Korean Job Discussion Forums

[FlyKiwiGuy]

I recently applied to work at Direct English in September 2010 (Pagoda's 1:1 tutoring service) and was provisionally offered a contract for employment by their head recruiter (Mr I*n W*****r-just do a Google search for his name).

I found the contract to be heavily punitive but was willing to negotiate a contract that would be win-win for me and Direct English. However, my valid and reasonable contract negotiation points were brushed aside (and I was casually dismissed by email as "wasting their time") after I questioned the discrepancy in my contract (I was offered 15 paid holidays and possibility of nil pay increases) YET the "Official" Pagoda website quotes 20 days holiday and Pay increases Every 6 Months!!! Do they think we don't read our contracts????

I recommended in my response email to I*n W*****r to amend the "BENEFITS page" listed on their website so that future potential teachers do not make the same mistake I did, thereby avoiding having to "waste" his time as put in his email. We shall see in the fullness of time if this actually comes about (or not), however, based on the curt email response I received to my valid concerns I will beg the latter.

My advice for teachers looking for good first job in Korea, STAY AWAY FROM DIRECT ENGLISH / PAGODA at all costs and enter a FAIR contract with a Korean public school job. Don't fall for this meat-grinder employer. Over and out

Feel free if you'd like to share a similar unpleasant experience w/ Direct English/Pagoda.

[Young FRANKenstein]

Some people and some places never change.

[big_fella1]

I was discouraged from applying when the HR person had the work Mister in their email address.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

Lets' play hangman.

Is there an "o"?

Yeah, I opted out of a contract w/ them a couple of years ago. Mom n' pop hagwon looked better.

[FlyKiwiGuy]

That's correct! I*n W****Or Any more guesses?

[Young FRANKenstein]

I believe I heard someone say his hometown was across the river from Detroit, over there in Windsor, Ontario.

[toonchoon]

HEY I think I spoke to this guy about a year or two ago. Didn't even get as far as getting to talk about the job.

[Merlyn]

Yeah Direct English blows.

[sendittheemail]

A few years ago, when I was still teaching, I applied for a job there. The guy (mentioned by the OP) who does the interviews seemed like a major tool, so I passed on the job, walked next door and got a job at a different academy. If I remember correctly, the guy doing interviews wasn't even on time and NONE of the Koreans working in his office seemed to even know his name.

[darkcity]

Hey,

I actually worked for them for over a year. If you really want to know what you're missing, PM me.

Long story short, you can't negotiate a contract with them because they are one of the (if not the) biggest hagwon in Korea, and they have plenty of applicants to pick from who just want a job. All the first-year DE contracts are the same (unless you have some kind of teaching qualification).

I've been away from Korea for a while, but I understand the job market has tightened up, and I would be hesitant to be too demanding.

Regarding your holiday discrepancy, I think DE and Pagoda teachers are offered different contracts. From what I've heard, Pagoda teachers work even harder than DE teachers, which is hard to believe.

In retrospect, I don't regret working for them, but I would be taking two steps backward if I returned.

[GENO123]

thanks for the information

[midwesty8]

can anyone update on working for direct english or pagoda? pm if you'd like.

[ttompatz]

What was that old quote about "Mad dogs and the midday sun?"

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