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porcupine
Joined: 07 Nov 2007
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 Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:17 am Post subject: Quick Q: Pagoda |
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Hello~
Does anyone know anything about teaching at Pagoda Language Institute? Is there anything in this site where I can get info about this hakwon? Thanks! |
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denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:43 am Post subject: |
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Best thing is probably to do a search using "pagoda" as your search term...some useful info will come up.
Depends what you're looking for. Are you applying at a regular branch, a "junior" place, or a franchise? Likely, you'll work a split-shift for the first while, which can be difficult for some. Some locations do a better job at blocking the shifts, but that will depend on which location you're looking into.
They have lots of rules that you may want to look into, including things like dress code, evals, vacations, and Saturdays. Ask lots of questions.
Definitely not the best of places, but definitely not the worst either. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:00 am Post subject: |
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| denverdeath wrote: |
| Some locations do a better job at blocking the shifts, but that will depend on which location you're looking into. |
I was under the impression they haven't used block shifts in quite some time. Have they changed policy again?
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| They have lots of rules that you may want to look into, including things like dress code, evals, vacations, and Saturdays. Ask lots of questions. |
Ask if they give the 10 paid vacation days required by law (15 days starting in 2008)
Ask if they require you to refund a student's money if he quits on you. |
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halfmanhalfbiscuit
Joined: 13 Oct 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:04 am Post subject: |
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| Young FRANKenstein wrote: |
| denverdeath wrote: |
| Some locations do a better job at blocking the shifts, but that will depend on which location you're looking into. |
I was under the impression they haven't used block shifts in quite some time. Have they changed policy again?
| Quote: |
| They have lots of rules that you may want to look into, including things like dress code, evals, vacations, and Saturdays. Ask lots of questions. |
Ask if they give the 10 paid vacation days required by law (15 days starting in 2008)
Ask if they require you to refund a student's money if he quits on you. |
WTF??
Refund a students money,which,err,goes straight to Slag Park? |
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porcupine
Joined: 07 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:16 am Post subject: |
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thanks guys, I'm pretty new to this...
the reason that I ask this Q is that I'm invited for an interview...
I'm living in China and the personnel assumes that I will be going to Korea soon. I have no plans yet.
I'm waiting to hear back from a potential employer in Hong Kong. If this doesn't work out, I'll be on my way to Korea.
Since I'm still waiting to hear back from another job, should I just ask for a phone interview? I don't want to spend money and travel all the way to Korea just to find out that it's not what I had in mind. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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| porcupine wrote: |
| should I just ask for a phone interview? |
With the new visa regulations changing, unless they are paying to bring you over for a face-to-face interview, ask for the phone interview. Why pay to fly to Korea for the interview, then have to pay to fly home anyway to get the visa? And that's assuming you get the job. |
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porcupine
Joined: 07 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't need visa but I should ask for a phone interview? How do you get hired from overseas? Do they reimburse your flights? Can you be hired after having just a phone interview? |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="porcupine"]I don't need visa [quote]
If you want to work, you certainly do.
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| but I should ask for a phone interview? |
That's what I just said. With the new visa regulations the way they are, you should not be flying here without a visa in hand.
| Quote: |
| How do you get hired from overseas? Do they reimburse your flights? Can you be hired after having just a phone interview? |
I didn't even have a phone interview for my first job. Sent my resume, cover letter to a recruiter, he got me the job, I sent in my documents for the visa, and he sent me the plane ticket. If any school tells you to come to Korea first and they will get you the visa later, they're lying. Don't leave home without the visa in your passport. |
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porcupine
Joined: 07 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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I'm a Korean citizen  |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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| porcupine wrote: |
| I'm a Korean citizen |
Then why would you work for an outfit like Pagoda? There are way better schools to work for. |
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porcupine
Joined: 07 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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I'm new to this...
I don't know anything about any of the hakwons in Korea and I thought I would get much info out of this site. Is there a section that scrutinizes each hakwon? |
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Sincinnatislink
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Location: Top secret.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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Most mom and pop hagwons would be potentially better money, better schedules, and might actually give a damn about you.
Everyone I talked with who worked there had bad things to say, especially re: the way scheduling policy breeds competition/animosity between teachers. You are competing for students with other teachers at your school, and your pay is influenced by the number of students you have.
Furthermore, I don't think they provide housing. Instead, they provide a pittance toward your rent.
You DO work split shifts at first. Technically, you go off them after 3 or 4 months. This probably only happens at the director's convenience.
I looked into Pagoda, and determined it was even worse than the other huge chain school I was leaving, and started looking at little schools and public gigs.
I'm sure it will work for someone. That someone isn't me.
You do NOT get a paid vacation.
You DO lose money if a one-on-one student cancels, but this is not the only chain hagwon that does this.
Get a lot more interviews. You will get better offers, both in terms of schedule and money.
Talk to recruiters. Lots of them. Don't be embarrassed when you get them confused. |
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