| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Never Learn
Joined: 02 Dec 2012
Posts: 2
|
 Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:17 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| cb400 wrote: |
AMA is cleverlearn, with a new name. The idea was the reputation of CL was so bad they would do damage limitation by changing the name.
Same people running the same shit show. |
I know people at the Saigon Cleverlearn and it's so bad that two staffs of Vietanamese walked off of the job and they've actually told the foreign teachers (in English of course) who much they dislike the manager.
How often do Vietnamese staff open criticize their manager in English to the foreign teachers? I've only heard of this instance.
Lots of problems at the Saigon Cleverlearn places and there is a new rule that you have to wear at tie. 
Hanoi Cleverlearn on Van Bao is run by a good manager/DOS and admins but the owners are cheap and also dishonest.
Cleverlearn Hanoi pays at the bottom of the barrell and they are always looking for 23 years olds to teach there for 4 months and leave.
The "Nam and Larry show" with a guest appearance by Jo-Jo. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
spitshined
Joined: 08 Sep 2011
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 5:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
Any current information on American Academy?
It also goes by the acronym "AMA." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cb400
Joined: 27 Sep 2010
Posts: 65
Location: Hanoi
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 6:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| see above. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
spitshined
Joined: 08 Sep 2011
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 6:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
I read the entire thread.
Just checking if anything has improved.
Resources, organization, pay, etc. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cb400
Joined: 27 Sep 2010
Posts: 65
Location: Hanoi
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nothing in Vietnam changes that quick. Unless there is new ownership/management (top level) things are going to stay the same. I recently interviewed for a management position and was told word for word that 'my job would be to hire foreigners for as cheap as I could get them' and for this pleasure I was offered less money than I make now teaching part-time.
Best to avoid this one really. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vabeckele
Joined: 19 Nov 2010
Posts: 196
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:17 am Post subject: Happy shiny people |
|
|
I love AA. They have really shiny uniforms and offices and when they call you into the office on pay day, they actually smile cheerfully when they screw you over - Really good attitude, I love 'em.
There are so many different managers too, I think they have 5 to every teacher, just to make you feel a part of the team.
GO, A.A.! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tarin
Joined: 06 Mar 2011
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: Happy shiny people |
|
|
| vabeckele wrote: |
I love AA. They have really shiny uniforms and offices and when they call you into the office on pay day, they actually smile cheerfully when they screw you over - Really good attitude, I love 'em.
There are so many different managers too, I think they have 5 to every teacher, just to make you feel a part of the team.
GO, A.A.! |
vabeckele,
Thank you for the information.
Are you referring to the Hanoi locations on Lo Duc street (and another street) or the Saigon AA schools?
Thanks.
I want to know before I take or do not take the plunge.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vabeckele
Joined: 19 Nov 2010
Posts: 196
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 2:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hanoi.
They are not that bad but don't expect too much.
If you can nod and do exactly as they tell you, outside of the classroom, you will be left alone.
Keep a record of hours worked, rates of pay etc...that way you will know when something is up. While we are on this subject, it would be wise to do this with every employer here. You might not have any legal recourse, but you will be able to make a decision based upon real evidence and not a perceived personal injury. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cb400
Joined: 27 Sep 2010
Posts: 65
Location: Hanoi
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 12:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Keep a record of hours worked, rates of pay etc...that way you will know when something is up. While we are on this subject, it would be wise to do this with every employer here. You might not have any legal recourse, but you will be able to make a decision based upon real evidence and not a perceived personal injury. |
Good advice here.
Many of the accountants here in VN are paid on how much 'trimming' they can do or how much money they save the person that hired them. This often means some creativity with our pays... keep on top of the hours you work, canceled classes (without prior notice, you should still get paid) and substitute classes you have taught. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JSutt
Joined: 22 Jan 2013
Posts: 11
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 10:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
| spitshined wrote: |
I read the entire thread.
Just checking if anything has improved.
Resources, organization, pay, etc. |
The new branch in Da Nang is ok, doesn't seem as bad as the Saigon/Hanoi branches are made out to be. Wages are low compared to the larger cities but standard for the area, and I know some of the more experienced teachers are on a higher rate. Resources and facilities are great, although a lot of the materials are still labelled 'Cleverlearn.' Overall a pretty good place to work, and the Active Learning program is possibly (?) the easiest teaching you'll ever do. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ExpatLuke
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 119
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 1:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
| JSutt wrote: |
| spitshined wrote: |
I read the entire thread.
Just checking if anything has improved.
Resources, organization, pay, etc. |
The new branch in Da Nang is ok, doesn't seem as bad as the Saigon/Hanoi branches are made out to be. Wages are low compared to the larger cities but standard for the area, and I know some of the more experienced teachers are on a higher rate. Resources and facilities are great, although a lot of the materials are still labelled 'Cleverlearn.' Overall a pretty good place to work, and the Active Learning program is possibly (?) the easiest teaching you'll ever do. |
I saw the new branch in Da Nang open up a few months back. It's a nice shiny building, that's for sure. However, I haven't met any teachers who work there around the town. About how many teachers are working there now and what is the average wage? If you don't want to write here, you could send me a PM. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JSutt
Joined: 22 Jan 2013
Posts: 11
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Sent you a pm - management are pretty shady about wages so I won't post anything publicly. I think there's about 10 teachers at the moment, and it's expanding pretty rapidly. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mattingly
Joined: 03 Jul 2008
Posts: 145
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
With AA/AMA
operating in Hanoi, Danang, Saigon and perhaps elsewhere, some updates would be well appreciated.
If Cleverlearn is involved (actually owns the school) this is a warning sign of a lack of organizational skills, below market pay, and problems with the math when you pick up your paycheck.
Be very careful of the tax rate they are taking out of your salary. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
deadlift
Joined: 08 Jun 2010
Posts: 213
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 2:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Isn't AMA just a rebranded Cleverlearn? That's the impression I was under. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JSutt
Joined: 22 Jan 2013
Posts: 11
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Sorry I should clarify that post above - 'shady' meaning they don't like you discussing wages or contracts with anyone else. Poor word choice on my part. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
