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blindjackdog
Joined: 04 Feb 2004
Posts: 17
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 Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:53 am Post subject: Is Westgate OK? |
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| 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. |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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red dog
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:08 am Post subject: |
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Wow, that's helpful.
Actually, I'm kind of curious about Westgate too ... more specifically, about how difficult the work is and what's expected in their university program. I don't have any certificates, but I do have some experience teaching -- mostly kids. How difficult would it be to make the jump? |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:19 am Post subject: |
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| red dog wrote: |
Actually, I'm kind of curious about Westgate too ... more specifically, about how difficult the work is and what's expected in their university program. I don't have any certificates, but I do have some experience teaching -- mostly kids. How difficult would it be to make the jump? |
Working at Westgate you are not a 'university' teacher but an outsourced conversation teacher working on a university campus. Its a bit like teaching for NOVA except you are within a university environment and students pay extra for conversation lessons.The work I think is not difficult, just there is a lot of it, and from what I read it can get fairly repetitive as you are teaching the same lessons day in day out.
Classes are said to be in small groups and you may teach 6-7 classes a day, you cant leave the campus during work hours.
They offer you a 3 month work contract but your visa is 12 months. You can renew your contract but there is a two month gap between renewals. |
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red dog
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:16 am Post subject: |
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| PAULH wrote: |
| red dog wrote: |
Actually, I'm kind of curious about Westgate too ... more specifically, about how difficult the work is and what's expected in their university program. I don't have any certificates, but I do have some experience teaching -- mostly kids. How difficult would it be to make the jump? |
Working at Westgate you are not a 'university' teacher but an outsourced conversation teacher working on a university campus. Its a bit like teaching for NOVA except you are within a university environment and students pay extra for conversation lessons.The work I think is not difficult, just there is a lot of it, and from what I read it can get fairly repetitive as you are teaching the same lessons day in day out.
Classes are said to be in small groups and you may teach 6-7 classes a day, you cant leave the campus during work hours.
They offer you a 3 month work contract but your visa is 12 months. You can renew your contract but there is a two month gap between renewals. |
Thank you, PaulH -- that is helpful. |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:31 am Post subject: |
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| red dog wrote: |
Wow, that's helpful. |
You didn't even bother, did you? You have your 3 posts and want everything spoon fed.  There are lots and lots of questions/answers on this exact subject. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:43 am Post subject: Re: Is Westgate OK? |
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| blindjackdog wrote: |
| 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. |
You probably wont get time to not like as they keep you pretty busy all day.
Pay is not great but they take out a lot in deductions and rent. Dont expect to save a lot of money in three months after all your costs are taken out.
Dont expect to make a huge impact on your students in only three months. For that length of time you are just a warm body to be replaced by someone else the next semester.
I have not heard anything negative or positive about Westgate but i think a lot depends on the support you get from your supervisor. |
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fion
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
Posts: 69
Location: tokyo
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| Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:00 am Post subject: |
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| 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) |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 10:57 am Post subject: |
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| fion wrote: |
| 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) |
I doubt it.
Universities require more in the way qualifications than most eikaiwa teachers have to offer and they would only sponsor you if you are full time. |
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fion
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
Posts: 69
Location: tokyo
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| Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:10 am Post subject: |
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| 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. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:31 am Post subject: |
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