[redwriter]

Are any working English tutors on this forum? I work in Hong Kong as private English tutor, and work for private school. No EMB or NET for me. Also, I investigated potential on Lantau Island and looks good. Would like to share comments with anyone actually working in private English tutoring.

[carang]

yep, me...& i've lived in DB for 6+ years...what do you want to talk about?

[redwriter]

Are you tutoring full time or part time? What ages or levels do you prefer? Do you work in your home or go to the students home? Thanks for any reply.

[carang]

i do it as my main source of income. i prefer having a mix of ages and abilities (in HK age and ability are not correlated at all!).
i tutor in their homes as we have dogs and many HK kids are afraid of them.

you will find though, that finding jobs in DB is not so easy as there are so many English speaking people around. Also, Tung Chung is not so easy because there is a lot of public housing in the area, so there aren't as many people willing to pay my normal charges.

[redwriter]

Thanks for the reply. I considered Mui Wo, since it has no school, so maybe some people would welcome tutoring. I find most of my work on Hong Kong Island, since as you know, education is still a business. But even now the rates are flexible: $150 to 300 hour. Still, I do ok. How long have you lived in DB?

[carang]

we've been here for 6.5 years but are moving to sai kung next month.

$150-300??? may i ask you qualifications/experience?

i charge minimum $350-450/hour....i have a deg in history/political science and 12+ years of experience tutoring in HK.

[redwriter]

I have a BS degree from USA university, plus too many years teaching English. My lower fees were set several years ago since many of my students come from poor families. And many of my students have been with me for 4-5 years. I usually lose them after they enter Form 1.

Do you think Sai Kung will be any better than DB? For living or tutoring?

[carang]

i'm not planning on doing much tutoring in sai kung... we had to buy a van to move out there, so i drive to my lessons on HK island.

[redwriter]

Good luck with your new home.

Since you lived in DB so many years, how would you rate the experience? I lived on Hong Kong Island for the first 5 years, in traditional Chinese neighborhoods, and I looked forward to living in DB, since it was so-American style. And quiet! If I am lucky, maybe I'll pick up some new students that you leave behind?

Thanks for your replies!

[carang]

we love living here. we moved here from kwun tong, so i know a little bit about living in a more local area. hubby is a local, so he knows A LOT about living in places like sham shui po.

we have to move because our place is just too small for all of us to fit in. we are tripling our sq footage but cutting our rent by 1/3! (although, the van sucks up any savings!)

don't think i'll be leaving too many students. i'll still be coming to teach, probably once per week or so, depending on how many hours the students here want.

good luck! there are good things and bad things about DB, but you'll find out soon enough. and what one person hates, another can't live without....so everyone has to make up their own mind!