Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ChooChooPongPong]

I've been in Korea for over two years, and I need a change from the kiddies and wouldnt mind a big company setting for the social conncections and stability etc. I dont mind the suit and tie scene and think it would be a nice change actually. So, having applied with Pagoda and gotten the low down on the contract, I am really wondering if I want to commit to that kind of contract.

The hours are about 8 classes a day it seemed to me....and this is too much for even the worst schools like Wonderland. And the split shift...7-11 and then 5-9.....plus prep and whatver else....that will seemingly consume my day. So it seems like you are selling your time at a low rate and not getting much back in return. The housing package is dismal, and they seem to expect a lot. So...I'm wondering what it's like working there?

I'm sure I'd be able to meet lots of cool co-workers and students (maybe some nice women), but that's a killer scheduale! And I'm used to making a lot more money then what they put on the the table. I'm leaning towards sticking to my kiddies and forgoing the change of scene. Any comments from current or forer Pagoda teachers?

[chotaerang]

I work at Pagoda and I love the place. You're right in that the split will kill you but there's a way to minimize that. First, ask to work at either Kangnam or Chongo. These branches have around 25 foriegn instructors and only the 5 people at the bottom of the list usually have to do splits. Second, get yourself started at the beginning of a hiring binge and thus minimize the number of months you spend at the bottom of the seniority heap. The only way to find out when the most strategic time to start would be is to walk into a branch and ask a head teacher. If you time it right the split can last only a couple of months. Best of luck.

[Lost Seoul]

Here are some previous posts about Pagoda hagwons:
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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=123587
Re: Circus- burnout- act
Posted By: Johnny Corporate'
Date: Friday, 10 May 2002, at 10:01 a.m.
In Response To: Question on Pagoda (Oregon Duck)
Are you prepared to be a "performer" of sorts? Depending on the students and the day, your expected to have a steady variety of monologues and ample wardrobe once the snooze bar rings at 6AM. Are you a morning person? Can I refill your instant coffee? That's the invariable routine. I became a zombie over the course of my contact at Pagoda. But I left my mark for sure...
In terms of housing, think inside the box so to speak. Because, that's all you will be able to afford in terms of Kangnam. Shoe box. Unless you want to live in Itaewon the foreigner slum high on top of Namsan. Which means, getting up even earlier. It's a trade off. Insanity induced by constant Maxim refills conned off of your amicable students. The housing director, 3rd cousin to the Pagoda chairman is a real gem when it comes to picking real estate for your stay. Ask around, expect to pay five hundred thousand won for a shoe box you can call home.....keep it real hommie.
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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=123606
Re: Question on Pagoda
Posted By: been there
Date: Friday, 10 May 2002, at 4:01 p.m.
In Response To: Question on Pagoda (Oregon Duck)
You have to take into account that your monthly rent will be about 300,000 - 400,000WON/month after the small key deposit they offer.
So, when looking at jobs, your salary is the same as other jobs posted that offer 300,000-400,000 won less.
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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=129959
the Lowdown
Posted By: Ex Pagoda Person
Date: Friday, 14 June 2002, at 5:33 p.m.
In Response To: PAGODA - Pros and Cons? Is Kangnam good? (Smitty)
>I notice you pay your own housing. This is a good and bad thing I guess. Any advice?
Good and bad. On one hand you get to choose where you live. On the other you have to pay for it and you are looking to pay at least W400k a month for anything.
>What is with the one month of holidays? Does this include National holidays? Do you still get a contract bonus?
They are very good about the vacation. It is very smart of them but since they will work you like a dog you'll need it. You will teach 20 days a month. Also you will get national holidays off but you may have to work a Saturday.
You will still get your severance...it is not a bonus. Pagoda is excellent about paying what they owe you.
>The package seems borderline in many ways.
When it comes to money, it is very borderline. Kangnam is a fine place to work. The money at Pagoda might not be good but you will get paid and as long as you do your job, left alone.
Be warned that Pagoda is a professional operation. No hippy kid slack-assing is tolerated. It is a shirt and tie, well prepared lesson kind of place. If you are not toeing the line they will fire you. However, Pagoda people usually go straight into universities. I did. I learned a lot about teaching at Pagoda, mainly thru sheer volume of it and a professional atmosphere.
I also worked with a great bunch of people at Pagoda. I can honestly say the people I worked with there were more dedicated and professional than the people at my present university.
HTH,
Ex Pagoda Person
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710134485
Re: pagoda
Posted By: Briefcase Body
Date: Saturday, 27 July 2002, at 4:13 a.m.
In Response To: pagoda (kitsch)
Pagoda is becomming a sketchy place to work these days. While it is true that the teachers there were once looked after very well, that is not really the case at all nowadays. They are increasingly looking for "yes men" to abide by any policy that comes down the pipe. Any show of concern about changes to your job/work environment are shuffled under the table and through the maze of "managers" who don't have a clue about how to run a business. The management style consists of delaying every issue as long as possible, and creating stall tactics to kill issues quietly. If you are willing to eat whatever garbage is thrown your way, then you have nothing to worry about...if you are looking for a place where you actually have a say in what happens to your job/earnings, maybe keep looking around.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710134624
Re: pagoda
Posted By: Donkey Hodey
Date: Saturday, 27 July 2002, at 9:23 p.m.
In Response To: Re: pagoda (Joel)
"They also don't go out of their way to screw you."
That may be true of years past, but it seems the last few months are a change of direction for them.
There's plenty of things being thrown at the teachers these days that they aren't happy with. And the thing it comes down to is money. They took away our Severence bonus for Saturday classes (this decision "supercedes the contract you signed"), they've limited the number of hours we can teach, long-time teachers (ie. teachers with big salaries) are being pushed out; 2 head teachers are GONE. The petition that was sent to management was met with a derisive snort and called "childish".
Pagoda is still heads and above any kiddie hogwon out there, but teachers are grumbling more and more in the teachers' area these days.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710134621
Re: Popularity contest
Posted By: Donkey Hodey
Date: Saturday, 27 July 2002, at 9:14 p.m.
In Response To: Popularity contest (Hmmmmm.)
It's not "voting for your favourite teacher". It's "evaluating the way your teacher teaches" (in an ideal world, anyway). And yes, if you are in the lower 10% of the teachers for 3(?) consecutive months (ie. the worst 10% of teachers), they'll give you the boot.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710143270
Pagoda Foreign Language Inst.
Posted By: Ian Long - [email protected]
Date: Thursday, 19 September 2002, at 12:10 p.m.
Just a word to the wise regarding this large and well-established employer of English teachers. This company may change the conditions of your contract, change the expectations stipulated in your contract, fire you without warning or reason, or fail to pay you money they owe you after they decide to fire you. In my case they did all of the above, even though I had worked for them for just under 4 years.
I would not recommend that anyone accept a contract from this company. There is no mutual respect, and no level of trust should be given them. If they were located in another country I would take them to court.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710143332
Re: Pagoda Foreign Language Inst.
Posted By: scotty C
Date: Thursday, 19 September 2002, at 9:10 p.m.
In Response To: Pagoda Foreign Language Inst. (Ian Long)
and that's a fact...the Pag is becoming just like all the other 'bad' hogwans, probably end up being much worse if things proceed as they have been over the past short while...that's why they prefer innocent, naive, young teachers who don't know when they're being shafted....or who might know but are afraid to take action.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710143423
Re: Pagoda Foreign Language Inst.
Posted By: Sanbon Pagoda Vet - [email protected]
Date: Friday, 20 September 2002, at 1:53 p.m.
In Response To: Pagoda Foreign Language Inst. (Ian Long)
Hi! Whilst working for the Sanbon Pagoda, I noticed that the woman who ran things, Mrs. Kim, was often quite touchy for no apparant reason at all. She also put us up in a cockroach infested apartment which took more than a couple of days to disinfest. All in all, Sanbon wasn't so bad but you could really do better than this school.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710143514
Pagoda Foreign Lang. Inst.
Posted By: Ian Long - [email protected]
Date: Sunday, 22 September 2002, at 11:49 p.m.
For those teachers thinking of accepting a contract from this company, think again. It is a large company, with a good reputation in S. Korea; however; that doesn't seem to deter the company from treating its foreign teachers very poorly. This company likes to promote that they have teachers who are a cut above, but they treat those same teachers like garbage. Beyond the subtle disrespect, and disdain; they don't shy away from failing to pay their teachers, firing them for nothing at all, removing taxes to which they are not entitled, and I could go on forever. After almost four years of working for them I could spend the next year telling you things done to others or myself. When choosing a school to teach at, JUST SAY NO to Pagoda.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710143694
Re: Pagoda
Posted By: emery
Date: Tuesday, 24 September 2002, at 3:25 a.m.
the Pag is becoming just like all the other 'bad' hogwans, probably end up being much worse if things proceed as they have been over the past short while...that's why they prefer innocent, naive, young teachers who don't know when they're being shafted....or who might know but are afraid to take action.

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http://www.englishspectrum.com/form2.php3?table=news_blackbook
No.144 : PAGODA RIP_OFF
Name: RIP_OFF
Date: 2003-03-11 00:43:25

Job Description I went for an interview today for the vacancies currently being
advertised by Pagoda on this site. Here's the real deal: 'guaranteed minimum salary'
1.8 M, BUT the rent on your apartment of 4-500,000 per month comes out of your
pay!!! So, the 'guaranteed minimum salary' is actually 1.3 M per month ;-( At least
that's what they offered me (Master's degree, CELTA teaching cert., previous
experience, excellent references. LOL!!! ) What kind of teachers are they hoping to
attract? (Oh, did I mention the split shifts starting at 7 am and finishing late at night).
Masochists, the truly desperate and other poor souls please contact Jonathan
Dozier - address somewhere on this site. The good news is that they have a great
Christmas party...
E-Mail [email protected]
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http://www.englishspectrum.com/form2.php3?table=news_blackbook
No.144 's Reply :
Re^2: PAGODA RIP_OFF
Name: What The??!!
Date: 2003-03-17 19:45:12
View: 33

If you did not like it then why stay for 4 yrs or more??No other school can
say that. How many teachers out there have stayed with one school more
than 4 yrs or more consecutively? As far as firing
you without notice that is ridiculus...I have taught here for several years
and I am happy with the results...I feel that you were let go because you
were not doing well or you failed to follow the guidelines that were set out. I
am happy where I am and so are many of the other teachers..We like it
here and don't want to go back working that crappy ass children hakwon or
YBM..Not that is a real shithole...

Get a life man!!
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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=2877&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15
Tiger Beer

Joined: 08 Feb 2003
Posts: 1425
Location: Seoul, Korea
Posted: Mon May 26, 2003 11:17 am Post subject:

I worked at PAGODA for awhile..

I liked it overall.. i mean, its all adults.. and they have a series of 10 levels.. and books for 9 of them.. you work 20 days each month.. meaning you will get a few extra days off each week.. the books are pretty good.. although not as great as the high levels.. but you can substitute your own materials if you don't like a lesson out of the book.. actually you don't have to use the book at all if you don't want to.. but you should pull some out of the books because the students have to buy the books..

Another positive is they help you select the right apartment.. although you do have to pay the monthly rent.. you don't have to pay the key money.. and they go around with you.. so you can choose just the place that you want for the year..

Downsides are that as with all adult hogwans.. you will unfortunately have to teach split shifts.. the only branch i know to avoid this would be the JONGNO branch.. but i've heard the politics and the immense size of employees makes for an impersonal atmosphere.. from what i heard.. but if you find a niche its great..

One of the big plusses with Pagoda is you get one month off during your year.. and you get still paid a portion.. not the full portion.. but something like 30% of what you'd have made if you had worked that month.. so thats a good deal.. however you can't choose any month as the busy months you are unable to take it off unfortunately.. mainly meaning july, august, january, and february its mandatory that you can't take one of those months off..

Hmm.. can't think of anything else.. anyhow, for teaching adults its about standard to have to teach splits shifts unfortunately.. and it does burn you out quickly.. the other things is, well 30 hours/week is the average.. but not only do you have classes in the morning and nighttime.. but there always seems to be one hour sometimes two hours breaks imbetween your classes.. (all adult hogwans are like this by the way).. so often you will be teaching for 3 hours sometime between 6:30am-11:30am and then again another 3 hours from sometime between 4pm-10pm or something like that.. generally you find yourself sleeping in the afternoon to catch up on sleep.. at least that was my case..

hope that helps.. its not ideal.. but still.. i'm more into teaching adults and seem to end up doing that.. the classes are more interesting than kids.. plus the students will take you out alot.. socially its a great atmosphere.. so that makes up for the exhaustion somewhat..

Overall, I don't like teaching in adult hogwans because you feel tired all of the time.. but sometimes at a school like Pagoda they'll give you a month where maybe you don't start work until 10am or maybe you'll finish early at 7pm or something.. so it varies each month.. stuff like that..

hope that helps!
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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=193003#193003
sunlit


Joined: 15 Apr 2003
Posts: 41
Location: Ilsan
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 8:34 am
Post subject: Pagoda Ilsan, Hwajeong

the owner, a mr song, owns both and will say yes to anything to get you signed, but sees no problem with lying to your face and breaking the contract. what's more interesting is that he will never approach you, he will call in his underlings to break the news to you. I put up with the split shifts, (1:10-10:25pm) long hours, reduction in pay with a new program, no medical insurance, setting up a new curriculum, a *beep* one room and now i find out that they won't provide me with new housing (so it gives me about 4 business days to find a new job--or continue teaching and live on the streets). kyoppos be especially warned that you will be reamed a bit deeper and harder here.