I live in Winter Park, Florida in north Orlando and I’m not rich.

I understand that Wing Chun schools are a business but are there any here that will accept tuition on a pay-per-session basis instead of a whole month at a time?

Thank you, Chris
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Answer: Here are some tips I’d try. And it all depends on how motivated you are and how eager you are to learn and become a great Wing Chun practitioner.

**I would suspect that a city as big as Orlando should have more than one Wing Chun school and/or teacher who’ll teach you privately.**

When you find a school explain that you’re only interested in paying per session because you’re on a strict budget.

If you have a compelling story, use it.

I know one student at my gym who needed a life changing event to get him out of a deep slump – finances, breaking up with a fiancee and obesity…

He used Wing Chun as a catalyst and turned around his life in only 7 months! He’s working now, lost almost 100 pounds and he found someone new in his life. Wing Chun is that amazing and worth every penny.

You don’t have to be as dramatic as him. But if you have a compelling story about why you absolutely must learn Wing Chun, and the only way you can start is by paying per session… tell them.

If they’re human, which I’m sure any Wing Chun school is, they’ll work something out to help you reach your goals.
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Keep in mind that paying per session will be, and should be, more expensive than monthly.

At my Wing Chun school our sifu has a couple of pay per session students. The main reason is that they live very far away and can’t make it to class often. But they want to learn from my sifu because he’s real good.

I think two or three per-session-classes end up costing the same, or more, than monthly tuition.

Since they never make it to that many classes in a month, they’re ok with it. And sifu is ok because he ends up making a little extra.

I think that’s fair and you can offer something like that to your future school, if they don’t already have a per session payment option.
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If the person on the phone doesn’t budge show up in person and try to work out a deal face-to-face.

It’s easier to hang up the phone on someone than it is to say “No” to someone who is staring at you… eager, determined and respectful.

Also, go as high up the ladder as you need to. Some schools have students or volunteers or “family” handle the business side. Try to get through to the top sifu and plead your case.

Do it like they do it in the Kung Fu movies. Pay respect to the sifu and plead for him (or her) to accept you as a student.
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You can always try bartering services.

I know of students who have done these kinds of things at my club on a temporary basis.

It might be harder since you’ll be a stranger, but it doesn’t hurt to ask and to make an offer.

Are you good with sales, accounting, graphic design, internet or computers? Are you willing to keep the school clean and tidy? Paint, fix stuff? Can you detail sifu’s car? Play guitar at their kids birthday or DJ at a personal event?

If you go this route just make sure everything is clear and fair. Write a summary that you both agree to and use that as an informal document.

You don’t want to be taken advantage of on purpose or on accident and you want to make sure you provide good value too.

For example, if monthly tuition is $100, you shouldn’t paint the entire school inside and out for one month’s tuition. You’d be working for peanuts.

Either get many months for that much work or just paint the small bathroom or office. And then do a good job.
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I think the world ving tsun athletic association has some schools near you. Check them out.
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And come back here and give everyone an update.