Korean Job Discussion Forums

Kiddirts · Joined: 25 Jul 2003

Question: What is the typical pay for a two hour private lesson by an American with a degree in business?

I've been tutoring this guy and his son for 2 months, rich biz man...has like 25 million...that's USD. They wanted a 2 hour lesson for the both of them and were paying a combined 115,000...I was getting paid 80,000. Now the guy said that his business is getting hectic and he wants to tell the recruiter that they're going to quit but wants his son to continue with me for 2 hour lessons. Here's where it gets funked up...his mother has friends who talk and they all said that their kids get taught by a black woman and she only charges 15,000 for an hour lesson with 3 kids (45,000). I was like...no problem, I'd do the same thing, not a bad gig. So they're all paying less than 200,000 a month for a lesson like that 3 times a week. So the father tries to tell me that he'd pay me 600,000 for 2 hour lessons 3 times a week (600,000 / 24hrs. =25,000 an hour) The discussion went on for over an hour...and it ended up with me telling him politely to go to any recruiter on the net and ask the price of a north american 2 hour private lesson and check the price quote. I want to remain in good terms and I like the kid and the father, but my lowest work starts at 40,000 and it's also a hassle to get there, (obscure subway route, 15 minute walk) He was up to 33,000 an hour (800,000 a month) but we're avoiding the recruiter, etc...what do you guys make of this?

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

In working a private, Demand 40 000 won an hour. Tell hime it's the going rate for a native foriegn teacher. I think it is important to sitck together on this one. If someone tells you 15 000 won for an hour, politely refuse and tell them to find someone else. People will pay.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

It's the same thing working at hokwons, universities, hospitals or companies; unless we all stick together, we'll continue to LET ourselves get screwed over. No one can use you unless you let them. If the going rate is 40.000, then that's it. Hell, these same koreas who want lessons and are business owners screw over their customers all the time!! It's all about the money and how much can I get. No one works for free? Why did you or any of us come to korea? To teach for free?! I think not.
Why someone will work for 2.0 teaching 35 or more 40 minute classes a week at a hokwon is beyond my thinking. And these people went to college?!? Same with privates. Get what you can, do your best when teaching and be prepared with your lessons.

Bubbliee · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC Canada

I agree 40,000 is good. Actually between 40 and 50,000.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

My spare time is worth 40,000 an hour or more.

If someone whores themselves off for 15,000 an hour, it hurts all of us. And at that rate, it is whoring yourself off.

Kiddirts · Joined: 25 Jul 2003

actually, the chick is getting 45,000 an hour for 3 students that pay her directly...15,000 a piece. So when my private heard about that, their rationale is that 25,000 is more than fair for one student...and I'm like f that...but in a nice way. I told them to go to a recruiter and find out the price of a two hour lesson...I really hope they did...they should have already known that 2 hours for 2 people through our recruiter was 115,000...so why are they slamming me with this cheap bullshyt if they just want to do one on one now? I like them, but it's not worth it and now if I get my 80,000 for 2 hours, I'm gonna feel uncomfortable, but it took them an hour to budge over 30,000...gonna say f it. The guy's absolutely loaded too.

silver · Joined: 09 Jan 2004 Location: Korea

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I guess I may work for 25,000 an hour, but only if it was really convenient, and also, I liked the kid.

I don't care who pays how much, I guess 45,000 an hour is ok for any amount of kids. I teach classes at the hagwon of 8-10 at times, and I don't get paid more than doing a private lesson. I'd do it for 45,000.

With adults, because you don't have to have a curriculum as much, and the lack of behaviour problems, I may charge less, or just do language exchange.

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

Yeah well Ilsanman, you obviously are here to promote good will and cultural dialogue, I on the other hand, am here to make money like the majority of Foreign teachers. If we say that the average Way guk charges 40 000, and the average way guy does, then they will pay.
My time is my time and its worth a lot if I am going to teach someone they should pay for my expertise.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

Well it depends. With an adult, if it is a formal 'teacher and student' arrangement, I would ask for a wage. If it was more like friends, then maybe do language exchange. If the other person is selfish, and doesn't want to speak any korean to me, I would either charge them or sever the relationship quickly.

I am also here to make money too, but it is not the most important thing in the world. I am also really interested in learning Korean and Japanese.

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

I hear ya buddy. My suggestion is get a Korean girlfriend, have lots of goos Asian sex and charge the hell oout of the your students. Damn it, those hyundai cars are not getting any cheaper you know Wink

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

The best part is that the stigma against dating, and using public transportation doesn't exist here. I was immediately more popular with women at home when I got my car. Here it doesn't seem to matter.

I an have my cake and eat it too!! No car, and lots of sex.

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

Amen brother. Women judge you by your cellphone over here. I'm just lucky enough to have my boss supply me with a car!

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

My phone was actually not so expensive and it looks really expensive because it has a camera. My friend took me to Paju, and they had much better deals than other more 'desierable' places.

I think a car is totally unnecessary. You don't really go faster than the bus or subway, I found.

Kiddirts · Joined: 25 Jul 2003

Oh God, get this. This guy wants to ignore the 80,000 an hour per lesson and just give me 900,000 a month. I'm like, there are months I'll be teaching 14 lessons and not 12 (aren't 28 days in a month)...he says it's Korean culture...yeah, for him to get a free lesson or two every month...and today, after I taught his kid, he gave me a ride home which took over an hour when the subway only takes half an hour...to get some free conversation practice w/o payin' for it...got home after midnight...what a headache.