Koreans Want Better Teachers
The most popular (or controversial post) in this site is The Korean Impact on Baguio. It is most commented on and brings out so many emotions from so many folks who were affected by the thoughts and words therein, as well as their personal experiences with the Koreans as can be gleaned from the many reactions thereto.
Therein I wrote:
“4. Professionalize the teaching of English. Those who teach do not always declare their earnings, do not organize themselves and are thus left at the mercy of those hiring them. What prevails now is the whole attitude of “underselling” each other. Just a few years ago, local English tutors would receive Php200/hour and now they are paid as little as Php50/hour. Can you imagine if they all united and insisted on the rates they want — or they don’t teach? Then the Koreans would have no choice but to pay top rates. After all, their academies charge their students at least $1,000/month for board, lodging and English lessons.”
Now I am writing this follow up article because of two things:
1. A recent news account where it is averred that Koreans want better teachers:
2. A comment from Francis asking how when and where we are going to do something about the inequity of the situation which leaves Filipinos at the mercy of Koreans in our own country.
Professionalize the Teaching of English.
You see, no degree in Education or in English is necessary to become an English tutor to the Koreans. I have met some tutors who are not very fluent in English even, although I have to say that many Filipinos do not need formal schooling or a degree in AB English to master the English language.
Those my age were products of Marcos’s ‘bilingualism program’ where students were taught to master both languages – English and Pilipino. And those of us whose families are old, speak a third language, Spanish, handed down from ancestors who spoke it as their primary language. If you went to UP up to the 1980s like I did, we can talk about the 12 units of Spanish we had to contend with.
Should standards be set by the school owners or by an association of ESL Teachers in Baguio (that the tutors should actually think of organizing already), or even by the government, then there can be some standards set to determine pay grades.
Concretely, those who have passed the TOEFL exams can probably command a higher rate.
Right now, the only qualification to earn at least Php400/hour is American citizenship, the American twang and/or Caucasian features. The Koreans are uber impressed with that. They call them NATIVE SPEAKERS (as if America is the home of the English language!). Their photos are to be included in their websites to attract more enrollees).
To be fair, a friend of mine got raised to Php100+ per hour as a full-time employee when she was the only Filipino tutor to pass the Korean TOEK (or is it TOYK?) exam, which is a prerequisite for admission to a prestigious school like the University of Seoul. This was years ago when she was working in one of the oldest and most established Korean English Academies in Baguio, and before she established her own school.
So, if standards are set, and standards are met, there should be no quarrel about pay, should there?
We just...
Great post! I feel pity to those who still accept P50/hour because most of them (fresh grads/some even cum laude grads) don’t deserve such pay. The trick in private tutorials for Koreans is to set the price first before accepting the job. If the client does not agree then we might as well look for other students who would take our rate. The Koreans think they are higher than Filipinos. All my fingers are not enough to count the bad experiences of Baguio ESL tutors with Koreans with “attitude” problems. Thankfully, my previous experience in tutoring ESL and TOEFL to Koreans was not as bad as that of the others.
I forgot to add…Kudos to Baguio Country Club for banning Koreans! They’re the only business in Baguio that has the guts to do that!
Amen.
“My green-eyed half-American cousin” …
pa-intro naman o
Hi Mojo,
The Filipino tutors, if organized, can DEMAND the rate they want! It’s not a buyer’s market, you know. They can say they’ll move to Manila or Cebu but, um, it’s HOT there!
And yup, I guess Baguio Country Club feels the damage done to their golf course is not worth the aggravation. But Kim Jong Hei is desperate for their money!
Hehehe Albert,
As if… you didn’t stare into those eyes for years! Green di ba? Or hazel with green specks?
Honestly Lisa, I think your blogs about them are sort of biased and portrays a strong determination to dislike Koreans staying here in Baguio City. BUT nonetheless, I share your sentiments and feelings regarding this issue. For all intents and purposes, well mannered or ill-mannered Koreans, there’s something seriously wrong and alarming with the way they’re behaving here.
If you’ll ask a Korean (usually students), they’d say either of these and nothing sort of an outright lie:
a.) “I like Baguio. It’s very nice here.” (Personally I think there’s some sort of truth to these but they all usually has something to do with “feeling superior because I’m a Korean and they’re JUST Filipinos”.)
b.) “I like the weather.” (It’s a common knowledge that they’re very nationalistic- whether a product’s good or bad as long as it’s Korean they’ll support it, so I wonder why they can actually stomach saying this. Why, don’t they like the weather of Korea?)
Although there’d be some that are honest to admit the simple truth:
“I study/live here because Philippines’ prices is affordable as compared in our country. And if I don’t move and study here, I won’t be able to study in Korean Universities.”
But then again, even if they DO study abroad (say, America or some other English speaking countries), most of them won’t because they’d be sure as hell to experience the same thing that all Asians (regardless of their country’s richness/world status) experiences: DISCRIMATION.
And what’s their remedy to this? Well, the still increasing 98,000+ Koreans in Baguio City alone and 56,000+ in Manila is nothing sort of a escape goat for them if you ask me. Also, Baguio City is meant to have a capacity of 100,000 people. But the Korean’s population alone already exceeds this. If Baguio’s going to be over-populated anyways, wouldn’t it be much better to accommodate our fellow Filipinos?
AND NOW, THEY HAVE THE NERVE TO DEMAND THIS?
Contented or not, I don’t think it’s right for a foreigner to be saying that here. Besides, as far as I know, (majority) Filipinos have no trouble of speaking, writing, or understanding English at all: It’s the Koreans that has trouble learning the language. I know that there are a lot of (honestly speaking) desperate Filipinos that tutors English to them despite not having enough qualifications. But hey, the main point is Koreans paid for them- and just as the author of this blog said: “You get what you pay for”.
Also, I don’t know if everyone’s aware of this but, Korean Universities and Schools (in Korea) only accepts English teachers from “native” english countries; America, Canada, and among others. Unsurprisingly, it’s a no entry to Korea for aspiring Filipino teachers who wishes to teach English in their country.
Did any of them knew that there’s A LOT of Filipinos who teach english even in the United States? Filipino teachers who sometimes are more favored by USA schools than native American teachers?
I think not. Just as what was mentioned in the cartoon picture above, it’s all about the hair color, skin tone, the “accent” (disregarding properly speaking the language), and eye color. It’s only the “American Look” that matters to them, nothing more. Big deal.
OR PERHAPS, (AM I RIGHT IN ASSUMING THAT) THEY TOOK IT AS A SILENT INSULT TO BE TAUGHT BY US (who in their perspective as “just Filipinos”)?
English teachers here are mostly canadians recruited to teach in Language schools or we Call it”hagwon” although ouside private tutoring cost as much as $30 to $40 an hour or could be more,they are not allowed to teach outside the “hagwons”.But for that price many are risking their visa status.Teaching visa is only allocated to English speaking countries and sadly Philippines is not on the list.But once in a while we hear some Fil teaching English here, they are illegals not unless they are married to the nationals of course they are much cheaper because even here the whites reigns.
Hi Mr. Baguio,
Thanks for sharing your insights and experiences. I agree with most of your points.
I would just like to ask you to read all my entries again (and I have several on the topic of Koreans) — I am not biased against Koreans nor do I dislike them. I AM MERELY PRO FILIPINO SOVEREIGNTY ON PHILIPPINE SOIL.
To reiterate — they are here and must behave on OUR terms, not theirs, Elsewhere they pay higher, and I really think we must be dictating the price, especially in Baguio with limited resources. We Filipinos should stop selling ourselves short.
In fact, at dinner last night, I was remarking to a Baguio oldtimer how I did not mind the business they are throwing our way — as long as we are not relegated to slaves in our own country. How stupid that Baguio residents are not taking advantage of this unexpected economic boon from the heavens correctly.
Also, check your facts — we have about 10,000 of them in Baguio, with the number doubling temporarily in July and August during their breaks. We are No.3 in terms of popularity as a business investment area for Korean schools in the Philippines to Manila and Cebu (reasonable considering our land area). My sources for this are news reports plus a consultant lawyer to many Koreans in the Philippines.
Hi Ed,
Can the Philippines be considered an English speaking country considering at this time, a majority of our countrymen refuse to speak the language or master it? Just listening to the college kids bantering downtown “Walang mag-i-English, ha?”
Although the language is not native to us, a close friend who runs an English Academy for Koreans takes on Filipino students (subsidized by Korean tuition money, by the way) says, “Filipinos can all speak English — they merely lack the confidence.”
Fact is, we do not speak English as well as we used to. But, neither can the Filipino speak Filipino well for that matter. I guess it’s the lack of respect for language. We are pretty irreverent in that sense — just by listening to the way TV news folk bastardize our native language with words they make up — Korina Sanchez uses “chansa” instead of “pagkakataon.”
They are here in Baguio because Baguio is cheap. And I do not think being cheap is a virtue, by the way. How I wish an elegant life for all our countrymen. And class is not necessarily expensive — just a matter of attitude, of restraint, of subtlety, of excellence.
Oh, about the number of population, I had meant to write 9,800 from what I’ve read on some research, not 98,000. Sorry about that, my mistake I didn’t noticed the number of zero’s.
That’s about right, Mr. Baguio. Just think 10,000 Koreans spending about $2,000 EACH per month! Do the math! The lion’s share of those numbers must go to the Filipinos not to the Korean school-owners and their recruiting agents, di ba?
Hi Lisa. I don’t know how to contact you so I’ll just post it here. I just wanna know if there’s any progress regarding the garbage issue? I’m just worried on what it might cause the populace of Baguio- you know, over populated place + mismanaged garbage= health hazards.
Hope you make some topic regarding this.
Hello, i am an American with 14yrs. teaching experiencein the U.S. and Asea. If anyone would like to start up a school,or help me put up a schooldrop me an e-mail marvidon2003@yahoo.com i would be in need of filipinas who could speak Korean.I will pay you more than the going rate.
Salamat,
Marc
p.s. i am with an international school,in Vietnam where Pinoys are underpaid.It pisses me off in plain English!
Ang galing mambola yung nasa taas ko.
Hi Mr Baguio,
There are other posts on this site regarding the garbage issue. If it is a consequence on the deliberate plan to ruin tourism in Baguio so that the local economy will be dependent on the schools alone, then I see no hope in the near horizon while you-know-who is in charge of the city.
If its is not a direct consequence thereof, then it can only be blamed on incompetent leadership, wouldn’t you say?
Both ways, Baguio is the loser.
Hi Marc,
I don’t know of many Filipinas who speak Korean, maybe you should hire Koreans to teach their language. Hahaha!
Hello Juan,
Mukha nga. At mukhang hirap sa pagbabaybay ng pangngalang o salitang “Asia.” Guro nga ba? Hahaha! Sabi na nga ba, hindi silang magaling mag-Ingles!
lisa,This is just to show that Koreans are better businessmen than Filipinos.They see them coming but they did not do anything now they are lording it over,They are whining. lets stop calculating how much they make instead think of how much we can get from them and take that as lesson in making business anywhere.
Mismo, Ed!
The folks in Baguio should stop believing it’s a “buyer’s market” with us iBaguios as the sellers.
The Koreans like the cold here, they like the availability of cheap vegetables, they love the way we are falling all over ourselves to act as dummies so they can purchase land — they should not make the English tutors in Baguio feel they are inferior or that they deserve such little pay!
Come on, we’re allowing them to lord it all over us!
You see guys, among other things, I am a pretty astute businesswoman. I always do the math (with all variables taken into consideration).
Sa gulay pa lang, sobrang lamang na sila dito kung ihahambing sa mga presyo sa Maynila o sa Cebu. Sa ilaw pa lang, lamang na sila. Pati ba naman ang ating pagturo sa kanila, halos libre na? Guro na, yaya pa!
Mag waiter nalang kaya sa “high end” restaurant sa Maynila — minimum wage 10k, service charge 6k, tips 9k plus benefits — eh di hamak na mas malaki ang kikitain!
A friend of mine teaches little Korean kids in Alabang (speaks passable English — 1,000/day!)
Finally, when all is asked and answered, I just have this to say to our foreign guests as far as this news article is concerned — you get what you pay for!
pardon me for my rudeness but we ask to be compensated higher than what we receive now, but don’t you think that these koreans give us meagre pay because they think (and might be true) that this is what we deserve? i don’t want to antagonize the person who said,” you get what you pay for…” but i must say that this kind of thinking is what imperils our bid for a higher pay….my point is that we give them what they deserve and only then will they give us what’s due us. how on earth will we convince them that we deserve more if we give them less? feed a dog well and it will reward you with loyalty and kindness. feed him a little and it will surely bite you. unfortunately, this is the law of business…let’s show them what we are capable of. let’s just not give them what they pay for, give them more….i had had students who said that filipinos are better than our foreign counterparts not only in terms of patience but also in terms of our proficiency in grammar and spoken english. unfortunately, they realized this late. so, let your students now realize this while they are still here in our country by showing them what we’ve really got. by showing them mediocrity, they’ll always look down to us as mediocre, and i believe we are not, are we?
lisa dear,
just to correct an info. i did not teach engl to koreans as direct engl teacher but i taught french to koreans meaning i had to expl engl first before explaining in french. so, double langauge for one subject and a meager pay. i am even surprised that so called native americans are paid P400/hr. Wala pa sa kalahati yung sa akin ha??? What’s the difference between frech and English? both are foriegn language but why did i receive a lower payment. i guess i was part of the victims of giving quality education but receiving poor pay! shall we then organize? i am with you!
Hi Romy,
I guess there can be many interpretations of the phrase “You Get What You Pay For” but I don’t think our English tutors short-change their students because they are paid low. If you are paying a low price, you will attract only low quality teachers — those who speak and teach better may not be willing to accept meager rates.
Thus standards must be set and even tutors ranked and rated, I suppose.
How Africa, Francis?
Future PAGASA workshops are in the works of course, the Baguio Initiative is dependent on the presence and action of the PAGASA graduates. Otherwise, we will be left with no recourse but to support individual initiatives by PAGASA graduates. It must be a collective leadership and collective action — otherwise we will be back to square one: reliance on a few personalities who happen to have a stronger presence than others!
Come back na!
hi liza..
i dunno yet..
i am not interested for THIER money.. kahit madulas akong mag english, i wont still offer my service.. they dont deseve my tounge..
am i unreasonable??
Pinakay, I do not think you are unreasonable if you feel that way. Someone else in Baguio will teach them, of course, and for cheap!
I am interested in money coming into Baguio, as long as the sources are clean. It is an opportunity for us to render good service.
And I believe that for good service one should be paid well. No one should be expected to render a service like that virtually for free.
lisa, the korean coming here are also taking the risk,the risk of being mug,rob or even get killed FYI Philippines is rated the second highest where Koreans nationals are killed in the world next only to USA but then korean student population in the US is th times than in Phils.So before anybody organizes to demand higher payment from tutoring they should organize first to keep our guests feel safe in the city,in that way even rich Koreans will come here and feel safe to live and learn english,there and only then we can demand what is right and just when it regards to the payments in tutoring.
Can somebody help me to sew a korean who do not have their word of honor(at walang utang na loob)?
Hi Ed,
A korean once told me that “first class Koreans” only go to the US and second class ones come to the Philippines. I guess, like the way our grand parents went to France to study French and Italy to study voice.
As for the crime rate, we need to know if the perpetrators are Filipinos, because a lot of the incidents violent crimes involving Koreans have their own countrymen as the perpetrators.
I honestly don’t think that the crime rate should have anything to do with the rates our Filipino English tutors deserve.
Nickjhaey,
Did you want to sew or sue? If it’s the latter, then get a legal opinion from a private lawyer or drop by the prosecutors offices at Justice Hall to determine if you have a valid cause of action.
hi lisa,the crime rate regardless of who are the perpetrators(be it korean or Filipinos) as well as cleanliness and ordeliness has something to do to make our city world class at that,and things like demanding higher payment for the services we rendered be it tutoring or tourism will find that as one reason to do so.As some koreans in their blogs says “yes it is cheaper to study in Philippines but you are putting your life into risk,Australia or new zealand are more expensive per se but you will ” feel” safer there”.Like their parents I too feel the same I would pay a premium for my sons education as long as my son is safe from any harm and Im sure you too.
Ed, I agree that our city should be beautiful clean and safe, for ourselves, for our visitors, because that is as life should be.
As for the pay of our teachers, it should be based on their competence plus the economic laws of supply and demand. What you’re looking at is to increase the demand — I agree. Better to attract them to Baguio for all its virtues and lure them away from “competitor countries.”
And even if we teach them for free, it will not attract them to come if they will be hurt while they are here.
Hi Lisa,
I have been curious as to how much Koreans are paying Filipinos to be taught English. I personally find it funny why they want to be taught “shlang” or I would call ghetto talk. From what I’ve observed proper English is what can get anyone professional jobs over here.
I like the Koreans I come in contact with here in the US but the ones I’ve seen in Baguio need more than English lessons. Any etiquette schools in Baguio?
Question: how would one define a “native english speaking country”? please enumerate your criteria.
What makes the koreans any different than the chinese who come into this country in droves (witness divisoria and other areas) illegally?
It’s the mongol hoardes sans elephants!
I do agree with lisa that the upper class refined koreans go to the US, Canada, Australia, NZ and of course England. The ones who come here are the low class koreans because this is the only place in the AsPac that is cheap and affordable. Given their status in Korea, no wonder they come here with a sense of entitlement and are boorish in nature…I dunno I think this is more the males than females. I had the opportunity to eat in one of the delicious korean restaurants there in Baguio a few weeks ago and was waiting for a table. when one was vacated, my wife and i sat there to the consternation and protest of the group of koreans waiting as well. the ma?tre d’ mentioned that we were waiting since 7pm (it was 9pm). When I asked her why she told that to the korean who was there longer than us, she said that they were cheapskates.
Now don’t get me wrong, I think that cross cultural polination is wonderful in society, think of all those scrumptious food that they offer. I guess we have to take the good with the bad. unfortunately, there is a lot of bad. But I think that it is more a sub-culture based on their class or station in life. I know koreans who are refined and not boisterous living along ayala or in forbes. Go figure!
I’m a Baguio boy from California and came for a visit last Oct. 07 after 15 years of absence. I’m sure glad there is a good hangout place, Zola, with internet service open 24 hrs. I was looking for one when i was there and now Zola is on my priority list since i am planning to visit Baguio again for the upcoming 09′ Centennial celebration. Thanks for the tip….
Sa napansin ko, ang mga Koryano/na ang pinaka mapagmataas, pinaka arogante at pinaka mayayabang sa lahat ng mga asyano. Bukod pa dun, mukhang sila ang may pinakamaiikling pasensya. Totoo ‘di ba?
i agree with most of what you guys posted here.
most koreans think they are our superior. but of course, not all of them think the same way. i have korean friends who love their country but are not happy with how they fellow countrymen behave. in fact, they’d prefer to be associated with filipinos than those kinds of koreans.
i think we should take a closer look on this matter. if you ask me i’d say the problem really lies on us. we’ve been “enslaved” by so many foreign nations (both western and oriental). our culture permits such a situation. we do not readily confront our aggressors.
they say that there are things to learn from the past. during the japanese occupation (2nd world war), most of those who took advantage of us aren’t really japanese. KOREANS.
when i was walking along session road one afternoon, i saw a korean woman shouting at a filipino boy who was begging for money. i know those kids can get so annoying. but hey, decency and human respect should transcend culture and color.
i regret not helping the boy and saying to the hag, “get your yellow korean ass out of my country.” next time,i will not let any of them spit on my country and my countrymen.
Hello to everyone! This is the third time I’ve been to this blogsite and every time I visit (I mean during the few times that I’ve visited
), the topics that I read never cease to catch my interest. Now in saying this, the boom of Korean population has become one of my favorite subjects. Everyone is talking about how we can organize the commerce behind this profitable opportunity that hugely snowballed the past 10 years and still is increasing in size.
). However, this is the most interesting part. Well of course what I mentioned on top is one way of profiteering from foreign students coming to this country–buying a student visa or granting short-stay visa only for touring or short study upon meeting conditions. Yes, the best part is charging them with what the government calls “international student fee/tuition” which is like 7 to 10 times more than what a citizen pays for and yet droves of foreign students come every year despite the enrollment quota set by universities and other educational institutions that cater for these people. This is what we call being “organized”. Having the will to set up a policy to oversee this part of Australian commerce which is a significant contribution to the Australian economy. The by-product of this of course is that these foreign students would need to eat, have a roof over their heads, clothes on their back and some entertainment to spend their money on. This is where the ordinary Joe and the small businessmen make money. Australia is not at all threatened by this influx of foreigners rolling over like a big wave(but in the past during the white-Australia policy,they were…anyway..) for the fact that the Australian government has mastered the craft of governance over this part of their business. They saw it was coming, they did something about it and now they are reaping the golden wheat.From being threatened that the colored-skin people might eat-away white Australians in terms of culture and population, they have turned the tables around and turned this fear into economic strength. Big Joe and little joe wins.
I do not reside in Baguio, however, I was born and raised there leaving for overseas when I was 20. Who would’ve known that this sort of business would boom like how it is now? Only the experts. hey, they should have seen this! I live here in Australia and I have seen why Australia is one of the capital nations that best teaches Language: English in particular. duh. Apart from the obvious that it is an English-speaking country, a child of her mother, England, it has a very well developed policy in providing education for foreign students. Their secret is political will(haha), the implementation of it and policing of it. Foreigners wanting to come to Australia for the purpose of studying long-term must only enter through the student visa program. Attached with that of course are rules and conditions that must be strictly followed. Otherwise, you’re out man! Some of these rules are: the person holding a student visa must only study in government elected universities, schools or other educational institutions regardless of what they want to study. They are to stay only as long as the visa allows them to, usually during the whole course of studies they have chosen to undertake. Everything is standardized from visa application, its granting, admission and enrollment, curriculum to instructor qualification. Some still seek additional private tutoring in the language area and of course this is allowed anyway. For short-stay visa holders (such as tourist visas) foreigners who want to learn English or attend other career or academic trainings are only allowed 3 months of formal study/training or they can also elect private tutoring if they wish. If they overstay without notifying the immigration, obviously they will be on the wanted list(TNT list
Now in saying this, it drives down to the efficacy of laws and policy development and the implementation thereof laid down by both local and federal government. It just shows how unregulated and outdated the laws regarding foreigners entering the Philippines for whatever reason in comparison to Australia or other countries who follow highly systematic rules. It’s the system (sigh). Why? Do Filipinos really have to be first-world in order to polish-up our laws and policies regarding education, health or immigration to name a few? That is the bigger picture as I see it. Locally, why has the Baguio government allowed such things to happen as mentioned by some in their above statements? Everything that connects to the ill-effects of the so-called ‘Korean invasion’ seem to root from government’s or the local council’s incompetence and inability to man their own territory. No wonder some Koreans or other foreigners at that, would display arrogance towards Filipinos. They are playing Poker with people who have bet their blood and flesh but do not know the combination of a straight/royal flush or four-of-a-kind. Unfortunately, we are the latter. We can only win if we master this art. So obvious. The people of Baguio can hugely benefit more if government will update and implement there procedures, system and programs. I know, it’s easier said than done. However, isn’t this all possible for the Philippines or Baguio per se? Amen.
I’ve been teaching English to Korean students for 5 years here in Bacolod. Honestly, im satisfied with my salary rate. I just pity these new tutors since they only get as low as P50/hr….. They have no choice because english academies here for koreans have their own association. They decided to have the same salary rates and working conditions…How about us tutors???? Why dont we also form a group so we can also demand what we deserve to get.
i remember my stint teaching koreans. all was good back then. back when we didn’t have rice crisis and the sort, when the pay was good enough to buy you things you need AND want. fast forward to today, the pay remains the same but the condition has worsened. teachers nowadays just live from paycheck to paycheck and it doesn’t help that they are being looked down by majority of their students.
rates should be standardized. and there should be qualifiers for this. like for example, there will be a certain office where wannabe-teachers can get a certification that he/she is qualified to teach and is only eligible for this amount of money so on and so forth. but i guess that is too complicated, seeing that most of the people teaching english to koreans only do so in passing, not a career path to seriously pursue.
summer, exactly my point! Why o why can’t someone, anybody, somebody organise this association for Filipino English tutors? Educators, where are you??? Shall I fly back to Baguio?….wishful thinking…hehehehe….
I hope we’ll be able to form a bond. I share your feelings towards the Koreans, but let me clarify myself that I’m not going to be one of those who’ll crucify the good ones. Admittedly, I’ve been a victim of misinformation spread by some awful Koreans and, unfortunately, a handful of Filipinos willing to despise someone in return for a grip for a touch and go benefits and salaries. It has been my campaign to unite the tutors in order to have a common goal to protect the deprived. It sounds sentimental and corny, but I think this is the way to go.
I’m planning to go to Baguio next week. I’m leaving my cell phone number on the site for everyone to view, which is 09083045621.
Lisa, and the others, please get in touch.
I think we should all relax and think about the situation. after around 5 to 6 years,the korean population will shrink. in baguio,many korean businesses closed due to bunkrupcy. so why should teachers consider ESL as their future. Belive me,there is no future in english academies. part time tutoring is good. but if you prefer to make it as your career…get real dude.its a job for people wasting their time and effort on something that is not rewarding.only the owners get rich and the teachers are left with false hopes of succes.head teachers also think like koreans because they are “kapit patalim” for their jobs.they are so called “tuta” of these korean owners. i warn you to be careful with these pretending head teachers. anyway, there is no future in english academies.
lisa said:
“Right now, the only qualification to earn at least Php400/hour is American citizenship, the American twang and/or Caucasian features. The Koreans are uber (sic) impressed with that. They call them NATIVE SPEAKERS (as if America is the home of the English language!). Their photos are to be included in their websites to attract more enrollees (sic).”
By way of introduction, I’m proud to be: (1) an American citizen, (2) a NATIVE speaker of English with an American accent, (3) certified in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), (4) a highly-experienced university lecturer and corporate trainer, (5) a professional with significant work experience outside of academia and the TESOL profession, and (6) in possession of two Master of Science degrees from top-tier American universities.
MY THESIS: I find your comments regarding Korean preferences for English tutors to be very unprofessional and somewhat ignorant, at the minimum, or extraordinarily racist and xenophobic, at worst. Here’s my rationale:
1. In the professional TESOL industry, it is common knowledge that tutors/instructors raised and educated in certain countries are acknowledged to be “native” speakers. Those countries are (most often) UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Being a “native” speaker has absolutely NOTHING to do with the origin, or “home,” of the English language. Koreans refer to Americans as “native speakers” because that’s how the TESOL industry refers to them. And, yes, Koreans, as a nationality, just like you, as a Filipina, have a right to be overly impressed, or unimpressed, with anything they want!
2. If Koreans had a choice between learning English with an American accent, or learning English with a Filipino accent, which one do you think they’ll choose, and which one is in higher demand in the international business, engineering, medical, and diplomatic communities? Did it ever occur to you that Koreans prefer to learn from an American because native speakers know and understand English idioms much better than most Filipinos, and an American accent is far more acceptable, in our globalized economy, than a Filipino accent?
3. Re: “Their photos are to be included in their websites to attract more enrollees.” COMMENT: You are proud to be a successful businesswoman, correct? If you truly understand business, as you proclaim, doesn’t it make good business sense to include pictures of native speakers on you website, rather than Filipinos, to maximize marketing potential and your brand’s image? It doesn’t take an MBA to understand that more Koreans will consider an English School if the school hires and retains native speakers!
By the way, Koreans are not the only nationality overly impressed with a caucasian face. On certain websites featuring primarily caucasian North American and European males, and catering to romance and long-term relationships, I see that Filipinas are always the most-interested and most-represented nationality, by far!
Dear Mr. Ryan,
If the Koreans want to learn from native speakers, then by all means, they should seek out Americans in to teach them — in America, not the Philippines. But of course they will not find an American to teach them at the rate of $8.00/hour there, will they?
You see, the whole point of this article is to discuss the laws of supply and demand in our little town with the demand for English tutors exceeding the supply, which is why the topic is about encouraging my countrymen to stop accepting “peanuts” for jobs without tenure or benefits. Because, honestly, English tutors, even without the twang, should not be earning the equivalent of $1.00/hour in the Philippines.
You, dear sir, on the other hand, are ignorant of the prevailing rates for English tutors, whether with American accents or not in the Philippines, which is why, despite your qualifications as a teacher, you are in no position to determine the fair rates in the Philippines, are you? Because this is precisely what the topic is all about.
Or were you merely looking around for a venue where you could broadcast your resume? May I suggest another site called Linked In?
You also, are ignorant of the qualifications or the capabilities of some of your countrymen who reside in the Philippines, as far as the teaching of English is concerned, so in this particular case, you may know not whereof you speak. And, to be fair, there are American teachers who deserve to earn more than their compatriots — it’s just that the Koreans cannot tell the difference in terms of skill. Many of those setting up English academies cannot speak English themselves, which is why their primary requirement would be that their “head teacher” possess Caucasian features.
Now, regarding your very well-phrased insult to my countrywomen, “On certain websites featuring primarily caucasian North American and European males, and catering to romance and long-term relationships, I see that Filipinas are always the most-interested and most-represented nationality, by far!.” This I find totally malicious.
And honestly, stop deluding yourselves into thinking that your Caucasian features would be what interests them.
ENP language academy on commonwealth ave in Quezon City was told by DOLE to pay teachers 13th month pay and holiday bonuses! In a hearing at the DOLE field office. ENP thought it’s contracts were stronger than Philippine LAW -they were WRONG!
Hi Joel,
The labor courts will have to be approached by individuals for redress while if they organize they can get those matters out of the way even before they have to hire lawyers or go through a tedious process of filing cases, or live with resentment at the workplace arising from decisions favoring one party or the other.
Hello, there was an organization called BIETA (Baguio International English Teacher’s Association) It was organized in 2006 which aims to help solve the grievances of English tutors in Baguio City. It also aims to set a standard rate of English tutors. Because many tutors are accepting 50 pesos per hour which is degrading to the teaching profession. But, since I left Baguio in 2006 to look for a greener pasture in Thailand, I dunno what happened to the organization. The organization just collapsed and nothing happened to the current issues regarding teaching English to Koreans in Baguio.
I hope somebody would form an organization again with strong foundation to standardize the rate of English teachers. (I would go back and teach English in Baguio if the rate is atleast 250/hour).
Come on Baguio English teachers! Organize yourself and stop complaining.
Here in Thailand, it’s sad to hear that many Filipinos especially those whose are from the Visayas are accepting 8thousand baht per month. We encounter the same problem here but atleast those who are paid 8K per month only teach 10-16 hours a week. But it is still very low. But, no Filipino here is paid 50 pesos an hour for tutorial. The minimum rate is 150- 250 per hour which is still OK.
On our site which offers online English classes via Skype, we offer $8.00 per hour. Better not teach if the student can’t afford to pay $8.00….
Hi Mr. Roy,
Thanks for your comments. Maybe the last few members of BIETA can revive the org and recruit new ones. I am sure more will join your roll now because the rates are by now in 2009 just too low.
Although we understand that Korea is in economic recession because the US owns a lot of their land and their stock market (and when they were in recession they unloaded foreign holdings, dropping the korean won from 1000:1$ to 1500:1$, it is still cheaper from them to learn in the Philippines or online than in their own country.
Good luck to you and hope you come back soon, forming a corporation of your own with Filipino staff that will do exactly the same thing as there. Because that type of business is already all very possible and being done in Baguio City.
hi..
this is my first time on this blogsite and i really like the topics here. I’m also an english teacher for koreans. I know that we all would want a higher pay. ( i won’t complain for an increase) But in my opinion, we Filipinos are popular not only as an english teacher for koreans but we are popular all over the world as nurses, domestic helpers, etc because of cheap labor.
Do you think Koreans would choose to go here if we charge the same rates with native speakers?? i guess not…
they are here because they can afford us… and because of that, many filipinos have jobs.
Let’s face it… Unemployment rate is very high in this country.. and most of the people who have jobs (with filipino employers) have very low salary rates.. but we, as english teachers, are paid P50/hr (for example)… that is even higher as compared to some ordinary employees..
i’m not saying that we dont deserve to have high salaries, i think we do but we should be at least thankful. its better than no work at all…
Welcome Mememe,
Thanks for your insights.
While I understand that the rate of Php50/hour is higher than minimum wage, I have to insist, though, that the Philippines is popular not only because we provide cheap labor, but because we provide really good service. Studying here — with all other things considered: rent, food, utilities — would be still be cheaper than in other Asian countries that have a good supply of English teachers.
If you guys got together, you could still negotiate better rates. They used to be willing to pay Filipinos Php100-200 per hour. That is until they saw that Filipino English teachers are not negotiating from a position of strength.
Alone you would say, “It’s better than no work at all” but together you can agree to say “It’s Php100/hour minimum — you are not providing us with benefits nor do we have security of tenure — or go elsewhere!”
And what choices will they have? To go to America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia? Expensive! As far as English is concerned, we’re way ahead of places with the same or lower costs of living like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia.
The reason we write these posts and comments is in support of YOU! You deserve much better and they certainly can still afford to pay you more.
Yes, I know that these comments are for the support of US. I’m not saying that we dont deserve everything that you have said. I’m not talking about myself here. actually, I’m very satisfied with my salary.
I’m referring to other Filipinos who don’t have the right qualifications to teach English. If we would ask for a higher pay, Koreans still have a lot of choices and that is not to go to other countries…. but to hire filipino tutors who can speak good english and dont necessarily have all the qualification and would receive lower pays..
I agree with what you guys said about the law of supply and demand. Yes, the demand is very high, but you neglected to see that the supply of unemployed Filipinos is much higher.. There are a lot of people who would gladly accept 50/hr rate..
For me, the competitors are not only the other countries.
The philippines is a very poor country. If we ask all of the tutors to join us in a group to ask for a higher pay and benefit, do you think that all of them would join? I’m sure a lot of them would not risk to lose their job that feeds their family. That’s the reason why i said It’s better than no work at all.
Hi Lisa. I’m a new ESL Teacher here in Makati. I didn’t know that ESL teachers there in Baguio are being paid with only 50/hr. Actually, I’m thinking of moving to Baguio and find a job because my brother lives there . But now I’m having second thoughts.The situation is no better here. I started doing online teaching for Koreans last March. The pre-teachers where I work, are paid with 70/hr only and regular teachers for 80/hr. Before they pay 90/hr for pre-teachers and 100/hr for regular teachers. The Korean owner reasoned that they need to lower the salary because of “recession”. Do you think that is valid? What are the chances to get 100/hr rate there Baguio? Or 50/ hr is automatic for ESL teachers there? Can you give me tips where to find those companies that give 100/hr rate? Can the government regulate the rate for ESL teachers in the whole Philippines? I echo the sentiments of some who commented here that most Koreans think that they are superior. Nowadays, I can feel that our Korean manager tries to outwit us. I’m alarmed too that our government allows these Koreans to do business here only to pay us with little amount of money. I think most of ESL teachers here are exploited.
Hi guys!!!
This is my first time in this blog site and the topic is just what interest me the most kkkk. I’m also a teacher (for koreans,japanese and chinese) for more than 5 or 6 years and I also notice the rapid decrease of salary for english tutors. Yes, its true that many years ago english teachers enjoy the high salary that they get from a part-time tutoring job but take a closer look at the current situation now. There are really academies who are offering 50.00/hour (its good if they give a full 8 hour class everyday)and some higher by 10 or 15. I had an experience working in an academy here in Baguio well the salary is really low and hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the salary increase will be base on the evaluation given by students. Well i studied this problem. I started by secretly asking about the evals and i’ve learned that it is really unfair for teachers. Why? There’s no other people aside from the students who will give the evaluation. What was that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So to teachers who are still working here, they take time putting their make ups on and be sexy everyday and be friendly everyday too. These may land them to a high score in the evals. And try not to refuse a guys for a date or else that will give you a low score….I was really disappointed about that academy that i automatically quit. The evaluation should not be merely based on what and how students view you as a teacher.
I think there should really be an organization here in Baguio that will help us deal with the different problems. I’m still teaching now but i don’t go for a very low salary. I know i deserve better than 50 0r 90. Some koreans told me that i charge them so high compared to other teachers…oh well, i didn’t go for english trainings and workshops just for a low salary. My point here is, we, teachers don’t deserve a 50.00 or 75.00 or 90.00 salary. We deserve more.
I learned to love koreans its just that there are many things that sometimes if we pay close enough we can simply say UNFAIR or they are already ABUSING us.
take care guys!
Long live Baguio!
Hi Su-Hee,
Just wanna ask some info about studying english in baguio,
Can i have your email address, or please email me at richtofen0819@hotmail.com
ill awaits for your reply,
hi lisa,
i enjoyed reading all the posts here and you blog. I’ve been teaching koreans for quite a while now and yes, some tutors are really being paid that low….and also, i’ve been thinking and even planned on having a private tutors’ organization here in baguio, i just couldn’t find the right people to work with. i also heard that, “just filipino” phrase thing and honestly, really felt bad (and furious) for all tutors.
could you suggest who i can contact?? thank a lot and GOd Bless!!!!!..Go Baguio!!! Go Filipino Tutors!!!
Planning to study english for 3 – 4 months in baguio or subic, people any advice.
just leave your email address and ill contact u.
thanks.
I’m planning to move to Baguio in the coming months for nursing school. I am surprised to discover such a large influx of Koreans into the Philippines. I have lived in southern California for the last 10 years and I can attest to the discrimination of Koreans for their own countrymen. My ex-girlfriend is Korean and there is no comparison to the service and attention we would receive at Korean establishments when she spoke for the two of us. On my own or with other non-Korean friends, the wait staff were most certainly less attentive.
Hello..i am responding to your writings about being an american and getting a better paying job teaching english…(please forgive my lack of puntcuation it is the only way to type fast enough!!)
i agree that you all need to organize and in some fashion deal with the unfair practices of the schools…
in the usa i used to belong to guild…. piano technicians guild…made up of memebers who set professional standards for themselves and paid dues but worked with customers as individuals…… their goal was to present to the public a person well qualified, trained , and in touch with the higeset standards in the industryl…
you might think about something like that …
hope this is of some value to you and i wish you all the luck possible!!!
kindly,
captn scotty
hi!
i was once an esl teacher from different academies here in Baguio..in one of the Academy, we teachers tried to question the rate being imposed to us by our employer which is only 55/hr…you know what the answer was? according to their explanation, the rate was only based on DOLE regulation released sometime in the early 80’s…we were so shocked with their explanation coz how could they base a present rate from two decades ago…so, i quit…a! one more thing when i tried to question my employer more about our 55/hr salary, you know what he said?he said”YOU ARE NOT EVEN A GRADUATE OF ANY COURSE, WHAT NERVE DO YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR A SALARY INCREASE”..wow!i was belittled but anyway i didnt fell short when it comes to my work..and im proud,im proud because even i was looked down i know for sure that a lot of koreans and taiwanese learned a lot from me..
thanks,,,
There’s strength in numbers, Samantha. If you were the only one complaining, of course they could bully you into accepting that ridiculous rate. But if all the teachers got together…
It is so sad to read all about the facts going on. I used to work for a Korean Online Teaching School Co- owned by a filipino. I just want to spread this fact that amidst our battle to raise our rates and unite as filipinos. It is so sad to know that our own “kababayan’ are
fooling us. In the company where i used to work, our filipino manager is very greedy. She would hire young individuals(20-23) whom she would train. These are her favorite ages because these are the people she can bargain with salary. She would give as low as 8k monthly,9hours a day split shift (meaning 5-8and 6-11pm). And when a teacher would complain, she would always say. you are free to leave.She would even deduct for SSS “kuno” well in fact they have a pending case regarding their obligations in SSS. Nobody could complain. Lahat kapit sa patalim, because everyone needed their job to survive.
The fact is, the company is earning a lot As in big time cause they have a lot of students as in around. I just cant imagine what nerve a person has to betray her own countymen.
Len,
Precisely, it is the mindset that “Lahat kapit sa patalim, because everyone needed their job to survive” that empowers employers like the one you mentioned to give you unsatisfactory pay and work conditions. Consult a lawyer regarding contracts you sign, pay you receive and your options — as a group. There’s always free legal assistance available so you learn your rights and can negotiate for better terms.
Koreans demand much time yet they pay less. Here in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, we render 4 hrs tutorial service to high school students and elementary pupils…as in marami sila sa bawat room kasi in-house kami…yet we were paid 150 pesos only. Lahat kami kapit patalim talaga. Korean students are paying much to their directors who brought them here to learn english. Pero sobrang baba ang bigay sa mga tutors.
Hi Roge,
I have one word for all of you English tutors … unionize! Horizontal (industry or province-wide), not necessarily vertical (company-wide). Mag-usap usap at magkaisa na kasi kayo upang maiwasan ang pagkapit sa patalim. Huwag sayangin ang pagkakataon na andito sila at kinakailangan tayo.
depende kasi yan sa maghahandle ng tutorial center at ammenities and facilities para magbayad cla ng mahal o karapat dapat na singil sa knila (koreans) not all koreans are kuripot now pinipili lng nmin ang mga student nmin
I am Frances,residing in Pangasinan.I would want to tutor Koreans in English during weekends.My pay is 300 Php per hour per person.I am a licensed Physical therapist,masters in public health and has doctor’s of Philosophy degree(PhD).I am also a member and zonal director of College English Teachers association.Those who are interested can give email me at Physiology22@yahoo.com.
Group tutorial is also accepted,300Php per person per hour
Thanks and hope to hear from you soon
Just give email me at Physiology22@yahoo.com
helow po… if you have any parttime tutorial for koreans from 6pm here in Baguio, pls just inform me… here is my contact no. 09125201914, im a girl and 20 yrs old. thanx… here in Baguio lang po hah.
Hi Edry,
Everyone is perfectly welcome to use this site for employment or other income opportunities, but may I suggest my dear, that if you are trying to get a job as an English tutor, that you start practicing writing and speaking in straight formal English (i.e. Hello not “Helow”) or even straight Filipino (”po” instead of “poh”) so that maybe even Filipino English Academy owners may want to hire you…
@frances
-havent you been reading the issue here? koreans only pay P50 per hour..i have been teaching koreans for a year..and i have a higher rate, than most of my colleagues..but its still low..i took up ab comm. arts, worked in the call center for 5yrs (have trained agents),grew up in an english speaking family (my mom was an english teacher in michigan, usa)..i have more, but the point here is, to be frank, nobody will take your rate…
to the rest..
-i feel your frustrations…its very sad to hear the this happening to us all over the country..i’m posting here what i think are some of the root of the problem;
1.The government allowed it (both local & national). No forecast of the situation..Greedy Officials!!!
2.Koreans have a different world view from us.
3.Filipinos are too friendly, to the extent that we settle for a low rate.
4.Some bad Filipino English teachers. This ranges from bad grammar to bad attitude.
5.Some Filipinos are gullible. We need to research first before we jump into something.
6.We dont know how to protect our own. This ranges from our territory to our own personal dignity.
7.We are poor. “Kapit sa patalim” or “Matinding mangagailangan”
You might ask me what’s the solution? These are my suggestions. Might not be the best though.
first, organize, like what most of you suggested already.
second, be good at teaching. know the foundations of english. be good at it. get credentials. i will be honest, there many Filipino E’nglish tutors or teachers that are not really good in English. We must understand that these Koreans look for good speakers, because its a normal concept when studying a foreign language. Would you want to learn Filipino from a person who has a visayan sound? please don’t get me wrong on this. ex.would you trust a doctor who is not good at what he is doing? no, right?
third, we must learn what make koreans tick, then we can approach them on the same level.
fourth, a drastic move is, stop working for them…
We should look into our past, and learn where we made mistakes with foreigners. We might not be aware, but we might be being colonized subliminally…
We can do it Pinoys!!!! One step at a time.
This is my first time to view this page…My emotion is mixed about what I’ve read about “salary, better than nothing, non English teacher teaching English, R.R. boasting his credentials and some wanted to form an organization for ESL teachers to solve salary matters and so on.
My comments:
1) Korean students are paying high fee for Filipino tutors (more or less P1, 500 per day) but the problem is that the Korean manager running the Korean academy paying them very low opposite to what the figure their signing. That is why they mandated a rule not to reveal their true salary to their Korean students.
2) Even without organization if your previous dean of Education supporting and protecting you as their alumni then you will have an increase. Like Dean of Education Dept. – Bulacan State University did. She called up the Korean Academy directly, reproached them and demands an increase for teachers. (I just don’t know yet if the Korean Academy followed her… But, at least she really made efforts. Bravo!!!)
3) Don’t accept what they are offering if you’re not happy or else you’re teaching performance might be affected. You can’t perform well or concentrate if you’re not happy!!!
4) If they can’t follow your rules and their discourteous… terminate them. Tell them, “If you can’t respect me and follow my rules better look for another tutor. I don’t need your money!” I already terminated or decline 3 Koreans.
5) Not all Koreans like native speakers… I asked my students talk to few ESL native speakers but they refused after talking to them. They said, “I don’t like him even her even though they are native English speakers. I like you teacher. I don’t like to have sessions with them”!!! (All of my Korean students think the same kkkkk Even though I am not a very good English teacher and until now I am learning/ researching. (Few of my students are studying with me ON LINE until now to finish 3 levels that lasted 1year and 6 months. Kkkkk For exchange students face to face…lasted for 4 to 6 months.)
6) Filipinos can also accept $8. Per hour… don’t ask who, just believe in me. kkkk
Filipinos… “You can do it!!!”
It is really pathetic to some point that a lot of Filipinos doesn’t realize that it would be better for teacher to teach here in the Phils Koreans instead of them going there. Why?
Philippines will generate more income if Koreans are going to deluge our country with their presence because there are lots of people or establishments will benefit like:
1. Shopping Malls where there are thousands of minimum earners sales personnel working.
2. Our country will earn tax arrivals and excess luggage’s fee from them.
3. Post office charges and custom for their letters and packages coming from their family in Korea if their studying here.
4. Restaurants and fast foods chains will have Korean costumers too.
5. Our teachers can walk out or resign immediately if the Korean manager shouted at them while if they are in Korea they can’t go anywhere, anytime but just to swallow and suppress their ego.
6. And our Filipino family will be intact, living together here and not one of the members going out of the country and leave their young without personal guidance just to teach Koreans in their country.
7. Resorts, golf courses, hotels, home stay etc. will earn from the students coming here in the Phils.
So, why don’t you let them come here? Dream big… if you want to experience snow, aim to visit there as tourist or put up your own English Academy and not just to become as an overseas contract worker.
There is no place like home!
Hi Maestra,
Thanks for your comments. Hopefully these will help lead to a better understanding of the issues by those who are feeling helpless and taken advantage of.
Hi!
I didn’t know this article has existed for so long; here are my thoughts.
I have to admit that tutoring English to Korean students is a bit tedious, and yes the last time I did such a job the pay was miserably low, the facilities were dismal, and the hours were ungodly. As a teacher by profession I never felt that sense of fulfillment. Maybe it was just luck on my part that I finally found a slightly better teaching job elsewhere.
I have since then sworn to myself that I will never as a professional work for something almost akin to slave labor. I will always have my dignity as a Baguioite intact when the urge/necessity to apply in these so-called English learning institutions comes crawling back; I command my own rate (never lower than PhP300/hour), and believe me I have the academic and professional credentials to back it up. If they agree then well and good; if they don’t, I walk. It’s that simple.
Putting my foot down, or putting your foot down in this case, is a matter of Pride and Self-Worth, which in this situation aren’t really bad things.
Dear BAGUIO INSIDER: I come across this posting. Please enlighten me if this is true? Then I will help to correct this information if it is wrong. Thank you, MAESTRA VIAJES
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Baguio’s great but check it out carefully
The beautiful mountain city of Baguio in the Philippines lures thousands of ESL students every year. It’s inexpensive to
live there and tuition costs are also low compared to Europe and North America. However, because the pay for teachers is
so low, between $2 and $4 an hour, it’s hard to attract native speakers. Many schools get by with older retired men
married to Filipinas who happen to live there and need something to occupy them.
The only qualification to teach at most schools is a white face. Some schools have no curriculum to speak of and the
facilities are sometimes sub-standard. I think students who want to study in this friendly Philippine city should take a
short trip there first, ask some of the students already there about their schools and accommodations and make their
decision accordingly. Darwin
http://rowendar.org
Lisa, I really like what you said in one of your comments above “class is not necessarily expensive — just a matter of attitude, of restraint, of subtlety, of excellence.” That depicts the class we Baguio-ites have!!!
1. The majority of Koreans who come here are students–young, idealistic, adventurous students not so different from any student in any of our local universities. Not all of them are cut-throat businessmen out to conquer us or bury us in kimchi. Are many of them dirty, rude, violent, ignorant, or arrogant? Yes of course. But are all Filipinos clean, decent, respectable, and honest in their dealings? C’mon…
2. “Professionalize the teaching of English. Those who teach do not always declare their earnings, do not organize themselves and are thus left at the mercy of those hiring them. What prevails now is the whole attitude of “underselling” each other. Just a few years ago, local English tutors would receive Php200/hour and now they are paid as little as Php50/hour.”
You would have to be one hell of a teacher to get at least Php200 an hour as a PRIVATE English tutor for Koreans. The truth is most of these korean students have the notion that private tutors are of a lower caliber as far as teaching is concerned compared to those who teach at successful academies. And they’re not completely wrong–it is quite easy to spot a freshman college student trying to make a few quick bucks by posing as an “English Teacher” to koreans who would take their services (Sh*t, ang gwapo naman ng korean na yun, apply tayong teacher nya, dali!) on the other hand, the screening for new teachers at competent academies is quite demanding. In fact, it is also not difficult to encounter teachers who are CERTIFIED/LICENCED/EXPERIENCED or skilled enough at teaching and communicating in english that they can really make a difference in the lives of these koreans. The point is, most of these korean students PREFER to enroll in the top English Academies rather than live outside and hire private tutors. Those who follow the latter route are usually the ones who say things like “I wanna go outside. I can have a girlfriend and a teacher at the same time. Actually I can have two at the same time. Even if they’re not really good at English, I can pay less.”
And the other point is, if you want to get a decent pay teaching english to koreans, you’d better work at your craft–learn, accumulate experience, get some training. Teaching is not different from any other profession in that you have to strive in order to reach the top. Simply trying to look and act and talk like an american will not do the trick. I’ve met several American teachers in my career as an English teacher and guess what, most of them were fired after a few months of teaching. Why? Simply because they can’t teach.
2. “Can you imagine if they all united and insisted on the rates they want — or they don’t teach?”
Yes, I can imagine what will happen if private tutors do that. The korean students will simply also insist that these tutors raise their qualifications and skills in teaching before they receive bigger pays, or else they will simply look elsewhere. By the way, the Malaysian and Indian governments are trying to work out a deal with the Korean government wherein they can send their top English teachers to compete with all those Westerners. Why don’t we give them a run for their money instead of endlessly yakking about what poor mistreated but supremely indignant souls we are?
3. Having said these things, let me hastily say that, yes, I do completely agree that even the highest paid people in this job (yes, some get a mere 50 pesos an hour, while others CHOOSE to teach in korean english academies rather than in local public or private schools because they command higher rates)don’t get enough compensation for their effort, skills, and devotion to the art of teaching.
4. You probably need to give us some real proof before you can claim that the number of crimes committed by Koreans against their fellow Koreans is greater than or equal to the number of crimes committed by Filipinos against Koreans. Maybe you are right and I’m wrong but I’m just thinking about a REAL, personal experience here–at the beginning of each month, there is always some news that one of my students (or two, or three) got mugged, almost got mugged, conned, verbally abused, escaped from attempted rape, or what have you, on their way to the airport. Whereas, I have yet to hear about a korean beating up a Filipino for a freaking cellphone or necklace. Or how about the situation where I go out with a group of my students to buy some stuff and the prices suddenly skyrocket the moment I step out of the line and the salesperson notices that the next customer is a foreigner?
5. A lot of them appreciate it that whole chunks of their culture (their pop music, fashion, food) are accepted by many Filipinos. But is is laughable (even to them) to claim that they are trying to “conquer” us. When the hit song “Nobody” dominated the Philippine airwaves, I got quickly tired trying to answer their endless query, “Ugh, teacher that is a korean song, I wonder why filipinos play it? Do you like it?” The fact that we are saturated with foreign stuff is not a sign that foreigners are out to wrestle our identity away from us. It is more like a testament to our penchant for anything that is foreign! Remember Marimar? F4? Menudo? hahaha.
Hi! A philosopher once said that teachers play a major role in the development of our society. They inspire, motivate and pass on knowledge. It’s important to remember that each and everyone of us is a teacher. Each day we learn and teach one another whether this be in a class room, at work, or at home. No matter what, there are always lessons to be learned and practiced.
Teaching is the noblest profession as everybody say. But until now, I am always bothered with this question: How can we teach with an empty stomach?
Somehow, after reading all the comments here, I felt like I am not alone. Yes, there are still a lot of tutorial services that offers 50pesos or 55pesos an hour. I had worked before as an ESL teacher with a very low pay. I don’t have any choice to grab that job offer because I can’t find any other work here in Baguio City. I pity myself for a month because I only got the same salary like the other tutors. Only 55 pesos for an hour. Yet, I experienced being a private tutor for a Filipino elem pupil with a salary of 200pesos per hour for 2hours every saturday and sunday. I am a licensed and experienced teacher, and I also graduated AB English, DSPED, and now taking my MA English, and yet the salary is still the same. Would you think it is fair?
I just remember the times when my college dean got angry because I already decided to resign from being an ESL teacher from the Korean school in which she offered to me. We had some disagreements about the salary. I and some others from the same school said to our dean that we will definitely resign if our demands will not be met. We demanded for a higher salary. I still wonder until now why she got angry and disappointed especially to me (because I am the one who texted her about our resignation). Yes, we had a different pay only during the winter camp, but after that we already have the same salary as to the other ESL teachers. The salary for a month is 7k pesos and after we demanded, they just add 500pesos. IT IS STILL NOT ENOUGH especially for those teachers who need to support their families. (Kulang pa yan pambili ng gatas para sa baby ko!) And yet, this dean still doesn’t seem to understand. She doesn’t care. SIYA KAYA SAHORAN NG 7000 at magturo ng mga 0-level english koreans? Hayy… Stupid…
I also remember one time when one of my Korean student asked me how much do I get from teaching in their school because he said they paid almost 100k pesos for only a month staying and studying here in Baguio City. I really wanted to tell him about our salary, but of course as a professional, I didn’t disclose it to him. And now can you imagine, the school only paid us 75pesos or 600pesos daily for about 15days? But that still depends, because there’s still also the school policy of No work, no pay.
Anyway, I don’t regret that I resigned from that school even though my colleagues who also planned to resign didn’t continue it. Anyway, I still understand them but I just pity them because they will still be inclined to that Korean school and still be a puppet to that dean.
Did I make the right decision?