Thinking of going to Japan to look for an ESL teaching job

I am thinking of going to Japan to hopefully land a job as an ESL teacher. I'll be needing a place to stay. Anyone willing to share a room initially. Or if not maybe people here know others looking for a roommate. Either way is fine as I just want a place to stay. I have no preference as to which city so as long as you are within the boundaries of Japan and willing to share a room or know someone that does then great.

 

Have you actually already looked into ESL placement in Japan? Most recruiters will offer Visa assistance and help with finding a place to live. This is probably the best route to go because you have the job (and income) already lined up, along with a place to stay. Going this route you shouldn't need to bunk with a friend, nor worry about when/where you'll land a job.

 

Yeah, get something sorted out before flying over. Otherwise you're going to end up in trouble, especially if you don't know Japanese.

 

Is this what you are looking at?
http://www.jetprogramme.org/

If so, I was under the impression that they help you locate
a living space and also place you in a job.

 

Good luck with this Mystic - please let me know how you get on as I plan on going next year ! late next year

 

2 months ago, yes, he probably was.

 

:lol::lol::lol:

 

Hi. I'm still here. I interviewed with Nova late last month and am waiting for their decision. They said it will take a month. I'm also waiting to be interviewed by AEON and ECC. I thought about the Jet Program. I may send in an application after I get some decisions from these schools whether they want to hire me or not.

 

Jet is a million times better than the other three. I've never worked for any, but know plenty of people that have.

 

NOVA !!!! Don't work for Nova !! They are the worst company in Japan. They have recently had loads of trouble from ripping off clients, not paying teachers plus they are now in deep financial trouble. For Gods sake, don't work for Nova ! They are the Satan of language schools. Geos and Aeon are better but even then I'd go with the JET program if I was you.

Yakumo

 

The JET program is the way most people go, as the work can sometimes be very, very easy, and you get the weekends off for partying, etc. But don't expect to love your job.

I work for one of the large eikaiwas (GEOS) and although the work can be hard, they treat you pretty well, and sometimes I almost love my job. (Though today I hated it ) There are good and bad points to either.

DON'T work for NOVA.

 

You'd think Nova could not get any worse than they've always been but hat's off to them, they managed it.

 

Actually I've heard some nasty things about Jet placement from friends who've used them and friends of friends. Issues about apartments, and transportation and just the general "the work really isn't worth it." At least at the ESL level. It wouldn't say avoid them, but don't let JET be your first choice.

I've been planning on doing this for a while myself, and from my research AEON seems like the best company to do business with. But, yes avoid NOVA at all costs.

 

From people that've obviously not worked for the others.

JET Benefits
-Teaching week is somewhat standard at around 25 hours. There are some "in office" hours where you basically play with your mobile phone.
-Government issued visa. No questions of whether you're visa-able.
-Rent is partially covered
-There are a few other things to do than teach (speaking Japanese helps w/ these jobs though)

What happens w/ Nova and the others:
-35 to 40 hour teaching week (burnout hits around week 2)
-All kinds of other shit

At least w/ Nova you might get a Nova Usagi shirt or something.

They were ordered not to take any new students until the investigation was over. That's pretty bad.

 

Here's one (semi-) good thing about GEOS, and most likely AEON too (as they used to be the same company): The contracts limit teaching hours (ie: add up the minutes of all your classes) to 25 hours per week. If you don't want to teach any more than that, they can't make you.

 

They can't make you by law but they'll sure try to make you feel as guilty as hell if you don't work longer :nod: Then they'll puul that "It's the Japanese way" bull shit on you. To which I always say "Yeah, and this is the British way" :lol:

Yakumo

 

I've never had to point out rules in my contract but if I do, I'd simply say, it's in my contract. Here's my signature, and here's the signature of the HR department head. So it's something we have both agreed on.

If anybody makes me feel guilty for taking vacations longer than 4 days, it's my students. :-D

p.s. From Sunday I'm taking a 6-day holiday around Tokyo with my mum, coincidentally.

 

My sister-in-law worked for Geos for like 10 years. She worked her ass off. Now she has a job that's in slow-motion by comparison and she's bored to tears.

Having a hard time coming up with anything else to contribute to this thread b/c I'm checking out technoviking.