Korean Job Discussion Forums

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

What if Korea suddenly legalized privates? I mean, if all you had to do was report it for tax or something (doubt that would be a simple process), what would happen to the ESL industry?

Would Hagwons revolt? Would thousands of teachers decend on Korea? Would things just stay the same?

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

It won't happen for a long time.

Hagwon owners would strike and say such a system wouyld destroy the young minds of the country(or something to that effect) as how can a Korean child not learn English from a Korean. You know it would happen.

I don't think more teachers would come here, i think you would find the opposite.

To get an E2 you need a sponsor, so if privates were legal there would be less hagwons, hence less sponsors.

For the ones that are here and get a sponsor it would be very lucrative.

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Those who can afford private lessons will learn better English and the overall quality will improve. The business aspect will be taken care of by supply and demand.

Hagwons would lose business, but most teachers still need sponsorship to be in this country.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I don't think you would notice much of a change at all. For most Koreans, this is not an issue. Hagwan owners might not like it, but they would still insist on exclusivity in their contracts anyway.

The only difference might be that foreigners might not be deported for teaching privates, although they would probably come up with some other reason.

I think that most Koreans assume that we are all teaching privates on the side anyway, so what would be the difference?

I don't think there would be any great influx of teachers, all the other reasons not to come to Korea would still keep people away.

Anyway, that's my wee thoughts on the matter.

discostar23 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Location: getting the hell out of dodge

The whole reason the Hogwan industry strated is because of privates. People were trying to learn english and the government wasn't able to monitor how much they were making and also foreigners were charging crazy amounts of money for *private* lessons.

So I don't think they will ever legalize privates

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

It would be terrible, the price would go down ...

Homer · Guest

It would mean a drastic reduction in the number of waeguks doing privates as they would now have to pay tax on the income, hence it would reduce the profitability of the whole thing. Laughing

Seriously, it would be a good thing I think.
It would bring them out in the open.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

So I'm glad it ain't gonna be happening any time soon ... Very Happy

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

I would only do privates.

I'm here on my wife's sponsorship, so it would mean a great deal of financial and work related independence. I could do some part time work combined with some privates. 30,000+ per hour is much better than 15,000 to 20,000 per hour.

Perhaps I would keep my job, but I would always know I have something to fall back on and I would not have to scramble for a new job if I got fired.

paisleyavenger · Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Location: Korea

heaps of foreigners teach privately ... i can't walk down the street without being offered work teaching privately!

my boss lets me teach privately as long as i do it in the school (in my classroom) ... then she tells immigration that it's school business. she lets me do it cause it doesn't affect my regular teaching, it gives me more money (keeping me happy), and doesn't affect her at all ... she doesn't even ask for a percentage.

as long as you're careful, there's always money to be made.

and (in my honest opinion) most hogwans are out to make fast bucks. so if they can make money dishonestly they will! that's why so many hogwans don't pay their teachers.

so why are WE being forced to be so honest when the koreans are lying out of their asses every damn day????

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

Good grief. You guys are behind the times.

Korea HAS legalized privates. "��" ('private tutoring') has been legal for about two years now. Koreans can teach private lessons legally (mathematics, Korean, English, science, etc.), but must register with their local tax office and pay taxes on their private lesson income. Most don't bother to do so.

Just look around town. You can see '��' notices on telephone poles everywhere, especially around apartment complexes.

Foreigners on E-2 visas can't teach privates legally because it violates their visa.

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

gi66y · Joined: 15 Aug 2003

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

igotthisguitar · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 9:16 pm Post subject:

>. Has anyone mentioned how privates are apparently "LEGAL" in Japan ???

Having said this, i'm puffing on a cigarette here in the PC Bang where i'm writing this with NO SMOKING signs pasted absolutely everywhere.
Technically illegal yet, ( as compared to a country like CANADA ) generally no problemo Laughing

The Prostitution (comfort woman & i'd assume men) industry is another case, as are the technically "illegal" copies of DVDs
flogged in places like YONGSAN.

There are likely countless other examples i'm not aware of where in Korea we quite clearly find what is legislated is one thing while what is ENFORCED is another.

All so oddly arbitrary Question