Korean Job Discussion Forums

mr. positive · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Location: a happy place

I've been looking for a new job lately and I've interviewed at a Jeongchul. They are starting a one-to-one teaching program soon and they might hire me to teach one-on-one full-time. It sounds like I would basically be providing private tutoring, but at a hagwon.

Has anyone had experience with this type of program before? Last I heard, such a program is not legal, but it's a big chain and so I don't think they are going to do it if they can't do it legally. My concern is whether or not such a program is viable long-term or would just be so unpredicatable that they will want to get rid of me after a few months (because they don't want to pay me a regular salary for an irregular student base).

I'm also concerned because the school is based in Gangnam and most of the students would be young 20-somethings; in my experience and from what I've heard from others about private tutoring, this age group is notorious for doing such one-on-one classes for a month or two and then quitting. I'm guessing this would only be exacerbated by the fact that the school would have to charge prohibitively high rates to cover their overhead [i]and[/i] pay me a decent salary. I am not excited about the fact that this program would basically be a popularity contest (more so than normal classes because it is one-on-one) to see if I can get students to like me and keep coming back each month.

So, anyone out there with actual experience with this type of program with a hagwon? Please share your thoughts if you would, thank you.

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

If you are teaching one-on-ones at the hogwon itself, and not going out
into the community for it, there's nothing illegal about it. I just don't see how the hogwon can charge enough (or the students pay enough) to make that viable for the hogwon..your salary, overhead etc.

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

I teach 1-on-1 private lessons at my university. In fact, I taught one today.

Also, places like Pagoda teach this way and there's nothing illegal about it. There's nothing that says a class must have more than 1 student in it.

As well, I can totally see how this is profitable for a company, especially since we don't know what the OP will be paid. The school could easily pay 25,000 or 30,000 per hour to a worker and have a student paying 50,000 per hour.

Variable costs are covered immediately, and if there is an unused room in the school then this is all profit.

Now, if the school is running at full capacity and takes a room that could be used for a whole class and dedicates it to 1-on-1 training, then it's risky and might be for another reason than just initial profit.

There is the chance that students doing 1-on-1 training will go into the full classes, and also that students in full classes will take extra 1-on-1 training. It might also build credibility for the school if they offer that type of service.

The worry I think the OP should have is being hired full-time to teach 1-on-1 training. There is a chance this might not be feasible from the school's side, and I would want a gaurantee that they are paying you a set salary or that you can get other jobs to do if they fall short on their 1-on-1 student pool.

An hourly job is only good if you get the hours... make sure you do.

jadarite · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:05 am Post subject:

darkcity · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: SF, CA

i'm teaching one on one but paid per class. it's been pretty sweet so far and it's legal.

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

mr. positive · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Location: a happy place

Okay, so it sounds like it's legal, which is good. Thanks for the thoughts thus far on viability. I will definitely be requiring a salary instead of hourly pay if I do one-on-ones full-time! Anyone else with other thoughts on viability or the concept in general?

jadarite · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:47 am Post subject:

jadarite · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:49 am Post subject:

PhD · Joined: 15 May 2007

I looked over the contract the school I think you are talking about. It leaves a lot to be desired. To start with, they require an 8 hour day - teaching time. No pension is mentioned. The employee vs. independant contractor sounds like it could become an issue. Overtime pay only 1000 won over the hourly rate. Under vacation it states that the teacher has 10 national holidays per year as vacation. There is no airfair included for return home.... and the list goes on.

Hmmmmmm.....

It's legal, it's possibly viable, but it isn't a very good deal for the teacher.

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

jadarite · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

"They are starting a one-to-one teaching program"

"Has anyone had experience with this type of program before? Last I heard, such a program is not legal, but it's a big chain and so I don't think they are going to do it if they can't do it legally."

"I was simply showing that it is part of my job and I said that I had taught one today." (The only thing in common is the word "one")

Teaching one lesson, one on one, is neither going to generate enough income nor be related to a "one-to-one teaching program". What you did, as you pointed out, was an overtime hour. It had nothing do with a program directed towards one on one teaching (which is what the OP was inquiring about). I knew that.

Do you fully understand your posts? Instead of assuming the other person missed something, it's quite possible you were the one who did.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

edited: duplicate

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

[quote="KoreanAmbition"]