Petersons Centro de Idiomas

PennilessBliss says on Apr 18, 2007, 22:31:

hmmmm... here's my story ok, so I quit a great job over at caracol TV in order to start up a company... while at it, I thought teaching english a couple of hours a day would be a good idea. I got a friend who worked there to introduce me and yeah, being a foreign looking American helped me nail the interview... I was then assigned a morning class with an executive at a nearby company... soooo, I went there the following Monday, all was going well till another teacher showed up... hmmmm, I thought, so they don't plan very well at Peterson's. I went on though, mostly because I'd gotten there on time, unlike the other guy.

So here's what actually happened. A Colombian couple owns the institute, the guy went ahead and assigned the class, to me. The wife, on the other hand, called another teacher. To top it off, when I called to find out what the F was going on, she asked me (quite callously) to never again teach on Peterson's behalf without being properly authorized...

In a manner I thought befitting, I quit my new job. A record in my book (1 hr 30 mins. of actual work).

Your call if you want to teach there. They pay 30 thou COP per class (90 mins.) and usually do it on time. I would say their planning/management is a bit deficient, based on my experience.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Wastelandlive says on Apr 19, 2007, 10:12:

Actually, PennilessBliss... I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I think the fact that you are a gringo and you HAD a job at Caracol TV, and you are starting your own business, is the most interesting point of all.

People - myself included - are always looking for success stories about people finding work in Colombia. We all lower our standards to what seems rock bottom only arrive at the same place: it's teach English for pennies, or nothing.

The corporate, executive, multinational track is notoriously hard.

Would you share your tale?

Wasteland

0 funny, 0 helpful.

PennilessBliss says on Apr 19, 2007, 10:38:

Wasteland... you're damn right It's very true, and quite sad...

I promise I'll post the details of my exploits down here as soon as I have 15 minutes to myself, which will most likely be sometime this evening.

First thing though... when in Rome do as the Romans, that's the the secret to success

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Apr 19, 2007, 10:59:

Penniless, I hope that your handle.... is not an indication of the success you had with your startup.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Apr 19, 2007, 11:30:

Dont forget, billyb, that the name of this site is PoorButHappy which in all honesty, probably describes 99.9% of its members.....well, maybe not the Happy part as it seems the disgruntled and dysfunctional are alive and well here.....jajaja...

pd: dont forget to bring an umbrella, as it is supposed to rain like a mother tonight!

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

PennilessBliss says on Apr 19, 2007, 13:41:

haha... Miguel, you hit the Clavo on the head PennilessBliss is just my paraphrased version of this site's name. No more, no less.
Billyb, keep in mind we are not all as imaginative as you when concocting a handle. ;) hehehe

Cheers!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Apr 19, 2007, 13:49:

Pobres, Borrachos, y Hambre or

Poor, Bitchy, Hungry with all the posts about food, spices, slipping bananas.......even Platano returned to Post!

jajaja..


Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tomtom33 says on Apr 19, 2007, 13:50:

Right on, Tinto. However, those of us who actually live in Colombia are never horny. I have to really try to go one day without sex.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

beckloud says on Apr 24, 2007, 17:25:

Pertersons Centro de Idiomas I´ve been working for Petersons for the last two years, and I can tell you for sure that they are a lot better than any other institute in Bogota,they ALWAYS pay on time I make 3´000.000 COP per month which is a
whole lot for Colombian standards,we are treated to teachers night out every month ( all you can drink) Petersons pays. New teachers start with 30,000 cop per 90 min(cash in hand) after taxes.as far as I´m concerned, Petersons is organized and very well managed, the owners are U.S Citizens, Oscar is an MBA from LSE, and his partner holds a dual Electronics Egineering Degree from Canada and Javeriana University in Bogota. my e-mail beckloud at gmail.com

beckloud

0 funny, 0 helpful.

beckloud says on Apr 24, 2007, 17:30:

Hmmm.............. Penniless..... I think you are...... I find very hard to believe your sorry story......

beckloud

0 funny, 0 helpful.

candelaria says on Apr 24, 2007, 20:42:

esanc36 already out of Prison? esanc36 pedophiles don't do much time in Colombian prisions, do they? Return everything you stole from the Platypus hostel in La Candelaria. Piece of shit!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

candelaria says on Apr 25, 2007, 10:34:

esanc36 ....is...... esanc36, penniless,and jeni chan, are actually the same dysfunctional drifter,blaming others for his problems as well as feeling self pitty all the time.... I know you!!! esanc36

0 funny, 0 helpful.

candelaria says on Apr 26, 2007, 12:45:

PETERSON´S ENGLISH CENTER
We are an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate people by the way they look.Our most important assets are our Teachers.!
Our commitment is to deliver quality teaching and knoweledge to our students, At the moment we are in Bogota, soon we will be opening new Branches in Cartagena,Barranquilla,and Medellin. Best Regards to everyone.feel free to apply if you want to teach. petersons at etb.net.co

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Brians says on Apr 26, 2007, 13:00:

I think esanch36 is correct canelaria and Beckloud are the same person in my estimation. Unique how they both just joined and sound exactly alike. Anyway what do I care:)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Brians says on Apr 26, 2007, 13:08:

They are the same esanch36. I thought I saw them using the same email address yesterday :
If you are a native english speaker or native-level and want to meet and teach nice; interesting people, drop me a line at oca75 at hotmail.com

By beckloud at 04/25/2007 - 02:49 | Renting, selling and searching | previous forum topic | next forum topic

Which was followed up from candelaria using the same email in the same post. Esanch36 you even pointed out how this looked like a spammer. So anyway probably is Oscar and his wife. Again I really don't care but sure is a shady way to try to build references for you school.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

candelaria says on Apr 26, 2007, 14:03:

Ja,Ja,ja!!! Brians = esanch36 = brians = esanch36 Actually, we do not care about any drifter´s opinion,and even less when they hide cowardly behind a curtain of e-mails.!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Apr 26, 2007, 14:34:

wow candelaria 1 day 18 hours
and someone seams to have touched a nerve
remember you cant fool the old-timers here we can see right through a set up advertisement


listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

candelaria says on Apr 26, 2007, 14:49:

From PETERSON´S to Caslog & Brians
While your dissertations look very impressive and professional,the argument that we look childish, vindictive,and unprofessional is not entirely logically convincing, since it ignores certain crucial facts.
First,your argument assumes that we are being vindictive,when it is the other way around,this individual has been stalking us as well as claiming that we did not hire him just because he looks "too latin" which is not only completely false but also very offensive.
Second, your argument never adresses the point that many people work for Peterson`s and that different handles are effective for getting rid of a stalker. Finally, even supposing that we made an error in the hiring process,he should have filed a complaint through the aproppiate channels.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Apr 26, 2007, 15:46:

yea right hey sweety i only go by one name here vicshere....i have no need to hide behind a second thrid forth.....name

listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

caslug says on Apr 26, 2007, 19:15:

cadalaria.. since you're an owner of a business(english school) looking to hire PROFESSIONAL staff(teachers).. going online to call posters names is not helping your school's reputation with prospective teachers. PROFESSIONAL teachers, do not want to have a vindictive, unprofessional BOSS/OWNER. We're afraid, those type of bosses/owners will treat us badly and during and after employment. In USA, a professional owner/manager would just have their lawyers right a long-winded, polite, legal letter.. INSTEAD of calling names..

If you want to rebut people's "hersay", simply write nice, well-manner, business like rebuttal letter. Then posters can judge for themselves, who to believe. But when you stoop to name-calling and such, YOU look totally unprofessiona, childish, and vindictive.

You post your email on several handles, so it's not hard to see you(or your school) has to use several handles..

BTW, i'm a native-speaking ENGLISH TEACHER fr USA(4 yrs degree PLUS TEFL). But working in Vietnam now, when I was applying in COL in 2005, most starting pay was about 15 to 20,000 peso/hr(6 to 8 dollars/hr). Here in VN, a much poorer country(per captia income is 40 dollars/month), the pay is 12 to 15 dollars/hr, plus cost of living is alot cheaper. I really dont know why, latin american countries pay English teacher soo low, compare to Asia..

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Brians says on Apr 27, 2007, 04:43:

candelaria I am Brians not Vicshere or esanch36 I personaaly know quite a few of the old time members here so don't worry I am not hiding behind any curtains. Matter of fact you are the very first poster I ever called out as a spammer simply because it was so easy to see. Anyway I agree with caslug wholeheartly. If you are trying to run a reputable business try to do it in a professional way and people can then draw their own opinion. As far as me not caring well I still don't as I don't plan on teaching english in Bogota. However after watching you post I have determined in my mind that the negative posts about your school are probably correct. Once again just my opinion.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

candelaria says on May 1, 2007, 19:43:

caslog.esanch36 has been stalking us for awhile,read this Ive meet the poster before
He owns a teaching institute in Bogota. I tried to get a job there but I looked to latin to work there even though im a native ingles speak. They only want girls specifically blond with blue eyes.
esanch36
By esanch36 at Wed, 04/18/2007 - 16:06 | login or register to post comments
"They only want girls specifically blond with blue eyes. "
Hey esanch36...now, why doesnt that surprise me!!
Just my opinion...
Miguel_Clavo =)..aka, DragonSlayer...Colombia es pasión!
"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"
By Miguel_Clavo at Wed, 04/18/2007 - 16:24 | login or register to post comments

0 funny, 0 helpful.

candelaria says on May 1, 2007, 20:29:

From PETERSON´S to Caslog & Brians While your dissertations look very impressive and professional,the argument that we look childish, vindictive,and unprofessional is not entirely logically convincing, since it ignores certain crucial facts.
First,your argument assumes that we are being vindictive,when it is the other way around,this individual has been stalking us as well as claiming that we did not hire him just because he looks "too latin" which is not only clompletely false but also offensive.
Second, your argument never adresses the point that many people work for us and different handles are effective for getting rid of a stalker. Finally, even supposing that we made an error in the hiring process,he should have filed a complaint through the aproppiate channels.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

candelaria says on May 1, 2007, 20:58:

PETERSON´S ENGLISH CENTER We are an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate people by the way they look.Our most important assets are our Teachers.!
Our commitment is to deliver quality teaching and knoweledge to our students, At the moment we are in Bogota, soon we will be opening new Branches in Cartagena,Barranquilla,and Medellin. Best Regards to everyone.feel free to apply if you want to teach. petersons at etb.net.co

0 funny, 0 helpful.

candelaria says on May 2, 2007, 13:00:

Teacher´s Salary are set according to a free price System A free price system or free price mechanism (informally called the price system or the price mechanism) is an economic system where prices are not set by government or a central planning board but by the interchange of SUPPLY and DEMAND, with the resulting prices being understood as signals that are communicated between producers and consumers which serve to guide the production and distribution of resources. Through the free price system, supplies are rationed, income is distributed, and resources are allocated. A free price system contrasts with a controlled or fixed price system where prices are set by government, within a controlled market or planned economy.So, The price of a Diamond is equal to the price of a glass of water if we are in the middle of the desert.

0 funny, 0 helpful.