English Students
There are some warning signs that show you Private English Students is unreliable. First, he or she will discuss an upcoming business trip that he or she may have. This could be a warning that he or she will be absent from class for some time. I understand that we all get busy with work; however, your job as a Private English Teacher does not cover lost wages, unlike the job that your Private English Student is currently has. Missing a class for them may not be a `big deal`; however, for you, it is a big deal, especially if he or she does not plan to pay their cancellation fee (usually the normal cost of the class). Often when you student starts to do this (miss class) it is an indication that they will end your class soon. In my professional opinion, it may be best to cancel their class.
Parents
Although I love teaching children, you must be aware that your client is the children`s mother and not the child. The second thing that a mother (of the children you are teaching) can say is that she is searching for a new English teacher, but want you to teach their child in the meantime. Yes, I have had a group of mothers (whose children I was teaching for a year) say this to me.
Let me share a story with you.
The main mother (who spoke English) said that they wanted another teacher (who was unavailable at the time when they wanted to hire a new English Teacher, but they hired me instead) to come in when I was not available to teach. I told her that I would not allow them (the mothers) to treat me that way and that she would simply hire that new teacher. The excuse is that they wanted that other teacher to sub for me when I was unavailable. The main mother also said that that teacher would also teach singing and dancing and since I only taught writing and speaking (which was untrue) this would be a nice `change` for the children. I simply told her that they could hire that teacher to take over my class.
Finally, I told her that I would not teach their children anymore and I wished them good luck with the new teacher. By the way, this all happened on a Monday. Then, on Wednesday (of the same week) she tried to confirm our lesson for later that day. I told the lead mother that I had already told her I would not teach their children anymore because they wanted to hire a new teacher. The lead mother then told me that ‘I need to change!’ Wow, so I had been teaching their children for almost a year, they tried to replace me with the teacher they really wanted to hire and who is now available to teach their kids, I told the main mom to hire that teacher, then when she tried to confirm our lesson (for Wednesday) and I told her ‘no’, then she said I need to change! Wow!
I spoke about this earlier on my radio show `Teach with me.` You can view that show here: https://www.facebook.com/champagne.oden/videos/10160881319060285/
Conclusion
To deal with difficult English Students & Parents:
Step 1: If the students cancel his or her first demo lesson, then that is a clear indication that this student is unreliable. Do not teach him or her! If the student states that they are looking for a new teacher, but want to you teach them until they find a new English Teacher-cancel their class. You must demand respect from your students or they will walk all over you. Do not let anyone treat you like that.
Step 2: If the student or the parent of the student tries to ‘phase you out’ until they get a new teacher, simply stop teaching them! If they do not like your class, that is okay. What is not okay is them letting you know that they will cancel your class while looking for a new English Teacher. If they want a new teacher, then they should simply get a new teacher!
Reference Page
C., Oden (2018). Teaching Private Lessons in Japan. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Private-Lesons-Japan-Lessons-ebook/dp/B079HX92SQ?keywords=champagne+oden&qid=1539148696&s=Kindle+Store&sr=1-6&ref=sr_1_6