Niche Teaching and Niche Learning
James Liu, PhD, MBA
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I have been promoting niche teaching, but I only recently started looking at it from a different angle: niche learning.
Niche teaching is new to teachers.
Niche learning is new to students too.
I remember the days when I studied with my ESL teachers not long ago. My teachers were all general teachers.
In their intro videos, they always tried to mention a wide range of student profiles, hoping any student watching their intro videos could relate.
They were right.
I was looking for teachers who taught students like me before and covered the subjects I’d like to work on.
This actually demonstrates the importance of relevance and specialty to students.
Students like to work with teachers experienced in teaching students just like them, on the subjects they’re trying to improve, a.k.a, niche teachers.
Unfortunately, niche teaching didn't exist until recently when teachers can thrive in a much smaller market by leveraging online marketing.
Teachers who have transitioned to niche teaching often tell me how their students are curious about the fact they only help a specific group of students—and how their students love this idea.
Niche teaching and niche learning give teachers and students the focus to generate better results.
Not to mention: It is so much easier to build trust with your students and differentiate yourself from other teachers when you are a niche teacher.
Would you rather talk to a general practitioner about your skin problem, or a dermatologist?
Niche teaching and niche learning are revolutionary.
You should take advantage of the new era and start your niche business now to stay ahead of your competition.
Fulbright Memorial Scholar | Founder and Chief Marketing Strategist of Stone's Alchemy | Author
4 年Very interesting! Thank you for posting this informative article!
Niche teaching is simply the application of branding oneself and using marketing principles to reach one's audience. One must define their specialty, determine how to stand out from the competition, qualify customers and match the most effect methods of communication to find them. THEN: deliver. The quality of one's services will lead to more customers. Sounds simple, right? My 30+ career has been centered around Education, teaching, pedagogy, writing curriculum. Now, I enjoy teaching ESL one-on-one online. I have several "gigs" I've experimented with to figure out how to teach online. But: I am competing with so many teachers on one platform that I can't get a following; I'm writing courses for a proprietor on another platform and will only get an hourly pay--I forfeit ownership of my courses. On a third gig, I create and deliver a one-hour class, five days per week, but it is a new, month-to-month opportunity that may disappear. Diversifying has worked well. However, I see the writing on the wall. My most consistent gig, will never grant me another raise and there are too many aspects outside my lotus of control, so it is not a long-term, viable option. But I LOVE it. And, I know I could make more and KEEP my lessons as my proprietary materials IF I branch out on my own. I know about branding, marketing, etc. However, I also know what I DON'T know ---how to use specific social media tools. I don't know how to find serious students (aged 13-college) with the specific goals that I can help them with. Searching for them around the world without a platform drawing them in, seems a bit daunting. What is a realistic time to transition from time-intensive, by the hour gigs, to a full-blown 25- to 35 hour a week independent tutoring service?
Language trainer
4 年What I found interesting about niche teaching is applicable to tutoring. Especially to provide supplemental help for mainstream schooling curriculum regular teacher either can't or won't teach to struggling students. That's my case I teach a subject not considered a priority in the school system but still subject to a ministerial exam. Also the subject? teaching varies and I need to close a lot of gaps. In fact the lockdowns opened a lot of parents' eyes in what they perceived as inadequacies in the subject matter and wanted their kids to have additional teaching to compensate? ?So tutoring for publically funded school subjects is the bulk of niche teaching for now.
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4 年I definitely think niche teaching is more beneficial and profitable, since it is addressing a specific problem that many students have and can't address through general teachers. A good example of this is Accent Reduction or Phonics Practice with specific sounds (vowels or consonants). I started teaching this at community college years ago and now teach to my private and group students, with much success ??
Lecturer of Uniformed Public Services at Newham College-East Ham campus. Lecturing BTEC Courses.
4 年Thanks for this. I am an English tutor on Sundays after teaching Psychology and Sociology during the week.