I am new to this forum but have read through the past posts on language teaching (which have been helpful, thank you all). I didn't see a thread specifically about tutoring so I hope I’m not repeating too much.

I plan to start a two-year program at the University of Lausanne in the fall and would like to have some income to help defray the cost of living. As a non-EU citizen (American) on a student permit, I can get a work permit for up to 15 hours a week after I have been in Switzerland six months, but the university career center suggested I could start private tutoring even without a work permit, and I thought maybe some of the experienced tutors here can help me with some questions I had.

I have a CELTA, a master’s in Second Language Acquisition (essentially applied linguistics), two years of university teaching experience in Spanish, several years of tutoring experience in Spanish and ESL (all ages), and some EFL classroom experience (mostly volunteering, a few months here and there). My French is (upper?)intermediate.

Any tips on finding students to tutor? In the past, I’ve found mine through dumb luck and referrals from previous students, but I will need to be a little more proactive this time. Is there a good website to advertise on (in addition to this one)? Do people post flyers, for example at the university? Is there a particular demographic that I should try to target? Is there any demand for Spanish or Portuguese tutoring? (I’m a non-native but fluent speaker of both.) Where does tutoring usually happen – in the students’ homes, the teacher’s home, or a public place?

What is the going rate for tutoring? How hard is it to find students/how many hours can I reasonably expect to work per week? I will be busy with school and I’m not trying to get rich, but even a small income would help.

Depending on how tutoring goes, I will probably look for work in private language schools after the first semester. Is only being legally able to work part-time going to be a disadvantage? As I understand it, full time teaching jobs are hard to come by anyway.

I’d also be up for part-time proof-reading or (somewhat more reluctantly) translating, and I have some experience in both. Is there much work available in those areas?

Thanks in advance!

Often the international schools in the area have what they call 'after school programs' where you can register as a tutor and offer tutoring to the students at who attend/start at the school. They often have recommended rates too, so you will find it quite regulated, so you can choose to take it or leave it. The good thing is that all your potential clients are screened for you first - you'll have no time wasters.

Might be worth looking into anyway.

The university of Lausanne has a site where you can submit an ad looking for work, or pick up an ad from someone looking
UNIL - Affaires sociales

You can register for free, and you will see that there is a suggested hourly salary sheet for different jobs.