Job Discussion Forums

Solar Strength · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Working 6 - 7 days a week for ￥240,000 is insanity!

Why do people insist on coming to Japan when they can work a 18 - 20 hour 4 - 5 day work week in Korea or China for the same money with free apartment and airfare?

You guys are nuts!

I just don't understand it.

Solar Strength · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

And they force you to wear a black undertaker's suit!

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

I worked for them to pad out a very well paid but term time only university job. I put in more hours than I really needed to during the term because it was the easiest money I have ever made. My students were lovely, the one-to-one set up was a nice change from big classes at uni and there was no prep or marking. Plus I could take a month off whenever I wanted to, take a half day if I felt like it, etc etc.

I've said before that personally I wouldn't want to be tied to Gaba with their visa, and I don't think they should be allowed to sponsor visas on an Itaku contract. But I saw the hours people were putting in at the likes of AEON with barely any vacation time, so I would still choose Gaba.

As for the clothes, I've always worn a black suit for work. At least, in all the jobs when I've had to wear a suit. I've never understood why that, of all things, bothers people.

Having said all that, I won't be heading back to Japan in hurry.

Solar Strength · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

I had an entirely separate / independent job at university, some English teaching, some content. It was not connected with Gaba in anyway. However, it was paid by the koma, so I wasn't paid during the long vacation (term time being the teaching days between vacations). I initially took the job at Gaba to pad out/top up/supplement my wages from my main job so that I had an income during the vacations. As it turned out I rarely worked for Gaba during the vacations, instead I preferred to work more hours during term time and then travel during the vacations.

It depends on the university and on the professor. I've worked in universities on and off for decades, and I've always worn a suit. Yes, I've worked with plenty of professors who look like they've just walked in from the beach, or rolled out of bed, they make me cringe with embarrassment. I'm not currently working in uni, but a suit is compulsory in this job too. But the main objection to the Gaba dress code is not that it's a suit, but that it's a black suit. Which is a total non-issue for me.

Solar Strength · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

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SunShan · Joined: 28 Mar 2013 Posts: 107

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

I knew an Israeli who would have 12 lessons in a row on the weekend. I doubt he even planned at all. If you have a break between classes you could have time to plan.

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

SunShan · Joined: 28 Mar 2013 Posts: 107

Thanks for your advice.

Doesn't sound too bad in that regard, and I appreciate there's always an element of responsibility towards the students. I'd have no problem going out of my way to help students who are keen to learn.

Sounds like the 3-day (unpaid) training is a bit unnecessary though...