Job Discussion Forums

[talis13]

Hello all!
I am new to these forums and have really enjoyed reading the information posted about all of the different schools and opportunities in Japan. I have a pretty general question I believe. I have recently taken a position with Aeon Amity and will be leaving the United States on June 23 this year. I was hoping to inquire about other people that have taught with Aeon Amity in particular. If you would prefer to IM or email me, I would love to hear about your experiences! Just your impressions of where you live, the particular branch you work for and the like. Thank you in advance!

[stillnosheep]

Try searching on 'Aeon Amity'. Their are many threads on just these topics.

[talis13]

[stillnosheep]

A the risk of plugging another board, although I also lead people from there to here if here seems more relevant, try searching again on gaijinpot.com, which is a Japan specific, though not an EFL specific, board.

Of the main Japanese eikaiwa chains Aeon seems generally to have the best reputation, closely followed by ECC, which has better holidays, then Geos, Berlitz and, (very) finally, Nova.

Aeon offers slightly more basic pay than Geos etc and subsidises apartent rent down to 40 or 42 000 Yen p.c.m. There is generally relatively less pressure to sell extras courses or books than, for example, at Geos. Aeon West Japan have the best rep, in terms of how foreign staff are treated at training and by head office and Aeon East Japan have by far the worst, In the end much will depend on how a new teacher gets on with their colleagues and branch manager.

Choose a city or region that offers outside interests that you enjoy, be they opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, temple visiting, clubbing, mountain walking, cycling whatever. I thoroughly recommend getting a bike and exploring the region in which you find yourself as a help in overcoming any culture-stress that you may experience. Once you are on a bike in th ecountry or th emountains you could be anywhere on earth. This will help you escape from the gaijin bars and the foreign teacher ghetto.

One quirk of the Aeon contract is the clause forbidding you from owning, renting or operaing a motor vehicle whilst in Japan, however the next clause indemnifies Aeon from any responsibility shoudl you choose to do so. Aeon have no illegal non-socialisation policy. The branch will probably organise a welcoming meal for you attended by staff and students once you have settled in. You will be expected to exercise discretion if dating staff or meeting students socially.

Aeon, like many other large eikaiwa, define almost all foreign staff as part-timers to avoid liability to pay Japanese national health insurance etc. I have heard that Amity staff sometimes work longer hours and receive a higher salary to cover the employee contribution to the state scheme, although you'll have to check this informaton out.

All in all Aeon may well be the best of the large Japanese eikaiwa to work for, although ECC also has its supporters. Unfortunately I have no personal experience of working for Aeon Amity so I cannot provide more information about them. For specific info on Amity try a thread header only search for "amity' on gaijinpot. Unfortunately ESLCafe does not offer a 'thread header only' search facility and so a search throws up all kinds of posts in which the term searched for is only mentioned in passing.

[talis13]

sns: thanks for the link! I've been looking at it for a couple of days: it has been quite helpful! Thank you again for your help, I appreciate it!