Job Discussion Forums

[Symphany]

Basically, I've noticed in the few months I've been here (I arrived earlier on this year) that my impression of the EFL industry in Japan has almost completely changed. Before I came here I would have been among the first on the bandwagon against private EFL schools, thinking they're all run by a bunch of greedy know-nothings.
Now, when I first got here, I spoke very little Japanese, I still don't speak much but feel more comfortable now. I work for a major company (I really don't want to say the name right now) and I have basically had some pretty nightmarish situations with people that I have been around who are in the same company. My impression now is that rather than the EFL industry being "rubbish" or whatever you want to call it, there is no structure to protect foreigners working in Japan.
Sure, there are probably labour laws as I understand it, but nobody is going to enforce them. Other than that, there are few places one can turn for services that can be easily found. Sure, some say "you're in Japan you should learn Japanese" -- I've done that, but keep in mind as well, I came here to teach English, not Japanese. The long and short of it is, there are plenty that will abuse whoever they can simply because they can get away with it -- there are not alot of options you can take as a foreigner. Sure, its Japan, not your native country you say? I say fine, if you don't want to have people permanently immigrating llike in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe, and for the most part desire temporary, contract workers then there should be some kind of mechanism to protect those same workers you desire so badly. It shouldn't be a simple you're here so deal with it line as many like to say.
Thats just my two cents worth.

[/b]

[furiousmilksheikali]

[Symphany]

furiousmilksheikali I can see from your posting that you're one of those who posts so you can criticize others and feel better about yourself, I've seen your other postings as well, and they're nearly all critical rather than supportive, but that's your prerogative. You might want to stop to think that I have left some details out deliberately so I cannot be identified personally, this post is my point of view.

[furiousmilksheikali]

[shuize]

[Glenski]

[canuck]

[Like a Rolling Stone]

wow! Leave the poor girl alone!

[Symphany]

First of all, I apologize furiousmilksheikali, you have provided some good information, I retract my previous statement.

Thank you for your support Like a Rolling Stone

Now, on to the topic of Eikawa -- I deliberately said I came to teach English not Japanese because I was trying to emphasize how my English is obviously better than my Japanese. I love how people make automatic assumptions that I have not tried, nor will I ever make an effort to learn the language. I was simply trying to say I'm not fluent at this point, for those of you who are, give yourselves a hurray. I say its better to be honest and truthfully talk about your language skills no matter what someone might say about it than try and BS and say its much higher than it is right now. Second case in point, I was also trying to emphasize how difficult it is for those of us who are new to the country and not fluent in the target language (ie Japanese) at this point. As for Glenski's remark, if someone came to my home country and never bothered to learn the language "properly" (whatever that means, I think you mean not becoming fluent) scores of people have and do -- I basically respect someone for going miles away from their home country and trying to make an effort to settle in mine. By the way before I arrived in Japan and at this moment I have never criticized people for not learning English on the spot, I saw it as extremely narrow minded and unacommodating.
As I would have encouraged people in my home country to do, I believe I have a right as a human being to express what I have experienced in my new environment and would never have automatically told someone to "go back where they came from" if they decided to express their view. Its amazing how many "open minded" EFLers are so quick to use that line anytime anyone mentions any trouble. Its good for those of you that think that way to pretend that you don't have any feelings, but I'm not about to follow suit.

[canuck]

[Glenski]

[greatteacherterry]

First off I would like to tell you a little about myself. I first arrived in Japan in 1976, I was in the Navy. I still consider myself to be novas when it comes to speaking Japanese. Most tell me that I do speak very well but I know there are many things I still don't know about the language. I still learn many things everyday.

I have never worked for an Eikawa or an outsourcing company such as Interac nor will I ever. I have only worked as a direct hire ESL teacher at public schools ranging from elementary to high school levels. At present I work 2 days a week at a local high school in Yokosuka and 3 days a week at the elementary schools in Miura. Before starting to work for any of the boards of education I worked at several welding companies (and still do on a part time basis).

In my classes I do my best to stay away from using Japanese. However if a student just doesn't understand I'll direct him or her in the correct direction using Japanese. Now outside of the classroom it is a mixture of Japanese and English but still mostly English. Then on the other hand... away from school it is mostly Japanese unless I happen to be with some (Japanese) English teachers then it is English again. The usage of Japanese language does play an important role in teaching English because the student and the teacher must have a common language in order to communicate.

Now as far as the way us foreigners are treated while in Japan. I have had my share of bad experiences (welding and teaching) but for the most I have been treated very well. But these 1 year contracts with the boards of education and the thought of some outsourcing company making a bid to take over a city or prefecture school system and reject the experienced teachers because they know the laws concerning health insurance, paid holidays, and worker beifits. Then top it off by taking about 15% of the teacher's salary if they do hire you. This does not fly in my book. I'm not sure where all of you are located.. and I realize that it is pretty late to post this but here goes...

If you are free at 5:30 on Wednesday, August 30th, please attend the meeting of the Labor Relations Board, at the Kanagawa Labor Office. The building is a 10-minute walk from Kannai station, through the Yokohama stadium grounds and past the Board of education building, turn right in front of the main post office and left at the next corner. It�s the second building on the left, next to an office supplies shop.

Map: http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/osirase/tihosomu/tiroi/zu.htm

The hearing usually lasts about 25 minutes or so. Anyone wishing to attend can contact Bill at: [email protected] OR me at [email protected]

For more information, see this website: www.kanagawapft.org

Terry

[sallycat]

[greatteacherterry]

Oh, Sorry novice... My fingers and my mind don't match at times.

An amateur....

Still new at speaking, reading and writing... because I have still never really sat down and studied in any formal institution.

Terry