Job Discussion Forums

hi.standard · Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 5

let me try to get this straight, ive been racking my brain about where to go, JET or do a conversation school, the main reason im leaning towards conversation school is that i can likely begin earlier, JET doesnt kick off again until July..im guessing i can start language school as early as Feb. besides..i really want the choice of where im going, since i spent a year in japan doing study abroad.

So...seeing if i take the fall on Aeon or something ( my friend at JET says he works about 14 hours a week!!teaching time that is) I know i would be working harder at Aeon, be pressured to do more coporate stuff, like sell..etc... but, after the year is said and done, would my Visa have to be renewed through Aeon, or Can I find a job at a highschool or other place much easier at that point? ( being in japan) and would the highschool renew my visa? I would mainly want to do a year or eikaiwa, then try to get an ALT at highschool etc. Anyone have experience in the matter and

can offer some advice?

Ive checked for jobs before, and all want you to be either in Japan already or already have a working visa, but how can you already have one if its only renewed with the company your working for? dispelling some of my dillusions would be great, thanks

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

You own the work visa, it is not your employers. There is nothing stopping you from walking into a new school once you have the visa (other than breaking your contract and your word). Smeties you get a 3 year visa so you can change jobs without breaking your contract.
Many people start job hunting before their 1 year visa expires and then they get the paperwork going on their new work visa for their new job.
Hard to find the good jobs in Japan when you are across the ocean. Stick it out the first year and then move up to a better job.

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

Hold out for JET. It's a better deal. To get a job at a high school, the hiring period is February and March, for April starts. The JET program goes from July to July. The only good points Aeon can offer you over JET is location and an earlier start. That said, you're not guaranteed to get on JET if you apply.

When taking on a new job, you're going to have to ask if they will renew your visa. That is the point where you can accept or decline the job, depending on your situation. I

f you get a 3 year visa through Aeon, your visa is yours for 3 years, and wouldn't have to worry about changing your visa. Some schools might ask you to change your visa, and in that case, they will sponsor you. Getting a 3 year visa is just luck of the draw. Some people get a 3 year visa, some get a 1 year visa. No rhyme or reason on which one you get.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:48 am Post subject:

You should consider JET to be a far better deal than AEON if these things are important to you:

1. A higher salary. JET pays 300,000 yen a month whereas AEON is around 250,000.

2. Your airfare is paid for on JET, not so with AEON or almost any other eikaiwa.

3. Accommodation. JET often subsidizes your accommodation and sometimes it is free.

4. You usually have longer vacation periods with JET but with AEON you will have around 10 days paid holidays.

5. There is no involvement in the "corporate side" on JET. At eikaiwa companies this corporate side actually means more than just showing up on time, you often have to put in extra hours drawing up study plans to students that head office want to renew their contracts. You will often be asked to sell books to your students with some eikaiwa companies.

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

Being an ALT is a great job for people who:

are extremely personable and are interested in promoting a positive image of their own countries,

have the energy to show school spirit at the schools and in the towns they work in,

like kids of all ages,

are interested in learning about Japanese language, culture, etc...,

Being an ALT is not a good job for people who just want to work their shifts and then go out with their friends and enjoy the nightlife. If you're this kind of person, don't become an ALT; you might think it's a great gig for you if you have few teaching hours, live in a town with lots to do, etc..., but you're not going to do much for the students, the town, or the reputation of ALT's in general if you don't plan to go all out in your role as an ALT. It's because a lot of JET's aren't really into the ALT role that many B.O.E.'s use dispatch agencies; they end up figuring one ALT is as good as another.

Dipso · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 194 Location: England

Being a JET isn't always an easy ride either. One of my JET friends had 13 different schools, some of them a very lengthy commute from where she was living. A lot of it is down to the luck of the draw - everyone's situation is different.

hi.standard · Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 5

the 300,000 yen would be imporant normally, but considering i would be able to go to Japan 4-5 months earlier than JET, that difference would be more than made up for.

I know Aeon does not gurantee location, but it seems like people are more likely to get where they would like to go, and for me its not going to be Tokyo im requesting, im hoping for Osaka.

and if i could find another gig after a year or 6 months ( if things are bad) then if possible I will.

ultimately i do would require being able to go out with friends etc, im sure thats what part i will probably enjoy most, but I do hope i enjoy teaching too, guess i'll see.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 3:54 pm Post subject: