Korean Job Discussion Forums

Len8 · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Location: Kyungju

Was talking to a friend from Pohang, and the words out that some of our unscrupulous teachers are taking advantage of gullible parents by charging exorbitant amounts for 1 hour one on one sessions. They use the guise that their children are so lucky to be able to interact with a native English speaker, and the poor parents go for it.

If the parents happen to be loaded then good for them. If the parents are scrapping the bottom of the barrel then it's not so good.

Some do that kind of a thing 5 times a week as well as working their regular jobs.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I doubt the foreigner is to blame. Are parents really that desperate?

Why are they desperate?

Bet ya RR will come at ya with some links about how the MoE doesn't meet the needs of Koreans, so families have to spend untold fortunes in private teaching.

cacheSurfer · Joined: 07 Dec 2003

dutchman · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: My backyard

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I don't understand the problem, either. It's a business transaction. You make an offer, and if the other party accepts, then you have a deal. If people are willing to pay 100,000 for an hour of private teaching, whose fault is that? The teacher's? I don't think so. If the parents agree to pay that much, the teacher isn't to blame.

If your school offered to double your salary for no reason, would you refuse on the grounds that it's more than the going rate, and that a lower salary would be better?? I highly doubt that!

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I understand you OP.

Look, these poor people want a shot at giving their kids agood life and one they didn't have so when it comes to emotion they use little thought.

What angers me is people fresh off the plane running around demanding 50 000 for a private because that is what they think they are worth. I'm worth 50 000 even though I have no skills, am not improving the childs english in any way and don't give 2 shits, just give me the money.

dutchman · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: My backyard

Skarp · Joined: 22 Aug 2003

I wouldn't teach a private lesson for less than 100 000 won - all things considered I'd say it should be teh going rate..

BTW - I don't do privates - combination of laziness and anxiety about getting caught. Risk may be small but consequences are severe. A bit like smoking - not much risk of lung cancer - but horrific if you get it..

Skarp

Of course - many many 'teachers' are not worth 1000 won per hour....but it's caveat emptor (sp?) innit?

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

if people are willing to pay that much than that's a good rate. that's how the business world works.
while we're on the topic, how safe is it to do privates? i'd like to do them, but am afraid of getting caught... is this legitamate, or i'm i just being a *beep*?