IELTS/TOEFL Coaching

TL;DR

What it is: You coach students preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or other English proficiency exams needed for studying or working abroad. This focuses on exam strategies and scoring rubrics, not general English teaching.

What you'll do:

• Teach test-taking strategies for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections
• Conduct mock tests and review answers to identify mistake patterns
• Provide frameworks for essay writing and speaking responses
• Assign practice tests and homework to students
• Explain scoring criteria and what examiners look for at each band level

Time to learn: 2-4 months if you practice 10-15 hours weekly studying exam format, scoring rubrics, and teaching methods. This assumes you already have excellent English proficiency.

What you need: IELTS 8+ or TOEFL 110+ level English proficiency, computer with webcam, reliable internet connection, quiet teaching space, and TEFL/TESOL certification (optional but helpful for credibility).

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You coach students preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or other English proficiency exams needed for studying or working abroad. This isn't general English teaching. You need to understand exam strategies, scoring rubrics, and what actually gets students higher bands.

Students come to you stressed and desperate. They need specific band scores for university admission or visa requirements. You help them get there.

What You'll Actually Do

You teach test-taking strategies, not just English. Most students already speak decent English but don't know how to crack the exam format.

You break down each section: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking. You explain what examiners look for at each band level.

You conduct mock tests. Review answers. Point out patterns in mistakes. Provide specific frameworks for Writing Task 2 essays and Speaking Part 2 responses.

You assign homework: practice tests, speaking topics, writing tasks. Students who don't practice won't improve. Simple as that.

Skills You Need

Excellent English proficiency matters. Ideally IELTS 8+ or TOEFL 110+. You can't teach band 7 if you can't score it yourself.

Deep knowledge of exam format and scoring criteria. Not just knowing the test exists, but understanding exactly what gets you from band 6.5 to 7.5 in each section.

Teaching ability. Explaining things clearly. Simplifying complex grammar rules. Giving constructive feedback without discouraging students.

Patience. You'll explain the same concept multiple times. Students make the same mistakes repeatedly.

Cultural sensitivity helps. You'll work with students from diverse backgrounds, each with different learning styles and challenges.

How to Get Started

Take the IELTS or TOEFL yourself if you haven't. You need firsthand experience with the pressure and format.

Study the exam exhaustively. British Council and ETS provide official materials. Understand the scoring rubrics inside out.

Get TEFL/TESOL certification if you want added credibility. Online courses cost ₹8,000-15,000. Helpful when starting out, though not mandatory.

Create structured materials: speaking topic cards, writing templates, reading strategies, listening practice methods.

Offer free sessions to 3-5 students. Get testimonials and score improvement proof. Before-and-after results matter more than any certification.

Start on platforms like Superprof or Preply. You'll compete with established tutors initially. Price lower to get first reviews.

Note: Platforms may charge fees or commissions. We don't track specific rates as they change frequently. Check each platform's current pricing before signing up.

Set up your teaching space. Quiet room. Good internet. Webcam. Whiteboard or digital tools for screen sharing.

Income Reality

Market rates for starting tutors with TEFL certification: ₹400-700/hour. Teaching 10-15 hours weekly typically brings in ₹20,000-40,000/month.

Tutors with 6 months experience and proven results often charge ₹800-1,200/hour. Teaching 15-20 hours weekly at this rate brings around ₹50,000-1,00,000/month.

Established coaches with strong track records charge ₹1,500-2,500/hour. That's ₹1,00,000-2,00,000/month if they can fill their schedule.

Group classes scale differently. Coaches charge ₹5,000-12,000 per student for 8-week courses. With 5-10 students per batch running multiple batches, that's ₹40,000-1,20,000 per batch.

Peak seasons (July-August, November-December before exam dates) can double income. Students panic-book sessions before registration deadlines.

Reality check: most tutors earn ₹30,000-60,000/month combining individual and group sessions. The ₹2 lakh/month coaches are rare and took years to build reputation.

Income depends heavily on your English level, teaching skill, ability to show results, location, and hours you can commit.

Common Challenges

Students expect guaranteed results. You can't promise specific band scores. Too many variables. Some improve 0.5 bands, others jump 2 bands.

Teaching repetitive content gets monotonous. You'll explain "Writing Task 2 structure" hundreds of times.

Student availability means evening and weekend hours. When people with day jobs want to study.

Seasonal demand fluctuates. Some months fully booked, others slow.

Exam format changes occasionally. You need to stay updated with British Council and ETS announcements.

What Actually Works

Track student scores before and after your coaching. Screenshot their results. Use these success stories when marketing.

Specialize in one exam. IELTS or TOEFL, not both initially. Most Indian students need IELTS for UK/Canada/Australia.

Structure your courses clearly. 8-week programs with defined weekly goals work well.

Provide actual homework and mock tests. Students improve through practice, not just listening to you.

Create targeted modules: "Speaking Band 7+ Intensive" or "Writing Task 2 Mastery." Premium pricing for specialized content.

Record common mistake patterns. Create custom materials addressing frequent errors you notice.

Network with study abroad consultancies. They refer students who need score improvements before applications.

Be honest about realistic improvements. Someone at band 5 won't jump to 8 in one month. Set proper expectations.

Is It Worth It

If you have strong English skills and enjoy teaching, the demand is consistent and premium pricing is possible.

You'll work evenings and weekends when students are free. Plan accordingly if you have a day job.

Results-oriented teaching can be stressful. Students pay expecting improvements. Some work hard and succeed. Others don't practice and blame you.

Start part-time to test if you enjoy it. Building initial reputation and getting consistent bookings takes time and depends on your effort marketing yourself.

The money is decent once established. More importantly, helping someone achieve their study abroad dream is genuinely rewarding.