How to give language lessons

Are you passionate about languages? The truth is that it is one of the greatest treasures. Knowing languages opens the door to new cultures, new people and even finding points of connection with your own. Many tutors decide to teach languages and turn this passion into a way of making a living.    

Chinese tutor, Serinna Lin, has plenty of experience in giving Chinese lessons. In our interview with her, she explains to us the challenges of tutoring the language and how she overcomes them to become a successful tutor.

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Finding a job as a language tutor is a difficult task. It usually takes years of learning to master the language and some study before you can teach it. For this reason, many people decide to take private tuition during this time of preparation. 

Let's take a look at the main requirements to become a language tutor, to become a private language tutor, some tips to help you and, above all, which language classes are most in demand.

What are the most popular language classes?

Languages are very popular among students. They are not only studied in schools, but many adults decide to learn a language for work reasons. That is why language classes are always in demand. However, there are some subjects that will be offered more than others. 

If you are curious to know which ones are the most popular, we have prepared a list for you so that you can open a tutor profile and start giving private tuition now!

1. Private tuition in English. Private English tutors are the most in demand. Every day hundreds of students place advertisements looking for a tutor. The reason? It is a language that is studied from a young age and many adults want to learn it for their work.
2. Private tuition in Chinese. As one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, there’s never been a better time to start tutoring Chinese. 
3. Private tuition in French. As it is so close to our country and spoken in so many countries, this language is learned in many schools. In addition, many people want to study or work in our neighbouring country, so the demand for private French tutors is always high.
4. Private tuition in German. This is another European language, although not Latin-based. Because of its difficulty, many students seek out German tutors to help them with its complicated grammar. Moreover, this language is particularly successful in the online format. If you want to find German tuition online tuition and distance learning, you can easily do so.
5. Private tuition in Japanese. The last subject in the top 5 is Japanese, so if you know some Japanese and want to start teaching, you'll have a job for sure! There aren't many private Japanese tutors, so you'll find students quickly.

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Requirements to become a language tutor

What does it take to become a language tutor? There is a whole set of conditions you need to fulfil to become a tutor. These are the most typical requirements to be able to teach a language course:

• Required qualifications to become a language tutor. The most typical degrees for language teaching are teacher training or a degree in philology in the specialised language. If, on the other hand, you are interested in becoming a language tutor abroad, there is a specific postgraduate course that will enable you to train.
• Have you already found a tutor job? Experience is also very important. Many tuition centres or private language schools look first at your experience as a tutor or in dealing with young children, if you want to teach children.
• Professional or bilingual level of the language. To be able to teach language courses you must have a C1 or C2 level. In fact, many tuition centres and institutions are looking for native-speaking tutors, but don't be afraid if you are not. In the end, many schools prefer tutors with a professional level to give language lessons to beginners.
• Would you like to become a private language tutor? Would you like to start giving private tuition at home or online language lessons? Then private tuition is the solution for you. You don't need any of the requirements mentioned so far, although if you have them, all the better. This way you will have more visibility and impact.

How to become a language tutor?

There are several ways to teach languages. Above all, it depends on whether you decide to go through the public or private route, as you will then have to prepare yourself to pass the famous competitive examinations. However, you have more options:

• Language tutor in schools. The competitive exams for teachers are key if you want to become a language tutor in public schools, colleges or universities. In addition, in order to be eligible, you will need to have some of the degrees mentioned in the previous section. If you decide to go to public schools, then you do not need to pass the competitive examinations, but you will need to have everything else.
• Language tutor in tuition centres. This is the most common option, as there are many job offers for language tutors. In all big and small cities there are several tuition centres where you can apply.
• Private language tutor. Since this option does not require anything specific, many people choose to become a tutor. Moreover, private tuition in languages is the most popular and there are plenty of opportunities for private tuition. All you have to do is to advertise yourself as a private language tutor and find students.
• Language tutor abroad: Did you know that you can teach a language abroad? If you are interested in doing so, they must pass a postgraduate course in language teaching for foreigners. This will enable you to travel and find work as a tutor wherever you go.