Job Discussion Forums

[lucreziaborgia]

Has anyone applied for a teaching position at this school? It is located in Viet Tri, a couple of hours by train north of Hanoi. I have spoken to a couple of people who went there for interviews over the last few months and the offers amounted to nothing. It is advertising on the New Hanoian again. I believe it's motto proclaims: 'Where the better become best' or something like that; and as the colour scheme is dark blue with white text it must be assumed that the marketing department lacks originality.
It also offers accommodation that I believe is either in Mr Wind's house or in the school building itself. The accommodation in the school building consists of a spartan room with a bathroom and no kitchen. This is Mr Wind's idea of an 'apartment'. I understand there were teachers from the Philipines working there - and - living in the school.
The people I met were prevented from speaking with any of the teachers working there and that raised alarm bells.
One person had been offered weekend work and was contacted 10 minutes before the train left Hanoi to be informed that the classes had been cancelled.
I guess it is difficult to believe anyone who calls himself Mr. Wind!
Any comments?

[snollygoster]

Yes-I was offered a job there about 18 months ago.
The job started as School Director at $3000 a month and a private house.
After a while, the negotiations lowered the salary to $2500, and an apartment. The job was now Head Teacher.
Alarm bells, and further talk, the salary became $1500, and no apartment, and now I had to get there at my own expense instead of the previously offered air fare. The job was now a part-time teacher.
Enough- See ya!
I have also spoken with an outfit in Saigon that has dealings with Mr Wind and his school, and I learned Mr Wind was set up as an agency for the Saigon outfit to deliver TESOL courses and recruit and place teachers. He never paid his bills so the agency was cancelled. This according to the owner operator of the Saigon business I mentioned.
Now he's laughingly referred to as "Mr Bag of.."
Theres a guy at Apollo in Hanoi who works pretty closely with Mr Wind, and they sometimes attempt to recruit teachers.
I dont know for sure, but I would not be placing too much trust in any offers coming from that direction.

[lucreziaborgia]

Snollygoster,
That would explain the motto! I wondered. It seemed too much of a coincidence that there would not be a connection with Olympus.
I met up with Mr Wind in Hanoi for a chat after a couple of people had gone to Viet Tri for an interview and given me the low-down.
Mr Wind was very interested in me working at Ocean School and told me (under questioning) that the outfit was underwritten by a Singapore business. Tyndal?
I had no intention of working with him as the joint already had a flaky reputation but I was interested in finding out more.
I had a psychadelic experience with a private language school in Hue and I wasn't about to have another. I am fascinated that these people assume we are idiots hence sometimes I meet them for a chat. Mr Wind is not the only flake in town as I'm sure you're well aware.
Mr Wind gave me his business card and that (of course) is not his name. Why would anyone call himself 'Mr Wind' and expect to be taken seriously!
Mr Wind withdrew the offer (not that he had to) once he read my CV and realised I had worked with several agencies that aren't popular in these parts.

[snollygoster]

Yes- "where the best become better- sorry I mean better become besterer-oh I mean...." Yes Greek Gods everywhere- even the colour scheme.
Not wrong he is timid about authority and certain agencies.
I was also doing some investigative work for a...well enough said. I feel this MAY have had an influence as Mr Wind probably felt he might be put under the spotlight.
A few rather questionable business alliances here too. Quite a pity because Viet Tri is quite a nice place, and the demand is certainly there, as its in the middle of a big University area. One wonders how some people survive in business.

[lucreziaborgia]

Snollygoster,
Do they survive? Or if they do, would anyone with half a brain want their kind of life? I suspect these skools are a front for other activities - telemarketing,etc. The opportunities are endless but then again - so is the anxiety.
These schools are sprouting up everywhere and one has to ask; doesn't one.
I have worked in a couple of them and resigned after a few sessions as it is impossible to participate in their educational scams and general flakiness. If I thought private language schools were a disgrace, outfits like our Mr Wind's and his pals leave those for dead. I pity the poor students.
I wish I hadn't thrown his business card away. I doubt he is Vietnamese (Viet Kieu?); he claimed to have been educated (MBA) in Singapore.
But why would anyone call himself Mr Wind? That really fascinates me.
I had a series of names for him that I don't feel comfortable aboout stating on a public forum. They were all associated with the alimentary canal. Sandpit humour.

[lucreziaborgia]

Is there an Australian male teacher out there who worked for Mr Wind and Ocean Skool in Viet Tri for 6 months - up until around April 2009?
Please PM me if read this thread.

[Magic8ball]

This deal does not sound good.

Add the new regulations, and you might even have to leave before you get your first paycheck.

Things are changing.