Job Discussion Forums

[dan]

Hi All
Has anyone worked for this company? I am contemplating teaching for them this summer. If anyone has any information, I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Dan

[RedRoof]

Hi Dan

I did indeed teach at Apollo Hanoi last summer and I'm planning to go back this year, plus have recommended another friend who's also retired ex Ed Qld.

I don't know if you have ESL experience in Oz school system to make a comparison. I do and found it had similarities and differences. The most pronounced difference was the difference in the lesser expectations of teachers for professional planning and independent input. In schools in Qld (ie state system) WE plan units of work / themes etc and present lessons over a number of school weeks as appropriate. Students (Qld ESL classes in schools) are assessed and grouped on a current attainment basis, reviewed and possibly advanced at 4 - 5 week intervals.

I hadn't worked in a Language College before so took far too much of my own resources and planning materials. Apollo has Courses planned out lesson by lesson for every level with core text / resources detailed plus suggested supplementary activities & resources. In fact for the inexperienced or those a little challenged in the areas of energy and creativity, it was quite possible to do a standard and basically satisfactory job with minimal personal additional input.

I enjoy doing the personal touches and value-added extras and I think it was appreciated. I could be a little critical of a couple of minor irritations eg all Viet staff go off for a 2 hour lunch hour which is sacred - can make consulting them a tetch difficult on a day with no "spare". But the Viet staff were nice people and I enjoyed the contacts. I also loved the "One star" Viet hotel in the old quarter - great place but they did lose some washing for one of the other teachers. Still have visions of some Vietnamese gent wandering along in Sam's clothing - given he's a steady 6ft 5in at least!

I found Apollo good at refunding promptly the 50% airfare on arrival plus Visa cost (WITH RECEIPT & you have to ask Sydney Embassy to make sure you get one) and they paid us the last month + balance of airfare the day before contract finished to ensure we had time to change money! This was very much assisted by a very conscientious ADOS (who has since moved on) but also despite the fact that a couple of full timers had done moonlight flits with money outstanding - to Apollo! They also honoured the airport transfers home by pre-paying cabs as required to suit every individual flight. Apollo apparently does not pay the highest wages in Hanoi but as someone with a State Superannuation income and wanting to be there for the experience and a hassle-free short term contract, I was easily able to live on the money. It's a bit less this year but they've also reduced the hours - which suits me fine. Of course I don't have a "substance" habit and I don't spend a lot of money on wild men so that makes my needs simpler and less expensive.

Another Oz guy, Peter from Sydney, stayed on for a further three months and is also going back this Summer. I'll contact him and I'm sure he'll respond too when he gets a chance - he needs to use work computers.

I'm not interested in Saigon - too big and busy for me. Thought about Danang but decided (big brave me) to stay with what I knew. Also as an ex-PE teacher I am only too well aware of how exhausting and demanding a camp can be. As I have a physical disability I do have a number of challenges in my daily life - and I solved them in Hanoi last year so thought I'd stick to what I know this year. Maybe I'll visit Danang for a weekend to "review" as a possibility for next year. Last year I hired a lovely yellow motor scooter ($50 US a month) and learned to hoot around on it in Hanoi traffic! Many thought I was insane.

By all means stay in touch. Perhaps you can visit us and we may even visit you some weekend! If you're a beer drinker, you'll love the Bia Hoi. Street food's great and cheap too.

byeeeeee
RedRoof

[RedRoof]

I believe I'm the best person to judge my degree of satisfaction - not some anonymous person with an obvious axe to grind - and it's really VERY boring and too,too obvious.

As a long time professional teacher with diverse experience and multiple professional qualifications - the ones that take years at Uni with real assessment - I am in a good position to evaluate and comment in an educational milieu. Further , I've spent my professional teaching career for over 30 years as a Teachers' Union activist and NO ONE could ever accuse me of being a fawning apologist for any Admin, employer or Ed system.

However, our code of ethics does require that we speak honestly and ethically in the face of injustice and / or unfair treatment. Hard as it may be for those making snide comments behind the cloak of anonymity here, that's my motivation.

Last time I checked the free world gave me the right to have a different opinion if my analysis and conclusions differed from yours. I also manage to operate professionally and personally without the need to flame those who disagree with my experience and opinions.

And, not for the first time, may I point out the inherent sexism of deciding I'm male and referring to me as he!

Cheers

RedRoof (Ms)

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

I just deleted a posting for being insulting and inappropriate for this forum. It would be a very good idea to stay on topic and avoid any insults, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate postings.

[Hongkonghippo]

I would read these before making a decision. From my personal experience there I would strongly avoid it, and keep in mind that the high turn over rate is something to think about.


http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=41712

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=41283

[si_in_edinburgh]

I worked at Apollo last summer as cover teacher and had very mixed reactions
The school itself is ok, but I often found it very disorganised and difficult to get things done. Due to its size it also had a very impersonal nature.
In general Apollo has had one of the worst reputations, and I can see why however, I have heard they do have a new management team in place at the moment which is meant to be much more effective and Apollo has recently been getting much more positive reviews
Language Link which also runs a summer programme tends to get a much better reputation, that being said their DOS has recently left and he was regarded to be one the best things about that school
As a place to start in VN, Apollo is not bad, and from then on are possibilities to move on to better schools. Despite the fact I am currently teaching at a fantastic school in Edinburgh I am also strongly considering going back this summer and the summer contract they are offering seems to be quite a good one
Might see you there

[norbdemn]

Hi Dan,

Apollo has had some problems in the past. It could be better now. The best advice I can give you is to go and check it out yourself. Don't listen to Redroof because I suspect 'she' is a manager there.

Good Luck!

[dan]

Yes, investigatng the place first hand is really the only way to find out if it is legit, but also the biggest gamble as Im currently in the states enjoying a relatively easy and very enjoyable university teaching job, hence my post.

Anyway, thanks to all of those who replied.

[norbdemn]

[quote="dan"] but also the biggest gamble as Im currently in the states enjoying a relatively easy and very enjoyable university teaching job, hence my post. [/quote]

It is a gamble, indeed, especially if you already have a good gig.

Good Luck!

[Hongkonghippo]

Leaving a good gig for apollo would be a mistake. Even this week 2 more teachers have left to mis-treatment and bs.

[xulagu]

Why did they leave and who were they?

[Hongkonghippo]

I am not going to mention names here on a public forum. The reasons are Apollo generally treat their staff quite bad and promises about hours, location and work permit issues were not kept. Apollo is now forced to promise new hires the choice hours and locations as they cannot attract enough new teachers here in Hanoi. This has caused some of the senior staff to quit as Apollo generally promises these hours and locations (the best ones) to teachers who have been there a while and paid their dues.

Hey, do you think anyone here was given choice hours or locations based on their positive post's ? I mean everytime an Apollo post appears a flood off bad press follows it...except for one person who only woked there 3 months

[xulagu]

I personally think Apollo is a hellhole, after looking back on my time spent in ESL. The management is terrible and development for the teachers is non-existent. Avoid.

[Hongkonghippo]

I agree it is not a hellhole. But compared to other schools roughly the same size such as language link or British council, it is definitely the one of the worst. Also I know several people who have left the one here in Hanoi and gone to HCM and they have been happier. I think one of the issues with them is they had a good reputation and after what happen last summer it has quickly been eroded. Besides the good teachers who have left recently, 2 of the schools who out-source with Apollo will not re-new their contracts with them in April as they cannot supply "good teachers or even native speakers" something they advertise to companies when looking for business.

[naturegirl321]

I just got a job offer from them, anyone currently there? Is it still a good place to work for?