Korean Job Discussion Forums

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

Well, I've had my husband looking into it for the last few days and he finally got an answer. No, it is not legal. It doesn't have anything to do with our visas, but just the fact that we are foreigners. My husband just spoke with me over the phone, and I'll get more details from him later. The law that prohibits us from getting the permission may be changed, and it may be changed soon. It is a lesser known law and that's why some have been able to get the permission -- some MOE offices didn't know about it. Unfortunately, they will soon, so it seems. I don't think F-5s can get this permission either, but I didn't have time to ask about that.

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

After the F5 visas are finalized we can get the permission. I checked. F5 is a permanent resident visa and they will change the law relating to foreigners. The F5 will be the only exception.

They have been preparing for this for about 3 years. Aftet they issued the first F2-1 visas they started to get ready with the F5 visas. It has been actually hurried. It was supposed to take 5 years to get ready, but they hurried it.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

BTM · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Back in the saddle.

darkpoet · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Location: Korea

Well okay, maybe you did read it. Your impressions are right. But we were suited up nicely to panic them... Twisted Evil

Casey's moon: we can't get it because we are foreigners? If that's the reason you were told, you'd better make sure... because that would be just plain racism. BTW: what is the district office you went to (ie, mine is Seomyeon Busan)?

The problem is why can F-4's and F-5's get it? They are foreigners too. An F-2 is just non-permanent resident and F-4 is foreigner with Korean blood and F-5 is permanent. Why is the F-2 getting singled out?

As I said, the MOE might take some time to hand the decision down, but it could be that both sides (for and against) have dug in their heels and to save face won't admit they are wrong... so some offices may still be giving them out while others are not.

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

DarkPoet: Don't give up. There are many F2-1 people who can't probably get the F5 visa and they deserve more rights. In every western country people married to citizens have the option of getting citizenship or permanent resident status, but not in Korea. We just get screwed around everytime. We should be allowed freedom.

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

darkpoet · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Location: Korea

Bellum99 + Casey's Moon: Thank you for doing more than talk.

To others: I'm getting a bitter taste in my mouth from the F-2 expats (and their spouses too) who can only talk and not act. "Oh Korea sucks but what can I do - I'm but one person."

We're expecting a decision within the next week from the Ministry of Education (from the Office of the Minister of Education)...

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

I went to get the visa and they told me the guy made a mistake.....he said it will take longer and they will call me when it is ready. I made the trip today for nothing....anyway it may take a month to get it now.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

People always want things to be better but no one wants to help. Teachers are the number one reason why teaching in Korea gets no respect. He thinks people should make an effort to try and change things, even in a small way. Any person with an F2-1 visa and isn't interested in what he is talking about is crazy. I would suggest that they think about what he is saying.

Options:

A: work for a cheating boss and make 2 million.

B: Open a study room and make 6-7 million. Do the math.

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

I think 6 million is an overstatement.

If it's opened in a wealthy area you can charge more for an hour's lesson. But your rent will be higher. Let's say a 15 pyong for 1 million not including 10 or 15 for key money and interior costs of about 6.

Your students are used to paying 100 K month for their 40/40 lesson Tues/Thur at a hakwon. Their mothers get the kids out of the house taken away by bus for two hours. But, they live locally and the children can walk to where you are and like small classes with you. So they are willing to pay 110. M/W/F students maybe 140.

You now need say 35 students M/W/F for 4.2 and 20 T/Th for 2.2
So we get 6.4 - rent - tax - utilities = about 4.3 nett.

That's still not bad. But have to make sure you get those 55 students, and all from the local area. Unless you add a bus service, say 1.3 million/month cost and so widen the catchment.
There is a little regulation about not being able to take in kindergarten aged students, regardless of being afternoon classes, in the study room. So all students must be elementary aged and up.

In what ways could this math be improved?

babtangee · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 4:35 pm Post subject:

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

I guess I'm also wondering what's next, although I'm less gungho on the idea after my husband told me (as Cheonmunka said as well) that teaching kindergarten students is illegal for anyone, since that's what I'm mostly interested in doing.