Job Discussion Forums

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I work at a private uni and make far less than one would at a nat'l uni. In fact it is not much higher than the basic JET salary. There are other benefits however that can't really translate into a monetary level.

abufletcher · Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 2:29 pm Post subject:

Salaries also go a LOT further in Shikoku than in any of the major cities. A colleague once worked out what salary would be needed in a major city to live and save the same as here and decided there really wasn't any financial benefit of moving to a "better paid" university in the big city.

BTW, I teach NO private lessons. That's just never been part of my career at all and I wouldn't want it to be. I do teach a couple of classes at other universities but I'm afraid the value I place on my free time is considerably above 3,000yen an hour!

But then I'm sure there are people out there will considerably larger bank accounts than mine.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Abu, who teaches for 3,000 in Shikoku? I get between 5-10,000 but even with that, I'm not sure how worth it it is. It is more of a necessity than anything though. You're right about the cost of living, I'll bet it is half that of Tokyo.
Now with baby #3 on the way... save save save.

abufletcher · Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 6:30 am Post subject:

I think one-on-one privates for over 5,000 an hour are hard to come by. Not impossible just harder. It would be easier to find 2-5 people who together would come up with 10,000 per hou, which is what I consider my minimal hourly fee if I have to travel to their location. If someone were going to come to my house or office I might go for 5,000 an hour but even then the hassle of dealing with the inevitable cancelations makes it a hardly worth it in my book. I'd rather just teach an additional class somewhere.

Keep in mind, if you are getting 5,000 an hour but have to spend an hour traveling to (and or scheduling around) these lessons then you are really only getting 2,500 yen for each hour of your work.

BTW, I also would never privately tutor any student at my university. Too many potential ethics problems (along the lines of being paid twice to do the same job). I might feel differently as a part-timer though.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Wow things look good in Shikoku! WHen I was busting a gut in Osaka I was making 5 an hour for most of my privates, it did slip down to 4k if they came to my place. I havent taught off campus for a few years though and it does seem that in Osaka at any rate the days of 5k and up have gone. Too many teachers willing to work for 3k an hour and below here now.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Sid, you wouldn't believe how many privates I have to turn away. There are almost no foreigners around here and you can basically name your price, which I do.
On top of that, typical 2LDK apts go for about 40,000/month around my area.