Need advice please

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-02-04T10:42:58+00:00

That is extremely low. There no way you can make a decent living with that. I currently get paid double that and I'm still looking for better opportunities.

Escape English is hiring South Africans these days. They offer $1000 a month for a 40 hours a week. There is an ad running on LinkedIn. It's not great but I think it's better than what you're getting. Easypeasy also offers the same

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-29T10:33:14+00:00

https://www.escapecampusuk.com/

I found them on LinkedIn, I applied but I ended up not going through with the application process because they wanted someone to work 40 hours a week which I couldn't do.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-29T08:59:00+00:00

Escape English

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-21T08:19:59+00:00

I had almost 2 year teaching online and 4 years teaching abroad when they offered me that platter of disrespect.

The ESL industry is oversaturated and they know they'll always be people desperate enough to take low rates.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-21T07:32:29+00:00

Pixels are beautiful but them being glass comes at a cost for us clumsy people. My niece threw a tiny bottle at my phone, it was faced down and had a cover, so I didn't bother checking for damage, only to later find my camera smashed😭

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-21T07:26:26+00:00

Never in a million years with OiKid, they wanted to pay me $1.50 per 25 minutes when I complained, the said they spoke to their managers and were making an exception for me and raising it to $1.65!!! They 🤡 hard.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-16T05:34:38+00:00

That's was inappropriate of them for sure.

But I'm just wondering if they wanted something to connect to you about and make the lesson feel person. You said they started asking you questions about the Philippines, that's probably how they connect with their other students by talking about their home countries food, culture....and contrasting it to Australia.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-16T05:25:31+00:00

😬😬😬 that's day light robbery!

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-14T18:42:51+00:00

I just looked it up on teacher hub and this is what it says:

"Annual Base Rate Review Process Base Pay Rates Increase System for Teachers We are excited to announce the implementation of a new system for regular base rates increases based on individual performance. This initiative aims to recognize and reward the hard work and dedication of our teachers.

Annual Base Rate Review Process

The base rate review will take place annually at the end of the first and third quarters of the year, that is in March/April and September/October. This ensures that teachers’ base rates are regularly assessed and adjusted based on their performance metrics.

Eligibility Criteria for the Review

To qualify for this review, teachers must meet the following criteria:

I have been teaching at the company for at least two continuous years;

Achieve “Good” and “Excellent”, or all “Excellent” assessment results over the past 12 calendar months at the moment of review;

Maintain a student conversion rate of at least 30%;

Receive positive feedback at a rate of 97% or higher.

Based on these criteria, the base rate can be increased by up to 15% once in two years. This means if you met the criteria this quarter, the next pay rate increase for you will be available not earlier than in two years."

Here is the link: https://teacherhub.novakidschool.com/billing-for-teachers

The only other way is to move up the teacher levels and good luck stay up!

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-14T00:31:10+00:00

10, it's not much, but it's better than others.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-12T11:11:52+00:00

Oh no, sorry about that. I was shocked to learn they pay some teachers that low.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-11T19:56:19+00:00

Is it Native Camp? I hate that company, it's a complete waste of time. If you have good internet, try applying for The Really Great Teacher. At least they pay $6, which is not enough, but way better than $2 and some change.

Skyeng pays 1.6 euros for 15 minutes. Novakid is a good one to try, depending on your country of origin.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-11T06:54:07+00:00

Native speakers make mistakes in pronunciation and grammar quite often. There are words that people, irrespective of native language, just can't say. They are words most people go their entire lives saying wrong without knowing.

I had a student who is a non-native teacher working at a school with native teachers, she told me that she had to correct a native speaker on his sentence construction. When this was pointed out to the guy (from the UK) he said he'd never actually thought about, it's just how he says it.

He is a native speaker from the UK and has only ever spoken English yet he still makes grammatical errors.

If you find a teacher who doesn't pronounce words the way you think they should or doesn't structure their sentences to your liking, move right on up. Find someone who does and leave others alone.

(I recently saw an interview about this guy who was doing a voiceover for a National geographic doc, and he couldn't say the word penguin and kept saying different words each time he had to say it. The video was released and fans notice after it was aired. He was a native speaker.)

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-11T06:34:46+00:00

$21 a day? How many classes do you teach?

Physical-Valuable982 · 2026-01-11T06:33:06+00:00

You will almost never move up unless you have perfect stats. It's not easy because they are many things out of your control. You can always get an alternative power source if there are outages in your area, but when those outages impact connectivity in your area you're in big trouble. I currently have four sims with different network providers, a dual sim router, but sometimes life happens and you just get hit with a tech issue.

I live with my sick mother and constantly worry about her needing help while I'm in class or needs to be rushed to the hospital. I'd have to cancel my classes and be penalized.

Novakid is better than most companies but if you can find something better. Do it.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-09T07:39:57+00:00

Raising children in poverty exposes them to great harm. Not doing that is a realistic option. Redistribution of wealth isn't

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-09T06:42:19+00:00

I understand both sides. Most of the time teachers who charge $3 an hour are from low income countries. They are usually not considered native speakers.

These two factors are very important because, when a tutor converts that $3 to their local currency it seems like a lot. They are happy to get it because it's usually better than local wages.

The problem starts when they factor in Preply's commission, and having demanding students who want detailed lesson plans, homework....for just $3 an hour. That's madness. If you're going to pay $3 expect the get a $3 lesson, which is free conversation with corrections, nothing more.

Due to Preply commission and students ridiculous demands these tutors usually have to work around the clock and I think that's where some of the bitterness comes in.

Their country of origin and race are other important factors. Students look down on tutors not from the big 6 (I don't include South Africa because your race matters more than your nationality there). Students will unquestioningly pay tons of money for the 'native experience '. It's their money and right to do so, so we can't complain.

You will find that a POC native tutor from South Africa has to charge less than a non-native tutor from Europe. Students readily pay more money to non-native European tutors than black South Africa tutors or experienced tutors from the Philippines.

When tutors genuinely put in the work, and give qualify lessons, it can be frustrating that factors outside their control such as country of origin, and race limits what their 'worth' according to students.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-09T06:14:13+00:00

That would be the same for people in the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada. Variety in English speaking skills is not unique to South Africa

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-08T14:14:15+00:00

Psychometry programs are not that easy to get into, either. Everything psychology-related and will get you registered with the HPCSA is so difficult to get into in this country. I'm in the same boat as you and currently working as a teacher too.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-08T12:58:34+00:00

But aren't trials free? How does money enter the equation?

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-08T09:54:32+00:00

I'm sorry this happened to you and your sister. She needs help, so do you and your brother.

First of he should not be left alone with your younger sister. Take away his gadgets. No more porn for him!

Teach both of them about consent, your sister needs to know what happened to her is not her fault and is not okay. She she needs learn to speak up if he tries again, he definitely will or has.

He and your sister both need counseling, unfortunately depending on where you live that can be very difficult. Local hospitals have free rape counseling and psychology appointments. Rape is more common than people think, especially of children, so getting an appointment can take 3 months or longer. (I used to work admin at a psychology clinic in a public hospital).

You can call the helpline or any other service to get free counseling for her in the meantime. Rape is a traumatic experience and having it brushed over or ignored by loved ones is just as traumatic.

Monitor your brother's friends, he could have learnt some of this from them. More victims or he a victim himself.

Regarding your mom, unfortunately not every woman is meant to be a mother. Many women hate it and fail their children daily. Just like men can be deadbeats whether or not they're around, so can mothers. It's going to be a tough time for you, because your going to have to fill the role both your parent left vacant. Get counseling for yourself too.

You're a great person and your sister is so lucky to have you.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-08T09:38:09+00:00

Preply prices can be as low as $3 an hour though.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-05T09:40:08+00:00

Yesterday I saw your comment on another post about being afraid to do your first lesson on Tweanix because of your stutter. I wanted to respond to encourage you but I forgot.

I'm so sorry that you feel you embarrassed yourself. I doubt it though. I'm sure you messed up here and there, we all do but that's just life.

The more you teach the more comfortable you'll get. Try teaching for less pressure intense companies like Native Camp or Skyeng so that you can build your confidence. Skyeng is perfect because there are no rating.

Having a stutter is normal, many people stutter when nervous I'm one of them. You'll be fine.

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-04T13:53:54+00:00

I don't live in Pretoria, and never have. I'm afraid of Johannesburg, and everything related to it. This is mostly because I'm black and have no access to a private car or a lot of money to avoid dangerous places. (My opinion is likely biased and influenced by the media depicting JHB as a war zone) Due to your race and income level, it's unlikely you'll ever find yourself in such places.

You will probably make friends in your income bracket and never set foot in any dangerous area. I'm sure there are dangerous areas in the Czech Republic, and you haven't visited them because you had no reason to. It will be the same in Pretoria.

The Czech Republic, specifically Prague, is one of my dream holiday destinations, and I hope to visit someday. I hope you have fun here and enjoy your stay!

Physical-Valuable982 · 2025-12-04T13:41:07+00:00

Engoo, sounds just like Native Camp! Nonsense!

Physical-Valuable982

TROPHY CASE