|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
TadeKite
Joined: 16 Jun 2013
Posts: 4
|
 Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:24 am Post subject: Private VS Public school |
 |
|
[b] 
Hello!
I am currently teaching TESOL in South Korea and plan to move to Japan in the new year to teach there. I need to know which option has more benefits - teaching in a private school or public school?
I am teaching in a private academy now and although I am spoiled considering the tiny class sizes (classes of 2 - 10 students), I feel burned out with the awful behavior of many of the children, who are exhausted and demotivated students, who despise English. Plus the workload of parent-pleasing extra projects, such as open class and performances and recitals, which pop up every other month or so and take a hellava lot of stress and hardwork to make happen. If I sign onto teach in a Japanese private school, am I likely to encounter these problems all over again?
I am enticed by the lengthy vacation time public school positions offer, but a job in a private school would be better for me schedule-wise, considering my contract finishes in November.
Please do not misunderstand me - I am not afraid of hardwork, but I am a firm believer that a school should teach, rather than produce cutsie productions to please parents, rather than help teach the children.
If you have any advice to offer, I would be very grateful to listen.
Thank you 
TK[/b] |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
timothypfox
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 492
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Do you mean a private language school (Eikaiwa) or a private grade school (elementary 1-6, junior high 1-3, senior high school 1-3)? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
surendra
Joined: 09 Feb 2012
Posts: 82
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| timothypfox wrote: |
| Do you mean a private language school (Eikaiwa) or a private grade school (elementary 1-6, junior high 1-3, senior high school 1-3)? |
As someone who just taught PS in Korea and now a private "academy" (Eikaiwa/Hakwon), I think I can weigh in.
I feel that Japan is the tightest when it comes to PS hiring season. So I would say your chances of getting a PS job is minimal, let alone, getting a place you semi-desire.
The Eikaiwa route (Hagwon) is nearly as parent-pleasing as in Korea, but it is possible to actually teach. Problem is, the market is for the REALLY young ones, 3-7 ages. So it's more about teaching them minimal vocab to show off to mom and dad.
PS jobs aren't that great. The vacation time is given BUT at a reduced pay (if you go with a recruiter).
At my current Eikaiwa position, I actually have the ability to teach some kids as I have complete control of the classroom as long as I stay within a flexible syllabus.
So much info dude. Just do your research. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
marley'sghost
Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 255
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 3:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you are looking to get into public schools in Japan take a look at the JET program (1st choice) or Interac/Altia-Central/other dispatch company (2nd choice) and come to Japan as an ALT. You will be paired with a regualr Japanese English teacher and "team" teach in a public school (usually more than one). ALTing usually gets you the long breaks. When I was a JET I only had to come in to school once every couple weeks, to stamp the attendence book. I probably could have just split entirely. Since then as a dispatch ALT I have never, ever (well, only once) had to come to school during break. Strictly 8:30ish to 4:30ish. Minimal company meetings. Good hours. Pay is not what it was, but can't have everything.
You get plenty of demotivated kids who hate English. Sometimes 40 of them at a go, but if you can handle "school" it's a good job. In public schools you don't have to sing and dance for the parents. Just do you job well and it's good enough. Folks working for private schools do have to work that much harder to sell the school to the parents. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
surendra
Joined: 09 Feb 2012
Posts: 82
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I am working at a franchise of an Eikaiwa and suck/hate signing. At my school, I am doing my share of promoting, but it's actually cool. "Signing" is simply me putting the CD on the CD player. Great way to kill time as I am not a strong teacher. Also, when no students are around I can/forced to speak Japanese. Eikaiwas are hit or miss. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| surendra wrote: |
| I am working at a franchise of an Eikaiwa and suck/hate signing. |
do you teach the hard of hearing?
| surendra wrote: |
| Eikaiwas are hit or miss. |
as are eikaiwa teachers... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| marley'sghost wrote: |
| When I was a JET I only had to come in to school once every couple weeks, to stamp the attendence book. I probably could have just split entirely. |
It's worth remembering that with JET, ESID (every situation is different). When I was on JET, I had to go to the BOE office every day during breaks (not just to stamp the attendance book, but I had to stay the full day). There wasn't a lot to do, but there were some things: planning and teaching a summer program for elementary school kids, planning events for our city's exchange program for junior high kids, planning lessons for after the break, etc. It wasn't as busy as during the school year, so I could study Japanese, read random crap online, and take 2-hour lunch breaks and no-one cared. But, I did have to be there every day. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
marley'sghost
Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 255
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 1:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
| rtm wrote: |
| marley'sghost wrote: |
| When I was a JET I only had to come in to school once every couple weeks, to stamp the attendence book. I probably could have just split entirely. |
It's worth remembering that with JET, ESID (every situation is different). When I was on JET, I had to go to the BOE office every day during breaks (not just to stamp the attendance book, but I had to stay the full day). There wasn't a lot to do, but there were some things: planning and teaching a summer program for elementary school kids, planning events for our city's exchange program for junior high kids, planning lessons for after the break, etc. It wasn't as busy as during the school year, so I could study Japanese, read random crap online, and take 2-hour lunch breaks and no-one cared. But, I did have to be there every day. |
Good point. ESID is the mantra of the JET programme, and is a pretty accurate description for teaching in general. I had a buddy JET working on the other side of town as me. He had to be there every day. He was adopted by and became the "assistant" soccer coach he said.
Summer "vacation" is a relative term in Japan. The hard core sports clubs and brass band will be at school 7 days a week 8am-6pm practicing. There is a pile of homework. The Japanese schools run on an April to March school year, so summer vacation is not the end of the year, just the end of the first term. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
