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 gleaned from the many reactions.
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?
ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE!
Labor Unions are not limited to factory workers, or workers in a single company. The members can be composed of workers within the same industry or class. Thus there should be a move by the English tutors to stand up and be counted, and unite as a force to be contended with in Baguio.
Being a member of an organization may mean, especially in the beginning, a battle of wills and egos but they must understand that for the common good, this must be done once and for all.
It is not at all unreasonable nor economic sabotage to organize for the benefit of all in the same working group.
Why aren’t the English tutors organizing themselves, and instead merely taking all the inequity in slience?
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR . . .
Is this a “chicken or the egg” issue?
Which comes first, better teachers or better pay?
Are the lowered rates responsible for the lack of “qualified” teachers or Is the “poor” quality of teachers responsible for the low rates?
Or could it be that Filipinos are willing to accept the rates because we have a mendicant, hopeless, cynical, desperate attitude? Could it be that this “competitive” way of doing business (undercutting each other) — “Hire me, I am cheaper and (not necessarily) better than the next applicant” — is responsible for the current lowered rates?
Or could it be that Filipinos are not taught their rights in school or at home? Of how the power of an organized force speaks louder than a single voice (this is actually common sense and does not have to be taught, you know)? Could it be that we think only of the NOW and not the future? Could it be that we are so used to not getting regular employee status (this means benefits) in a regular Filipino-owned company that it is actually preferable to be working to enrich Koreans for a slightly higher per hour rate?
Can Korean school owners, especially the new ones, tell a good tutor from a bad one? Or do they gauge the skill of a tutor on how American-like he or she sounds? I have met many of them and their English is actually bad! I also have met many Americans whose grammar and spelling are all wrong!
My green-eyed half-American cousin speaks English as fluently as I do, with the same accent, more or less, as she was born Manila and has lived in Baguio since 1975, and she gets Php400 an hour, so sometimes it’s not the slang or twang that would be the basis for the rate. (During regular conversations, her English accent is more like “colegiala Catholic school Manila,” no? hahaha)
So what do we have here? Discrimination in our own country? If Malay-looking, must have that twang to be considered good? If Caucasian-looking, it’s ok not to be able to compose a proper sentence (Hey, Jeannine, I’m not referring to you here ha …)
Could it be that really good English tutors would not come forward to even apply because they can get a higher rate in a different job? Francis C. speaks wonderfully but his Php50.00 per hour rate is simply too low. So now he’s off to do community work in Africa instead and try his luck there.
Also, considering many tutors have to concern themselves with teaching Korean children the proper attitudes in addition to the making them learn the language, is Php50/hour fair?
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!
Should you, dear readers, have other suggestions to secure for our countrymen better rates and benefits from foreigners who are doing business in our country, legally or illegally, please feel free to add them by commenting on this post.
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!
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?