Hi everyone! Happy New Year to all out there. I have been in Shanghai for about a year. I am a freelancer and at times, I have neighbours approaching me to give English tuition to them. Out of goodwill, I charge a token standard rate, ending up with many interested parties.

I would like to share my experiences and hope to get feedback from you guys.

1. I am learning Chinese but I don't specify what and how I should be taught. For my English lessons, it's the opposite; as if the parents and children are the tutors. Yet, they behave like a mouse when facing their school teachers!

2. Everyone wants to learn to speak more. They are ok in their grammar and vocabulary. Writing is not necessary for most. How do you speak/write when you do not have good grammar, vocab and pronunciation? Worse, your mouth is forever shut or open with a smile or a thinking cap!

3. Parents ask for plan. How would one give a plan when you have not seen the students or they just sit there with dad or mum directing the talk?

4. Adults are worse. They want a plan to make them speak better than now. How is he/she speaking now? When they keep talking to you in Chinese?

5. Finally, am I right to say the above just wanna have good grades/get promoted; and expect you are a miracle sent from the Land of Lao Wai?

Thank you.