Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gkim06]

I am considering Pagoda's teaching program (the 1:1 teaching).

Any opinions? Past experiences? I would love to know what the experienced people in this forum think of this company so I can get a picture of what this school is like. THanks!

oh yeah...can somebody also explain what this housing situation is? So, about how much would actually come out of my pocket?

"Upon arrival, teachers are placed in a motel near the designated Pagoda institute (employer will pay up to 5 days of motel accommodation), during this period, we will show you several apartments. Pagoda will assist new instructors with 5,000,000 won deposit money towards the apt. of your choice; the monthly rent will be paid by the employee and utilities. In case the instructor takes the 5,000,000 won from Pagoda for his housing deposit, Pagoda will provide certain furniture items (bed, refrigerator, gas stove, washer and wardrobe) for the instructor's apartment and 100,000 won/month housing allowance. If you don't use the Pagoda's deposit, Pagoda will pay him/her a monthly housing support payment of 250,000 won but Pagoda will not provide him/her with any furniture."

Again, any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

[pkang0202]

I've heard that Pagoda works their employees ragged. Your a gyopo right? Here's what you do:

1. Take a public school job. They will give you housing. Also, its a steady paycheck and the hours are from 8:30-4:30.

After you get off work, you privately tutor and you make a lot of money. Why go through the stress of working through a hagwon? Take the cushy public school job and then teach your own 1:1 tutoring.

The hours of public school are perfect for this. Hagwon hours are extremely irregular. Some are 2pm-10pm, others are split shifts morning and then evenings.

[gkim06]

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Sounds like a YBM deal. Expect to be asked to work extra classes but you will be paid on time.

[mastap]

[GongGongChil]

I have worked for Pagoda teaching classes of up to 12. As far as Hagwons go I thought they were pretty reasonable, I got paid on time and enjoyed some of my classes. Generally speaking the standard of foreign teachers is pretty good so you will meet and work with some good people.

The hours are pretty standard for adult hagwons (usually 7-11 then 6-10 split shift for 8 classes) and you can start to get burnt out if you teach eight or more classes a day. So yes, i would recommend Pagoda if you want to teach at a hagwon.

I havnt taught one on one at Pagoda , but at other places I have. It usually means some of your classes are awesome, and some will be the worst job you ever had. If i taught in Korea again, I would consider Pagoda. (Simply because its less hassle than other places)

I have taught in public schools also and the hours are good but the social aspect of pagoda was very good , even if the hours were longer.

You are better off financially if you dont take the key money they offer. If you dont have the finances you could just work there a year, re sign and put your own key money forward the second year. The furniture they give you is not the prettiest but its functional.

pay your own key money = 250k allowance each month 4 u
pagoda pays = 100k each month 4 u

You could spend 3 mil on key money in itaewon and get something reasonable but most officetels start at 5mil key.

offer 1 mil key and you will either be laughed at or shown some real ghetto places.

if you take pagoda's key money you will still have to pay the budang san fee (housing agent), between 200-300 000 won depending on how much the apartment is.

Hmm, im rambling now.

Anyway hope you find this information in some way useful.

Good luck in your decisions.

[gkim06]

I know this sounds dumb but what exactly is 'key money' and if i don't take it, what are my options when it comes to housing? THanks!

[Ilsanman]

It depends so much on what you're looking for. Pagoda will work u hard, expect a lot from you, but if you do a good job, they'll leave you alone.

The split sucks, but it works for some people. Also, no kids. You'll always be paid on time.

[eliross]

I teach one on one for Direct English (Pagoda). It's true, teaching adults is fun. You have real conversations and there's little to no prep. I love my co-workers, there's very little hassle with management, and no real issues with pay (so far). Oh, and the environment is very professional (you have to dress nice but you get your own nice office). Still, teaching eight hours a day (up to 16 classes) can be grueling with split shifts. There's no break between students. I generally don't teach full-time, and I've often taught less then 20 hours a week. I usually just make the minimum salary of 2.5. My schedule has doubled since new years and now I'm working overtime. So I may make over 3 million this month. Your hours are going to depend greatly on what branch you work at.

In the end my take home pay after taxes, bills, rent, etc is about 1.4-1.8 (this also depends on how much your rent is). That's the same or less than you'd be paid for a public school gig where you teach half as many hours. In the end I'd never teach at a kids hagwon but I'd seriously thinking about a public school position. Hope that helps.

[mastap]

[babtangee]

[mountainous]

Friend of mine worked at Pagoda in Seoul (think it is the Jongno location), he said that Pagoda was caught trying to defraud the teachers out of a portion of their salary. Pagoda has an in house recruiter that has committed bait and switch fraud with contracts and job offers. A big company means big fraud in this instance. Look at the frontrunner for President in South Korea, a stinking fraud.

[eliross]

If you count student absences then I'm sure there was times I worked less than twenty hours a week. There was no issue with receiving my minimum pay so, technically, I was making great pay for the amount I was working. I've talked to teachers from other branches and it seems working this little is uncommon. I guess it was a bit of a slump which has changed this year. I've met experienced teachers who have renewed their contracts with Pagoda many times and I've met experienced teachers who've quit after a few months. That's something with Pagoda, you can quit if you're willing to pay back airfare, rental fees, key money, etc. I know people in the process, it doesn't seem fun, but it's doable. So far it seems legit I believe Pagoda will release them from their contracts so they can get new visas. If I had to bet I'd bet that Pagoda will refund their deposit too (minus legit expenses). I'm just glad I'm not a betting man. It's no wonder company, it's long hours, they should pay you more, they should provide more training, blah blah blah but they generally stick to their contracts. READ YOUR CONTRACT.

[Paul_Zerzan]

[ntwrightsmom]

EDIT