I've recently found two sites that can be used by teachers/tutors to give classes/instruction via the Internet and receive payment for this. The first is called Helpouts and is a new service from Google. The other is VerbalPlanet. VerbalPlanet appears to be just a broker that acts as a way to connect tutors and students. It's a free service that charges neither students nor the instructors. Payment is done through PayPal.

Of course it's pretty easy to find instructors for the more common languages but there is nothing on Google Helpouts for Irish yet and only a few instructors on VerbalPlanet. For any of the native and or fluent speakers on the boards have you ever considered giving classes via this method? I imagine this could be a good way to make a bit of disposable income with little risk. Of course I am not affiliated with either of these services nor have I actually used either of them (I did attempt to contact one of the Irish speakers, but didn't get a response).

For a native Cois Fharraige speaker I would gladly pay US$30 an hour twice a month. If the person gave a discount for paying upfront I'd even consider paying for 3 months of classes up front once we had established a relationship.

What about the other learners on the forum? Would you consider classes like this? What do you think would be a fair price? And just to be clear since I am new hear I am bringing this up more as a way to spread around that these services exist and get people's feedback on if they would use them or not. Like I said I'm not connected with the sites. I'd just like to hear what others think.

Skype lessons have been around for a while in the harp world, so it's definitely "done."

Cost would probably vary according to where the teacher lives and how much advance prep the teacher would need to do. For example, hereabouts the cost of a one-hour, face-to-face, lesson in anything can range between $30/hour and $70/hour. If this were just an hour's conversation practice, you'd be looking at the lower end, but if the teacher needed to come up with lessons for each meeting, it would edge toward the higher end.

Redwolf

I know people have done classes via Skype. I just found it more interesting that there were services that can take care of the marketing and currency exchange for the instructors. Once upon a time I was an ESL instructor and the hardest part about it always seemed to be getting myself noticed or getting new students when some of my less regular clients would drop off due to changing priorities, having kids, etc.

Have you ever done any classes via Skype?

I haven't, no. I know a few people who have done harp lessons via Skype, but that's it.

Well, for me, on-line lessons from a fluent native speaker of Munster Gaelic would be a dream come true and I would be happy to pay whatever they'd be wanting to charge.

hmm … maybe An Lon Dubh might do it if I plied him with drink …

Before you take lessons in Irish, you need to take a lesson in negotiating. You are not supposed to start the bargaining process by stating that you will pay whatever the seller asks!

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I'm not interested in negotiating a cheap price; I'm just trying to learn the language.

My comment was only joking!

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The green smiley face should have given me the clue – heh, heh

I could have sworn i saw one offered from Oileán Chléire/Cape clear a year or two ago for 25 euros a class, Cant find the details of it anymore.

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Bíonn rudaí maithe mall