Korean Job Discussion Forums

[adamdean]

I have been set up doing a homestay in Seoul with free food and board and 250 dollars a week in exchange for 4 hours of private english teaching a day?

Is this a good rate for this sort of thing?? I know I could earn more doing privates but have just arrived and it seems like a good way to get my feet on the ground.

Is the woman who set this up stitching me up???

Thanks

Adam

[the_beaver]

You're getting shafted.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think shafted is a fair description.

For 4 hours of teaching you should be picking up about W100,000 each day.

Consider other arrangements.

[sheba]

First of all, would you be tutoring kids or adults? If kids, then how many? Is that 5 or 7 days a week? And that is way too little money...

I did a homestay earlier this year - 7 hours a week tutoring in exchange for board, and I FELT totally shafted at that!

Homestays can be VERY difficult. I felt put out from day 2, and had to endure 5 weeks (and that was cutting my time short). Because I lived with the kids, there were no boundaries and they were very difficult to handle during tutoring times.

I also spent 4 days with a Korean family just over a week ago, and although they were very kind and generous, it just reminded me that Korean homestays arent my thing. That being said, on my last day I visited the original family I stayed with and we had a great time, but the fact is, I was able to go home to my own space at the end of the day.

Good luck in your decision. You may absolutely love it, but then again you may not!

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

Sounds like this woman is taking you for a ride....4 hours a day! Teachers generally work 5- 6 hours a day and get 2 million a month/weekends off/ and free accomadation and their home privacy. And not only that but do you really want your privacy taken away? I would avoid homestays most likely because you'd have a curfew and have to go on outings that you don't want to go on and you'd be watched, everyday at every hour you are home. I guess if money isn't really an issue, you're here for a very short amount of time, and you don't mind the no-privacy factor, then maybe it will be O.K. Had a few friends who did homestay when they first came here. Their words: a total nightmare.

Also there is a huge issue with immigration. This is illegal work (privates really). What are the issues with a proper visa...I doubt she can sponser you for one. That sounds like too much of a risk(deportation/massive fines) for that crap of money. Why not come over and get a real/legal job with all the benefits (severance, pension AND a legal visa) Good luck....

[adamdean]

teh kid is 16 and there is only 1 of them. the house is nice, I have my own room and no curfew. It is only 2 weeks until my visa expires.

Perhaps I should suggest 3 hours a day for that price. What is the average hourly rate for 1on1 privates?
Thanks
Adam

[the_beaver]

[sheba]

If you dont have your own personal key to the house, then yes, you have a curfew.

From what Ive heard, 25000 is absolute bottom for tutoring seeing as its illegal, and that Seoul prices a re way higher, like double that. That being said, it sounds like youre going to be pretty safe seeing as you're living there.

If its only for 2 weeks, then hey why not? You sound pretty keen. Might as well give it a go, and just see if you can negotiate a higher price or less hours for tutoring.

How many days a week is it?

[adamdean]

ive negotiated 250 dollars per week for 3 hours work a day. no curfew and they are all friendly so thought i would stick it out!

Cheers

A