Who are the students on Helppo now? What languages do they speak?
We want to make Helppo globally available to students of all backgrounds. The majority of our users are from Hong Kong. They attend schools such as Chinese International School, American International School, Hong Kong International School, St. Paul's College, Lasalle College, London Excel College and Stanford School Hong Kong.
How long are the tutoring sessions?
For students aged 4 to 8 years old, we recommend 30-minute lessons. For students over 12, the minimum lesson period is an hour.
The maximum lesson period depends on the tutor and their schedule, but if you need intensive sessions lasting more than 2 hours we can work with you to find a Helppo tutor who can meet your tutoring needs.
What are the minimum technical requirements for students?
What happens during the first lesson?
During the first lesson with Helppo, regardless of if the student is using zoom, Whereby or the actual Helppo platform, our technical team will sit in and help out if there are any technical issues. When necessary, we can offer alternative software solutions to connect with the tutor.
The more information students can share with us in advance, the better, so we can get straight to the point during the free trial lesson. On the other hand, if the student has no particular topics or questions to go over, we have IELTS, debate course and elementary school level material prepared already. For example, English students under the age of 8 can benefit from using Oxford story tree English books during lessons. We encourage students to read the English passages outloud and repeat after their tutor so they can pronounce English words correctly.
For more advanced students preparing for the IELTS exam, before the lesson begins, we highly recommend students fill out a short intake form and work on practice exams. By sharing the answers to practice exams with us, our tutors can prepare for their students’ lessons in advance. If a student writes an essay, students and teachers can work on the essay together using the Helppo online editing system.
During the editing process, our experienced tutors can look for common mistakes and customize the lesson plan for the next session if you wish to continue with us.
If you are using the Helppo session page, we have a quick tutorial video for you to watch. Feel free to reach out to us, we are more than happy to schedule a time and give you a demo session.
For the first couple of online lessons, Helppo’s technical team will log on with you 10 minute before the lesson to help you get started.
What happens if the Helppo platform is experiencing technical difficulties?
What customer support does Helppo offer?
What happens if I (The Student) am having technical difficulties?
What subjects are tutored by Helppo?
Helppo’s tutors come from all over the world. They have different educational backgrounds and qualifications. For example, some of our teachers are college professors, who can teach both high school and college-level math. Most of our teachers can teach ESL, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, PTE, as well as a variety of other English related proficiency examinations.
Young learners aged five to nine studying English will follow the Oxford Story Tree English curriculum. For more information about the Oxford Story Tree English curriculum, please visit the following link:
For IELTS exam prep, please click on the link down below to read more about our course offering.
-IELTS, both Academic and General
-TOFEL
-ACT and SAT
-AP, A-Level, IB, GCSE and HKDSE: biology, chemistry, history, economics, mathematics, statistics, and Spanish
-Most College-level: biology, chemistry, computer science, history, economics, mathematics, and statistics
-Elementary, middle and high school school English, mathematics and science
What do you offer in your English, math and science classes?
We offer American common core curriculum for elementary school, middle school, and high school students. However, since many students in Hong Kong have family in Canada, we also offer Canadian curriculum. Additionally,a few tutors are from the UK, meaning we can offer GCSE and the A-level.
While specific terminology differs between the US and the UK, math is a universal language. Our tutors are capable of teaching any K-12 math from any curriculum, though we recommend providing your tutor with the specific rubric used in your school.
As a tutor, what should I do to prepare for a lesson?
We ask all our tutors to go to the restroom prior to a lesson with a student, as you should be available for the full period of time. If, for some reason, you don’t feel well and need to use the bathroom for an extended period of time, please assign some questions for the students to work on during that period. However, please keep in mind that we may not be able to charge the student for that time resulting in you not being compensated.
Most of our tutors have years of teaching experience and are highly qualified in their field. Scientific concepts are universal, so our tutors can help with most K-12 level science material if a rubric is provided.
Can I do a group session?
Yes, you can! We offer group lessons for English classes if the students’ levels are similar. Currently we offer three classes for students studying middle school level English. We have one each for 10 year olds, 11 year olds, and 13 year olds.. Additionally, if you are interested in group IELTS lessons, we are hoping to start one in the near future.
Students who are interested in taking group sessions with us will need to take a quiz to determine their English level. This will be used to assign them to the right class. Alternatively, they may need one-on-one lessons if their English level does not match that of a current group.
For example:
As you can see on the Helppo’s Find a Tutor page , Mr. Alex graduated from the University of Columbia with a double degree in MBA and Masters in Education. He has been helping students for the past decade. Please reach out to us or schedule an appointment with Mr. Alex by clicking the link down below.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule a lesson?
Please give us at least 48 hours notice if you would like to cancel or reschedule a lesson. However, if the teacher is not available for whatever reason, we will ask a different Helppo teacher with similar qualifications to substitute as soon as possible, or we will reschedule the lesson for free at a later date.
In the event that a student cancels or reschedules three consecutive lessons with less than 24 hours notice, or no notice at all, Helppo reserves the right to charge a penalty, equivalent to the hourly rate of the assigned teacher.
Are Helppo tutors native English speakers?
Yes, most of our tutors are native English speakers. There are a few highly educated tutors from Hong Kong, but several went to top ranked universities in the US and Canada. Although they are not native English speakers, they can communicate at a professional proficiency level. We also have a part time French tutor and Japanese tutor who is a native French speaker.
What are the tutoring hours in Helppo?
Most tutors are based in North America or the UK. From Monday to Friday, tutors in the UK are usually available from 5 pm to midnight Hong Kong time Monday to Friday, while tutors based in North America are generally available from 7 pm to 2 am Hong Kong time. On Saturdays, North American tutors are usually available from 8 am to 2 pm on Saturdays Hong Kong time.
Can I use Helppo if I use a Macbook?
Helppo currently does not support Macbooks. If you are a Macbook user, regardless if you are a student or a teacher, feel free to keep using the Helppo to review messages, make appointments, and send homework questions. However, we can not accept payment if you are using a Macbook, and will therefore create an invoice and send it to you following the lesson.
We recommend using whereby.com or zoom to have lessons with our talented tutors if you use a Macbook .
How will tutors be paid?
When will tutors be paid?
Who are the tutors on Helppo?
Are there taxes on my any of the earnings?
As tutor contracts on Helppo are independent contractor agreements, no tax is required if the total annual income is below $600 USD. However, if the annual income from Helppo is above $600 USD, then Helppo and the consultant must file a 1099 form (link). For further information, please check the link below or contact a US certificated public accountant. https://www.efile.com/what-is-form-1099-misc-income-tax-return-requirements/
What is the interview process for tutors?
Tutors must have a reliable internet connection with at least 6 Mbps download speed (check your speed here). Tutors must also have a laptop, desktop, or large tablet such as a Microsoft Surface. Users can access Helppo via Apple and Android devices, but laptops and desktops provide a better user experience. For the best experience, Helppo suggests using the Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers.
How much tutors should expect to earn on Helppo?
Though Helppo does not set hourly rates, we do suggest that tutors set their rates in accordance with their level of experience, education, and expertise. For example, a good starting point for tutors with bachelor’s degrees might be between 25 and 60 USD. Typically, tutors charge more for more advanced subjects or if they graduated from a high-ranking university.
Tutors in highly specialized fields such as law will most likely charge more for their services as will those with doctoral degrees and multilingual tutors. For these tutors, anywhere between 100 and 300 USD could be appropriate.
For tutors wanting to guide international students through the process of applying to U.S. universities, clients expect the tutors to aid in writing all application materials, including personal statements. For this type of service, we recommend tutors or admission consultants charge 50 to 100 USD per hour.
Students and parents have high expectations for Helppo’s services, so please include at least 10 to 15 minutes of preparation time per hour of teaching when setting hourly rates. If more preparation time is needed, for example with a highly advanced subject, contact Helppo support at admin@hihelppo.com, and Helppo will work with the tutor and student to find an agreeable rate
Helppo’s admin team verifies our tutors’ experience and qualifications to ensure our users receive the best help for their money, and students are free to choose the tutors whose hourly rates and areas of expertise best fit their needs.
Tutors who would like more guidance on how to set their hourly rates should contact Helppo support at admin@hihelppo.com.
How will tutors be paid?
Helppo works with Paypal and Stripe to pay tutors in the United States in US dollars. In Hong Kong, we prefer to pay tutors via bank deposit, check, or cash. For tutors in Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, Helppo prefers to pay via Paypal. Bank wire transfer arrangements may also be made; however, wire transfers usually come with high upfront costs, so they are best suited for large-sum payments. The Helppo team is continually researching other payment options, and will make other payment options available in the future.
When will tutors be paid?
Tutors will be paid based on student’s demand. Payments will be sent bi weekly.
How many hours can tutors anticipate working each week?
Tutors set their own hours and are free to work as much or as little as they would like Because Helppo is still a young company, on average tutors typically teach 1 to 3 hours per week.
Since school year calendars have built-in breaks and because students are also free to make appointments with any tutor on the site, Helppo cannot guarantee a consistent schedule of students. Thus, the number of students tutors can expect each week may fluctuate, depending on the time of year, qualifications of the tutor, and the tutor’s user rating on Helppo.
While Helppo is investing heavily in marketing to attract as many students as possible, Helppo does not guarantee a minimum number of hours per week. Helppo will keep tutors updated via email on student needs and any new information to assist tutors in providing needed services at the most popular times.
Is tutoring with another company allowed?
Most Helppo tutors are working on other projects or they have jobs elsewhere. The benefit of working with On Helppo, tutors have full control of your schedule: you can accept or reject student requests at will, though we do request at least the student an I a 2 hours notice so Helppo can arrange a sub tutor. There is no conflict or penalty in working for another company.
When do students on Helppo usually take lessons?
The students currently using Helppo are primarily from Hong Kong China although Helppo is looking to expand its student base in the coming future. Teachers from North America should expect to work late or wake up early as these are the most popular times for students to schedule sessions.
During the summer holiday, elementary school students from Hong Kong take lessons from 9 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday. Saturday mornings are peak hours for students, which are generally Friday evenings in most of North America.
For example, if the tutor is based on the East coast in the United States, the peak time slots are from 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. During the regular school calendar, students only take lessons in the evening in Hong Kong, which would be early mornings in the Eastern United States. Saturday mornings and afternoons are also peak times in Hong Kong, which would be Friday evenings from 8:00 pm into the early morning of Saturday in the eastern United States.
Adult students looking to improve their business English professionally or study for the IELTS exam often take lessons after work. Occasionally, students may wish to take classes even between midnight to 2 am Hong Kong time, so in the US tutors would work from 10 am to 1 pm Eastern standard time in the US.
If I set aside time slots to teach on Helppo, am I guaranteed to have students during these times?
Helppo is constantly marketing to reach out to new students who need tutoring services using its website, Google, and other social media. Unfortunately, we can not guarantee any minimum number of work hours as a tutor at Helppo. In 2021, most tutors on Helppo teach 1 to 3 hours per week.
If you have experience editing at a professional level, feel free to let the Helppo management team know, Helppo always needs help with editing or copywriting.
Will I get paid if a student cancels lessons with me on Helppo?
If a student cancels at the last minute, you will be compensated for that time. However, if the student cancels with at least 48 hours notice. You will not be compensated for that time. To learn more about Helppo’s company policy, please read the independent contractor agreement, terms of use, and privacy policy.
If you graduated from one of the world’s top 100 universities, we would love to collaborate on some blog writing tasks to share your application experience. These blogs will be published on Helppo’s webpage and other social media platforms. If the student cancels, then you can work on these blog assignments during that time slot.
Am I responsible for communicating with students?
Although occasionally students reach out to tutors for assistance directly through the site, most students in Hong Kong choose to call or send Whatsapp messages to the Helppo management team. Even still, we recommend tutors check their email accounts at least once a day during the week
If a student reaches out to you on Helppo, you will receive an email notification. Please reply in a timely manner, within 24 to 48 hours during Monday to Friday. If you are not available, please let the student know, or advise the student to contact the Helppo management team. Then please ask the student to schedule a lesson with another tutor. If you will be away from your desk, and will not have reliable access to email, then please let the Helppo management know in advance.
Is tutoring with another company allowed?
Yes. Most Helppo tutors are working on other projects or they have jobs elsewhere. Tutors are allowed to work with other companies as long as this will not impact their work on Helppo. Once the tutor and the student have confirmed a lesson time, please allocate that time slot exclusively for Helppo.
At Helppo, tutors have full control of their schedules. You can accept or reject student requests as needed, but we prefer you give the student and the management team 48 hours notice, so Helppo can arrange another tutor if you are unable to accommodate the student.
Will I be giving lessons 1 on 1 or in a group?
The majority of the lessons are 1 on 1, but we occasionally offer group classes as well. Only tutors with previous group class experience will be offered to teach group lessons. Tutors will receive a higher rate per hour for teaching groups.
Do I need to prepare for a session with a student on Helppo?
Helppo recruits tutors who are experts in their fields, so we expect you to have your own lesson plans and materials developed to offer sessions for your areas of expertise. That being said, we have some course material we can share for elementary school English, IELTS English, and debate courses.
We expect tutors to prepare 10 to 15 minutes before a session, but we will not compensate you for this preparation time. If you spend more than 15 minutes preparing for a session then please discuss with the Helppo management team. However, keep in mind, as an expert in your field, you shouldn’t need additional preparation time unless the subject matter is truly complex.