
I hardly think that one traveller giving cheap lessons is going to hurt the market or set a bad example. There are 3 million millionaire families in Turkey, and they all want lessons for their kids. People who are making less than they want should rethink their marketing skills. Or their contacts.
Hi, I have taught in various countries and find it hard to believe the rates quoted for English classes in Istanbul.
Everywhere someone is undercutting – so what. As long as you are honest and up front about your limitations. A busy executive who has limited free time will always opt for a professional English language teacher.
What I was undercutting for was still a pretty decent amount of money, too. It seems that many teachers in Istanbul have set their prices so that they can make A LOT more than what is the global norm for English lessons.