Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TML1976]

Hey,

I not sure if I should be posting this here or in the jobs-related forum, but I think it makes more sense to do it here.

What does it take for a foreigner to open a hagwon in Korea?

I don't mean something big. In fact, what I would like to do is set up a legal private tutoring service. Where my wife and I would teach out of our own home for a few hours a day after our 9-5 jobs.

Is this at all possible? If so, what does it take to do it?

Thanks in advance.

[Original]

I am too lazy to type all the answers and questions that would have to go with this post. Feel free to PM and I can probably give you some help.

[ttompatz]

[Juregen]

a few problems along the way

1. Find a spot to run it
2. Find ESL teachers
3. Find housing for these ESL teachers
4. Find customers
5. Find all the money for the first few months to pay for it all
6. Find someone who can help you through the jungle of paperwork

No

Thank you

[xCustomx]

I think there was a thread on efllaw.com (can't remember the site) about a guy trying to open up a hagwon near busan. I recommend going over to that site and searching for the thread. From what I remember it seemed VERY complicated

[huffdaddy]

[jdog2050]

[TML1976]

@ Jurugen
Like I said it, it would be a private tutoring thing, so numbers 1-5 would not apply to me or I've already taken care of it. However, I can see some serious challenges waiting for me with number 6. That's kinda of the reason I'm posting this, to get some info about it.

Thanks xCustomx I didn't think of efllaw, I'll check it out today.

@ ttompatz
my wife is not korean and I certainly don't have 50k lying around for investment, so I have to come up with another way.

Thanks for your responses, if anybody else can help I would appreciate it.

Original, I'll be in touch.

[Captain Corea]

[Juregen]

[Ryst Helmut]

OP,

I am American and my wife is Korean and we have a LEGAL "hakwon" in our home. When we were filling out our tutor's license info at the local Education Office I saw that E-2 and F series holders ARE legally allowed to teach English privately (but since I am on an F series visa..I cared not to inquire about how and E-2 holder could do it). When we inquired about me doing privates the woman in charge of licensing was not sure, so she thumbed through the "rule book" to see who is allowed...and I saw E-2, but you may need permission from your primary place of employment (assuming you have one and not a tourist). That'll be your homework (take a Korean with you to the Kyo yook cheong <교육청>spelling?). From there they can explain in detail how much you are allowed to charge, how many students per class, and taxation issues.

Just fyi, our limits are: 9 students per room and 300,000 won per month per student max. To get around that limit, since it's you and your wife, just split the fee. I mean, our HS students pay 500,000 a month. 300,000 for my wife and 200,000 for my services....so just claim the max, but there are some caveats. I will post a detailed explanation soon.

Do not visit immigration to ask them for permission...ours (I told my wife not to ask as I knew their retarded answer) told us explicitly "No!" (even rudely), yet 30 minutes later I submitted my forms and got my certificate 3 days later in the mail. Wait...you are not on an F series...hmmmm.

One last thing...I'd keep it on the legit side. Jealous people are everywhere, Korean and non-Korean and will rat you out (even if you are legit...just to give you a headache or until they realise you are legally teaching).

Good luck!

!shoosh,

Ryst

[huffdaddy]

[TML1976]

Ryst Helmut

Thank you, that was some good info. My school is pretty good and I can see them giving me the permission, I will definetly try it and see what happens.

Cheers.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Ryst Helmut]