Korean Job Discussion Forums

Temporary · Joined: 13 Jan 2008

People keep asking me to do privates. I have random strangers aproaching me wanting me to teach their kids.. I keep telling them its illegal for me to teach privately on my visa. Then they go whaaaa? Its really frustraing that Koreans have no idea that foreigners are so restricted to doing things.

Frankly I don't want or need the extra money, and I also don't want my life just to be about work. I just don't want to put up with people after work. Its mentaly draining.

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

Wow, where do you live?

I've only been offered three or four privates in my year and two months of being here, and they all understood when I turned them down. I never have people approaching me on the street or anything.

But yeah, just say "no" and be firm about it. Say "andaeyo" if their English is bad.

poet13 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject:

Love Your Privates. I bumped it for you. It's in the off-topic forum.

Temporary · Joined: 13 Jan 2008

I live in Changwon.. I live in the Ghetto part of it.. Funny enough its usually people with really good english capabilities.

Rutherford · Joined: 31 Jul 2007

Take their cards and pass them on to other teachers with the warning that you don't know who they are and to be careful.

sojourner1 · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't even explain the laws, just say you're not interested in extra work as you have a full time job. Wow, I didn't get approached to do privates any last year in Changwon and hope I don't this year either. I was offered a university class, but turned down the 7:30 AM class where supposedly you just go in and talk with them which didn't require preparation according to my co-teachers who were doing privates and university classes.

I got stopped today by police on foot while shopping a 5 day market and was asked a number of questions such as where I lived and if I was legally working, but he didn't ID me. If you got busted, then you'd probably lose all your money and belongings as you are being detained and deported. They are indeed watching us closely.

Join Me · Joined: 14 Jan 2008

I am in the same boat. Been here almost five years and never taught a private for money and don't have the slightest desire to. My off time is to important to my mental health. I get asked to do a private about once every couple months and tell people I make enough at my job, which is the truth. I live within my financial means and still bank a nice chunk of cash each month.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I have never had that occur to me while in Korea...

Once a student's mom came to my apartment (we lived in the same complex) and asked me to private tutor her daughter. I just told her it was against school policy to do that stuff outside of the school and that if her daughter needed extra work she should pay for extra classes through the school.

Maybe I don't look too friendly when people are staring at me...I tend to not smile anymore with that noobie look one has when they first come to Korea.