Korean Job Discussion Forums

[the_beaver]

[Ihavenolips]

I have never done a private lesson in over five years of ESL teaching. I have seen too many teachers get burned when students don't show up for the lesson or pay them on time. My free time is limited and I don't really want to schedule weekly privates outside of my normal work week. My wanjangnim has been honest and respectful, so I prefer to send people to my school for classes. I kind of like the idea that I am building the school and making it prosperous. I guess the fact that privates are illegal should concern me, but I don't think about it that much. I don't do privates for many other reasons.

I will, however, meet someone for a late-night dinner. Former students often call me to touch base after departing. If I enjoyed spending time with them in the classroom than I will meet them maybe once a month. They buy me dinner and drinks. In return, I practice English with them and sometimes review the English in their business letters. No money exchanges hands.

Hopefully, I can draw them back into the school one day by creating a sense of "kibun" between us. Adult students just get busy sometimes and they have to drop out for awhile. Many of them later beg me to do privates outside of class, but I have little interst in anything other than a rare spontaneous meeting over dinner.

[Kiddirts]

It's very true things dry up. But there was a time I averaged OVER 6.0 for 4 consecutive months. Right now I'm barely making 4.0 and still looking. Free accomodation bonus isn't worth shiiite. Save your pennies and throw down key money on a 2 bedroom, rent out the 2nd bedroom and live rent-free. OHHH! Hagwons give you plane money? I've literally made plane money in just 2 days...and I'm from NY. To each his own, I guess. I love people who don't do privates, makes the market easier...and it's drying up...I've seen 50k biz jobs down to 30k...even seen adverts for 20k an hour...Korea's drying up fast all around.

[paperbag princess]

yeah, i've worked in two hagwons now. the first one screwed me royally and i ended up losing 2,000$. now, at my new and improved situation they only pay 4 weeks of work (which means every month i lose 2-3 days worth of hours). hagwons are crap.

oh yeah, and the argument about free accomedation, maybe your apts are ok, but i would never have chosen either of the two apts i've been given thus far. that and i wouldn't pay to live in this city. no way!