Job Discussion Forums

blindjackdog · Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 17

I'm thinking of applying for a three month University deal with Westgate. Any comments from anyone who's been there, done that? Seems like a good foot in the door for Japan, short commitment if I don't like it, etc. Feedback would be appreciated. Cheers.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Welcome. http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/search.php

red dog · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 41

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

red dog · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 41

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

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

fion · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 69 Location: tokyo

Check what kind of visa they give you. If it's a 'professor' visa, I've a feeling that only allows you to teach at universities, which might limit your options later. (Sorry I am not certain about this, but it's one thing to think about)

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

fion · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 69 Location: tokyo

Paul, that wasn't exactly my point. I'm assuming the OP is not qualified for a full-time university job, that's why s/he applied to Westgate, right? I'm just wondering what happens after the Westgate contract runs out, and the OP wants to stay in Japan, presumably looking for an eikaiwa job. If Westgate has set him up with a 'professor' visa, does that mean he can't work in an eikaiwa? I admit it sounds a bit weird but I'm sure I've heard of some such pitfall in connection with Westgate.

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

rdb · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 10

Yes, Westgate is a dispatch company. The majority of people already know this and fully understand that working at a University requires more qualifications than most of us on the board have. We also understand that PaulH has these qualifications�.WE GET IT OK, so don�t steer us down that road AGAIN.

Having worked for both a big Eikaiwa and Westgate I can tell you that the Visa you get for your Westgate job is a �professor� visa (yes I UNDERSTAND WESTGATE INSTRUCTORS ARE NOT PROFFESORS) and it does not allow you to work at eikaiwas off campus. It is only for one year, unlike the �Humanities� three year Visa for regular eikaiwas. So, if the OP wants to stick around in Japan and work at another eikaiwa he might find it hard on the �professor� visa.

Regarding the OP�s original question: I did 3 months with Westgate, found it generally enjoyable. You will only teach the same one or two lessons a day which can be boring, but means less preparation and a chance to improve on it all day. Decent hours and time to enjoy yourself and get a feel for Eikaiwa life if it is your first time here. Can�t save much money, but in general a positive experience.

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

How can you enjoy eikaiwa life if you are not allowed to work at eikaiwas off campus? I know one other poster got a 3-year visa working at westgate even though the contract is only 3 months. Working at Westgate is working at an eikaiwa but on a university campus.

blindjackdog · Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 17

Thanks for the discussion.

Actually I probably do have qualifications for a full-time university job. I thought, though, that it'd possibly be better to check out the scene in general and apply for other stuff (if I fancy) once I was there, rather than doing all that from home. Hence Westgate seemed a good option.

Also the three months will fit nicely into the time I'll be waiting to defend my phd, so it makes a certain amount of sense.

As for proper university jobs, what's the story there? I remember reading that they don't like to employ you if you're over 35 because of some pay scale thing. (I'm not quite there, but it's not as distant as I would like to kid myself.)

Experience elsewhere (and I think its the same in Japan(?)) tells me that in a university you go mad if you can't get along something like a local - ie actually speak the language etc so you can deal with administrative stuff. So, again, as my Japanese is less than negligible at present, starting off with Westgate seemed an opportunity to at least learn enough to pretend.

What kind of stuff do people tend to teach in a university? What are the attractions/detractions? How best to apply? Questions of that nature now arise....

Change in topic slightly, but if anyone's still reading.....

rdb · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 10

Like you say, PaulH, Westgate is an eikaiwa, so by working for them you can enjoy eikaiwa life. By that I mean go out drinking, sightseeing and not have too many responsibilities. Great that someone on the board got a 3 year Visa with a Westgate contract....most people don't, or at least didn't when I was there. The OP sounds like he's got his stuff together anyway and will probably get a much better job than Westgate if he so chooses...