Job Discussion Forums

rue_meridian · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 18 Location: Scotland

It has been some time since I have posted on Dave's ESL. My wife and I used to work in Korea and are now living in Scotland, however, fate has dealt that we are to return to Asia...this time to Japan.

What I was wondering if the community could do was post here a 'white list', that is, a list of schools in Japan that you have taught for where you had a positive experience.

I have been browsing through the Japan forum for the past 2 weeks and find that there are a disproportionate (sp?) amount of negative posts...about schools you SHOULDN'T teach at...which is great but I would love to know what schools to teach at.

We had a pretty rough time in Korea and are looking to do WAY more research into the potential schools we apply to. I figured this was the best way to start...so please if you had a positive experience at a school in Japan and you think it would be a good place for someone else to teach post here the where's, and why's.

Cheers

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

ava77 · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 100

ASIJ is a great school. The management is very helpful. This school has been around along time and the staff are very nice. I would recommend this school to anyone looking to enjoy their job in Tokyo.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

editor's note: American School in Japan is an international school in Tokyo. The number of teachers who qualify to work at an international school is quite limited though a thumbs up is always welcome. My daughter went to Kyoto International school for four years and we can remind it, though its fees are pricey.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

I worked for Altia Corporation 98-2000. I think it is called Altia Central now.

No complaints.

When I worked there it was best suited for someone who has lived in Japan already, though, because you are on your own for the most part.

Japanese speaking ability was a requirment.
******************************************
I worked for the JET Program 96-97.
This was my first job right out of college, and sad to say, my highest paying to date. :-/

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

Another reason you may not hear a lot of positive comments about schools is that those of us who do have good things to say are attacked by those who seem to think every school is inheritantly evil, and we end up trying to persuade everyone else that we aren't company stooges. This happened to me on "Gaijinpot", when I disputed a bunch ol lies posted by a former teacher at my school, and Bearcat tried to make it look like I was part of some sort of spin-control conspiracy. I've got better things to do with my life than defend myself against self-appointed crusaders who think they know everything.

drdo · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 53

What kind of job do you want? Are you interested in conversation-type teaching? Or do you want to be in the school system, teaching jr/sr high school students? Or are you qualified to teach at a university?

Are you 2 wanting to work at the same place? Trying to get a job in Japan, from outside of Japan limits you but there are a few companies who only hire that way. Your timing too is going to make things tough--if you plan to work here soon. When were thinking of coming to Japan? You'll see many more ads and posts for jobs in Jan/Feb, for employment starting in March/April.

I can offer some further employment information but need more details from you. Happy final days in Scotland.

DRDO

rue_meridian · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 18 Location: Scotland

drdo · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 53

Good for you for researching first and it looks like you have time...to do that. Frist of all, there are jobs out there looking for "couples", more often than not, "outside of Tokyo".

Do you have any particular area you want to live in? Yokohama is my favorite as it offers "foreigner friendly" atmosphere in the stores and restaurants and yet, big enough where you aren't singled out. But they aren't usually hiring couples in that area--it's often outside the city, in the more rural areas that they want a couple.

Next, your timing...June is a very tough time to find a "good" job here. Almost all "schools" (elem., jr/sr, college) start classes each April. (Usually...School goes from April--to--March, with August off). Many companies and schools seek employees during Jan-Mar. Some, but fewer, look in July or August to start in September.

Eikawa is a different story: they hire all year round as people come and go from these more often, it seems. Pay is about 250,000 yen a month, working different shifts, but commonly 1 or 2 till 9pm, 5xs a week.

Just to get an idea of salary and set-up, go onto: www.ohayosensei.com
You will see 20+ examples of what people are usually offered and the hours/qualification/expectation required. That'll answer some basics.

After you have more of an idea of what you guys want, then email again and we'll all see what we can do to help further.

Would love to visit Scotland someday! Enjoy it while you can.

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Tons of good info here. I hope you realize that you won't get many direct replies that conclusively answer your initial questions.

What is your desired location?

Coming in April and June is not a good idea. Come in March for the April start dates or suffer the horrible consequences of what's left.

If you want to work for the same school, presumably in the same building, you are limiting yourself extremely. Here are comments I've collected on such places that offer couple-friendly jobs.

MIL
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=12480&highlight=mil+m+i+l
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=7395&highlight=mil+m+i+l
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=2033&highlight=

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=2033&highlight=mil+m+i+l
I worked for MIL for a year. It is all-around a stable and fair place to work for. I really have no complaints about them. The only thing that bothered me during my employment with them was that I was accommodated in a pretty aged apartment and the rent was still 53,000 yen a month. Not much to complain about.
Generally speaking, you will travel to roughly 3 or 4 different school locations each week. They have two headquarters: one in Kita Narashino and the other in Kastudai. You will live in one of these two cities. Commuting costs are covered by the school. Usually travel time is no more than one hour, and in some cases are only 10 minutes away.
Salary was always deposited on time. They pay all apartment fees, and in some cases even gave advances on wages. They get you all required papers to be working there legally... insurance card, resident card, bank account etc.
The owners are nice people, and the admin has been with them for numerous years so there are not many problems that cannot be solved. Their foreign staff liaison (John C.) has been with them for just over a year now.
However, MIL used to be a small company and employee opinions mattered. But, over the past few years, they have doubled in size in both school physical locations as well as their staff. They just opened another school location last year. Staff has gone from a dozen to 25 plus. By doing so, they have removed some of the properties that made them a joy to work for.
They seem to be becoming more motivated with profit and accordingly have adjusted their business model. No sin in that, but changes the taste of the coffee you make. Some of the staff that was with them for 4 -5 years left in the spring of 2002.
I highly recommend them to you. It is an excellent place to begin your teaching experience in Japan.

NOVA
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=14109&highlight=couple+couples
My girlfriend and I both depart for Osaka in two weeks. After doing alot of research on various companies we did accept positions with Nova. Throughout the process we made it clear we were applying as a couple and wanted to be accommodated as such.
We are working for the same company, although at different branches. Our living arrangements have been set up so we will share the same apartment as well. Are you looking at coming over with one of the big four, or a smaller company? The reason I ask is that since you qualify for a full working visa, and he can get a working holiday visa, a company such as Nova could possibly place you the same as they have done in our situation since they offer employment for both visa types.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=14109&highlight=couple+couples
I'm working with Nova and they accept couples. They'll even put you up in a couples apartment (much better than a singles one!)

ECC
Jan.23, 2004
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=7469&highlight=couple+couples　
My husband and I were in the same position as you only a couple of months ago. We both wanted to teach English but wanted to be at the same school or at least with the same company. So, we sent our resumes to companies via email, wrote one cover letter and attached both resumes to the email. We also set up a website to display both our resumes and reference letters. We made it clear that we were a "package deal" in our cover letter. Some companies never responded but ECC offered us interviews and we were hired. At the interview, they had questions regarding small living spaces, how we handle stressful situations together, how long we have been married, where we stand on having kids, etc.

We have been guaranteed by the company that we will work in the same area but not necessarily in the same school - but that is OK with us.

If you have any more questions you can email me
[email protected]

Fifth Wings
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=12923&highlight=couple+couples
I am wondering if anyone can tell us about the company "Fifth Wings". They are interviewing us over the phone this week for teaching positions and we have been able to discover little about them on the web. Their main branch is located in Ashikaga City in Tochigi Prefecture.

Peppy Kids Club
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=313&highlight=mil+m+i+l
My boyfriend and I are going to Japan with Peppy Kids Club. They have no problem with the fact that we want to live together and that we are not married. They can give us jobs in the same city. They seem to be a reputable school (more so than NOVA).

JET Programme
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=8273&start=0
The Jet programme will also place "engaged" couples together. Once again, you have to request larger cities where there is an opening for 2 teachers.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=14109&highlight=couple+couples
My husband and I came on the JET programme, and in our city there are 3 JET programme people who brought dependent spouses. There have been no problems with couples living together or for the dependent spouses finding work. I would definitely recommend looking into it.

Kurashiki Board of Education
http://www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp/kyosido/hiring/index.html
These positions are for AETs. From the FAQ page:
Can my partner and I apply as a couple?
Couples are welcome to apply. You will be interviewed separately and hired on your own merits. It is possible one of you may be hired and the other not. If you are both hired we will try, where possible, to place you near each other. However, you will work at different locations and might have to live separately or commute somewhat of a distance.

Birdog3344 · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 126 Location: Osaka, Japan

ECC has turned out to be a good choice for me and my girlfriend. They hired us together, found us a furnished apartment and the company has been helpful whenever any problems have arisen. The working environment is good, less hours and same pay compared to the other large eikaiwas and we have a good mix of adult and kids classes.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The JET Program

I've had four different employers here in Japan - JET and 3 recruiters. JET is to my mind, the only legitimate way to teach in Japanese schools apart from being hired directly by a school or board.