Korean Job Discussion Forums

Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee · Joined: 25 May 2003

The system in Korea is so screwed up that privates are a way to balance things out.

Often it is a bad deal if you are not doing privates , furthermore
Privates factor into your salary no matter what because if they weren't there or the govt cracked down hard like they did in 1998 most teachers would leave. Then all salaries would go up. There are many more teachers in Korea because of this. Do them or not they effect your salary.

almost no one would work for the big schools under the standard condtions that they offer if it were not for the E-2 system that restricts the market.

If a Korean wants to learn English they have to go to a hogwon under the Korean system. If Business wants English lessons in the morning they have to go through a hogwon and pay through the nose to do it. Much more then if they hired a teacher directly.

If one were to teach 4 kids at 50 an hour it would probably be cheaper (factor in transportation) for a family then it would for them to go to a hogwon.

Doing privates balances the system- there iis nothing wrong with refusing to go along with the hogwon cartel.

It is the hogwon way or no way in South Korea. I guess there are a few company jobs but not that many and anyway on a per hour basis they pay far less than if you did it by the hour for a company.

The whole E-2 system keeps wages below the market rate for teachers forces people to pay excessively high fees to hogwons for private or company lessons.

2 wrongs don�t always make a right but sometimes they do.

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

genaureliano · Joined: 04 Jan 2004

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee · Joined: 25 May 2003

a group of 4 kids at 50 an hour. 12,500 won per kid

From what I have seen most schools wont turn in their own teachers - because then they will have to pay 500,000 - 1,200,000 or even more for a new teacher

many of the big schools are charges 10,-13,000 won for each hour the kid is at the school and their are 13 kids in each class. Call SLP Islan you' ll see.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I don't do privates but am not averse to the idea. I say make the cash while you can! I suppose if you manage to make 400,000 plus per month it is worth the risk. Hopefully ya don't get caught. But if ya do, hopefully ya got a nice bit of cash tucked away for the next venture.

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

Each and every individual can choose to do privates or choose not to do privates. Personally I don't, but why harangue someone who does. Ethics, morality, legality are all moot if you choose to do privates. Remember there may be a less than palatable consequence if you are caught. In regard to the OP, if you feel there is any level of threat or possibility of you being caught, walk away and take some time off. Very Happy

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee · Joined: 25 May 2003

happy · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

That sounds risky if it's not permitted by your school

chrisbem1 · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Location: south korea

Not sure where you live, but privates here are not all that hard to come by. Tell your privates that you can lose your job/visa/legal status to stay in Korea if your hogwon or immigration finds out that you are teaching private lessons on the side. If they continue to call, tell them you can't take the risk, but will hook them up with another teacher. That way they aren't angry, and the new teacher can make sure they only have a cell number. You can always find other privates, like I said they aren't that hard to come by.