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Bran
Joined: 17 Nov 2014
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 Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2014 9:34 am Post subject: Potential earnings from private tuition |
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From people who have experience tutoring in Korea, do you think it's possible to find enough work as a private tutor that I could avoid working at any school completely? I can obtain an F6 visa and I'm looking at jobs now but I'd much prefer to earn by myself, even if it's slightly less than what I'd make in a hagwon or private school.
So do people think it's possible to make 2 million a month on privates? Would it involve far more work and travel than a single school?
Any feedback would be appreciated!
Cheers! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2014 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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If you are connected and have leads then yes, you can certainly make it on privates but it will take some marketing (PPPP and SWOT).
If you are just flying in and hoping to make it based on a white face and an F6 then NO.
Get a job, get some leads and work it from there.
After you have built up a reputation then move onward.
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:09 am Post subject: |
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Like Ttompatz said, you'll need connections in advance. If you have those connections already then you probably wouldn't be asking here if you could live off of it.
Personally, I would recommend against going completely with tutoring. I'd go for a mix of tutoring and part-time hogwon work. There are agencies that deal with part-time and temp jobs. If you do these jobs then you can specify which areas you're willing to work in (e.g. near where you live) or that you will only work block shifts (e.g. 3 or 4 classes in a row). The hourly rates for temp and part-time work is a lot more than the hourly rate that E2 teachers get for overtime. Starting rates are 40k/hr and go up depending on various factors. If you have a 3 or 4 class block (no pauses between classes) then you might negotiate down to 35k/hr. (It's saves you time and money if you don't have to run all over the city for a single 1hr class). |
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basic69isokay
Joined: 28 Sep 2014
Location: korea
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 4:36 am Post subject: |
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| Troglodyte wrote: |
Like Ttompatz said, you'll need connections in advance. If you have those connections already then you probably wouldn't be asking here if you could live off of it.
Personally, I would recommend against going completely with tutoring. I'd go for a mix of tutoring and part-time hogwon work. There are agencies that deal with part-time and temp jobs. If you do these jobs then you can specify &which areas you're willing to work in (e.g. near where you live) or that you will only work block shifts (e.g. 3 or 4 classes in a row). The hourly rates for temp and part-time work is a lot more than the hourly rate that E2 teachers get for overtime. Starting rates are 40k/hr and go up depending on various factors. If you have a 3 or 4 class block (no pauses between classes) then you might negotiate down to 35k/hr. (It's saves you time and money if you don't have to run all over the city for a single 1hr class). |
This is how I do it. If its block 4-5 hours and near my apt, ill go 30-35. If it requires a commute, 40. But always 4-5 block hours. Finish and you have 150,000+,outta there no time wasted. |
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Bran
Joined: 17 Nov 2014
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 4:56 am Post subject: |
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This is great information, cheers.
I think I can manage with very low income (from my savings) for the first six months but then I'd like to earn at least 2m won a month, if possible. I just don't want to get trapped in a contract and not be in a position to tutor and build up a reputation/ client base. But as you say, maybe a mix between hagwon in the morning and tutoring afterwards is the way to go. I'm not afraid of hard work but I'd much prefer the independence that would come from choosing my hours and commitments rather than earn a lot but work in a tight contract. |
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GENO123
Joined: 28 Jan 2010
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Bran
Joined: 17 Nov 2014
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 1:26 am Post subject: |
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| GENO123 wrote: |
| http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=234625 |
The situation in Korea seem dire! That's very disappointing. thanks for the link. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 3:27 am Post subject: |
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| Bran wrote: |
| I just don't want to get trapped in a contract and not be in a position to tutor and build up a reputation/ client base. |
F6 or E2?
IF you are on an E2 then getting trapped into a contract and being in no position to tutor (illegal on an E2) is very real.
If you are on F6 then it is a non-issue. You are free to break an employment contract at will without consequence (labor law protects you from liability for non performance of a labor contract - beyond getting fired).
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kingplaya4
Joined: 14 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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Let's just say a friend has experience in this. You will get more cancellations doing privates than you can shake a stick at. Remember there are 4 testing periods a year, and students will cancel 2-4 weeks before each test. Then you have holidays which will be unpaid and whenever your private's family decides to go on vacation. So to earn your 2 million a month, you need AT LEAST 3 million a month scheduled.
The market for privates is changing as well as parents are more interested in their students getting high scores on their school tests which the hagwons teach directly to. The reality is if you teach well, your students will get a high score anyway, but good luck convincing the parents of this. Yes, you may be able to scrape along with a minimal income doing privates, although you will have some tight months. There's no future in in though, unless you're really good at teaching the tests and you have come contacts in Gangnam or some other elite area. |
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DaeguNL
Joined: 08 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 3:51 am Post subject: |
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| Bran wrote: |
This is great information, cheers.
I think I can manage with very low income (from my savings) for the first six months but then I'd like to earn at least 2m won a month, if possible. I just don't want to get trapped in a contract and not be in a position to tutor and build up a reputation/ client base. But as you say, maybe a mix between hagwon in the morning and tutoring afterwards is the way to go. I'm not afraid of hard work but I'd much prefer the independence that would come from choosing my hours and commitments rather than earn a lot but work in a tight contract. |
I think you are better off just working 2-3 part time jobs while you build up your contacts.
Hook up some privates through recruiters, and check to see if the recruiter is taking a cut every time you work, or just a flat commission.
I did a private before for 35 an hour, and found out the client was paying 50 to the recruiter. Cutting the middle man out left us both with more money in our pockets. |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:54 am Post subject: |
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| DaeguNL wrote: |
| Bran wrote: |
This is great information, cheers.
I think I can manage with very low income (from my savings) for the first six months but then I'd like to earn at least 2m won a month, if possible. I just don't want to get trapped in a contract and not be in a position to tutor and build up a reputation/ client base. But as you say, maybe a mix between hagwon in the morning and tutoring afterwards is the way to go. I'm not afraid of hard work but I'd much prefer the independence that would come from choosing my hours and commitments rather than earn a lot but work in a tight contract. |
I think you are better off just working 2-3 part time jobs while you build up your contacts.
Hook up some privates through recruiters, and check to see if the recruiter is taking a cut every time you work, or just a flat commission.
I did a private before for 35 an hour, and found out the client was paying 50 to the recruiter. Cutting the middle man out left us both with more money in our pockets. |
Temp agencies definitely get a good chunk of change. That can be a good thing though. First of all, you know that they'll fight tooth and nail for their money, which means that you're not likely to get short changed by the school. It's also good because it give you a bit of negotiating room if you want to deal directly with the school later on.
As Kingplaya noted, your income will fluctuate - a LOT! And you're main draw will be in test prep. For test prep you need a reputation. Students need to improve their scores after your lessons. BUT.... if they eventually get good enough marks (on real or mock tests) then the parents don't need you anymore. Little Min-ju can now focus on some other test topic. But test prep is a whole field all of it's own. You really need to know what you're doing and be good at it.
If you want to teach private classes, consider corporate classes. It's difficult for E2 teachers to do them (but there are some situations in which it's possible) but companies really prefer to have classes on their premises so F visa holder have a distinct advantage in this market. Big companies will always pay you in full and on time. You'll need to brush up on your business English (plenty of books on that for students and teachers) but it pays off since corporate classes pay very well. It's also a great way to meet potential private clients (parents looking for someone to teach their kids). You'll also get invited to hang out with some of your students, or sometimes get invited to company parties or other events. |
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GENO123
Joined: 28 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2945341&highlight=#2945341
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| you could even take on some very lucrative private lessons at 70-100k/hr if you're qualified and have a lick of Korean ability, if money is your main goal) |
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| Quote: |
| 30 to 50K is on the extremely low end. Even my colleagues and friends that don't speak Korean get 60-80K for anything from book editing to basic conversation (free talking classes for upkeep of a client's already native-like English, which generally requires zero prep time). |
| Quote: |
| Looking on websites in order to verify the existence or non-exisence of positions? C'mon. Just as the best jobs aren't often advertised openly, the best-paying privates aren't either. This is definitely where speaking Korean helps you network and land these opportunities. |
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| WT -- Is it time to connect this thread to your doomsday narrative regarding the ESL industry in Korea, and perhaps the world, in general? As I've mentioned the fact that many of my friends and colleagues speak advanced Korean, it may be time to break into the old song and dance about it taking endless amounts of time to learn, and that you've never met a non-Korean who could speak at above a beginner level |
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Handsome Boy
Joined: 03 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 3:36 am Post subject: Private Earnings. |
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Look here's the deal. 5 million won a month is about the top rate! I know! I've done it!
If any anybody tells you can earn more than that, they're talking out
of their A Holes! unless you work 24/7, whereby you'll be a walking zombie
after one year. |
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Handsome Boy
Joined: 03 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 4:17 am Post subject: |
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| Forgot to say. Yes I do have an F6 and the above figure I gave you all, was doing privates only. |
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Coltronator
Joined: 04 Dec 2013
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:28 am Post subject: |
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| I agree with Handsome, 5 mil. Maybe 6 mil if circumstances are just right. After that it is having your own place or a good deal with someone else for a room to teach semi stable classes of 7-10 students that gets you up into the 7mil-9mil range without killing yourself. |
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