Job Discussion Forums

[sokunen]

Currently, I hold two BAs (one in Languages and one in international relations). I'm scheduled to graduate this fall with my Master's in English. My thesis is focusing on digital literacies with ESL students. I've taught/volunteered ESL teaching in Viet Nam, I'm on my second semester of teaching freshmen English at my university, and I'm about to do volunteering at my local literacy group for ESL students. While I don't have a TEFL or ESL certification, I'm fairly confident that my degrees and past experience should offer me some sort of advantage (at least over an applicant that has absolutely no experience).

I've been looking at AEON, Westgate, and Interac, and through my reading across the forum, AEON and Westgate seem to be favored over Interac. My boyfriend is going to a group interview with AEON, but I don't like how you have to stay in their housing and can't cohabitate with partners, so that's another thing I wouldn't really want to pursue with them (also, I can't apply until I'm closer to 6 months of my desired arrival..). Westgate seems awesome, but their term doesn't start until April, four months after I'm done with school. Interac, I've been getting mixed signals, as some have reported various issues with them and their organization. I don't want to do JET, because I want a little bit of control over my life (and I don't want to go through their arduous and expensive application process). I am more interested in teaching teens/young adults/adults, and also enjoy doing the conversational side of things.

I'm not available to work until mid-December, when I graduate, and I know that doesn't correspond to most school schedules. I've thought about applying to some universities, but my Japanese isn't that great (even though I studied it in my undergrad), so I wouldn't be comfortable in an environment where I'd have to speak Japanese exclusively with my cohort.

What say you? Where would be a good place to start? I desire some flexibility in my decision: picking an apartment that I can live in alone or with a partner (and maybe my pet cats if possible..), dynamic schedule where I can teach different grade and fluency levels, decent pay would be nice so I don't mind if my hours are weird and unpredictable, and a long-term commitment.

As always, I've done my own research, but I figure it's best to ask the forum and get individual's feedback and experience.

[Glenski]

You are interested in Interac but snub your nose at JET? You will have equally less control in both situations. At least with JET you get airfare paid, and there is a possibility of reduced or free rent. (ESID: every situation is different.) I'd say reconsider. You'll also have more support from JET in several ways. In what way is the JET application process so "arduous and expensive"?

Do you realize the difference between being an ALT and an eikaiwa instructor?

Westgate may seem "awesome", but why? It's still a very long day of work, perhaps longer than ALT or eikaiwa, and you may not be asked to continue past the 3-month mark. Luckily, you get paid airfare with them, but you will still be asked to vacate your apartment after 3 months if they don't have back to back contracts.

[Tsian]

Glenski, I don't mean to derail the conversation, but I'm curious has it been your experience that ALTs are expected to not use Japanese in class?

Thus far in my experience I've used Japanese where appropriate in class, and if anything the teachers have seemed appreciative of it. (It hadn't even occurred to me that many places might be against this)

[OneJoelFifty]

Sokunen, with your MA I fear you'll find yourself under-used and frustrated as an ALT. There's a possibility you'll have little to no responsibility. But on the flipside, as Glenski said, you aren't qualified to work at a university. If I were you I'd try applying to private schools, but be willing to also get work as a public school ALT, wherever it may be. Use the time (and you may also have a lot of free time at your school) during your first 12 months in Japan to acclimatise, study plenty of Japanese, work on some papers. Then try and get a better job. Just be prepared for a scenario where initially your ambitions don't match your situation, and keep the bigger picture in mind.

Tsian, I'll chime in here and say that whether it's expected or not, it's much better that a good ALT doesn't use any Japanese in the classroom. That's what the JTE is there for. The majority of the time, any activity you want to do should be possible to explain in simple English with a demonstration, if it can't be then there's a good chance it's unnecessarily complicated. Just my opinion.

[Glenski]

Using Japanese in class "where appropriate" is the ticklish situation. Personally, I don't believe most classes can be taught effectively without using a little, especially to give instructions. Not all the time, though.

Foreigners are hired largely to speak in their home accent and speed, something that Japanese cannot do (or do well). We are the role models for their ears. Also, once you start using Japanese in class, students will lose that sense of needing to use English all the time to communicate and practice, whether in or outside the class. My advice is to do one's best to minimize the amount of Japanese in a classroom.

[sokunen]

[sokunen]