Job Discussion Forums

[lothes19]

Hello,

My girlfriend and I applied as companions to the JET Program this year. We received word today -- she was offered a position, I was not. We both still very much want to go to Japan, and I have begun researching alternate paths. The "Big Four" private language schools of NOVA, AEON, GEOS and ECC had caught my eye when I was researching JET. I have already begun revisiting them, and they seem like viable alternatives, although I am not without some reservations and concerns.

I would appreciate any ideas or advice that any of you may have about any of those programs, as well as any other paths I might consider.

Very best regards,

Scott Lothes
Lakewood, Ohio

[PAULH]

[lothes19]

PAULH,

Many thanks for the prompt reply. I'm sorry for being a bit vague -- I'm still a bit rattled after today's news. I have two major concerns with the big private schools. The first is that their schedules seem to be more evening-oriented, while JET is more of a traditional 8-5. If that's an inconvenience factor that we have to deal with, so be it, but if other options are available, I'd love to find them.

My second concern is what I perceive as the "business aspect" of the big private schools. I am concerned that I will be asked to try and sell teaching materials to my students and have very little flexibility in how to teach my classes. I would like to find out if any of the big private schools are better or worse in that regard.

I am also intrigued by the idea of simply going to Japan and finding a language school after I get there, though also a bit perplexed by how to begin researching that option. Any advice or directions to existing resources would be much appreciated.

Thanks again,

Scott

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

[canuck]

I think going with your girlfriend on JET and you working in a conversation school is a recipe for disaster. Firstly, she'll make more money that you do, have better hours and less work. You'll be forced to find a job in her town or nearby. You'll most likely be working different schedules. You'll have to pay for your own plane ticket. She'll have more holidays than yourself.

An inequality like that, along with the stresses of being in a new country etc can be very hard. Good luck with what you choose.

[wintersweet]

[Nismo]

[canuck]

[lothes19]

My thanks to all who have responded so far. I appreciate the concerns you have expressed about the difficulties my girlfriend and I will face, but I hope you won�t worry too much about our relationship. We are well aware that our road to Japan � together � just got a lot rockier. What I hope to find out here, as best as I can, is the reality of that road ahead.

We would like to live as close to each other as possible, and if I can get anywhere in Japan, that�s a lot closer than Ohio. Even at our JET interviews, we were told that since we are not married, our chances of being placed together or nearby were no better than 50/50. We had already resolved that we if we received offers from JET, we would both accept, regardless of placement. The differences in schedules of JET and the private schools add some additional strain, but we are both very independent and don�t have to see each other every day or even every week. At least twice a month would be very nice, though.

The differences in pay are not a great concern, either. For the past three years, I have been making quite a bit more money than she has, and we�ve dealt with that. If we can�t handle the role-reversal, we�re going to have problems anywhere. Quite frankly, she needs the extra money more than I do, anyway. She has student loans to pay, while I am debt-free and have built a modest savings.

Here�s what we know at the moment, and what I�m hoping to find out:

She is on the shortlist for JET and will get placement information sometime in May (hopefully early May). Her departure date is July 31.

The first question to arise is whether I should begin applying to the big, private schools immediately, or wait until she is placed. Their websites suggest applying 2-3 months before I want to leave, but how accurate is that? Already I have received one conflicting report here.

You should also know more about me, particularly in regard to my next questions. I have a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and have spent the past three years as an editor at a technical magazine. I also have a developing interest in writing and take evening literature classes at the local community college. My experience with the English language runs the gamut from copy-editing engineering papers to writing fictional short stories. I have also done some acting in the past and have an excellent public speaking voice. I am adept with technology and have created multimedia presentations to showcase my photography to audiences of over 200 people. (I am also a published photographer.)

I am not without some deficiencies, which probably played a role in JET�s decision. I have never been to Japan, never even left the continent and never taught English classes (though I have traveled extensively throughout the U.S., tutored college math, taught junior high Sunday school, and been a summer camp counselor). While I perform very well when delivering a line, making a speech or reading narration, I falter in more impromptu scenarios (e.g., the JET interview). In that regard, the idea of teaching �canned� English lessons is somewhat appealing, though I would like enough flexibility to cover a little American culture, perhaps with one of my multimedia slideshows.

My questions are then, realistically, what are my chances of going to Japan and finding a job in one of the small, private language schools? How long might this take (if I beat down the doors of every school within a two-hour train ride of my girlfriend)? What logistical hurdles should I expect? Visas have already been mentioned, what about finding a place to live? Will any of the small, private schools help with finding accommodations or providing key money? If not, how much should I expect to pay upfront? Are there any scams the unwary foreigner should try to avoid, both in finding a job and in finding a place to live?

What, if any, opportunities might exist for learning Japanese language and culture if I go through one of the private schools? Are any of the bigger schools better in this regard? What resources exist if I have to create these opportunities on my own? Differences in vacation time have also been mentioned. The big, private schools all claim something on the order of a few weeks' worth of national holidays, in addition to a week of paid personal days. Is that accurate? How do the small, private schools compare?

I hope that I am not asking too much of you with all these questions. I look forward to your candid responses.

Very best regards,

Scott Lothes

[canuck]

You should be able to find a job in a conversation school. It might be easy, it might take a while, but you could find a job. Your past experience won't mean much at all really. Being clean cut with a nice appearance is worth way more than everything else other than your degree (in regards to teaching English, securing a job etc.)

Don't even bother looking for anything until they place your girlfriend and know where she is going to be. I suggest taking a one month TEFL course before you come to Japan by the way.

[Nismo]

[Mike L.]

You could just pack it in and meet a nice Japanese girl!

That may very well happen anyway!

[PAULH]