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podsticles
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 10
Location: Ireland
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 Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject: Anyone know anything about Mediakids Academy? |
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| 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
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:09 am Post subject: |
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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
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:15 am Post subject: |
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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
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:12 am Post subject: Media Kids disaster |
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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
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| Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:28 am Post subject: |
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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
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:13 am Post subject: |
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| I am corresponding with MediaKids at this moment, they seems nice via email... |
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koreatom
Joined: 04 Jan 2008
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:22 am Post subject: |
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| 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
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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| How much do they pay? |
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Bangkok Hound
Joined: 28 Oct 2006
Posts: 66
Location: Bangkok
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:25 am Post subject: |
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| 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
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: |
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| They pay in the low 30's, one year contract. |
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Fike2308
Joined: 30 Jun 2007
Posts: 52
Location: CHINA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:30 am Post subject: Don't bother with Mediakids |
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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
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:33 am Post subject: |
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| 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
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:35 am Post subject: |
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| 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
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:49 am Post subject: |
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| 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
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:52 am Post subject: Re: Media Kids disaster |
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| 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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