Quick answerYou need a quiet room, tables that seat four, and permission. Libraries, community centers, cafés in quiet hours, places of worship, senior centers and adult-education programs are all good places to teach, and many will give you space for free if you bring them people.
Where to look
| Venue | What to know |
|---|---|
| Libraries | Often have free rooms for community programs. Ask whether paid classes are allowed; if not, a free introductory session can feed a paid course held elsewhere. |
| Community centers | Used to hosting classes and often have tables and chairs ready. Some ask for a room fee. |
| Cafés and restaurants | Managers like a regular group on a slow afternoon, especially if everyone buys a drink. |
| Places of worship and community clubs | Many already host games and welcome someone to teach. |
| Senior centers and retirement communities | Activity directors often book months ahead, and some pay for the whole group. |
| Adult education and recreation departments | They handle registration and payment, and pay you per course. |
What venues will ask
- When and how often: a regular weekly slot is easiest for everyone.
- How many people: one or two tables of four is ideal for teaching.
- Whether you charge: some public venues have rules about paid activities, so ask up front.
- Your experience: some community venues ask teachers for proof of their knowledge. See whether you need a certification.
- Money at the table: some venues do not allow playing for money, so keep scoring to points or tokens there.
The pitch
Keep it to five lines: who you are, what you want to run, when, how many people it brings in, and what it costs the venue (ideally nothing). Offer a trial course. A short, specific email to the person who books rooms works better than a long proposal.
ExampleI teach American Mahjong to beginners and I am looking for a home for a four-week course: one or two tables, four to eight people, Tuesdays from 2 to 4. I bring the tiles and handouts, so I only need table space. Could we try one course and see how it goes?
Your own home
Free, comfortable and ideal for one table, especially for private lessons with a group of friends. It is harder to grow beyond a table, which is when a public venue makes sense.
Can I teach Mahjong at a public library?
Many libraries host Mahjong groups and classes. Some do not allow paid classes, so ask whether you may charge.
Do venues charge teachers for space?
Some do, many do not, especially if the class brings in regular visitors or customers.