Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nrvs]

So I just emailed a guy and cancelled some private tutoring that was supposed start tomorrow. Honestly, the money would've been nice. But I like my "real" job a lot, I'm starting to enjoy life in Korea, and I'd hate to get kicked out of the country.

The main thing I'm worried about is that if things went sour between us, he might try to get me in trouble. I mean, he might try to get me in trouble now since I've cancelled with short notice, but I think that'd be a long shot.

What are the best ways to protect one's self in a private tutoring situation?

[livinginkorea]

Well a Canadian teacher that I meet before was hell bent on doing as many privates as possible.

He said never do privates at your house, have their number but don't give your to them. Have them to pay up front and tell them to keep it quiet from everybody. He said change your walking route every now and then so that nobody would notice that you went the same way. He said make it look like you are doing them a great favour and not the other way round.

I don't agree with it. Just use some common sense and don't brag about it to any of your co-workers, especially Korean people. And if you are unhappy then just quit them. If you are in a city then there is no prob in getting a new one.

[Homer]

[Manner of Speaking]

[CanKorea]

I think those measures are a little drastic. I agree with livinginkorea. Show some common sense, don't go screaming to all you know about how much you're earning, who you're teaching or the like and you should be alright.

[chronicpride]

Agreed. You don't need to do an elaborate cloak and dagger routine. When I first came to Korea and took on my first private, I was so paranoid, due to the mental conditioning that eslcafe had about privates. Mind you, 2-3 years ago, there was a lot more negative press and anti-private crusaders on here, as opposed to now. For my first week, I always took different ways to my 1st private gig. Walking around and trying to spot the undercover immigration cop that might be tailing random white folk.

The only legit bust that I have ever heard of, and confirmed for fact, was a guy that was teaching staff at a large health club in Daegu. They took his picture with staff, which he perceived to be innocent. Then, they posted the picture in a well-circulated flyer for the health club, and his E2 employer saw it and reported him.

Outside of that, I've only seen a truckload of unsubstantiated rumors on here over the past 3-4 years. 99% of which, is never first-hand accounts. I think I can recall 2 posts during that time, that came from first-hand posters, who got busted. And one of those was eventually proven by the board, to be full of inaccuracies.

If you are careless and do things that cause you to stand out, as mentioned above, you obviously carry a risk. Aside from that, it's way overblown.

PS. One thing that is not overblown is psychotic ex-girlfriends calling up immigration on you. I've seen some close calls with friends and their ex's, including one myself. Keep the knowledge of your practice limited to a select few.

[Sage Monkey]

[tomwaits]

It seems if you are going to get busted it's going to be a company class or a kindergarten or an illegal school. In these cases too many people know and there are other fish to fry beside you. If it really is a private--as in ONE STUDENT -- I can't see worrying much.

[philinkorea]

i did some at the start of the year through a recruiter and got really paranoid. I heard a couple of stories, one in particular of a friend of a friend who was deported a year and a half after doing the privates when the recruiter was busted. i would say the chances are practically nil, but it does happen.

ive just got one at the moment i do once sometimes twice a week. i told her its illegal and said in the rare case anyone does ask just say we do language exchange so i feel totally cool on that one really.

what i found anyway was when i came i was quite focussed about saving money and doing a few but it almost increased an isolation feeling. at the moment im really happy. studying korean in my free time, taking martial arts classes and seeing a korean girl. i think just working lots really isnt making the most out of your unique time here. i just save about 700k a month, and live a top lifestyle, i feel quite content with that

[Derrek]

It's good to be paranoid about your privates.

There is this thing in Korea called, 'Ddong Chim!"

Kids -- sometimes they go for the front instead of the tail!

[livinginkorea]

That's true. If you are parnoid about doing the private classes then at least you will be sensible about doing them and not shooting your mouth off to everybody.

As well as being a teacher you are also an object of curiousity to them. Some Koreans like to show off that they have a foreign teacher teaching there kids or whatever. Many parents might introduce their friends / neighbours to you. (Sometimes it's feels like I'm a glorified babysitter!! )

Always be careful and just say that if your boss at work finds out then your job is finished. That made my classes silent i.e. no visitors or distractions and hopefully they are less likely to talk about it to other people. Well they should be less likely to say anything especially as they are paying you good money (I hope ) but you never know.

Bottom line - just be careful.

[shawner88]

Like most illegal things in this country, there are times they do a crackdown and most other times they turn the other cheek. Just follow the news.

[Paji eh Wong]

Haven't you heard? You can't make a dime off of privates. They are illegal.

[Sage Monkey]

[Butterfly]

There are other ways to make extra cash here, private teaching is just one, the most boring and the most risky.