Privates,...worth the risk? - Ajarn Forum

jimbo · 13th July 2008, 19:34

I know this guy in Seoul who had pulled 10,000 USD/month in private lesson money awhile back.

I hadn't seen him in a bit, but then got caught up over the weekend and he says he pulled 14,000 in another month!!

Obviously he's working alot of hours, but is that some righteous bucks, or what!?
For teaching a freeking language!!

I don't think I could handle the schedule he keeps, but I'm heading to half it.

My first one (this kor stretch) is 73US per hour (3 kids). Not bad at all.

I just may get a biggie (40 students) at a well known bank.

Anyone else, walking the line in Korea and getting paid well for it??

jonny danger · 13th July 2008, 19:39

My friend there does translations for businesses. I think he gets $100 per page. He's been at it for a long while and does a page in about 15 minutes. Not a teacher but I thought I'd mention it.

jimbo · 13th July 2008, 19:44

Right.

I'm getting ready to start advertising Thai cooking lessons (I live in a very affluent suburb).
Jum will go to their home and teach them dishes with their own pots and pans, plus there's a Korean website that delivers Thai food ingredients (including veggies).

Korean cooking lessons average at 35US per hour. We'll be asking for 50.

Could work, but no investment, so...hell y not.

goo_stewart · 13th July 2008, 19:54

I do a measle 300,000 won a month. But it does get me out of bed in the morning twice a week. I love the guy as well, top bloke (and I now teach his kids). I don't think I have improved his English, but we do have some good laughs. My boss can hook me up with them, I may well ask her for the summer hols.

stfranalum · 13th July 2008, 20:00

the only factor is if its fun and the students are participating.

if its not, its better to stay sane at your regular job and look from there for more opportunities IMO.

but when privates participate, its eaaasy street. fun, interactive, and you almost feel guilt taking their money.

but man, 10k a month extra.holy cow thats good money for teaching. i dont think theres any pedagogical position anywhere in the states, uni professor- high school teacher (phd + tenure) who makes that in a year.

Matthew · 13th July 2008, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

My first one (this kor stretch) is 73US per hour

For fucks sake. I thought I'd arrived when I snagged 1000 baht/hour. Guess not.

migrant · 13th July 2008, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

I know this guy in Seoul who had pulled 10,000 USD/month in private lesson money awhile back.

My ex wife is Korean, and while it's been a while since she was there I remember some of the English teacher stories she told.

She said the families that hired the private teachers were very protective, picking them up in a car, providing dinner, and dropping off after. All to ingratiate with the teacher in order to keep them around.

Maybe things have changed, but with all I heard, I can see how it can be done.

i1der · 13th July 2008, 22:11

Your friend is making some good money there Jimbo, good for him.
I say make as much as you can now while you're young and active, go for it.

My_Kow_Lope · 14th July 2008, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

Anyone else, walking the line in Korea and getting paid well for it??

Yup.

phuketbound · 14th July 2008, 00:27

No offence, Jimbo, but even if I was.. I probably wouldn't be talking about it on the forum.

jimbo · 14th July 2008, 06:21

None taken. Not asking you to talk about it in specifics PB (or at all).

And if you'd be that concerned, it's pretty easy to give the thread a miss.

I have input on daves korean forum as well. There's a thread in there where F status visas discuss strategies, etc...

oxfordstu · 16th July 2008, 10:57

Privates are absolutely worth the risk. The only problem I had was actually getting them. My last few months in Korea I did some weekend work for a hagwon and got paid around $1,000 for a few hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Easy. I knew guys who were pulling in over 5k but 14k? That's the highest I've ever even heard of.

jimbo · 16th July 2008, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxfordstu

I knew guys who were pulling in over 5k but 14k? That's the highest I've ever even heard of.

Insane amount, isn't it?? He's not alone either

Now, I have a clear goal to strive for!...errrrr....1/2 that

phuketbound · 19th July 2008, 05:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

None taken. Not asking you to talk about it in specifics PB (or at all).

And if you'd be that concerned, it's pretty easy to give the thread a miss.

I have input on daves korean forum as well. There's a thread in there where F status visas discuss strategies, etc...

Just out of curiousity then.. if you were on F status visa..would that legally allow you to teach privates?

How much do you make with your privates?

jimbo · 19th July 2008, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by phuketbound

Just out of curiousity then.. if you were on F status visa..would that legally allow you to teach privates?

Only if you register them and in effect become a small business. Problem with that?...too many damn regs, limitations and BS! (this is why Koreans also tutor UNregistered classes).

The main difference (from what I can tell) is:

Caught (on E2): possible jail time, fined, possible deportation.

Caught on (F series): fined.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phuketbound

How much do you make with your privates?

...............

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

this guy pulled 10,000 USD/month in private lesson money awhile back.......he says he pulled 14,000 in another month!!

My first one (this kor stretch) is 73US per hour (3 kids). Not bad at all.

...........