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The Global Language Centre (GLC) Has Collapsed
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bradleycooper



Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Posts: 310

PostPosted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 4:14 pm    Post subject: The Global Language Centre (GLC) Has Collapsed Reply with quote

Just received news today that Global Language Centre, a chain of 3 schools in Jakarta has collapsed. The branch at Bekasi had 1600 students, the one at Gajah Mada had 1300 students and the one at Pejatan Village had over 1000.

They have closed all three branches and dozens of parents have launched a complaint with the police. Some of the parents have also brought lawyers into the malls demanding their money back. Some have paid up to $1000 up front and they will be lucky to ever see that again. The management of GLC, which was under the control of a charity called Yayasan Cerdas Bahasa, has gone missing, which doesn't bode well for students hoping for a refund. So far the story has only appeared in the Indonesian press such as Pos Kota news.

This is the second Indonesian language chain to have gone bankrupt within the past 2 months. The other one was Rumah Bahasa. The full story can be read here (for those who can read Indonesian).

http://poskotanews.com/2015/04/08/ribuan-perserta-kursus-lapor-ke-polres-bekasi/
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bradleycooper



Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Posts: 310

PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2015 6:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are now fresh police investigations into Indonesia's language training industry, which has been increasingly plagued by criminal elements. In the past 6 months both Rumah Bahasa and Global Language Centre (GLC) have suddenly closed their doors, defrauding thousands of customers.

Now a third chain appears to be on the verge of going belly up. The Indonesian press has today been filled with reports of criminal fraud at Global Bahasa, which had branches at Daan Mogot and Tangerang on the western edge of Jakarta. The story has also appeared on Metro TV News and Kompas, a major newspaper, so it appears that Riswanda, the criminal mastermind behind this language school fraud, has finally run out of friends.

The next chain which appears likely to go is ILC (International Language Center) which appears to be part of the same crime syndicate as Global Bahasa, with many of the same people involved. ILC have 9 branches already in Jakarta and embezzlement has been a problem at some branches, as well as taking upfront payments for schools that never open, such as ILC Permata Hijau, and then refusing to give refunds.

Anyway, here are the links for people who can read Indonesian.

http://news.metrotvnews.com/read/2015/05/27/399913/puluhan-orang-laporkan-pemilik-sekolah-bahasa-ke-polda-metro

http://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2015/05/27/19092501/Tertipu.Les.Delapan.Bahasa.Puluhan.Orang.Melapor.ke.Polda.Metro
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bradleycooper



Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Posts: 310

PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 3:02 pm    Post subject: Parents Start a Sit-In at Global Language Speak Easy Reply with quote

Dozens of parents and students stormed the Global Language Speak Easy Polda Metro Jaya, Wednesday (27/5) and urged the police to take care of reports of parents who have been duped by Riswanda, the owner of Global Language Speak Easy.

Dozens of parents and students that came with banners reading, "We are victims of Global Language Course: Stop Fraud in the guise of Education". They gathered in front of the SPK Polda Metro Jaya 11:30 pm.

Look at all the faces of the parents and you will see the disappointment of the victims of fraud. One of the victims of the fraudulent Global Language courses, Yuliana (45), were frustrated with the police ignoring their report since May 13 yesterday of West Jakarta Police to the police, but not in-BAP by the police.

He said the victims of fraud committed by Riswanda now want to sue the police for not following up cases of fraud committed by the Global Language chain.

"This is the third time we made an report but it has not yet been acted upon by the police. There have been many victims of fraud committed Riswanda and colleagues. We brought the evidence to be submitted to the police, "said Juliana, Polda Metro Jaya, Wednesday (27/5).

Proof in the form of photos of Riswanda and his wife, proof of payment of the course fee, as well as the registration form and others have been given to the police for BAP. The rapporteur came from West Jakarta and Tangerang who enroll in the Global Languages ​​Mall Taman, Daan Mogot, and Tangerang City Mall, with a total victim of fraud amounting to more than 1,000 people from the region.

Juliana is one of the victims. He issued a course fee for his two children, amounting to Rp61 million paid upfront. He listed in November 2014, the plan in June this learning process the course begins, but in fact the course is still closed, the money has disappeared and he has never done learning activities in the Global Languages ​​in Daan Mogot.

"Actually, I've been feeling unwell, two days after I wanted to pay I intend to ask for my money back and cancel the course of my son there, but the money cannot be refunded, said sales marketing named Ray," said Yuliana.

He also added that Riswanda has signed a letter of agreement to indemnify. Until May 13, Riswanda not keep its promise to reverse the money the victims. Instead, Riswanda has become a fugitive.

(Translated by Google Translate)

http://majalahkartini.co.id/berita/peristiwa/korban-penipuan-kursus-global-bahasa-serbu-polda-metro-jaya
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bradleycooper



Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Posts: 310

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 4:00 am    Post subject: Dunia Bahasa Has Gone Bankrupt Reply with quote

The dominoes keep falling in the Indonesian TEFL industry. The latest one to fall is Dunia Bahasa, which had 6 branches. Just like at Global Language Centre two months ago, the owner has now gone into hiding and angry staff and customers have found the businesses are all closed. People have paid 12 month upfront for courses and now the schools have closed their doors, leaving them millions and millions of rupiah out of pocket.

This school had expensive premises in Bandung, Taman Anggrek in Jakarta and Surabaya, so that is now thousands more people cheated out of money by the sharks of the self-styled ''polyglot / multi-language'' schools. Here is the website for this latest operator to go belly up. Do not even consider working at one of these places. The next chain which is likely to go bankrupt is International Language Center, which has already closed two of its more expensive venues to ''consolidate''.

http://www.dunia-bahasa.com/school
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plumpy nut



Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652

PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 2:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's all because of the Americans.
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p1randal



Joined: 23 Jun 2008
Posts: 84

PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

^ What?...
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spanglish



Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 742
Location: working on that

PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 1:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

plumpy nut wrote:
It's all because of the Americans.


#thanksobama
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Listerine



Joined: 15 Jun 2014
Posts: 340

PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

plumpy nut wrote:
It's all because of the Americans.


Is the US the aggressor *this* month? I lose track. Regardless it's a nice change from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and of course Israel - "Always interfere sovereignty, misterrrr."
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bradleycooper



Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Posts: 310

PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 8:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Listerine wrote:
plumpy nut wrote:
It's all because of the Americans.


Is the US the aggressor *this* month? I lose track. Regardless it's a nice change from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and of course Israel - "Always interfere sovereignty, misterrrr."


The "Western aggressor/ imperialist" tag is still very much alive and well in Indonesia. And doubtless the fact that over 20 Indonesian-owned language schools have closed in Jakarta in the past 12 months (without refunding the 12 month's upfront payments made by customers) will not discourage Indonesian authorities in their drive to 'Indonesianize' the English-language course industry in the country.

The defunct chains are Rumah Bahasa, Global Bahasa, Global Bahasa Speak Easy, Global Language Centre and Dunia Bahasa. Between them, I count 25 different branches which have gone 'bankrupt' since 2014. I use the word bankrupt in inverted commas because actually it is more like a 'hit and run' scam. They sign customers up for a 12 month course, typically charging around 12 million per year, which is about $1000 USD. Then after a couple of months, the business suddenly closes citing 'financial difficulties'. They claim to be unable to afford refunds.

However, as one of the newspaper articles I posted shows, Global Bahasa Cibubur had taken more than Rp 4 billion rupiah in payments and the annual rental was less than 5% of that and the salary bills amounted to less than Rp 100 million per month. Therefore, the business was clearly solvent but it merely ran off with most of the Rp4 billion in student payments, and families were left out of pocket. The next one to go will probably be International Language Centre, though Seven Languages Academy and Splash International are also reported to be paying staff and teachers late every month. All of these chains should be avoided like the plague.

In terms of blaming Westerners, the most ludicrous Indonesian news of late has revolved around the decision to award the Sukarno Peace Prize to the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-Un. That the decision was made by Rachmawati Sukarnoputri, the sister of Megawati, the chairperson of the ruling party, makes the decision all the more questionable. But, as Plumpynut rightly predicted, it is all a Western plot to ridicule Indonesia really.

"This week, it emerged that Mr Kim is to receive yet another prestigious title - though for once it has not been bestowed by the North Korean state.

Instead he is in line for an international award extolling his "peace, justice and humanity" thanks to an Indonesian charity linked to former president Soekarno.

The new appointment has sparked an onslaught of ridicule and disbelief, forcing Indonesia's Sukarno Education Foundation to defend itself.

They have dismissed criticism as "Western propaganda," and insist claims the North Korean dictator has an appalling human rights record are fabricated.

"The allegations about human rights abuses are untrue," said Rachmawati Sukarnoputri, who runs the Sukarno Education Foundation.


North Korea doesn't abuse human rights. It's all a Western plot. The First Family says so.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/11781973/Indonesian-charity-defends-world-peace-award-for-North-Koreas-Kim-Jong-un.html
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bradleycooper



Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Posts: 310

PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 5:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A few days ago I posted that all 6 branches of Dunia Bahasa had suddenly closed, leaving thousands of people out of pocket. At that point, I was unable to find any news reports to publish. However, as of today the story has appeared in a number of local papers, as well as national ones such as Kompas. At a single branch in Serpong, there were 470 victims, who were defrauded of a total of around Rp2.5 billion rupiah. That's around the $200,000 US mark.

The state of the multi-language school industry is now such that even the government has issued a warning to beware of these courses. Of course, these schools could never had operated without the cooperation of corrupt officials to begin with, but it is a measure of the seriousness of the problem that official statements have been made.

http://www.tangerangnews.com/kota-tangerang/read/15271/Diduga-Ditipu-470-Siswa-Dunia-Bahasa-Tangerang-Lapor-Polisi

http://print.kompas.com/baca/2015/08/06/Penipuan-Berkedok-Lembaga-Pendidikan-Bahasa
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plumpy nut



Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652

PostPosted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any signs that EF will kick the bucket at some point? Laughing
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bradleycooper



Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Posts: 310

PostPosted: Tue Aug 11, 2015 4:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is reported that Jenty Lim, the owner of Dunia Bahasa, has fled to The Netherlands with her Dutch partner. Her name has been reported in national newspapers in Indonesia, so I don't think there's any problem mentioning it here. It has now been confirmed that no one is answering calls at all 6 branches ranging from Paris Von Java in Bandung to Citraland Mall Surabaya, so it's clear that she has flown the coop. It is estimated that she got away with Rp7 billion, which is over half a million US dollars.

It is also reported that International Language Center is on its last legs. They are already down from 9 to 7 branches and the remaining expat teachers are being let go of at the end of this month. This is at a school where customers were promised 90% Native Speaker instruction! There is also a newish operator called World Language Academy with branches at Pluit in Jakarta and in Makassar, Sulawesi. They are owned by someone who was involved with the collapsed Global Bahasa group. Until they disappear, it is best to stick away from any new Indonesian-only chains.

http://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2015/08/06/17195991/Masyarakat.Diingatkan.Jangan.Mudah.Tergiur.Promo.Lembaga.Les?utm_source=news&utm_medium=bp-kompas&utm_campaign=related&
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bradleycooper



Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Posts: 310

PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 2:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have heard that ILC (International Language Centre) Lippo Mall has not opened for a few days. Two previous branches, including the one at La Piazza, have already closed without refunding customers. There is a notice plastered on the doors of this school saying that the school has been closed due to "problems with center management". I guess they have run out of money to pay their rent.

The new local English schools which have sprung up (and collapsed) since 2013 are absolutely dire. They offer courses in half a dozen languages with no curriculum or anyone with qualifications teaching there. The main selling point seems to be the attractiveness of the staff they employ to do the hard sell. World Language Academy is owned and run by the same people who have made such a mess of ILC. Anyone working there should not expect to be paid on time or possibly at all. As I have been saying for years, get a job in Japan, Korea, China or the Gulf...anywhere but Jakarta. It's a basket case.
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bradleycooper



Joined: 12 Apr 2013
Posts: 310

PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:10 am    Post subject: Re: Dunia Bahasa Has Gone Bankrupt Reply with quote

bradleycooper wrote:
The dominoes keep falling in the Indonesian TEFL industry. The latest one to fall is Dunia Bahasa, which had 6 branches. Just like at Global Language Centre two months ago, the owner has now gone into hiding and angry staff and customers have found the businesses are all closed. People have paid 12 month upfront for courses and now the schools have closed their doors, leaving them millions and millions of rupiah out of pocket.

This school had expensive premises in Bandung, Taman Anggrek in Jakarta and Surabaya, so that is now thousands more people cheated out of money by the sharks of the self-styled ''polyglot / multi-language'' schools. Here is the website for this latest operator to go belly up. Do not even consider working at one of these places. The next chain which is likely to go bankrupt is International Language Center, which has already closed two of its more expensive venues to ''consolidate''.

http://www.dunia-bahasa.com/school


As I predicted last year, the next language chain in Indonesia to go bankrupt would be ILC (International Language Center). From a peak of around a dozen schools, it has been closing branches one by one over recent months. As of a couple of weeks ago, the final couple of branches folded and the company is now the subject of police investigations.

The case has made it into multiple national media outlets, but the victims will probably struggle to get any money back, as the perps have greased a lot of palms in the past.

For anyone who can read Indonesian, here is a typical news report.

http://surabaya.tribunnews.com/2016/04/06/2-bersaudara-laporkan-lembaga-kursus-di-pakuwon-trade-center-surabaya
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Tazz



Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta

PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 4:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Isn't it fair to say that Indonesia as a whole has pretty much folded as a destination for 'native speaker' ESL teachers over the last couple years? As far as I'm aware [left 3 years ago but still have friends there...] most of the EF's are now populated by non-native speakers. The Nat+ schools [or whatever they are called now...] have gone down the same road with a few exceptions- the causes? Weak Rupiah, high demands from ministry in terms of qualifications needed that are 'specific' to the subject to be taught, ludicrous waiting time for Kitas to be processed, the whole JIS/ Neil Bantleman disgrace, no wonder people are looking elsewhere.... Confused
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