Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Teufelswacht]

I was wondering - Is there any time when a non-ethnic Korean (white guy/gal) can visit a students home and teach English - legally?

I know what my answer to this question is - but I would just like to see if I am correct. I, of course, called the lords of darkness at the local immigration cave and the incredibly disinterested clerk said "no". But I have found it useful to ask others as well. Some people on this board have been around the block more than a few times and I'd like to get some input if I could.

Without going into details, there is a situation with another hogwan director developing in my neck of the woods that could end up getting a very nice, naive, trusting foreigner in trouble. I feel like I may need to step in order to keep things from going sour for this person.

Any replies appreciated.

Take Care

Teufelswacht

[peppermint]

Actual language exchanges are legal right? Could that be what's happening here?

[Captain Corea]

There are MANY homes schools around. There are even "frachises" if you will. For Koreans, who declare the income they receive from them AND register with the local MoE, then it is legal.

However, there is no legal way a foreigner can work there.

Language exchanges are one thing, working is another. I've never quite figured out how the immi-boys differentiate between the two though.

[Derrek]

My guess is that if you have Korean/English books with you (textbooks for teaching Korean) and they jump you, that would be safe. Sort of funny, though, because the books can theoretically be used both ways.

Also, if the person you are doing the language exchange with is closer to your age, then it's safer.

Obviously, if you are holding a language exchange with a child, it's not going to be interpreted as a language exchange.

[Teufelswacht]

Peppermint, Captain & Derrek:

Thanks for the replies so far.

It seems that one of my Korean peers is offering an "extra" service for the parents of kids that already come to his hogwan. For an extra fee he will send a living breathing, house-trained weiguk to the parents house to give extra classes to the students - this is in addition to the regular classes they attend at his academy.

So basically you have a weiguk going to teach kids at their house. I don't think the language exchange excuse would hold water. I mean I know sometimes immigration can be dumb - but not that dumb.

There is no advertising being done - it's on the sly, only being offered to select families. I only heard about it because one of my students mothers asked us about doing the same thing ( warning to those considering doing privates - ajummas cannot keep their mouth shut about getting something other ajummas aren't.). After "bumping into" the weiguk I confirmed what was going on.

I think I'm going to wait a day or two to see if I can get some more opinions, make another call to immigration, and then visit my fellow Director. If he comes up with the language exchange excuse I'll be ready for him.

I wouldn't usually get involved in situations like this but I am getting tired of seeing the same formula: shady director + stupid weiguk = trouble.

Just another in a growing list of reasons of why I am seriously considering getting out of this business.

Again, thanks for the input.

Teufelswacht

[the eye]

apparently it is up to the judgement of the immigration officer who gets tipped off to the situation. it comes down to thier word against yours.

all it takes is a witness saying the 'teacher' visits every tuesday at 2pm. so immi shows up at tuesday, 2pn, and watches you. the witness could be a jealous neighbor, or an apartment building superintendant.

[Derrek]

If you'd like the number of a contact at KBS, give me a PM. Maybe we can interest them in a "sting" on the hagwon you work at... and go after the director. Maybe they can talk about how foreigners are taken advantage of by Koreans.

Oh, wait... that'd probably never fly.

[Teufelswacht]

Hey Derrek!

I am the Director of my own hagwon. The guy/director in question is one of the other hogwan owners in my area. Wait a minute - he's competition! I can call immigration have them bust his butt, and.........he gets to pick up the tab for the inspectors at the local dala ju jum or room salon. And the foreigner gets, drum roll please.....a night or two in the lock up , all his money taken for "fines," and his butt deported back to wherever.

I don't really give a rats butt about the director/owner, I'm just worried about another stupid weiguk being taken advantage of here in the hub of something or other. That's kind of why I want to talk to the owner without involving immigration if I can help it or the foreigner.

I think I'm going to visit my competition tomorrow evening.

[bosintang]