I am a teacher of German as a foreign language. Most of my work is done in private arrangements directly with the students. However, I do get offers from language schools from time to time.
They usually give me all the details about the offer: when and where would I teach, to how many students, for how long, with which materials…
The only thing missing is how much I would be paid.
The thing is that I know they will ask me later on: “How much do you expect to earn?”
Whenever I can afford the risk, I don't wait for it to happen. I ask as soon as possible: “How much does a teacher earn in your school?”
The reactions are wild. They are not expecting this behaviour. Sometimes the conversatiom gets very weird and dies out. Sometimes I get a figure.
But today I got the most sincere reply:
“What is the minimum that you would accept?”
This is the point. This is why they ask you how much do you expect to earn.
Turn the question back on them.