Job Discussion Forums

[Sheep-Goats]

[LA Galaxy]

Westgate seems like the only option. Back in 1999, they paid for my roundfare trip from LA. I didn't save much money with them during my 9 months. However, it was a start to something better. The next year, I got a job at a private HS and had some part-time gigs. Then I got a better job after that. If you want to save money, Westgate is not the place for you. If you want a starting point, it should be okay with them.

[PAULH]

Feedback from Westgate employees

Being a past Westgate employee. I have had the pleasure of dealing with many good Japanese teachers at one of their private elementary schools. I was always invited out to their functions and student functions. But the Westgate staff never invited us out to anything nor would they make the effort to make us feel comfortable. Even though the contract states a good salary, they take out almost 30% for rent. This leaves only about 180000 yen a month for living expenses. Also, even though they say their apartments are up to western standards they in fact are very small and are literally rooming houses. There are no sick days as well so you are on your own.
However, on the brighter side of things there program and learning methods are okay and helpful. The elementary schools that they have are also very good. But when it comes to Westgate staff dealing with your professional or personal issues then be forewarned, best not to complain and just say to yourself it is only for a few months.

[PAULH]

I worked for the Spring term for Westgate Corporation, this being for a total of 10 actual weeks. After having taught at other Eikaiwas (English Conversation School), what did I actually think of Westgate Corporation, how does it compare to the other Schools?
I originally didn`t know much about what Westgate is all about but I was attracted to the fact that I would be teaching at a University. I went through their lengthy application process which of course was a part of the process. Westgate were very helpful, my telephone interview was with a Japanese lady whom I thought sounded so nice and it was a relief to hear a nice voice of a polite interviewer. They answered any enquiries promptly and I was more than happy to be dealing with the actual Human Resources Director directly. I thought this company had alot of promise, everything was so smooth and friendly. Anyway, to let you all know, you`re probably wondering why I keep referring to the past tense when I state that they were friendly and caring. The first day that we (myself and other new teachers that came on the same day) arrived in Tokyo, things started changing. Try to visualise a long plane flight, your legs are tired and your belly empty, you obviously want to stretch out and relax, right? Well, we quickly got into our designated groups of where we were planning to go and had to catch our trains. Of course, we were like " What!? Another 2 hours sitting down?" But we thought at least we could eat. No, the staff had arranged our train (my group bound for Aichi Prefecture) almost immediately, there was no time to eat. I basically arrived at my apartment after 11 at night. I was dead, but the person who excorted me to my apartment didn`t tell me where the closest convenient store was or anything. No map, no directions, I did ask but she didn`t know. She was in a rush to get home, I felt, so I had nothing to eat that first night. After I met my colleugue at the same University, she also had the same experience. We were both so annoyed by it all....I actually was in a state of thinking "Maybe, I`ve made a big mistake." Naturally, though, I thought better of it. After all, I`m not new to Japan and it takes alot to get me thinking like how I did on that first night. So, what is working for Westgate actually like??
First, and foremost, you have next to no contact with anyone once you arrive. This was such a contrast compared to how I was treated back home. You usually see your PC (Program Coordinator) once a week, they are efficient about work, efficient at what they have to do for their job. So, if you`re expecting to feel important, think otherwise. Like I said, you and your other collegues are left to your own devices, I got into trouble because I asked a question to the Human Resources Director instead of addressing it to my PC. Everything had to be addressed to your PC, you just don`t contact anyone else.
Secondly, the work hours. How strange how some teachers only teach 5 full classes but others had to teach 7 full classes yet get paid the same amount. The actual teaching hours are not long but the office hours are. I had to be at the University from 9:10 am till 6:10, 5 days a week. What makes the day drag is the fact that you have to teach the same lesson all day. Of course, this information is not told to new teachers until training, when you are already in Japan. Some people may ask "Well, why don`t you just make your lessons different each lesson?" I did at times, yes and it added variety but most of the time, you just don`t have time to think up new ideas. I was good making changes during the lesson but even that gets strained when you have to teach 7 classes. Also, there is a tendency to fall back on these principles: why stress yourself over new lesson content when you can get away with teaching the same lesson which worked well previously? When you are not teaching you have a break. But, this is decieving because it`s not really a break. If you happen to teach the same amount of lessons that I had to then you have one to plan for the day, and one to input student attendance and start to plan the next day.
Thirdly, the amount of contact you have to have with the students can get tiring. Because you see every student everyday, things get tiring. I mean, you can`t ask a student "Hey, whatcha been upto?" everyday now, can you? I had very good students. The students were mt life, I had a good time, really. But when Westgate says that you have to have lunch with your students (students that have time to have lunch with you) and they state this in a form that you give them, it`s abit too much. Honestly, every teacher needs a rest time just to collect their thoughts, rest the mouth and chill-out for a while but many times, I had to keep active and at "attention" for hours on end because I also had to have lunch with students.
Fourthly, Westgate rip you off with their accommodation. I originally stayed by myself in a 1 LDK close to the University until I couldn`t bear it and moved out to live with a friend. A friend who was, fortunately, renting out a 2 LDK which cost less than the one I was occupying in originally. I wanted to find out how much my one was really worth so I went to the main office where I could find out about accommodation, how much, and so on. I found out that the apartment building that I was in was designed for solo students, on low part-time income, with a rental fee of 30,000 yen cheaper per month. The conditions and size are not upto Western standards like what Westgate state, it`s all a scam sadly.
Fifth, Westgate just seem so distrusting of teachers. They check up (mostly your PC of course) on everything, they give you a cellphone with which you can only call them and nobody else and to top it off, the leaving party that you have on the final day requires a supervisor present at all times. What is up with that? The students must think we might try to drug them or something. It would of being nice just to say goodbye without needing some watchdog sniffing around.
Overall, I don`t recommend Westgate Corporation. This company could be so much more promising in so many more ways. People don`t expect much, if you are wise, but people do require a more personal touch that Westgate just don`t give. It`s an easy setup but the truth is Westgate is just another Eikaiwa, only being on University grounds that`s all. If Westgate could only listen to it`s teachers more, improve it`s housing and price, it`s personalisation, it`s amount of working hours, and finally it`s understanding and trust of teachers, it would be a good company indeed. The question is will they change? Do they want to change? Is the company expanding profit while leaving teachers behind? I think, maybe they won`t. BTW: I have had time to read what other people have written about Westgate on the internet and here, for example, and I agree. If you have any questions, whatsoever, about Westgate Corporation, feel free to drop me a bell.
[email protected]
16/07/04
Aichi Prefecture, JAPAN
Posted: July 16, 2004

[PAULH]

I have just completed a 3 month contract with Westgate and have nothing but positive things to say about my experience. The teaching was great and my students were wonderful. I had an excellent apartment (that I shared with 3 fun guys), and I had nothing but support from Westgate. Here are just some of the reasons why I would recommend them: they paid for my flights to and from Japan, met me at the airport and escorted me (and paid for my train ticket) to my residence, gave me a thorough training, and provided me with a free local train pass to get to and from work. My immediate supervisor (PC) is one of the nicest people I have ever met, and the work environment was terrific. Having made friends with some people who work for some of the larger companies, I know that the conditions at Westgate are far superior. I have loved Japan, and would recommend coming here and working for Wesgate, to anyone.

Alex Pasquali
December 20, 2000
[email protected]
Toronto, Canada
Posted: Unknown