Korean Job Discussion Forums

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

Dear ESL Cafe,
I'm going to meet my boss today to negotiate about teaching privates. I want to do it legally, which means I'll be doing it with the school's permission and/or in the school's name. Should I offer them a percentage like 10% or 20%, or should I negotiate some kind of a flat rate? Presumably they should get a better piece of the action if they recruit the students, and less if I'm the salesman. Anybody have experience with making such a deal? What are the usual terms?
Sincerely,
Ambitious in Anyang

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Normally, it is not done. Some hakwons will give you more hours if you want more work. All (I think) will insist that you not do any work that will interfere with teaching at your job. And all will want to know why you are taking customers away from them--unless of course you are working far from the school.

Good luck.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

not only does your boss have to agree to letting you do this, but immigration must also give you permission. i wonder how that will go?
subsequently, logic says you would need to pay taxes on your private income, as well.

it'd be interesting to know how this all works out...keep us posted!

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I'd say its doable in certain situations.

I taught a few "privates" outside regular hours while working in a hagwon. My boss arranged them.

One key consideration was these were students who didnt fit into the regular class format of the school, ie it wasnt taking tuition away from the school. For example students set on studying one-on-one or who needed special intensive tutoring before going abroad.

Another consideration to keep appearances quasi-legal was to teach them on the school premises.

My boss was good enough to let me pocket all the proceeds directly from the students. Your 10 or 20% cut sounds reasonable to me if your boss is amenable.

BUT. In this case youre approaching the boss, & your OP doesnt really indicate how well you know or get along with him. I'd tread very lightly. If he's adamant that you cant, he'll watch you suspiciously in the future. It could sour your relationship.

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

We didn't have time to meet that day. A candidate for the Chinese teacher job was visiting the school and (get this) I was required to translate Mandarin-to-English for the boss.

The manager has already indicated that she'd like me to teach some of our students one-on-one outside of normal hours, for extra pay. What I want to do (also) is recruit some students on my own and teach them off-site. Not stealing students from the school, but in fact I'd give them a cut, and they'd have the customers' contact info on the receipt so they'd actually be building their client list. All I'd ask the school to do is to make it legal, and figure out my tax obligations.

(I'm just using this thread to practice my sales pitch... you don't mind do you?)

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

sounds like you are very valuable over there. don't sell yourself short.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Big_Bird

pegpig · Joined: 10 May 2005

Oooh, my first post. I'll play nicely, but honestly.

I think most hogwan owners wouldn't be very receptive to this idea - especially if you're basically doing private lessons in the neighbourhood.

Any extra classes that he knows about going through the hogwan are going to get you your agreed overtime rate as outlined in your contract. You might get a bit more, but definitely not the 80~90% you're hoping.