Sample ESL Tutoring Contract

Here’s a copy of the contract I use for ESL tutoring services with my students. Please note that this is only a sample and is not legal advice. It’s just what I do with my adult ESL students. I don’t know how to turn it into pdf, but you should be able to do a copy-and-paste.

[4/24/07 Update: I just learned how to add a pdf file. So if you want to see this ESL Tutoring Contract in pdf, click here. You'll be sent to a "file hosting" site and you can download the pdf version from there. Click the "Click here to start download" button.]

For more information about ESL tutoring contracts and why they are good idea, please see Using an ESL Tutoring Contract.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutoring Contract

This contract outlines the terms and conditions for tutoring services provided by __________________ (Tutor) to __________________ (Student).

Tutor’s Responsibilities

Tutor will prepare ESL lessons for tutoring sessions designed to help Student make progress in the areas agreed to by Student and Tutor.

Tutor agrees to provide ESL lessons to Student according to the Tutoring Schedule listed below. Tutor agrees to be on time for each lesson. Tutor will wait for Student at least 20 minutes in the event that Student is late.

Student’s Responsibilities

Student agrees to be on time for each lesson. Student will wait for Tutor at least 20 minutes in the event that Tutor is late.

Student will make every attempt to complete any homework agreed to by Student and Tutor.

Tutoring Schedule

Student and Tutor both agree to meet at least one time per week, unless unforeseen circumstances make it impossible. Tutor and Student will meet for lessons on the following day(s) and at the following time(s):

Day: __________________ Time: __________________

Day: __________________ Time: __________________

This schedule may be modified when needed and as agreed to by both Student and Tutor.

Fees and Deposit

The rate for a one hour ESL lesson is $____ per lesson.
The rate for a 1 ½ hour ESL lesson is $____ per lesson.
The rate for a two hour ESL lesson is $____ per lesson.

At the beginning of the first class, Student must pay a Deposit equal to the amount of one class. The amount paid at the first session will be the Deposit plus the amount for the first class.

Cancellation and Termination Policy

If Student needs to cancel a scheduled lesson, Student agrees to contact Tutor at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson. Student may contact Tutor by email or by telephone, preferably both. Student and Tutor agree to reschedule the canceled lesson as soon as possible.

Student forfeits the deposit paid for a scheduled lesson if Student fails to give at least 24 hours notice to Tutor. That means that Student pays for the missed lesson. Any exceptions to this policy must be discussed between Student and Tutor. Student also forfeits the deposit if he or she is later than 20 minutes to a scheduled lesson without calling Tutor.

Either Tutor or Student may cancel this contract at any time with 24 hours notice to the other.

I understand and agree to the terms and conditions set forth above.

Student: __________________ Date: __________________

Tutor: ____________________ Date: __________________

Using an ESL Tutoring Contract

I use a tutoring contract with each of my ESL students. My first meeting with a student is always free. This is where I do a Needs Assessment with the student. At the end of the first meeting, usually when we are discussing payment and scheduling, I give them a copy of my contract. Depending on time constraints, we may review the contract in detail. Usually, I just point out the most important features of the ESL contract. The most important thing I want students to know is that they must give me 24-hours notice of cancellation, or they will be financially responsible for the missed lesson. I then ask the student to take home the contract and study it to see if they have any questions.

If the student comes back to me for our first lesson without having read the contract, we will go over the contract in class. This provides a learning opportunity. Of course, this is all dependent on the student’s level of English proficiency. The contract is beyond the English level of beginning students. Usually, my beginning students are accompanied by someone else (e.g., a spouse or adult child) who is able to help with the translation.

I think two really important reasons to have a contract between private tutors and students studying English as a Second Language (or any subject for that matter) is that (1) it helps to further ensure the student’s commitment to learning, and (2) it helps to protect the livelihood of the ESL tutor. Tutoring is my “full-time” profession. I set aside a particular time for each student. If the student does not show up or only gives me an hour’s notice, then I cannot replace the student with another, or otherwise make good use of that time.

I’ll post a copy of the contract I use in a future posting for your reference in writing your own ESL Contract.