Brian writes:

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.

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OK, Brian! A few questions... There seems to be confusion of your location. In the beginning you state that you are in Gangnam (the upscale, high-rent district of Seoul) in your third year with Pagoda, and then later you say you're in Chiang Meu, and that you miss Pagoda and want to go back to Korea. Which is it?

According to you, "Ian Windsor is not an a*hole," OK, but I met LOTS of ESL teachers in Seoul who strongly feel otherwise.

You also say "the schedule eventually turns into a block," but again, I was told by a number of ex-Pagoda teachers that a split shift might last for an entire year.

And lastly, why should Korea be "a hard place to work at first"? I worked hard in China for several years before going to Korea in 2008, but nothing prepared me for how I was treated by one of Pagoda's well-established and "esteemed" competitors. I taught 8 classes a day most months, and two months they tried to force me to teach 10 classes a day. Teaching ESL in Korea should not be an endurance test. Such requirements of teachers has nothing to do with quality teaching and everything to do with GREED.

I had two interviews with Pagoda, and turned them down each time. One lousy, exploitative, slave-driving Korean training center was enough to last me forever!