Korean Job Discussion Forums

cdnguy · Joined: 07 Apr 2004

I am surprised not to have seen any posts on teaching illegal private lessons. I know teaching privately is most often illegal in korea but so are the midnight runs that seem to get a lot of discussion.

What is the deal?

Cogito · Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Location: Around

It has been discussed before (can't remember where, though) and some of the posters make no secret of their "extra curricular" activities. As for me, I don't really need the extra stress or cash.

Homer · Guest

cndguy...do a search...you will find tons of threads discussing pvts, the rates, the frequency, the yes or no of it, the size, color, smell and any other details.

Good luck.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

Badmojo · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 3:19 pm Post subject:

I'd aggressively pursue private lessons if it weren't for the carrots hanging over me at the end of my deal. You get into the eighth and ninth month of a contract, there's no way you jeopardize flight money and bonus money for a little cash.

Now if I re-signed here with no intention of fulfilling the deal, that is, if I knew I was leaving after three months no matter what, then I'd be all over private lessons from day one of that contract.

Toby · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Wedded Bliss

The odd one or two doesn't do any harm. Just like a beer when you finish work.

Keeps the mind ticking if you teach adults privately and kids in your day job.

Toby · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Wedded Bliss

cacheSurfer · Joined: 07 Dec 2003

komtengi · Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Location: Slummin it up in Haebangchon

Homer · Guest

Komtengi,

How does that justify anything illegal?

Just because some people break laws does that make it ok for you or me to do so?

The Man known as The Man · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:43 am Post subject:

komtengi · Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Location: Slummin it up in Haebangchon

jurassic5 · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Location: PA

i'm just curious as to how they catch people doing privates... Confused

i mean, if you go to the person/family's apartment...can't you just say you are visiting? or do they like to wire people. haha

bithy75 · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Location: Seoul, Korea

I'm wondering too...how do people get caught doing privates? If you're in a public place, does someone come and "tap you on the shoulder"? If you go to someone's home, how can you ever get caught that way? What about language exchanges? If I meet the same person at Starbuck's every week for a language exchange, couldn't someone accuse me of doing an illegal private lesson? In fact, this is the case for me. I meet two friends of mine every week at a coffee shop to study English and Korean. We don't exchange any money, but we really do study together. Also, so many Koreans have approached me about doing privates as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Nobody even mentions the illegality of it. So, I'm wondering, how paranoid should we be?

Homer · Guest

Jurassic,

Thats easy: someone informs on you, immifration follows you around for a little while, taking note of where you go and at what times.
Then they talk to some of your students (the pvt ones) and voila your busted.
Then they bust you with all the evidence they need.
Some of them have used wire transfers or issuance of travellers checks to prove that a teacher was earning money from pvt lessons.
For example, if a teacher sends home 100% of his or her wages home everymonth it could lead immigration to wonder (after they had reason to investigate) how that person pays for living here since all of his wages are sent home....

komtengi,

No worries about taking it personnally. I do see your point. I still maintain however that the fact that some people break the law does not justify or excuse another person breaking the law.
There could be of course a debate on the justification for breaking laws. A person who cannot provide for his or her family because of certain conditions or laws would be justified in breaking a law or two, for example working illegaly, so that they could provide for their family.
Teachers in Korea do not qualify like that.