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teachergirltoo
Joined: 21 Jan 2005
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:01 pm Post subject: Work during 3-month downtime at Westgate |
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I'm considering signing with Westgate Corporation to teach for one of their unis sometime in September.
Thing is, there is a 3-month time period between the end of this contract and a potential second contract.
What do most people do during these down times? I mean, I'd have to find a new place to live and find work, then return to this job - is that what most people do?
Anyone out there with that kind of experience?
Thanks for your help. |
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Sierra1903
Joined: 18 Jul 2013
Posts: 16
Location: Shanghai/Toronto
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| Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 1:36 am Post subject: |
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| I worked for them a few years ago, and back then I'd say more people than not did only one contract. Some only wanted a brief stint so this was the perfect opportunity for them. Some used this as a foot in the door of Japan and then moved on to other employers. Sometimes people decided to do two contracts, going home between the two, and moving on to another company in Japan after the second Westgate contract. |
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yellow earth
Joined: 14 Jan 2009
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 1:10 am Post subject: |
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| how is Westgate? Is it a joke like eikaiwa? tolerable? |
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Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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| Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 3:21 am Post subject: |
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| yellow earth wrote: |
| how is Westgate? Is it a joke like eikaiwa? tolerable? |
I think it would be better working in a university as opposed to an eikaiwa. But it would also depend on the location of the university. I'd take an eikaiwa in Shinjuku over a university campus out in butfuck inaka Japan. And some of these campuses are in the middle of the jungle or rice fields.
What's funny is that Westgate makes their teachers wear a necktie and suit. They stand out like a sore thumb since professors don't wear neckties and suits. |
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Sierra1903
Joined: 18 Jul 2013
Posts: 16
Location: Shanghai/Toronto
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| Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree that a university would be better than an eikaiwa. When I was with Westgate the hours were long, and I stayed in one of the apartments which they arranged which meant I had such a long (and crowded) commute, which made the days even longer. It was only for three or so months though, and I still had the visa which was for a year, which allowed me to get something else for afterwards. I see it as a foot in the door to Japan, as a stepping stone. |
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Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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| Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Sierra1903 wrote: |
| I agree that a university would be better than an eikaiwa. When I was with Westgate the hours were long, and I stayed in one of the apartments which they arranged which meant I had such a long (and crowded) commute, which made the days even longer. It was only for three or so months though, and I still had the visa which was for a year, which allowed me to get something else for afterwards. I see it as a foot in the door to Japan, as a stepping stone. |
Sierra,
Thanks for the information. It's useful for people considering a move to Japan and who might not have any idea about what kind of situation they might be getting themselves into with a company like Westgate.
Do you think it's possible that Westgate purposely houses their teachers so far from schools so that they will quit after a 3 month contract?
Because it seems to me that Westgate doesn't want teachers to re-sign. I've known a few Interact teachers and they all couldn't wait to get another job. They wanted out of Interact.
Long commutes may be a strategy devised by the cruel gaijin working at Westgate to get the turn over high and assure them a fresh supply of newbs. |
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Sierra1903
Joined: 18 Jul 2013
Posts: 16
Location: Shanghai/Toronto
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| Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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hi Solar Strength,
That could be the case. If a company constantly has newbies, the company can manipulate them to an extent. I think the accommodations with Westgate may be a bit far away because that may be all that they could get within the price range. |
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Black_Beer_Man
Joined: 26 Mar 2013
Posts: 453
Location: Yokohama
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| Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 10:23 am Post subject: |
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I did a semester with Westgate. I didn`t like this company. They micromanage their foreign teachers like crazy even insisting that each teacher carry a bulky old model comapny cell phone which has all outgoing call features (even texting) blocked.
So, these cell phone are really just dog collars so that the company can call you anytime they want.
They try to make carrying the cell phone appaealing by saying "Well, if there`s a big earthquake, you can call the police. That number is not blocked."
Gee thanks!  |
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Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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| Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Black_Beer_Man wrote: |
I did a semester with Westgate. I didn`t like this company. They micromanage their foreign teachers like crazy even insisting that each teacher carry a bulky old model comapny cell phone which has all outgoing call features (even texting) blocked.
So, these cell phone are really just dog collars so that the company can call you anytime they want.
They try to make carrying the cell phone appaealing by saying "Well, if there`s a big earthquake, you can call the police. That number is not blocked."
Gee thanks! |
Really. I didn't know that.
Well, that's great that you're posting this kind of information here. They really are a crappy company to work for. I can't stand these TEFL companies that do that to their employees.
On that note, I had one school years ago in Tokyo that tried to muscle me into getting a mobile phone when I didn't want one. The manger threatened me and said that the company would need to get a hold of me.
I said, "No, I'm not buying a phone just so that you can contact me." I told the manager if they wanted to give me a phone free of charge, then maybe I'd consider it. Then the matter was dropped.
Even then, it'd suck.
I still had my private keitai, I just didn't want them to know the number. |
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Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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| Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Sierra1903 wrote: |
hi Solar Strength,
That could be the case. If a company constantly has newbies, the company can manipulate them to an extent. I think the accommodations with Westgate may be a bit far away because that may be all that they could get within the price range. |
Thank you, Sierra.
I kind of thought it was so that they could control instructors and put them at a disadvantage. |
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