Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Saunagukin]

I did the search and got some good info about Pagoda schools. I'm wondering if anyone has any more recent info about the students, the program, the management, the contract or anything else. I'm looking for info about the SLE/PIP programs, not Direct English or kids programs.

(I know about the split-shifts. I'd rather have splits than teach kids again.)

Thanks.

[chotaerang]

Program: Fine, reasonably organized
Students: Great usually
Management: sane and predictable compared to the convenience store hagwons out in the sticks BUT becoming a little more demanding in what they ask of the teachers.
The splits: Don't underestimate how awful they can be. My advice to you is to try to negotiate the best deal you can: i.e. volunteer to teach PIP (a reading/writing course) which few people want to teach and this will allow you to avoid the wretched split.

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

Post removed by OP.


--Boz

[Saunagukin]

Thanks for the info. Bozo - What "illegal clauses"?

[Universalis]

I heard from a friend who knows someone who works there that they came up with a new policy to help satisfy their students: if a student didn't like the class for any reason, the teacher would have to compensate him out of his or her own pocket.

As a result, I heard the teachers there were very, very pissed (for obvious reasons).

I would avoid Pagoda...

Brian

[manlyboy]

[Bozo Yoroshiku]

Post removed by OP due to people I like being hurt by the aftermath of my rant. And that's all it was. A rant.


--Boz

[mishlert]

YBM, Pagoda, Berlitz, etc. They are all the same . Of course, if enough teachers looking for work refuse to sign those kinds of contracts, then things will change.

[seoulmon]

The CW (conventional wisdom) on PAGODA is that although the pay is above average, it comes with so baggage that you will regret any contact you have with this company.

Yes, the pay is higher that most �п�s. Considerable higher. YBM gives 15K per hour. Pagoda is up to 18k per hour and I suspect, with the high turn over of late, it will be much higher. But again, the baggage...

The thing that you need to understand about PAGODA is that it is a much different school than it was in the past. The PAGODA 3 years ago is not the PAGODA 1 year ago. The PAGODA 1 year ago is not the PAGODA 3 months ago. And the PAGODA 3 months ago is not the same PAGODA today.

So when you hear well meaning and sincere posters talk about PAGODA being a "great place to work," they are talking about the PAGODA 3 years ago, not the PAGODA you'd work at if you signed the dotted line the moment after you read this post.

The problem, in short, is the petty and dishonest management.

One of the main problems was the illegal contract the PAGODA management forced teachers to sign. The PAGODA management gave the amendment to teachers on Friday night last February (2005). The teachers who did not have it signed by Monday would be fired.

You may have heard some posters write about the REFUND clause in the PAGODA contract. What they are talking about is the Addendum to Employment Agreement and SLE Policy and Procedure. This was an addendum handed to every PAGODA English teacher. As I said, the teachers were given the addendum on Friday night and told that they needed to sign it by Monday morning or that would be the end. next month they wouldn't have a job.

Agreement II reads:

The Employee will be required to pay back any tuition fees refunded to students that withdrew from a class because of the Employee's unexcused or unannounced absences or tardiness and/or because of complaints with the Employees teaching performance. A thorough investigation will be conducted before such action is taken.

Supposing I signed the contract I would not be allowed to tell you because of a Confidentiality Clause:

The Employee agrees not to disclose the terms set forth within this addendum with other Employees or Staff. The Employee understands hat failure to do so may result in disciplinary action which may result in dismissal.

This is part of the greater problem, management acting arbitrary and without regard to rules or fairness. A teacher put an anonymous petition saying that the morale was low. 30 minutes later the petition was ripped down, and the head teacher cornered every single teacher and demanded, "Who put this up?" A much better question would be to ask "why is morale so low?"

A snap shot of other things PAGODA has done:

*Forced all teachers to use ���� bank, a crappy bank with low benefits and high service charge. All teachers were informed that next month they would have to use this bank or not get paid. Of course many teachers have arrangements with their own bank. The reason they gave for the change was that the accountants were unable to enter the other banks in the computer (a transparent lie that elicited groans from the teachers).

*Schedule meetings (up to 2 a month) during mid day, thus giving people on split shifts a triple shift.

*Promise benefits to teachers and not fulfill their promise. An example, one teacher who was promised a block after 3 months. She worked a full year on splits.

*Treat employees with total disrespect. At the company banquet, the President started the speech by saying, "You teachers claim that you are not working privates. (pause). LIARS."



Everyone at PAGODA has an exit strategy. At PAGODA there are teachers who have been around upwards of 6 years. Those who have been there from 3 to 6 years are called "senior teachers." At the Jong-lo branch there are about 10 senior teachers out of a staff of 24. Every single senior teacher is leaving or has already left. The only senior teacher remaining is the head teacher and I suspect he is only staying because Pagoda is located next to Burger King.

Well, that's the short and long of PAGODA. Now you have the knowledge you can decided what you want to do with it.

[chaz47]

[Voyeur]

if one wants to teach adults Pagoda doesn't seem half bad esp. if you are in a rush and can't wait around forever for the perfect opportunity.

Teaching adults = split shifts generally.

[Voyeur]

Wait a second.

18,000 won / classs seems nice but...

6 classes a day on a 4 week schedule is 120 classes/ 100 hours a month actual teaching (pretty standard for Hogwons)

that is 2,16 Million + 100k housing money is 2.216

BUT then no free housing which on average is about say 500k a month

meaning at Pagoda you are working splt shifts, standard 120 classes , and only getting 1.716 Million


How is that a good deal again?