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Lloyduss
Joined: 20 May 2012
Posts: 33
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 Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:50 pm Post subject: Reliable Eikaiwa? When to apply? Japan or China? Graduate! |
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Hello everyone,
This is me:
- BA (hons)
- Celta (Studying)
- Native speaker, 23, Male and Caucasian
- Have volunteering experience in, both, a primary and secondary school setting (Teacher and teaching assistant).
Firstly, firms I have heard that aren't too bad:
Interac, ITTC, ECC, Aeon... are these okay for my first year in Japan?
note: I am applying for the JET programme (2013 entrance)
Secondary, when do I exactly apply; lets say I wanted to be in Japan by July?... November/December time?
Finally, what I am finding difficult is; do I teach in Japan or China? I have spent many hours and weeks trailing through forums such as these, but I have never really found an answer to this. I am not so much after money but more the experience and adventure.
Thanks! |
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Theory
Joined: 21 May 2012
Posts: 19
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:13 am Post subject: Re: Reliable Eikaiwa? When to apply? Japan or China? Graduat |
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| Lloyduss wrote: |
| Secondary, when do I exactly apply; lets say I wanted to be in Japan by July?... November/December time? |
Most companies should list the dates they will be having interviews in your region and give you a basic timetable for when to apply. Since you are also applying for JET, the timing could be a little tricky. If someone offers you a job before you discover your JET results, I would advise stalling unless you're certain you'd rather work with them than the JET program. Once someone starts processing your visa, you won't be able to change your mind and accept a different offer.
| Lloyduss wrote: |
| Finally, what I am finding difficult is; do I teach in Japan or China? I have spent many hours and weeks trailing through forums such as these, but I have never really found an answer to this. I am not so much after money but more the experience and adventure. |
I don't think anyone can answer this for you. It is like asking, 'Which would I like better Sprite or Dr. Pepper?' If you are seeking experience and adventure, then I'm sure you will find it in either country. Asking yourself which language/culture/cuisine you find most interesting might help. But ultimately you'll just have to make a leap of faith. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:48 am Post subject: Re: Reliable Eikaiwa? When to apply? Japan or China? Graduat |
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| Lloyduss wrote: |
Hello everyone,
This is me:
- BA (hons)
- Celta (Studying)
- Native speaker, 23, Male and Caucasian
- Have volunteering experience in, both, a primary and secondary school setting (Teacher and teaching assistant). |
Ok, pretty much eligible for most entry level jobs.
| Quote: |
Firstly, firms I have heard that aren't too bad:
Interac, ITTC, ECC, Aeon... are these okay for my first year in Japan? |
Have not heard of ITTC, but the others are pretty standard places. Certain branches might have problems, but overall they are better than most.
| Quote: |
| Secondary, when do I exactly apply; lets say I wanted to be in Japan by July?... November/December time? |
To be here by July 2013 is not the best starting date. Most jobs will have been taken and just underway. Eikaiwas will always be hiring, but not all of them. In any case, backtrack 3-4 months from your desired date just for the sake of visa processing, interviewing, recruitment schedules, and settling your affairs back home.
| Quote: |
| Finally, what I am finding difficult is; do I teach in Japan or China? |
How is anyone supposed to answer that? What do you want out of life teaching abroad, and why have you chosen those 2 in the first place? Answers will help us guide you, but until then we would only be shooting in the dark to counsel you. To say you are after the "experience and adventure" means very little. We don't know you at all, or your views on the E and A. |
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OneJoelFifty
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 463
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:35 am Post subject: Re: Reliable Eikaiwa? When to apply? Japan or China? Graduat |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Lloyduss wrote: |
| Finally, what I am finding difficult is; do I teach in Japan or China? |
How is anyone supposed to answer that? |
China! |
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Lloyduss
Joined: 20 May 2012
Posts: 33
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:56 am Post subject: Re: Reliable Eikaiwa? When to apply? Japan or China? Graduat |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Have not heard of ITTC, but the others are pretty standard places. Certain branches might have problems, but overall they are better than most. |
ITTC is also known as Peppy Kids; I have heard they have better hours like 9am-4pm.
| Glenski wrote: |
| To be here by July 2013 is not the best starting date. Most jobs will have been taken and just underway. Eikaiwas will always be hiring, but not all of them. In any case, backtrack 3-4 months from your desired date just for the sake of visa processing, interviewing, recruitment schedules, and settling your affairs back home. |
Is it true that the hiring season is around March/April. When is the next hiring season, or is that the only one?
| Glenski wrote: |
| How is anyone supposed to answer that? What do you want out of life teaching abroad, and why have you chosen those 2 in the first place? Answers will help us guide you, but until then we would only be shooting in the dark to counsel you. To say you are after the "experience and adventure" means very little. We don't know you at all, or your views on the E and A. |
I know, sorry, I do apologise for being vague.
Basically I've decided it's Japan. However, I'm honestly put off by the long hours, dodgy Eikaiwa firms, travel and the huge amount you need to start-up in Japan; I'm a graduate who has little to no money. I'm not moaning or anything, but surely I can't be the only one who's been in this position and I would like some advice thats all. China offers way more: accommodation, air flight reimbursements, lower hours etc. Thanks.
| OneJoelFifty wrote: |
| China! |
Why? I need more than that, please!  From my experience chinese people tend to be rude (I'm not generalising) and they have not the best hygiene standards, also, China is seriously polluted and I had asthma when I was a child (I don't want to trigger it again). |
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Rooster.
Joined: 13 Mar 2012
Posts: 247
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Reliable Eikaiwa? When to apply? Japan or China? Graduat |
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| Lloyduss wrote: |
| Why? I need more than that, please! From my experience chinese people tend to be rude (I'm not generalising) and they have not the best hygiene standards, also, China is seriously polluted and I had asthma when I was a child (I don't want to trigger it again). |
You just answered your own question with this and what I deleted.
Not that I agree with your line of thought or sentiment. I would honestly reconsider going anywhere if this is what comes to mind |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: Reliable Eikaiwa? When to apply? Japan or China? Graduat |
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| Lloyduss wrote: |
| ITTC is also known as Peppy Kids; I have heard they have better hours like 9am-4pm. |
You have essentially 2 choices in Japan as a newbie: eikaiwa or ALT. The former puts you in charge with fewer students, and you work noon to 9pm. The latter has you working several schools that aren't even your employer, with more students usually younger, Mon to Fri work days and 9 to 4 hours. Neither beats out the other depending on your POV. ALTs have more vacation but don't get paid for it (or as much). ALTs experience different levels of responsibility, but basically they are not in charge of the class or main lesson planning.
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| Is it true that the hiring season is around March/April. When is the next hiring season, or is that the only one? |
Major hiring takes lace for the academic year beginning in April, even for eikaiwas, but ALTs are far more likely to have a limited hiring period because they are placed in public schools. Figure both hire a lot in Feb and March, and that ALTs ar also sought 3-4 months earlier (although they may not get placed until two weeks before their start date). That happens with large eikaiwa, too, but not all. Both jobs see a small surge in hiring for Oct.
| Quote: |
| Basically I've decided it's Japan. However, I'm honestly put off by the long hours, dodgy Eikaiwa firms, travel and the huge amount you need to start-up in Japan; I'm a graduate who has little to no money. |
First, do not even think about traveling abroad if you have little money, certainly not enough to buy a plane ticket home. Not many places afford the luxury of good savings potential, anyway.
What did you mean by "travel"? As I wrote above, only ALTs travel much to their jobs (plural). Yes, start-up in Japan can be expensive. Buying a plane ticket goes with the territory, but a few rare places will pay for that. Key money should be paid on housing you inherit from other teachers, but security deposits are there just like back home. No different than if you relocated in your home country, so don't blame EFL on that. Long hours? An 8-hour day plus lunch, just like back home. Difference may be in the commute, but you can't have everything.
Expensive? No more than NYC or London, and even with student loans (which you knew you would have to pay off no matter what country you called home, right?), you can still save. What is your monthly output going to be in loans? In Japan you can live reasonably, frugally, or wildly and save completely different amounts. Half your salary goes to taxes, rent, food, phone, utilities, and insurance. How you manage the other half is up to you, but if you are really concerned about finances, don't take a job that pays less than 240,000 yen per month, and keep your expenses down. It will not be easy because newbies want to experience a new environment, but that is where self-discipline comes in.
I am curious what you think EFL should offer a fresh, inexperienced college grad, who has a desire to leave the safety of his own country and work in countries where the only requirement for a job is a nationality that speaks English as L1, and to have a degree in ANY field. |
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Lloyduss
Joined: 20 May 2012
Posts: 33
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| Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Reliable Eikaiwa? When to apply? Japan or China? Graduat |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| I am curious what you think EFL should offer a fresh, inexperienced college grad, who has a desire to leave the safety of his own country and work in countries where the only requirement for a job is a nationality that speaks English as L1, and to have a degree in ANY field. |
Everything! I want to be a university lecturer in the UK and all I need is experience; exhibiting my art work in another country will go a long way and possibly give me that edge that I need. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Lloyduss
Joined: 20 May 2012
Posts: 33
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| Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:47 am Post subject: |
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They do in the Art & Design departments because they prefer experience than a PHD ( I do want both just can't afford it at the moment). Yeah, because it does not matter what age I teach as I'm using the teaching more as a springboard; exhibiting my work and building a portfolio in Japan. Teaching English is not my career goal... teaching art is. Hell, if I just end up exhibiting my work in the school or a coffee shop its still going to give me an edge and thats better than nothing. |
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Rob1209
Joined: 15 Jan 2012
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2012 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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Just to correct some of the mis-information on this thread....
Peppy Kids Club is part of a Japanese company called iTTTi Japan. I don't know who ITTC are but as far as I'm aware they have nothing to do with Peppy Kids Club. Also, the Peppy hours are nothing like 9am-4pm. 3.00pm-9.30pm would be a much more accurate estimate. However you can have anything from 1-6 lessons per day so workload varies enormously. It's still lighter than almost any other Eikawa I'm aware of though. They also recruit all year round so you can apply anytime, but expect the process to be between 3-4 months at least before applying and commencing employment.
If you're looking for a reliable Eikawa with good starting salary and financial help for starting out in Japan, then PKC is pretty hard to beat. That is, if you don't mind working evenings and weekends, with children of all ages, and in any location within Japan. |
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