I currently work for Pagoda at the Gangnam branch. I am about to begin my third year. I have no doubt that some of the complaints here are valid. I have seen some questionable things.

However,

its the best place I've worked so far. The pay is fair. The schedule eventually turns into a block. They drove me to the hospital when I was sick. They let me take time off when I needed an operation. Ian Windsor is not an a*hole. I like how laid back he is. That guy Rocky doesn't work there anymore. Jody moved on to a job at a University and seems to be doing well. Most of the staff are great to work with and very knowledgeable. A few people do sometimes get too drunk, or can't handle the workload. They either quit or get fired. Korea is a hard place to work at first. If you are looking for something easier, I suggest Thailand. I am in Chiang Mai right now getting my CELTA. The pay is less here, but its more relaxing.

I want to go back to Korea, though. I miss Pagoda. I miss the challenge and I miss the students. And, for the most part, if you don't treat the students like sh*t, then they won't complain. Part of being a teacher is being a likable person. Not everyone is.

When students have complained about me, the managers have backed me up. They know that I am organized and they see how hard I work. If I were showing up late all the time or yelling things like "You can't tell me how to teach! You've never even been a teacher!" at some sweet manager who is just trying to cover her a** by passing along the complaints she has received, then I think I should be fired. I always prefer to work at a place that will fire those who consistently make trouble and challenge the rules. There is a way to make a system better, and being a d**k is not it.

In any case, if you are qualified to teach and actually like being around people, then you should apply to Pagoda. If you are generally grumpy and want to be treated like you are special just because you used to be some kind of professional doctor or lawyer or rodeo clown or whatever, you should consider doing something else.