Korean Job Discussion Forums

[livinginkorea]

Ok here is the deal..

After I finished my elementary classes earlier today I went to the hagwon and was told that the boss wanted to see me in his office, that there somebody who wanted to interview me. Seems that the Koreans use the word "interview" when in fact they mean "meet".

So anyway I go upstairs to the boss's office and he's there with a family and I recognize one of them as an old student from my company class who hasn't been in my class for about two months now.

So anyway they want me to teach their 16 year old daughter (Korean age) who is going to America to study in January, three classes a week privately in the hagwon. I agreed with it and I'll start the classes on Monday.

I didn't ask how much will I get paid in front of the family so later I asked the boss and he said 150,000 a month. He said that he will give me all the money (which nobody reading this believes!!) but I'm just wondering if it's enough? My girlfriend says that it's too little for 12 classes a month and maybe it is? I'm curious to hear other people's opinons.

[Ilsanman]

if these classes are 1 hour each, then it is too little. If they're 1/2 hour each time, it's not so bad.

[livinginkorea]

It's 45 minutes per class. Also the 150,000 is on top of my normal pay of 1.8 m per month as I'm teaching in the school.

[justagirl]

Personally, I think that's crap. My boss asked me to teach an extra class (outside of my working hours) at the hakwon and for 2 hours a week I got an extra 200,000 a month. That makes it about 25,000/hour.

You're getting 150,000 for 9 hours? That's about 16,000/hour, which is probably less than you're making an hour during your normal classroom time.

I think you should tell your boss that you'll work for no less than your normal pay-per-hour. If your contract is 1.8 million for 100 hours a month, than no less than 18,000/hour. (even though I still think that's low, since it's extra for you and a big favor for them. For 1-on-1, they should be paying a LOT more. Kids normally pay around 130,000 a month for classes, I would think a private class 3x a week should be way more than 150,000)

justagirl

[hellofaniceguy]

You can bet that the boss is getting some also. He is charging the parents way over 150.000 I would think.
But...to late now. You paying taxes on that 150.000 or free and clear?

[ajstew]

I feel sorry for you and the position you are in. I was in the same situation during my first year in Korea and was expecting to be paid about 30,000 won/35,000 for an hour and a half class, and I found out my boss was only going to pay me for a regular 50 minute class or less to teach his wife. I had agreed to do it like you did.... and had to tell the boss the day after, that it really wasn't something I could do. It's not easy, but for your own health and well-being (no one wants to feel ripped off) tell your boss right away that you 'really can't do it'... and that 'you're exhausted as it is"... and that you could 'do it for once a week'... which your boss will never allow to, but which makes you look good, because you're still willing to try. Besides that, I feel sorry for your 1,800,000 won a month. I hope you work few hours, but I fear you have a regular hagwon job.

[the eye]

you are substantially underpaid in your regular salary....and you want to accept being extremely underpaid in 'extra' time????

sorry if this sounds harsh, but math wasn't your strong suit, was it?

150,000 for 12 classes?..........
you don't see the hilarity in this?

[schwa]

If the student is pleasant & motivated, it might simply prove to be an enjoyable thrice-weekly chat. In similar situations before, I've found what the parents were mostly looking for was a boost of confidence for their child in conversing with foreigners. Casual stuff with minimal prep -- not score-boosting grammar drills.

The pay is low but its possible the director is being straight with you about not taking a cut -- he might be doing a favor for friends. If youre otherwise content with your job, I'd just go ahead & do it. The favor youre providing might well earn bigger benefits down the road than the few extra bucks you might try to negotiate now. You did agree to do it & its only for a month or so.

[livinginkorea]

Well the truth of the matter is that I'm not
- American or Canadian (I'm Irish - not many of us here)
- experienced (been here 8 months so I'm still kinda a newbie)
- in a city (I'm in the countryside in a very small town so wages are lower then the cities)

So that explains why I'm only getting 1.8 million a month but to be honest I'm happy with it as it's my first job. I know that the boss is doing this as a favor for a friend and therefore a huge chunk (if not all) of the payment that the parents are paying is going to me. Remember that she is going to America after all for two years. That's not exactly cheap you know. But anyway that's besides the point. The class will be easy as I will use the same questions that I have done with all my adult and company classes. I'm sure that she is willing to learn too and besides I won't be here long. So 150,000 is too cheap.

I'm hoping to get a job in a city in January, which involves me breaking the contract with my current school. I have an interview tomorrow and if I am hired then I'll teach company and university classes and I get well over 2 million a month. I'll get paid for travel and my apartment as well as I'll be living with my girlfriend. So fingers crossed!!

Oh btw "the eye" maths actually was my strongest subject in school. I was the highest in my class!! Must have went all down hill afterwards. Well at least with the private classes (two every Tuesday) I'm taking in 2.6 a month. That isn't too bad for a newbie is it? But that will all be finished when I change my job soon.

[Homer]

At the very least, these classes should be paid the overtime rate that is in your contract.

[phaedrus]

[Grotto]

The big question is are you okay with it?

If you are.....no problem.

If you arent...problem.

I agree that you should just ask for the overtime rate in your contract.