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Anyone know anything about Mediakids Academy?
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podsticles



Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 10
Location: Ireland

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:47 pm    Post subject: Anyone know anything about Mediakids Academy? Reply with quote

Just saw that these guys posted a job opportunity...anyone work for them before or know much about them?
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RedShell



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Thailand

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I work for them.

My first TEFL job, so far, ok.
As I understand it, this is their 2nd semester of operation and they are working hard to iron out their process.

I was placed in a school in a rural community with one other ESL teacher. I teach about 20 hours a week. MK provides an apartment, the option of an insurance package, some Thai culture training, and help is just a phonecall or email away.
Support is great.
Curriculum is poor.

What questions do you have?
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DMPT



Joined: 26 Nov 2006
Posts: 71

PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You also don't get paid for your holidays right?

There's no need to go through any agency here. Especially for a rural government school. If you've a tefl and degree they'll be throwing themselves at you.

You'll get at least 30K + 3-5K housing allowance, insurance, WP and a 12 month contract - hols paid.

Put your cv up on ajarn dot com and you'll be sorted. Don't go through agencies or recruiters. THERE'S NO NEED.

I've also heard of a few dodgy experiences with MK.

Not as dodgy as a bloke by me who went through an agency and accepted a job at 25K. The school pay 35K and the agency keep 10K every single month. Nice of 'em eh.
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crash1703



Joined: 14 Dec 2007
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:12 am    Post subject: Media Kids disaster Reply with quote

I currently work for Media Kids. My best advice is to stay as far away from them as you possibly can.

There is no added value to working for this company. You are far better off finding a job on your own.

They promised to pay for accomodation, but have refused to pay for atleast 4 other teachers I know of. So I pay for housing out of my own pocket. They constantly have their hand out for a fee one way or another. (pictures, ATM cards, paperwork, copies....you name it). I've had numerous confrontations with the head of HR, possibly the rudest woman I've ever met.

I highly recommend teaching in Thailand, but whatever you do....DON'T sign a contract with Media Kids.
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koreatom



Joined: 04 Jan 2008
Posts: 35

PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Biggity bump.

I'm also in touch with these guys... I've only worked for one recruiting company for my time in Thailand, and Media Kids pays a lot more (sounds more like what the school would pay directly) as well as housing... have to say I'm impressed with that, at least on the surface.

It seems like they demand a lot of awkward extracurricular stuff, though... introductions before class, an English club once a week, etc.

Can any of you (who are already there) tell me how bad this actually is or whether it's really enforced? And any other details about the Krabi location??
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ontheroadagain



Joined: 09 Jan 2008
Posts: 66
Location: PRC since 07/04

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am corresponding with MediaKids at this moment, they seems nice via email...
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koreatom



Joined: 04 Jan 2008
Posts: 35

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ha, every school or company is nice by e-mail, at least initially.
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Don Lorenzo



Joined: 16 Jun 2007
Posts: 38
Location: Toronto, Canada

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How much do they pay?
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Bangkok Hound



Joined: 28 Oct 2006
Posts: 66
Location: Bangkok

PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don Lorenzo wrote:
How much do they pay?


That's the question. And how long is the contract for?
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ontheroadagain



Joined: 09 Jan 2008
Posts: 66
Location: PRC since 07/04

PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

They pay in the low 30's, one year contract.
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Fike2308



Joined: 30 Jun 2007
Posts: 52
Location: CHINA

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:30 am    Post subject: Don't bother with Mediakids Reply with quote

I currently work for them and they are really unnecessary.

The staff are fairly friendly but they ask a lot and give a little.

I can post a more detailed blog in a bit or you can pm me but I think that working with a school directly is the best way to go.

MK is totally unnecessary.
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Fike2308



Joined: 30 Jun 2007
Posts: 52
Location: CHINA

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ontheroadagain wrote:
They pay in the low 30's, one year contract.



Yes, they pay in the low 30's (or less if you are not white) but I only know of them offering 4 month contracts with long unpaid breaks in-between.
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Fike2308



Joined: 30 Jun 2007
Posts: 52
Location: CHINA

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ontheroadagain wrote:
I am corresponding with MediaKids at this moment, they seems nice via email...



Don't be fooled.
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Fike2308



Joined: 30 Jun 2007
Posts: 52
Location: CHINA

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

RedShell wrote:
I work for them.

My first TEFL job, so far, ok.
As I understand it, this is their 2nd semester of operation and they are working hard to iron out their process.

I was placed in a school in a rural community with one other ESL teacher. I teach about 20 hours a week. MK provides an apartment, the option of an insurance package, some Thai culture training, and help is just a phonecall or email away.
Support is great.
Curriculum is poor.

What questions do you have?



No, this isn't their second semester of operation. It's like their fourth year and they are pretty unorganized.

The consultants are nice and do their best but the management is just taking the piss out of the teachers and the schools.

All MK really does is find you a school and supply you with a salary and charge the school you work at a grip of cash.

You have to make several visa runs to Laos and pay for everything yourself. You get lousy teaching materials (or none at all) and I find myself having to buy my own paper sometimes, chalk, whiteboard markers if the school has whiteboards, and sometimes I evern have to buy pens and paper for students.

My advice would be to just work with a school directly and try to negotiate for 40 - 50,000 baht a month and maybe 10,000 baht during the break.

MK seriously puts you in a school (they just tell you how to get there but you have to find your own way to the bus station even if you just arrived and speak no Thai and you pay for your own bus ticket) and then you get there, you work hard and you get paid and MK collects money from the school.
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Fike2308



Joined: 30 Jun 2007
Posts: 52
Location: CHINA

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:52 am    Post subject: Re: Media Kids disaster Reply with quote

crash1703 wrote:
I currently work for Media Kids. My best advice is to stay as far away from them as you possibly can.

There is no added value to working for this company. You are far better off finding a job on your own.

They promised to pay for accomodation, but have refused to pay for atleast 4 other teachers I know of. So I pay for housing out of my own pocket. They constantly have their hand out for a fee one way or another. (pictures, ATM cards, paperwork, copies....you name it). I've had numerous confrontations with the head of HR, possibly the rudest woman I've ever met.

I highly recommend teaching in Thailand, but whatever you do....DON'T sign a contract with Media Kids.



I agree with this person 100%.

100%.
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