u/Altruistic_Truck7015

I had a demo lesson and an interview at a language center the other day, and they seemed keen on me. The lady showed me around the center, which I thought was nice and thoughtful, but she low-key cornered me and asked me about my rates. (I genuinely felt, based on intuition and the vibe, it was a tactic to get me to gauge my expectations hence how wise it is to hire me...) I told her I was expecting around US 40 dollars (for a class of like 10 students), which I've been informed by my trainers is the standard rate for a CELTA holder....

She was really shocked, and told me the teachers were all paid roughly US 25 dollars... I felt kinda embarrassed for asking for such a high pay, though I know very well 40 is a reasonable pay, and that I've been paid that at other centers too....

I have a trial 1-1 class with a mid 20s Chinese national. I only just received my CELTA certification 2 months ago (and have been desperately trying to find work since 😞)... and there is a chance this student may engage me for private lessons...

Her background is she knows completely 0 English. Like... ZILCH. Not even how to say the alphabets... I went through some A1/Beginner workbooks, and all of them started with conversation basics... I really don't know where/how to start >< On one hand, I think starting with conversation basics is more useful than just reciting ABCs (especially since it is language that can and in fact is needed to be used immediately)... on the other hand, her partner (?) is telling me they should start off with ABCs like in kindergarten, because she really has no knowledge (intuitively, I think this is right, as it teaches her how to pronounce the basics first? I don't know 😞).