| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Petey Wheatstraw
Joined: 28 Sep 2007
|
 Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:05 pm Post subject: CDI vs. Pagoda |
 |
|
| Last year I worked for an awful ECC academy in Busan. The kids were FREAKING WILD most of the time and just sapped too much of my energy. I really don't like having to be the bad man that tells the little munchkins to SHUT UP. So the prospect of teaching adults this time around is really appealing. But the split shift at Pagoda is BRUTAL. Also, I noticed last year that most of our best students went to CDI. I've heard good stuff about this company. No offer yet, but they list their standard contract as 2.2 to 2.4 based on experience with free housing. Pagoda has made an offer and it's 2.66, but without rent paid (actually they give you another 100,000 towards it each month). This is Seoul I'm talking about. If anyone has any experience with either of these companies and can supply me with some perspective, I'd be very grateful. I feel like the schedule and the pay might get better after a while at Pagoda. Anyways, thanks. I'd love to hear from some of you old guns. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Voyeur
Joined: 19 Jun 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 2:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| If you are neutral about teaching kids vs. adults then CDI kicks the crap out of Pagoda. Not that this is setting the bar that high mind you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Both continually break labour laws (vacation and break laws specifically for Pagoda), and CDI breaks immigration laws and tax/pension/medical laws on top of that (if you are on an E2). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mirage
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Both continually break labour laws (vacation and break laws specifically for Pagoda), and CDI breaks immigration laws and tax/pension/medical laws on top of that (if you are on an E2). |
The laws that CDI breaks doesn't effect hourly employees does it? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
OneWayTraffic
Joined: 14 Mar 2005
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Young FRANKenstein wrote: |
| Both continually break labour laws (vacation and break laws specifically for Pagoda), and CDI breaks immigration laws and tax/pension/medical laws on top of that (if you are on an E2). |
Shifts at Pagoda got worse when they tried implementing break laws. A six hour block got turned into 5 hours plus 2 off plus 2 on or something suchlike. Speaking from personal experience here.
The split at Pagoda isn't so bad, if you are willing to live within walking distance. Otherwise, yes, it's brutal. Get thee an apartment nearby even if it costs extra. It will get better over time, the main branches have a rotating or senority based block shift system.
As for the money, I wouldn't bank on the 2.6 if it's one of the main branches. Assuming you're in Gangnam or Jongro here, your pay will vary directly according to your hours. If you pick up the extras it's possible to consistently take home 3.x Otherwise maybe a lot lower. the eval system kinda sucks: you need to act like everyones best friend or really have your stuff together, and never irritate anyone. Still there's always the few adults out there who will give you low grades because you are/aren't an American or based on the feelings of their own performance, rather than yours. Still most people who have it together and try hard get decent marks.
Other benefits of Pagoda: You may get to met more girls if that's your thing. Going drinking with students if you want to. You'll learn about teaching adults, which will lead to benefits if you are serious about staying here and pick up an F2 later on.
All my info is 2 years old now so things may have changed. Still I was there for three years and still would recommend it to anyone willing to put the effort in. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Voyeur
Joined: 19 Jun 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
| the laws that CDI may or may not break don't affect CDI workers because they get extra cash in reyrn. It is your option - you can always go monthly pay. And besides, everyone knows that this is what CDI does so you go in with your eyes open on this issue. Whining about this is just so silly - mainly because there are lots of other things at CDI that are much more worthy of being whined about. Things they do that you don't expect - and thus can get suckered by. Then again, this happens all over. But still... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Petey Wheatstraw
Joined: 28 Sep 2007
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 10:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks everybody for your feedback. These forums are consistently good for that. I'm leaning towards Pagoda just because it's adults, y'know? Maybe someone with experience could help answer this one: are the kids at CDI schools a bit more well-behaved? I know that they have to pass a test of some kind to get in. I'm probably dreaming, but... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
eliross
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject: Pagoda Hours |
|
|
| I currently work 1-on-1 for pagoda and I do not get as much booking as I would like. I work in the Kangnam area, so ask the branch what you can realistically expect. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
| mirage wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Both continually break labour laws (vacation and break laws specifically for Pagoda), and CDI breaks immigration laws and tax/pension/medical laws on top of that (if you are on an E2). |
The laws that CDI breaks doesn't effect hourly employees does it? |
If you are on an E2, they are breaking all kinds of laws. If you are on an F2/F4, they are not. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
potin14p
Joined: 04 May 2006
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
hm. i wouldn't count on getting that much extra income at Pagoda or Direct English from extra classes. sure, the minimum pay is 2.4 (thats including the teeny weeny living allowance of 100,000) but then remember, you have to pay rent!! now if you're in Sinchon, thats great, you can easily find a cheap apartment, but if you're anywhere in the Gangnam area, forget about it. rent will be at least 600,000w. and when you're starting work at 7am, and finishing at 9.30pm, you want your job to be close by.
i accepted a job at one of their branches, and I am regretting it a lot. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
