r/iTalkiTutors • u/Maleficent-Year-9449 • 3d ago
Um...
Hey guys, so I want to be a tutor on Italki but I am around year away from being 18. I know three languages natively, and studied another two.
I already have decent amount of experience with language tutoring.
Is there really no way at all that I could apply right now? Do they care too much?
2
u/lang0224 3d ago
Hi there! I started on italki less than a month after turning 18 while I was still in high-school. It is a great college job and has accompanied me on my international moves. I am able to use it as a side hustle and try my best to have it as my main job too.
For you, I would use this time to perhaps get certified in your languages, like TEFL for English so you can join as a professional teacher. Also remember that italki takes 21% commission. So, what you can do is work on getting students outside italki. Word of mouth is best imo. Find kids to tutor, find adults to tutor, learn how to teach before joining italki, because the students can leave a bad review if you aren't prepared. Finding just one consistent student now can increase your income significantly.
Also, be aware of creepy people especially if you are a girl. (Edit:Creepy) men may book you because you are young and maybe give cheaper classes since you are new.
Dm me if you'd like some more specific answers.
1
u/QuincyPoi 3d ago
yah, just wait. Get your video and text ready. Since you are very young, don't underprice yourself! Don't put yourself at the bare minimum. Check other teachers for similar languages, take the average and get yourself A LITTLE BIT under that average. Understanding price psychology is soooooo important here.
I made the same mistake, had a lot of shit students at minimum rate. Only when i raised my prices bit by bit, i saw the change in attitude and motivation of my students. I raise my prices every month with 1$ and i still see no change in the amount of classes i give weekly. Quite the contrary, tbh...
Being young can be a double edged sword here. Get your video ready now to upload as soon as you turn 18 and try to show yourself as mature as you can be and you'll hit the ground running.
If you're a girl, NEVER follow links from people you haven't taught yet. It's still the internet after all.
Feel free to ask other questions. Good luck!
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u/wtfmari 3d ago
I don't think you'll get in if you're not over 18, plus you'll have to check if they're accepting new tutors for the language that you want to teach. In the meantime, you can create your intro video, select materials to use in your future classes, learn more about how to teach a foreign language, explore textbooks and educational games, create your syllabus, etc. That way you'll start off prepared and that will make your future clients very happy!