FAQ for Teachers at Language Trainers

General

1How much work can I expect to get from Language Trainers?

We employ teachers on a freelance basis, and are therefore unable to guarantee a stable flow of students. The nature of the business is to hire as per the demand, so as the demand for teachers increases, the more teaching jobs we have available.

2Do I have to sign a contract with Language Trainers?

Yes. In addition to signing the contract and filling out a W-9 form with your Social Security Number, we will also need you to fax or e-mail us 2 references from sources that can verify and evaluate your work within the last 5 years, and your certificate proving your university degree and any other relevant qualifications.

3Do I have to provide you with my Social Security Number and date of birth?

Yes. We need this for tax reasons and to perform a Criminal Background Check. We cannot hire you without this information.

4Which references do Language Trainers accept?

We accept references from former employers and students, so long as they are able to evaluate your previous teaching work within the last 5 years.

5How do I know if I got the job?

You will receive a confirmation e-mail from us with all relevant information pertaining to the student, complete with a template for the student register, invoice, monthly report and Initial Session Assessment Form (ISAF).

6When can I have all the details for the prospective student (name, address, age, nationality, motivation, company, etc.)?

Generally this information is given to you in the confirmation e-mail, once the classes have been booked by the student and we have all the required paperwork from you. Before this stage, however, we can give you the student's zip code in order to aid your travel planning, as well as the student's motivation for learning the language.

7How frequently should I be reporting to Language Trainers?

Generally it is only necessary to report to us in the monthly invoice and report(s). However, feedback on the first session with your student is greatly appreciated to make sure there are no issues; and other than that we require notification for lengthy holidays (if it requires more than 2 sessions to be rescheduled) with at least 2 weeks’ notice.

8Do Language Trainers provide an alternative location for lessons if the student's home or workplace is unavailable or not a satisfactory working environment?

No – it is impractical for us to have alternative teaching locations available throughout the US, as we employ teachers nationwide. However, if both the student’s home and workplace are unsuitable, there will most likely be a quiet public place where you can hold the lessons, such as a library, cafe, hotel lobby, etc. If you are willing to hold classes at your home, please let us know as this can also be an option.

9Is there a standard syllabus or curriculum?

No. As our lessons are meant to be tailor-made to fit the individual needs of the student, there is no established teaching plan. Your first session acts as an introduction, during which you can discuss with your student their aims and goals. It is essential that you take with you the Initial Session Assessment Form (ISAF) sent to you along with the confirmation e-mail, and we recommend bringing a few exercise sheets or similar as well (most sessions are 2 hours long, and establishing the student's aims should not take that long).

10Do Language Trainers provide course books?

No. All books should be arranged by the teacher. You should then submit your receipts for such purchases along with your monthly invoice and will be reimbursed up to the value of $50 per student. For larger groups only, we can make exceptions to this rule: Language Trainers can purchase the books and have them shipped out to you or the students. Additionally we can offer up to $2 per session per student in order to compensate for any money spent on printouts and photocopies, but you must provide the receipts. However we do not offer reimbursement for any multimedia study aids such as DVDs, audio, CDs, etc. – feel free recommend these to your student if you feel they would help, but they will have to purchase them themselves.

11Is there a list of recommended course books/materials?

Yes, please contact us and we can send it to you.

12How do I fill out the monthly report? Is there a sample report I can use?

We send out a template for the monthly report with the confirmation e-mail - it is very straightforward to complete and the whole process should not take longer than half an hour, including invoicing as well as the report.

13If teaching a group, should I write a report for the whole group or one for each individual?

You should write reports for each individual student, not the group as a whole.

14What if I have colleagues/fellow teachers who would also like to work for Language Trainers?

We are always looking for teachers, so if you know people with similar qualifications looking for teaching work, please pass on our contact details and recommend that they get in get in touch with us.

15What exactly is the difference between a General course and a Business course?

A General course concentrates on the student's individual needs and goals and covers a wide variety of topics. A Business course will generally feature most of the material from the General course - in addition to this, your student would learn how to talk about their job, how to answer the phone and make phone calls, send e-mails, introduce themselves in a businesslike way, and, if necessary, learn about the business protocol and culture of the target country. Intermediate students may also learn formal letter writing, presentation skills, negotiating, and how to conduct entire meetings in their desired language.

Payment

1How do I get paid?

Our payment system is simple and takes place at the end of each month. At the end of your first month, you send us an invoice, along with the Initial Session Assessment Form (ISAF). For each following month, we need from you an invoice, the register reflecting the invoiced hours, and the monthly student report. All the templates for these documents are included in the confirmation e-mail.

2How long from the date of invoicing until I get paid?

We pay our teachers on the first Friday of each month, but please note that it can take up to 8-9 days for the check to arrive in your mailbox, as checks are processed by our bank and sent via regular mail. Your check will arrive in an envelope from CHASE bank. To ensure prompt payment, make sure you get the documents to us in good time – the sooner we receive your documents, the more swiftly you will be paid.

3What is the deadline for sending the invoice?

In order to get paid swiftly, you are required to send all the required paperwork in before the 27th of each month. You can, of course, send your papers in earlier if you have already finished your classes for the month. If we receive your complete and correct paperwork on time, you will get paid on the first Friday of the following month. Please be aware, however, that if you send your papers after the 27th, you will not be paid until the next payment period. Example: in order to get paid on Friday, 5th of September, you need to send all your paperwork in before the 27th of August. If we receive your paperwork after the deadline, you will get paid on the first Friday in October.

4What if I've sent in all my documents but still haven't been paid?

In the unlikely event that your payment has not gone through even though we have received your invoice, register and report, make sure you get in contact with us as soon as possible so we can rectify whatever caused the error.

5What is the usual hourly rate for teaching?

This depends entirely on the language, your qualifications, and your location.

6Will I be reimbursed for travel expenses?

The short answer is yes, although it depends mainly on the location of the student and their distance from you: we judge each case on its individual merits, so please contact us if you have any specific queries about travel costs.

7How do I get reimbursed for teaching materials?

Make sure to include copies of any receipts for any books that you purchase for your student, and fax them along with your first monthly invoice. We will reimburse you for books up to the value of $50 per student, with up to an additional $2 per session per student for printouts and photocopies.

8Will Language Trainers deduct any taxes?

No. You are a self-employed contractor and, as such, are responsible for your own taxation.

9Will I receive a 1099 form at the end of the year?

If you earn over $600 with Language Trainers in one calendar year, we will send you a 1099-MISC form in the mail which you will receive before the end of February of the new year.

Troubleshoot

1What do I do if I'm unable to get in contact with the student before the first session?

In this situation we recommend still going ahead as planned since the lesson has been booked and confirmed with the student already, it is unlikely that they will neglect to turn up for the first session, even if you are unable to contact them beforehand. If the student does not turn up, you will still be paid, so it is in your best interests to carry on as already confirmed.

2What do I do if I have to cancel a session at the last minute?

First of all, you should inform the student immediately via every available means (you should have received your student's phone number and e-mail in the confirmation e-mail), and reschedule the class for a time that is convenient for both of you. We appreciate it if you also inform us of the cancellation.

3What do I do if the student cancels a session at the last minute?

If the student cancels more than 24 hours before the session is due to take place, the lesson will have to be rescheduled. If the student cancels less than 24 hours before the arranged time, you will still be paid, but your student must sign the register at the next class to confirm the late cancellation.

4What do I do if I know in advance that I can't make a particular session that has already been booked?

You must give the student as much notice as humanly possible so that you can reschedule the lesson for another time that is convenient to both of you. We would also appreciate being informed.

5What do I do if I have to stop teaching due to relocation/change of employment etc.?

You must notify us as soon as you are aware that you will not be able to continue working for us. You must give us notice of at least 2 working weeks.

6Can I arrange for a colleague to fill in for me if I'm unavailable for a few lessons?

Yes, but we prefer you to clear it first with us. Your colleague must have similar qualifications as yourself (native speaker with university-accredited diploma), must sign a contract with us, and must also be briefed on the student's needs and goals before they can act as your substitute.

7What if I change my contact details?

Please let us know as soon as possible, preferably before your details are due to change, and please give us a date when the new details will come into effect.

8What if I want to teach the student for extra hours or extend the pre-arranged course?

You must discuss this with Language Trainers first. You must not teach the student for any more hours than in the confirmation e-mail you receive from us. If the student requests extra lessons directly with you, you must inform Language Trainers immediately and tell the student that they need to discuss this directly with Language Trainers. If you teach the student extra hours without authorization from us, you will be in breach of contract and will not be paid for these hours. We may also take action if we feel you have deliberately tried to arrange extra hours with the student without discussing with us first.