Job Discussion Forums

seamonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 29

Hi , Saxon court have just phoned me and want to interview me for a job in Japan. Ive already accepted a job with Nova, but im curious what reputation saxon court has.They recriut for Shane schools in Japan. Their website sounds great, they pay a minimumof 260000yen per month, with average 25 hours teaching per week. Obviously they will big themselves up on their own website, so im wondering if any of you guys know anything. If they are good, i might tell Nova ive changed my mind.
P.S I did do a search for a saxon court thread but i couldnt find anything.

seamonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 29

Sorry, i just had another check and found some stuff, some positive, some negative, If anyone wants to add anything, id appreciate it

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

Instead of looking for Saxoncourt, look for it by its more common name over here -- Shane.

Plenty of negative comments around. Heed them.

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

Saxoncourt are the main recruiters for Shane English Schools.

They are just another one of the big conglomerates of the Japan English teaching world. You probably won't do any better/worse in opting for either Nova or Shane as they are pretty much of the same niveau.

One thing that does strike me as advantageous, though, is that Shane offers more vacation, and Nova has the annoying 'talk lounge' or whatever it calls itself these days - ie, like a free-conversation open session every single day. Nova also has an unpredictable schedule that can change from week to week.

Use Nova or Shane as a springboard for your first year in Japan, then get out and find yourself a 'better' deal.

Sour Grape · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 241

I did a year with Shane, and had no problems at all. The holidays are longer, although all of them are at set times. They deliver exactly what is in the contract, no more and no less. It's not bad at all, but there are a lot of better jobs out there. Don't apply if you don't like kids; the kids classes are absolutely core to Shane's business, and that means anything from age 2 upwards (thankfully those are the exception rather than the rule).

Disclaimer: I worked there a few years ago - things may have changed since then.

Timuli · Joined: 10 Jan 2004 Posts: 51 Location: Saitama

I worked for Shane for 2 years (Feb 2002 - Feb 2004). Not too many complaints. Salary was always on time. Didn't have to do too many extra things other schools require you to do apart from teaching (Like selling).

More holidays than most conversation schools.

You'll be working regularly at a different school for each day of the week (You get 2 days a week off, though not consecutive, lest you're lucky).

They do have a bit of a $hitty system for you days off - you have to be on "stand by" (Cover days) for some of your off days, so if some other teacher is ill, you cover for them. During the 2 years there, I prolly only covered about 6 times. So you could be lucky or not so.

Another thing is that on your off days you are expected to go to the regional office to check your post and stuff(Either once a week or once every two weeks. I forget). As you have a bit of liberty in what you teach (as long as you use their textbooks as a core), you'll do lots of copying of extra materials for your classes then.

They provide you with a furnished apartment (I was lucky in that it was bigger than most). Sure you'll be paying more than your Japanese neighbour, but if you're only going to be there for a year, considering it already has a fridge/air-con/phone line/washing machine/... it evens out short term.

Health Insurance wise they'll ask you to sign up with Global Health. Do some research on them to see if it's worth your while (Many foreigners are members.)

If you have a good DOS (Director of Studies - basically your immediate regional boss) life can be smooth sailing. If not you will have some frustrations (But luckily you don't see them every day:))

A lot depends on you and what you make of it. Some people come here straight out of uni, never having worked hard a day in their lives and complain a lot about this job. Others see it for what it is and enjoy their time here. I don't regret my time there. Was fun, learnt a lot, made good friends.

(Pardon any mistakes - I'm typing with one arm at the moment)