Likewise goes for Barcelona. If any one is reading and lives or works in BCN as a legit autonomo (because I would like to share info and similar concerns) then let's get in touch.

I took a look at your website - looks good. Also interested to see that you post your prices on http://www.albionenglish.... -- Would you say they're typical in BCN? What about hours? Presumably it's like Madrid, everybody wants the morning on lunchtime slots, to a lesser extent early evening, with not much work at other times.

Hi Ainman,

I'm sorry for not replying much sooner.

I have only just found the blog again after trying at other times. It seems silly doesn't it because I designed and programmed my own website from scratch. I am now learning about databases (PHP4 and Mysql) and to think that I don't even know how to use a blog properly yet. Thanks for your comment about the web, I've looked over your web too and have found it useful and well thought out. The business niche is intelligent, so good luck.

You asked about the prices I charge. I don't know if it is a good thing or not to advertise them, but I try to be up front and transparent. I believe I am worth more (doesn't everyone). I know people who charge and get more and others who work for peanuts and live of their savings from England or America. One thing is for sure and that is the market varies greatly in price and quality. Considering the hours available for teaching and the extensive travelling I think the price is right for someone who is an autonoma and declares all earnings (stupid or what?).

Bye

This website is based on a CMS ("Content Management System") called Drupal --- www.drupal.org. If you're not using any kind of CMS, you might find it worthwhile to try one. There are hundreds, Drupal is probably overkill for small sites. Etomite is good -- www.etomite.org --- and many more.

I think you're doing the right thing by publishing rates. Though, unless you're short of work (which I doubt) or the Barcelona market is very different to Madrid, I'd suggest you could up them at least 10%-20% and maybe more. Here in Madrid, "cheap" classes are at 20-25 euros, "quality" classes are at 25-35. I've heard of one teacher who works at the British Council who has gradually increased her prices to 45, and still isn't short of work. I charge a minimum of 35 and currently average around 37 (still increasing). Demand for classes outstrips supply of experienced/quality teachers and that is pushing the market rate upwards. I think the situation will stabilise (sufficient teachers to satisfy demand) once the market rate arrives at around 45-55 euros, and/or when the hours limitation is lifted, i.e. clients realise that they can't have classes at 14:00-15:30 because teachers are fully booked, and either accept classes at, say, 11:00-12:30 or pay the price a premium for "peak times". We're probably two to three years away from that. Average prices here were 25 two years ago, now 35. If you extrapolate that then obviously it won't take long to arrive at 45. Demand is certainly not reducing. Supply of teachers is not increasing, probably reducing, but will increase again once potential earnings vs cost of living reaches a sensible ratio.

Well, that's all just my opinion and I may be wrong but I'm willing to bet. I also think a lot of the "cowboy outfit" agencies and academias that have been ripping teachers off for years will gradually disappear.

Keep in touch, and good luck!

Andy

Andy,

I find what you say very interesting. I have been working as autonoma for only one year. It was very difficult for me to set the rates at the beginning. I don't think that I'm far wrong however an increase due to inflation is necessary. When I speak to companies I usually say that these rates are 25 euros minimum 3 hours a week, no cancellations, if they can't accept this then I would try to increase the hourly rate. What's happened since then is I have accepted work through an agency in Madrid. (It seems all agencies work in madrid because the human resources are centered there, much to the chagrin of executives in BCN who feel powerless and cannot make decisions). So what's happened: I have taken work with this agency at 25 euros per hour, however, I have not guaranteed the minimum hours. Furthermore, I'm not able to look for my own clients because I'm working at the times they want with the agency. It has all been a learning experience that I will address at the end of June/July. I have made many mistakes this year, but I've learnt a lot.

I have looked at what you and others are doing in Madrid, you all seem much more advanced and professional than people here. The market here is still too cheap, unorganized, shoddy and through the black market; the clients are tired and beginning to complain, but they do not yet accept that they have to pay for something better. But I think things are changing. High rents and the bad economy (it's no longer cheap for the Americans or British) will cut of supplies of cheap labour: this can only to be to my and everyones benefit, and to the benefit of teaching.

CMS is the next of the list.

Saludos

www.albionenglish.com

Nick

Re: "The market here is still too cheap, unorganized, shoddy and through the black market; the clients are tired and beginning to complain, but they do not yet accept that they have to pay for something better."

I'd say that's an accurate analysis and we have pretty much exactly the same situation here. I doubt if the language teaching business in Madrid is very different to Bcn.

People don't think twice about paying 35 euros an hour for someone to change the oil in their car, and considerably more for services such as dentists, lawyers, architects, even hairdressers. Ok, it's not the same as those services have their overheads and other costs (but so do we, up to a point.) I think problem is the "perceived value".

One other point about prices - if we quote 25, 30, 35 etc. i.e. "round numbers" there are two problems: Firstly, they look arbitrary, like there's no system to our pricing, and that doesn't help "perceived value". Secondly the clients think maybe they can negotiate you down from 30 to 25. If on the other hand we quote 36 or even 37.40 an hour it looks like there's a "system". They might negotiate from 37.40 to 37, 36, or 35.. Though a very effective question when anyone tries to negotiate the price down is: "Why?"

But the point is, there's no shortage of work, just a shortage of teachers. That's means it's not a buyers' market, and that means we set the prices, not the client. It's important that we all start quoting higher prices, otherwise the "perceived value" will never increase.

What you say about the cost of living and the general economy is also very true. I think the economy is in a bad way, and we will see the effects over the next few years. House prices will crash - it's already starting, and the same chain reaction that allowed them to rise so high works equally well in reverse.

By the way, I assume your American, judging by the "z" in "organized", am I correct?

Well, to be true and faithful to my upbringing as a young boy in England in the 60s and 70s I should have written the word with an 's', and been rightly told off by the teacher. Then it seemed so clear and easy. But, things change and presumably the language changes to: it is not so black and white. I notice in my Oxford that they do not make a distinction between the two spellings (US or UK). Perhaps, consistency is the keyword. Even so, I don't really emphasis(z)e the small difference in spelling (to get them to write anything is amaz(s?)ing!). However, if they say 'vacation', I say, oh no, no, no, we don't say that in British English. It's 'holiday'.

Have u noticed that with coming of emails th standard of Englis has plummet_ed? Some of my students think it's all right (alright) to use 'Hi' when they write formal emails to companies. Well, there is still plenty of work out there.

Are you English or Australian?

www.albionenglish.com

Nicholas

I wasn't suggesting the "z" was "wrong", in case that's what you thought. I think the language is changing faster than ever, yes. For example, "to email (someone)" is a verb that we didn't have until recently.

If you don't have it, I'd suggest get Firefox and add the English-UK (and maybe Spanish) dictionaries - makes it very easy to spell check your on-line efforts and switch between languages.

I'm very English! :) Born in London SW18 and grew up in Maidenhead, which as you may know, and as I sometimes point out to students, is one of the two towns forming "The Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead".

I think we have to be careful of regarding modern changes in the language as "wrong" in any way.

How's the weather there? Fit for the beach yet? Madrid in winter is worse than England :(