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Hagwon Muppet
Joined: 18 Mar 2003
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Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 9:43 am Post subject: Princeton Review Korea - I would give it a wide berth |
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I have noticed TPR Korea recruiting heavily on this and other boards and I would have to recommend that people think very carefully before working there.
If anyone is seriously considering it they can PM me and I will pass on details but I would just say that the management there leaves a lot to be desired, they have little or no respect for their teachers, treat the entire place like a gulag (every single room is constantly monitored by CCTV even the staff room!), indulge in several shady practices, and general don't provide an environment for teachers condusive to education.
Every single non-Korean teacher I know who works there is or was seriously pissed off with the place and the management. The wonjangnim is so arrogant he won't even lower himself to speak to the teachers and or provide any kind of contact details... he has his own little staff of monkeys to separate him from the proletariat.
I'll qualify this by saying that some people like working there but I think its generally a case of look at the $$$$ and don't worry about your self-respect.
Just a warning...take it as you see fit. |
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desultude

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Dangling my toes in the Persian Gulf
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Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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If this is the Princeton Review, I could tell you stories too, from the branch in Mexico City, which still owes me money. They are an exam prep mill that proudly teaches nothing but exam taking, and as the op said, they are cheap and shabby in their treatment of teachers. Do stay away! |
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Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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I work there part time and have absolutely no problems.
I have always been paid on time.
The management have been honest (as far as I can tell) and avaliable to me.
The other teachers there seem relatively happy. I've talked to many 1:1 and none have voiced major concerns.
While I know schools can be shadey, and there is the possibility that TPR is one of them, I just wanted to add my (limited) experiences and say that all has been fine there with me. |
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koryo1
Joined: 26 Aug 2005
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Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:54 am Post subject: |
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Captain Corea wrote: |
I work there part time and have absolutely no problems.
I have always been paid on time.
The management have been honest (as far as I can tell) and avaliable to me.
The other teachers there seem relatively happy. I've talked to many 1:1 and none have voiced major concerns.
While I know schools can be shadey, and there is the possibility that TPR is one of them, I just wanted to add my (limited) experiences and say that all has been fine there with me. |
I don't think you talked to my friend.
My friend worked at the Princeton Review in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea and I became her therapist for the whole summer. I met a few of the other teachers they had and they all hated their job. Here's what I know:
1. They took their return plane tickets from them as soon as they got there. SHADY!
2. They promised them so many hours at such a price. When they got there, they were told:
. . 1 about 40% of the hours were at a "test proctoring" rate of $5 per hour. When
one teacher (who had an MBA) protested, they fired him.
.. 2 They had to go to an 8am meeting (even if their classes started later) AND
they weren't paid to go, but if they did not go they were threatened with pay
deduction or termination. And of course, they had their return tickets
.. 3 They had to be 10 minutes early to work. If they weren't early, they would
. be deducted pay. They didn't get paid to be early.
3. I went out drinking one night with a few of their teachers and all of them were burned out, tired, miserable, and hated their jobs and their boss.
They said that they got paid well from working so many hours (like 50 in a week) but none of them like it and none of them said that they would do it again. They were all there for a summer intensive. |
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Captain Corea

Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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While I agree that most of those earlier points sound pretty bad (if true) this one:
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3 They had to be 10 minutes early to work. If they weren't early, they would
. be deducted pay. They didn't get paid to be early. |
Does not. 10 minutes early?? Are you serious that THIS is what they were complaining about?? Yeah, I still work there and have the same rule. I've worked for other places that had an hour early rule. If a teacher is not able to be there 10 minutes early (even just to make sure all the materials are in order), it's gotta make you wonder.
I think this sounds like a big factor:
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They said that they got paid well from working so many hours (like 50 in a week) but none of them like it and none of them said that they would do it again. They were all there for a summer intensive. |
I'm not sure if that is what they signed on for, or if it surprised them at all. But if I signed on for a 50 hour (with "good pay") a week gig, I'd be guessing it wouldn't be a walk through.
I don't want to defend the school (although it kind of looks like it I suppose) But I work there and thought others might want both sides.
I've been there for 5 months. I've seen the "summer" people come and go. Some seemed nice, some didn't know thier butts from a hole in the ground.
I've been paid EVERY TIME and ON TIME. Actually, there's been times when I messed up on the hours sheet in their favor and they corrected it and paid me more than I expected.
I work in the Samsung location and have had pretty decent experinces there. I'm sure others have not, but again, it's good to get perspective.
I PM'd the OP with no reply. If anyone is working there and wants to chat... I'm cool with meeting and grabbing a bite together. Maybe you could fill me in on my ignorance...
Hmmm, don't socks come in pairs?  |
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midgic
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
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Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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... the management there leaves a lot to be desired, they have little or no respect for their teachers, treat the entire place like a gulag, indulge in several shady practices, and general don't provide an environment for teachers condusive to education.
The wonjangnim is so arrogant he won't even lower himself to speak to the teachers and or provide any kind of contact details... he has his own little staff of monkeys to separate him from the proletariat.
I'll qualify this by saying that some people like working there but I think its generally a case of look at the $$$$ and don't worry about your self-respect.
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sounds exactly like Poly School(s)... |
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chiquilin
Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Location: ny, ny
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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i'm considering the summer sessions (princeton review) this year, but i'm a little sketched out by the whole proctoring rate vs. teaching rate issue and the ambiguity of how many hours will actually be assigned; there doesn't seem to be a guaranteed minimum, and they're really careful with their wording to avoid addressing that.
i'm looking for shorter term jobs and this one seems like one of the better low commitment deals, but i'm worried i'll get stuck with minimal hours with half of them at $5/hr. i've got another offer on the table (less pay, but guaranteed) and i don't want to be kicking myself later.
is there anyone who's had firsthand experience with them, esp summers, and wants to share? any thoughts are much appreciated. |
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jordache463
Joined: 08 Mar 2010
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:13 am Post subject: Considering TPR |
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Hi all,
I'm considering The Princeton Review.
If you don't want to work 50 hours a week can you negotiate that before you go?
Do they prepare the lessons for you? Or must you prep and teach 10 hours a day?
Thanks! |
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Hatcher
Joined: 05 Jan 2007
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 2:38 pm Post subject: I worked there |
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I worked there twice and had no problems. As for the management, I havent experience a single hog-your-won with decent management. Being paid in full and on time is a "benefit". Time management? Never seen it anywhere. |
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jordache463
Joined: 08 Mar 2010
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:47 pm Post subject: Hatcher, can I pick your mind a little more? |
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I just had my first interview, they said that I would only be required to work from 8 until 1:30, and then from 2:10 until 5. So that seemed reasonable to me, and the guy I did the interview with was really friendly.
So I wanted to ask you,
1. did you graduate from one of the top us schools?
2. Did you score highly on the sat and gre?
and most importantly -
3. had you ever taught a test prep course before?
4. How long did you spend each night preparing for your class sessions?
5. What age group did you teach?
6. what were the biggest classroom management problems you faced?
I am in a tesol masters program at Columbia university and i have never taught test taking skills before, so i am just curious as to the answers to these questions from someone so experienced with the school!!
Thank you soooo much!!! |
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plynx

Joined: 03 Jun 2008
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Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:08 am Post subject: Re: Princeton Review Korea - I would give it a wide berth |
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Hagwon Muppet wrote: |
I have noticed TPR Korea recruiting heavily on this and other boards and I would have to recommend that people think very carefully before working there.
If anyone is seriously considering it they can PM me and I will pass on details but I would just say that the management there leaves a lot to be desired, they have little or no respect for their teachers, treat the entire place like a gulag (every single room is constantly monitored by CCTV even the staff room!), indulge in several shady practices, and general don't provide an environment for teachers condusive to education.
Every single non-Korean teacher I know who works there is or was seriously pissed off with the place and the management. The wonjangnim is so arrogant he won't even lower himself to speak to the teachers and or provide any kind of contact details... he has his own little staff of monkeys to separate him from the proletariat.
I'll qualify this by saying that some people like working there but I think its generally a case of look at the $$$$ and don't worry about your self-respect.
Just a warning...take it as you see fit. |
AGREED on all counts, specifically the bold section. i worked there full-time back in 2007. nightmare of all nightmares. PM me for any details on the apgujeong branch. |
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jordache463
Joined: 08 Mar 2010
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:40 pm Post subject: Thanks |
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Thanks for all the feedback! |
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Satchel Paige
Joined: 29 Dec 2009
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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jordache, please check your PM box. |
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Kryten

Joined: 10 Nov 2008
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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Captain Corea wrote: |
While I agree that most of those earlier points sound pretty bad (if true) this one:
Quote: |
3 They had to be 10 minutes early to work. If they weren't early, they would
. be deducted pay. They didn't get paid to be early. |
Does not. 10 minutes early?? Are you serious that THIS is what they were complaining about?? Yeah, I still work there and have the same rule. I've worked for other places that had an hour early rule. If a teacher is not able to be there 10 minutes early (even just to make sure all the materials are in order), it's gotta make you wonder. |
I have a feeling this isn't 10 minutes early for class, but 10 minutes early for prep time. If that's the case then deducting pay is not acceptable. If I'm mistaken, then yes, I do agree with you Captain Corea. |
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zathman
Joined: 20 Feb 2010
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:22 am Post subject: |
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I received a job offer from TPR for this summer. I'm also curious about their general environment as well as contract details. There seem to be many points in the contract where the employee can be liable for money for various reasons. I imagine this is normal for contracts (is it?), but I'm more concerned about the use of these points in the contract. Is TPR relatively fair in their expectations and payment?
If someone who currently works there or worked there recently (past 2-3 years) could respond to this I would appreciate it. |
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