Job Discussion Forums

[Glenski]

Here is an interesting article about how the choice of ALT companies (either dispatch or eikaiwa) is beginning to affect matters in teaching English in Japan. I had been wondering myself just how things were going to turn out when there was a bidding war. Now we see.

IN PURSUIT OF ENGLISH / ALT firms questioned over quality



Yomiuri Shimbun http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20050223wo62.htm

This is the 14th installment in a series on English-language education.


Many local governments are choosing to staff their schools with native English speakers working as assistant language teachers (ALTs) dispatched by a company chosen after putting out a contract for tender. Although such bidding helps to cut costs, there are often quality-control problems with the company's teachers.

"A local government official in charge of making contracts with private firms keeps asking me to change the company we use," said an official of a Tokyo ward board of education.

In large cities, which have many English-conversation schools, there is fierce competition among companies sending English teachers to public schools.

But if local governments renew contracts with the same companies, the cost will remain the same even if competition means that teachers can be hired more economically.

"It is a waste of tax money in the long term (to renew contracts)," the official said. "But although inviting bids for an ALT-dispatch company is more efficient, it can be really difficult to maintain teacher quality."

In an incident last year, an ALT dispatched by the chosen company suddenly spoke English so fast that no one in the class understood. The class worsened when he started speaking ill of a specific country, despite efforts by the Japanese teacher to stop him.

The school asked the company to change the teacher, and went through two teachers in just six months.

The experience led the ward board of education to give up on putting out a contract for tender for ALTs for the next academic year.

Other local government boards of education also have complained about the quality of companies selected in bidding.

One official said the company chosen failed to send a substitute teacher when an ALT fell ill and could not come to class. Another complained that the company did not have a complaints process, and also pointed out that some ALTs were turning up to classes late.

Two years ago, a language school was awarded a contract by the Osaka prefectural government to send 43 ALTs to its prefectural high schools.

But of the 43, 25 ALTs soon left the language school, either leaving the country or moving to other companies. By the beginning of the following academic year, the language school had still not filled their vacancies.

Language schools, too, are unhappy with the bidding process.

"It's wrong that we have to cut ALT training costs if we want to win a contract," said an official of a school that failed in bidding.

Nonetheless, in the past few years, 19 municipalities in Tokyo switched to putting out tenders to contract ALT-dispatching companies.

Some local governments in other prefectures also plan to start bidding processes in the next academic year.

Because of their tight financial conditions, municipalities have to cut costs as much as possible.

But the board of education of Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, stopped inviting tenders this academic year after the official in charge of the ALT project argued that it might be wrong to decide educational matters on cost alone.

Some boards of education now request bidding companies make proposals on the type of teachers they would send and the style of classes on offer. The boards then evaluate both their proposals and the prices before making a decision.

Tokyo's Nerima Ward office, which used to hire teachers directly, now employs this method to choose a dispatch company. An official of the ward's board of education said: "The company we chose wasn't the cheapest, but gave us the best proposals. We aren't happy with the quality of teachers sent from cheaper companies."

Suginami Ward, Tokyo, which hires teachers directly, asks candidates to teach model lessons. This technique was used last year by the city of Nishi-Tokyo, which asked each company's ALT candidates to give a model lesson after receiving their bids.

School principals and board of education officials watched the model classes and decided which company to award the contract to, ensuring in the contract that the teachers who gave the model classes would be provided.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Eventually, you would think that someone involved with hiring would figure out that some sort of TESOL/TEFL/TESL training (with a supervised practicum) or other teacher training (the k-12 system) and some sort of evidence of cross-cultural training (which is usually a requirement or at least something learned while doing a practicum in an ESL classroom in North America) or experience should be more important than the colour of the ALT's hair or skin or height or gender or how physically attractive they are or especially things like the country from which the ALT comes, or determining the "correct English accent" for Japanese kids to learn.

There have been letters going to and fro in the Japan Times about which English kids should try to mimic, some people saying North-East United States, which can be very, very similar to most Canadians- although crossing the border seems to mean speaking a totally different variety of English to a lot of Japanese people, and some people say Queen's English although this letter was probably from someone from England.

Many Japanese Teachers of English are unable to distinguish by sound alone whether someone has a British (or anything similar) variety of English or an American (or anything similar) one. Worrying about whether the L2 speaker has a British style prononciation or an American one should be secondary to actually being able to communicate in the language, which should include actually using it, instead of just repeating sentences and memorizing stilted conversations from textbooks. Most foreign people assume I'm from the US in Japan (because I have a North American accent and there are far, far more people from the States than Canada in this country) but some Japanese people after talking to me for a few minutes will ask if I'm from Britain or even Australia, and they are people who have been teaching English language for years.

[JimDunlop2]

I tend to agree with the article -- many ALTs supplied by dispatch companies are sub-par. But by the same token, I would say many of the companies themselves are sub-par, at least in what they provide (or rather, DON'T provide) for their teachers in terms of employment benefits and job satisfaction.

I have a negative overall view of dispatch companies as a whole. I tend to see them as pimps who do nothing more than serve as overpriced middlemen, taking jobs and salaries away from genuinely qualified teachers who would be happy to work directly for boards of education. I believe that the quality of education provided by foreign teachers would improve immensely if more boards of education took the onus upon themselves to hire their staff directly instead of relying on the equivalent of a "temp agency" back home. I understand the reasons why they choose this route, but it frustrates me, as I have a much harder time competing for an independent contract with the BoE when they've signed over all of their decision-making powers to a dispatch company.

As an example, I have a friend who does the same job as I do, working for a junior high school. The difference is, I'm directly at the BoE. His contract is through a local eikaiwa. He makes 50,000 yen/month less than I do.... (NET pay). Doesn't get benefits (health/paid leave, etc). He is entitled to 0 days off (because the company from whom he works is a chronic violator of Japanese labor law) whereas I receive 20, plus another week (bonus) during summer holidays. I also get 25,000 housing allowance subsidized... So, if we add all this up, (difference in net pay, cost of health insurance, housing subsidy) over 105,000 yen gets stolen out of my friend's salary every month. This, in my mind, is highly significant.

I've heard of many ex-JETs going to work for dispatch companies who SPECIALIZE in hiring ex-JETs to do the same job they used to do, but for at least 20 or 30,000 yen less than before... And that surely doesn't include health insurance or other benefits either.

It's highway robbery with a smile on everyone's face. You get fleeced and thank your employer for the privilege. The system should change. I hope that these "bidding" wars will cause dispatch companies to run themselves out of business...

[JimDunlop2]

I tend to agree with the article -- many ALTs supplied by dispatch companies are sub-par. But by the same token, I would say many of the companies themselves are sub-par, at least in what they provide (or rather, DON'T provide) for their teachers in terms of employment benefits and job satisfaction.

I have a negative overall view of dispatch companies as a whole. I tend to see them as pimps who do nothing more than serve as overpriced middlemen, taking jobs and salaries away from genuinely qualified teachers who would be happy to work directly for boards of education. I believe that the quality of education provided by foreign teachers would improve immensely if more boards of education took the onus upon themselves to hire their staff directly instead of relying on the equivalent of a "temp agency" back home. I understand the reasons why they choose this route, but it frustrates me, as I have a much harder time competing for an independent contract with the BoE when they've signed over all of their decision-making powers to a dispatch company.

As an example, I have a friend who does the same job as I do, working for a junior high school. The difference is, I'm directly at the BoE. His contract is through a local eikaiwa. He makes 50,000 yen/month less than I do.... (NET pay). Doesn't get benefits (health/paid leave, etc). He is entitled to 0 days off (because the company from whom he works is a chronic violator of Japanese labor law) whereas I receive 20, plus another week (bonus) during summer holidays. I also get 25,000 housing allowance subsidized... So, if we add all this up, (difference in net pay, cost of health insurance, housing subsidy) over 105,000 yen gets stolen out of my friend's salary every month. This, in my mind, is highly significant.

I've heard of many ex-JETs going to work for dispatch companies who SPECIALIZE in hiring ex-JETs to do the same job they used to do, but for at least 20 or 30,000 yen less than before... And that surely doesn't include health insurance or other benefits either.

It's highway robbery with a smile on everyone's face. You get fleeced and thank your employer for the privilege. The system should change. I hope that these "bidding" wars will cause dispatch companies to run themselves out of business and force BoEs to explore other options -- like being more open to hiring people directly.

I think the biggest obstacle is fear. No one feels they know how to/wants to have to deal directly with foreigners. What if there's a problem? What do we do when we need to communicate something to the foreign employee? I can even see this in stores when I ask someone for assistance. As soon I as I stop them and utter "Sumimasen!" Their eyes open really wide, and a look of utter fear and sheer panic overtakes them, having realized that they should have to communicate with a non-Japanese... After they realize.. "Hey, this guy's all right... He's trying to speak in Japanese -- and he seems to understand what I'm telling him" their eyes return back to normal size and they look a bit more relaxed...

This is why many Japanese companies, particularly eikaiwas have "foreign managers" to serve as liaisons between Japanese and foreign staff..... That too, in my mind is a form of laziness inspired by fear. There should be no reason why I couldn't take my concerns directly to the kocho-sensei or other administrator whose job it is to deal with these things.... I realize that for many teachers, a lack of general Japanese ability would prevent them from doing this, but if that skill IS there, having the option to do so would be most appreciated. In my current position, I HAVE to deal directly with a Japanese employer... Whether it be through language or culture, it IS expected of me. I know I'm given much more leeway than a Japanese employee, but still, I attend the same enkai, buy omiyage for everyone in the BoE office when I travel, try to use the appropriate respecct/keigo when dealing with my boss, boss's boss or superintendant, etc... Attend meetings in Japanese (where I understand precious little)... In the end, I think I'm better for it -- my Japanese has improved immensely since I started working for the BoE, as has my general understanding of Japanese business etiquette, culture and work ethic... I hope I don't end up doing this forever.... Heaven forbid... But truth be told, the longer I'm in this job, the easier it becomes to navigate through the hoops.... I will likely end up staying in Japan for a few good years yet. As long as I ahve good, steady employment, I'm in no rush to emigrate anywhere else.

[wintersweet]

Hey, Jim, can you get me a job?

The dispatch companies and the entire system sound deeply flawed to me.

[6810]

nice article, pity there isn't more of that thing around.

As I have said elsewhere, the explosion in number of Dispatch companies has made it difficult in many communities for the prospective (qualified) teacher to even have a chance at negotiating with the BOE.

Solid Japanese skills and a good working knowledge of who does what in your local area, AND someone in that community to vouch for you is the best way of packing up those snakey companies and sending them out with the trash.

So, in a way, if you want a good job with good conditions you gotta work hard in your community for your community.

[Mike L.]

Totally agree with Mr. Dunlop.

If the BOE's want quality teachers then they should hire dirrectly.

Depsatch companies only add to costs in my opinion and make it difficult to keep good teachers in place.

If a despatch company saves the BOE money then quite clearly it comes at the expense of the teacher's salary and obviously quailty of teaching.

Those that cut costs are often violating Japanese labor laws and/or not paying the teacher a full slary year round a practice that only scumbags could justify.

BOEs for theit part should develop some ethics as back home the BOE is forbidden to deal with such parasites and are actually concerned about the quality of education in their areas.

Kudos to Nisjhi Tokyo and Suginami Ku for their dirrect hiring paractices and demo lesson screening.

[JimDunlop2]

I unfortunately can't get anyone a job -- but I can tell you how I went about it, and offer some ways to explore obtaining an ALT position without going through a dispatch company. I pursued all of these methods to some extent, which is why I suggest them.

My recommendation to anyone looking for a job in the ALT business would be to do your time in the eikaiwas for a little while (a year minimum) and then just start asking around for other opportunities. Make SURE you leave on good terms from your eikaiwa, FINISH your year contract, and leave with a letter of recommendation from the kocho-sensei in-hand.... This will be HUGE if you manage to get someone interested in hiring you. Very often, kocho-senseis at eikaiwas and jukus are very friendly with public/private school administrators -- and all what it takes to make or break your opportunity is a simple, "Hey, Hiromu... How's the wife & kids? Listen, I got a Jay Johnston-san from America here. Says he worked for you... What kind of bloke is he?"

In my prefecture alone, there is the strangest combination of private contracts/JET contracts/dispatch company contracts... There is no rhyme or reason to it. One city's BoE hires directly, whereas in the next town over, they only have JETs...

Strangely enough, I would say that there is a disproportionately high number of foreigners living & working in this area... So much so, that when someone catches wind of an ALT-related job opening, the competition is staggering. Qualified applicants too. People who have held other ALT positions, ex-JETs, eikaiwa/juku immigrants, etc... But then again, I can't speak for other prefectures... Maybe it's the same way everywhere.

It also helps to get to know some ALTs.... Very often, ALT positions (that are offered on a private contract from the BoE) are not advertised, and it's standard M.O. for the outgoing ALT to "introduce" their replacement at a job interview set up for that purpose.... If there are no specific objections, that person is usually hired. People who have gotten their jobs this way actually CAN "get" you a job...

Many highschools, especially private ones have autonomy over their own hiring. Sometimes, a door-to-door approach will work, where you arrange an appointment with the kocho-sensei to introduce yourself and drop off a CV. I know of at least 1 person who got a F/T teaching position this way (and I don't mean ALT. I mean, an ACTUAL teaching position -- with homeroom and all...) Just before I started at my current job, I was presented with two job offers. The second I turned down for a few minor reasons, but it WAS a private school...

Finally, check with your hometown, state, province, etc... to see if there are any sister-city/sister-state (province)/prefecture pairings with a region in Japan. If you are lucky enough to come from such an area, you will often be given precedence over someone who is not... At least around here, the sister-city thing is taken very seriously -- to the point that there are formal "teaching exhange programs" in place that are like JET -- but specifically intended for residents of the sister-city/sister-state. If there IS such a pairing, inquire with both the prefectural/city governments to see if there are any exchanges that take place, and if so, who you would contact. It may be someone in your hometown or it may be someone in Japan.

I explored this route too.... But my hometown's sister city is in Aomori, so I really didn't feel like moving so far north. But if you don't care, it may be a viable option.

So, good luck! I do believe that it is possible to get an ALT gig without going through JET or a dispatch pimp, but it IS much more difficult, and requires a lot of legwork. Illegitimi non carborundum.

[kitano]

Although I agree many dispatch companies and some teachers are poor I think the article completely missed the mark. The BOEs have the power, resources, and responsibility to organize education. The relevant question is not why dispatch companies are bad but why are BOEs abdicating their responsiblility to these companies?. If they don't know how to run education who does? They need to get off their asses and figure out how to do it.

It seems so obvious that this competitive dispatch company bidding system is doomed to spin in circles and never produce quality education. It is common sense, all it takes is a moment to understand it won't work and to think of 2-3 better options.

I think one poster hit the main reason on the head. Whose interest does this system serve? I think it serves BOE employees who don't know how to deal with foreign employees or run an educational program or seemingly even know what one is. Instead of learning how to do it they take the lazy option and give the resources to private companies that obviously don't deliver the goods. The victims are the poor kids, local school staff and taxpayers who have to put up with substandard programs because some bigwig at the BOE can't do their job, in fact won't even try to do their job.

[Glenski]

[JimDunlop2]

Glenski: You don't think that more BoEs would be willing to sacrifice the bottom line to a certain extent if they felt more comfortable dealing directly with foreigners?

[johanne]

Jim's point about sister cities is probably worth looking into. For anyone who is living or has lived in Vancouver, Canada the sister city is Yokohama, which is a great place to live in Japan if you like city life, but want something a little less frantic than Tokyo or Osaka. I now live in Vancouver, but sometimes miss Yokohama, although I will be heading back in the summer.

[wintersweet]

Lucky johanne--I looked it up, and mine's Fukaya, which is apparently famous for its turtle-domed auditorium and "a prized variety of leeks."

Joy.

I suppose I'll bite the bullet in June and apply to eikaiwa. More joy!

(not to offtrack this thread or anything, sorry)

[Glenski]

[JimDunlop2]

Wow! Those are valid points... I wonder how long it will take for a revolution to occur. Allowing college students to come and teach during their summer breaks is just asking for trouble, IMHO...

So, what do you think the solution is? A change in legislation? Introducing more stringent operating rules/laws to govern over eikaiwas, jukus and dispatch companies? Or rather, the flip side of the coin... When will this reach critical mass?

Because obviously, as we can see, eikaiwas are happy paying 180,000 and there's still no lack of people signing up for it, it seems...