Job Discussion Forums

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

This was definitely one of the major factors in my decision to go with AEON, I looked at the fact that they don't screw you over on rent as a pretty good indication that they hold their employees in slightly higher regard than the others. It's also nice to know exactly how much of your wage is going to go on rent before you go and that no matter where you are placed it will never be higher than 42,000.

PT

shadowsinner · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

then again, i heard that AEON gets u to help make sale figures... i don't like being a salesperson, so each to their own, i guess. Very Happy

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

shadowsinner · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

sounds like u've got some experience in working in eikaiwas. wanna share?

i'm basing this on what i've read so far - that some companies get their employees to try to sell books and lessons to students - not necessarily through good teaching.

i strongly believe that being a good teacher should be good enough advertisement for the school - and so long as we teach well, the school would profit. am i wrong?

what i meant was, i wouldn't want to be made to try to force textbooks on students or try to force students to buy more lessons during class etc.

i think you've misunderstood me and jumped the gun in judgement a little there, luckyloser700. but then again - ur welcome to ur own opinion.

and regarding "sounding frustrated".. i'm not, i'm trying to get as much information as i can on what the situation is like in japan. am i wrong to do this too? Rolling Eyes

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

Sorry. Wasn't personal. Just see too many people come here, get frustrated with the life, and then complain all the time about it.

As far as the whole book-pushing thing goes, it's one of many camapaigns that AEON has throughout the year. There are no quotas and you're not expected to do anything other than make some positive comments about them and recommend them to students. AEON does expect its teachers to take an interest in the business side of the eikaiwa school you work at, but that should be a positive thing.

Of course, some people just want to do their eight hours, go home, change, and then go and party. That's not a horrible thing, but all eikaiwa teachers' fates are tied together in a big way, whether they work for the same company or not. Lots of Japanese people have a poor image of eikaiwa schools and the quality of instruction (as well as the teachers themselves) already. If one big school goes into the toilet, the others probably won't be too far behind. Whether you're going to make a future out of teaching or not, you ought to give it your all while you're here and try to focus on the positive side of things. Yeah, you'll probably pay too much in rent and your company will probably treat you more like a number than a real person, but if you can make good relationships with your fellow teachers, school staffers, and students, you can have a good life here, both at work and outside of work.

Shadowsinner, I really do hope you have a great experience.
Take care and keep posting after you get here.

shadowsinner · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

apology accepted, no offence taken, mate. Very Happy

that's some sound advice, luckyloser700. it's true that we should take an interest in the wellbeing of the companies we work for. our future depends on them, after all. i too have heard stories where foreigners go to japan with the attitude that they'll only be there for a year so they party hard and turn up to work drunk. it's a shame really - there's so much opportunity for cutural exchange and greater cultural understanding but not many foreigners take it.

i posted this thread so i could get some idea on what i'm really walking into, as i guess i can never know when i might want to move to a bigger place or to a better neighbourhood etc. it's always good to know what's going on rather than jumping into the deep end, i think. i like to "sus" out places and you guys have helped me quite a bit. Smile

unlike most people who go to japan with a "12 month limit" in their minds, i plan to stay in japan for quite some time (job allowing), and i gather that moving out works out cheaper in the long run. yay! but as someone also said, it's a good thing that we won't have to worry about accommodation on arrival - even if it does seem a bit pricey.

all good.

thx, luckyloser700, i'm sure i'll enjoy myself in japan! Smile