Need feedback for a business idea (interpreter)

[mies]

Three way VIDEO? or three way phone call? I suspect the video option to be a lot more than 60 cents a minute. And to what countries? A simple phone call to my wife's country Belarus can run up to 20-25 cents  minute..

why? if they do it on skype there is no difference in cost with video or without.

[mies]

No, that's not what I mean

I mean TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

yes, why?
first time in high school, scored 90%, second time as an unergrad, scored well above 90% (don't remember the exact number).

Olha, I admire your idea to work as a professional interpreter. I think if you consider other spheres, not only "international dating" - you may have more chances for a stable and long-term income. Of course, you may need to focus on a specific area in which you will feel most comfortable translating. For example, i can communicate quite fluently in many spheres, both in English and Russian. But when a friend of mine asked me recently to translate his publication in physics... i'll just say that even with a dictionary it was very hard.

Other business ideas for you: become a "freelance journalist" - offer articles with photos about life in the West to magazines/newspapers in Russia. Or translate articles from Western press for them. Or create a profile of "freelance/independent interpreter and translator" on Russian/Ukrainian jobsearch portals.


Next, your question about TOEFL/IELTS: i presume you are thinking to help students prepare for English Proficiency tests. I personally believe that a textbook and a CD are more than enough to study for this test. Last time I was taking TOEFL, they sent me the textbook with CD for free, when I registered for the test. Plus, those textbooks are available in every library.
I do not think that teacher can add anything useful to this process. Become a "bridge between the textbook and student"? If the student can't read very easy textbook, and wants someone to read textbook and rephrase for him, how is he going to do well on the test? Most of people who are eager to learn will tell you the same. So you will probably have to deal in your work with individuals who either know very little and lack self-confidence, or are plain lazy and will expect you to magically implant in their brain the knowledge they can't acquire otherwise. The magic doesn't work that way.

[Patagonie]

Thanks,

I was thinking about the webcam/Internet problem but more and more people in Ukraine are getting Internet access or can use numerous Internet cafes...

Now I am mostly entertained by the idea of TOEFL/IELTS combination for studying abroad or immigration. I got average 8.3 out of 9 (very good) on IELTS some six years ago and found this exam to be much harder than TOEFL because of its 'messy' structure and British accent Also, I would assume the oral part would be the hardest for those who don't practice the language daily. So there is a competitive edge to online resources. As far as I know, the oral test was added to TOEFL years ago as well because many students would learn vocabulary and grammar but were not able to successfully communicate in the academic environment.


Did anyone have to deal with English proficiency exams?

RIGHT
You are absolutely right.
There are a lot of native english speaker here.
But UK and US guys are not the only one to go to the east.
What did my terp tell me when i was in Harkow ?
All guys want to speak english to improve theirs skills.
You're right, with the TOEFL and TOEIC exams, the worse part is the oral interview. And prepare those exams doesn't help, or so little. There is a huge opportunity. But i think you must to be aware of the price exerted in Europe to be competitive.
It's the same for all who want to learn russian.
What's the interest if you cannot talk with a good "teacher" ?

[Chaquan]

Your reaction most likely to be from who are married, because I guy. Personally, I think, if you can do that there will be many needs. In my opinion, is a unique service that combines the best of what is available.