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nightsintodreams
Joined: 18 May 2010
Posts: 558
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 Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 1:44 am Post subject: |
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JET is an excellent program, but be careful. Don't put all your eggs in one basket!
The application process can take up to a year and then you can be put on the back-up teacher list for another year. Before you know it, two years have been wasted in your home country waiting for JET and you didn't even get a chance to go to Japan.
Also, the number of JETs in Japan has been quickly decreasing since I arrived, replaced with teachers from dispatch companies. JET is getting very competetive from what I hear. The salary has also been reduced from what it once was.
So by all means, apply for JET but don't let it be your only option. Apply for some other jobs in Japan or China. |
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LongShiKong
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 1082
Location: China
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| Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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Has anyone working at Disney done the TEFL-C course?
Is it the standard training for all staff? Apparently, the course is provided by Disney's former academic manager in collaboration with NYC's Columbia U? It seems pretty intensive as this sample unit suggests. Given this former Pearson employee's declared ignorance of ELT testing, it wouldn't surprise me if it's all theory, entirely online (as one claim has it)--no observed practice teaching component. For those like myself arguing assessment is the Achilles' heel of ELT, this should come as no surprise.
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| TEFL-C Company Description: The Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Children (TEFL-C) certificate program, produced in association with Teachers College, Columbia University, is currently offered only in Asia. The TEFL-C curriculum is composed of 20 modules specifically tailored for EFL teachers of very young and young learners (3 to 12 years of age). The TEFL-C curriculum covers Theories & Approaches in general education as well as those specifically related to language teaching. It does the same with Methods. Hundreds of practical hands-on activities are included throughout the program and are the primary topic in the Materials & Techniques modules. |
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disneyeric
Joined: 02 Jul 2014
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Disney China..... really that bad? |
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| weshh1 wrote: |
| Im sort of considering applying to teach through Disney China. I have read quite a few negative reviews for such a "Well established" company. Is it really that bad? I must admit I;m not a fan of the work schedule they have. |
They will drive you very hard, micromanage you if they feel you aren't a performing "cast member" and give very little appreciation even when you do well. They simply aren't education specialists, and the novelty gimmick of Disney characters is wearing off even for the Chinese. The day you leave will be a tremendous relief. |
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LongShiKong
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 1082
Location: China
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 12:54 am Post subject: Re: Disney China..... really that bad? |
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[quote="disneyeric"]
| weshh1 wrote: |
| Im sort of considering applying to teach through Disney China. I have read quite a few negative reviews for such a "Well established" company. Is it really that bad? I must admit I;m not a fan of the work schedule they have. |
In general, most of the negativity you'll read on these forums is about school management, some comes from those who should never have gotten into teaching (kids) in the first place but ended up doing so because they thought it would be a Mickey Mouse job. Don't make that mistake. Teaching kids can be as challenging and rewarding as teaching adults. Ask yourself, would you prefer teaching kids or adults and why? What experience do you have working/being around kids? What YL experience and training have you had?
Although I've never worked at Disney, I've spent years teaching kids in China and it can be rewarding given the appropriate curriculum and support and your teaching skills. But be forewarned, a 'well-established' foreign name in China means nothing. I worked briefly for 'Longman School' and found the curriculum choice (from one of the world's largest ELT publishers) atrocious. |
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thechangling
Joined: 11 Apr 2013
Posts: 276
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 5:11 am Post subject: Re: Disney China..... really that bad? |
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[quote="LongShiKong"]
| disneyeric wrote: |
| weshh1 wrote: |
| Im sort of considering applying to teach through Disney China. I have read quite a few negative reviews for such a "Well established" company. Is it really that bad? I must admit I;m not a fan of the work schedule they have. |
In general, most of the negativity you'll read on these forums is about school management, some comes from those who should never have gotten into teaching (kids) in the first place but ended up doing so because they thought it would be a Mickey Mouse job. Don't make that mistake. Teaching kids can be as challenging and rewarding as teaching adults. Ask yourself, would you prefer teaching kids or adults and why? What experience do you have working/being around kids? What YL experience and training have you had?
Although I've never worked at Disney, I've spent years teaching kids in China and it can be rewarding given the appropriate curriculum and support and your teaching skills. But be forewarned, a 'well-established' foreign name in China means nothing. I worked briefly for 'Longman School' and found the curriculum choice (from one of the world's largest ELT publishers) atrocious. |
Its true that the problem most teachers have in China is with management but 'management' in China (if you can call it that) is primarily tasked with making as much money as possible and often that translates into taking advantage of all employees in every way possible to do that.
That and poor curriculum, no communication nor coordination from 'management' are standard fare in universities, schools and training centres across China and blaming teachers for these systemic failures is disingenuous. |
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Riff Raff
Joined: 09 Jun 2014
Posts: 85
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:01 am Post subject: |
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| choudoufu wrote: |
teach some english "workin" 12-14 hours a week, with
3 months paid vacation.
you will be well-prepared at 50 to move to thailand and apply for
the retirement visa. mai bpen rai! |
What? I only see jobs at 18, 20,and 25 hours a week. All the Chinese schools I talked with, including reputable ones, refuse to negotiate, regardless of qualifications. Take it or leave it. Language mills insist on 40 hours a week. They cite Disney as the reason why they insist on it. |
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weshh1
Joined: 20 Oct 2013
Posts: 87
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 3:33 am Post subject: |
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Well, here I am. 24 now, still in the US. I spent the last year as a substitute teacher, gained experience with all different age/grade levels but still have not scratched my itch for traveling abroad.
I didn't apply for the JET program, I started the application but didn't finish. I now have enough teaching experience to qualify for Disney English but I don't really know if that is something I want to do.
I am applying for Teach in Bhutan and possibly taking a CELTA course in Ecuador or Thailand.
Updates or advice of any sort will be appreciated!  |
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