Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

I have heard from a former NOVA teacher here in Korea that Westgate isn't so bad. The students are good and the pay is above average but the university faculty tends to look down on you...

Any other things I should consider?

[Glenski]

I originally thought this was just a copy of the earlier post called "Westgate". I can see it is slightly different inside, but the subject line is misleading.

Never worked for Westgate, but I believe they sponsor a visa that is not the Humanities Specialist variety, so when you finish with them and want to move on, you may have to change visas.

You do know the contracts are for a very short time, don't you? That means you'll have to find other work in 3 months.

Uni teachers look down on Westgate teachers? Who looks down? The Japanese or the native English speakers?

[chaz47]

[zorro (3)]

here is the status hierarchy of EFL jobs in Japan IMO.

Contract with a uni.
Westgate.
Small language schools.
NOVA and the likes.

(hope I've not missed anyone out...)

I've worked for them 4 times and had a positive experience each time. If you work hard, you can get recognised by the people who count. There is opportunity for advancement. They are a good company to work for.

Japanese faculty have never looked down on me incidentally.

[Glenski]

zorro,
Is it still policy at Westgate to renew teachers, but ONLY after giving them 2-3 months between contracts?

That is, you can renew, but you can't do it without leaving Westgate first. Right?

[zorro (3)]

It's not policy per se.
It's more like they don't have any work for most of the teachers. After you have been there a couple of times and made a name for yourself, they will offer you the better jobs with the longer contracts if that's what you want.

[Glenski]

The only longer contracts I know about are the 7-month ones teaching kiddies. Any others?

[zorro (3)]

There are several different contracts.

Standard 3 months teaching English as an extra curricular option for the students.
4 & 5 month accredited courses (usually reserved for returnees or highly qualified teachers).
Office based curriculum development, which means you can stay indefinitely. This is for the experienced Westgaters only. As I said before, for those who are interested in this, you need to work hard and jump through the Westgate hoops. You'll get recognised and jobs will be offered (if there are any).
7 month contract (not sure if this is kiddies or not).

[chaz47]

How many hours can one expect to work at Westgate? What's the curriculum like, any room for suggestions?

[Glenski]

A guy I used to know wrote this about working on the university program there a couple of years ago:

At Westgate, with the exception of school holidays/no classes, I worked 5 days per week. Yes, 5 days -- Mon.-Fri. inclusive. It was a full-time job to say the least.

The contract said that they would reimburse up to $1000.00 U.S. for airfare and they did. They split up the payments -- I think half after the first month (with my first payday) and the balance after completion of the contract. This was because in the past, there were some people who took the free flight (that Westgate purchased for them) and when they got to Japan they split)! At least I remember the idiotic company president telling us this at our introductory meeting. I say idiotic because he made some racist remarks about other Asian people living in Japan and playing a large part in Japan's crime. Even if this has some truth, it didn't sit really well with one of the Chinese guys who was here teaching from Toronto!

One of my colleagues told me that if Westgate knew I was going to stay in Japan after my contract with them expired -- that they might not reimburse me for the balance of my ticket at the end of the contract. However, this was not true. I was concerned but they paid me in full. As a result, until I knew for sure that they would pay me the balance, I kept my plans to stay in Japan to myself.

I taught 7 40-min. classes per day. Actually, 2 or 3 days a week it was 6 classes but then you would have "English Challenge" for the additional period to make 7. Quite frankly, while the days were much longer -- with the commute and breaks you had during the day -- it now seems much less fatiguing than my present junior high deal. However, I would trade what I have now for it because of the salary, the hours, the vacation time, the security, and the ability to earn much more on the side. However, my present 16 70-min. class schedule (at another job) each week is rough. I prefer the much shorter 40-min. classes and the college kids!

[chaz47]

How about the curriculum?

[Glenski]

Curriculum? I gave you all I know from a previous worker. If other people know more, I hope they answer. Otherwise, have you even looked at the Westgate web page? www.westgate.co.jp

University Program
On-Campus Hours:

On-campus work hours will differ from school to school (e.g., 8:50 a.m.- 5:50 p.m., 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m., 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.). A member of the supervisory staff will inform the on-campus work hours during the training period. Pursuant to Westgate's contract with our university and junior college clients, instructors are to be physically present at their assigned campus for nine consecutive hours each teaching day. The "on-campus" hours do NOT include commuting time.

Teaching Schedule:

Each school day consists of 9-12 class periods. Instructor will teach a maximum of seven classes a day, requiring one to three lesson plans. In addition, instructors will have one or two preparation periods and one period for a break. Instructors will spend the rest of the day for lunch and what we call "English Challenge," when students can ask specific questions about English or study special topics. English Challenge gives the instructor and the students a unique opportunity to get to know one another and to learn more about each other's countries.

Activities:

Instructors will be asked on occasion to participate as hosts of weekend activities with the students.

Commute:

Instructors commute to their assigned campus. In Japan, most people have a long commute on packed trains. Commuting requires from 30 minutes to 90 minutes each way. Although Westgate tries to find high-quality housing as close to campus as possible, at times instructors at some campuses will have a long commute. This is an unfortunate but unavoidable aspect of urban living in Japan.

Paperwork:

Instructors will be given a Daily Planner for each lesson, from which they will create their own lesson plan and record the lesson summary. Instructors will be asked to give feedback on the curriculum and the classes and to keep progress records for the students to assist in the evaluation process. Instructors will prepare individualized student evaluation reports as part of the assessment process. In addition, of course, keeping accurate attendance records is essential.

Evaluations:

Instructors will participate in assessment training and evaluation preparation. At the end of the term, instructors will be required to write a detailed evaluation about each student instructors have taught. These evaluations are for the student, although the school and staff receive a copy. Instructors will assign the student a communication level based on the Westgate curriculum guidelines, identify the student's strengths and weaknesses, and encourage the student to continue studying and speaking English.

Attendance Records:

Before the first day of classes, instructors will be given a roster of all your students. You are required to take attendance every day, marking whether the student is present, absent, or has an excused absence. An excused absence is granted only when a student has advised the instructor in advance of the absence and has a legitimate excuse (a school conflict, an appointment, etc.). A post-dated excused absence will be granted in case of a family death, an illness, or an emergency that prevented the student from giving advance notice. At the end of every week, instructors must count the number of days a student has attended the class, total it on the attendance sheet, give the totals to the supervisor, and inform the supervisor of any student's very low attendance. Students are to attend the class they are scheduled for; however, they may attend another class occasionally. A student may attend a class held during a different class period if s/he misses the scheduled time to attend. Because of this attendance flexibility, instructors may have students in the class whose proficiency levels are slightly different. Keeping accurate, up-to-date attendance records is very important. Throughout the term we will contact students with poor attendance and encourage them to come to class. Westgate recognizes students with perfect attendance with a certificate at the end of the term, and some schools give credit to those students with at least 70% attendance.

ORAL EXAMINERS FOR CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY MAIN SUITE EXAMINATIONS:

Westgate may invite outstanding instructors to participate in training to become a Cambridge University Main Suite Examinations Oral Examiner (henceforth, "Oral Examiner"). Westgate recruits candidates to become Oral Examiners whenever positions become available, and all instructors invited to participate in such training must meet each of the Cambridge University ESOL standards and requirements.

During the term of the instructor's teaching employment contract with Westgate, Westgate agrees to pay all required fees and associated expenses for instructors to undergo Oral Examiner candidate training and evaluation, including transportation to and from the instructor's residence and the designated Oral Examiner training site. Examinations are usually held on weekdays, but Westgate reserves the right to hold such Examinations on either Saturdays, Sundays or Japanese national holidays.

Young Learners Program
Schedule:

This teaching position is a full-time, Monday-through-Friday position. Instructors are occasionally asked to participate in events that may be held on holidays. On rare occasions, Instructors are asked to assist with "open school" and other student recruiting programs. Occasionally, training workshops will be held on holidays when necessary.

At-School Hours:

At-school work hours will differ from school to school (e.g., 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., 8:50 a.m.- 5:50 p.m., 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m., 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.). A member of the supervisory staff will inform instructors of their at-school work hours during the training period. Pursuant to Westgate's contract with our clients, instructors are to be physically present at their assigned school for nine consecutive hours each teaching day. Instructors' "at-school" hours do NOT include commuting time.

Teaching Schedule:

Each school day consists of 9-12 class periods. Instructors will teach a maximum of seven classes a day, requiring one to four lesson plans. In addition, Instructors will have one or two preparation periods, a lunch period and one period for a break. Daily schedules may vary accordingly.

Activities:

Instructors will be asked on occasion to participate as hosts of weekend activities with the students.

Commute:

Instructors commute to their assigned campus. In Japan, most people have a long commute on packed trains. Commuting requires from 30 minutes to 90 minutes each way. Although Westgate tries to find high-quality housing as close to campus as possible, at times instructors at some campuses will have a long commute. This is an unfortunate but unavoidable aspect of urban living in Japan.

Paperwork:

Instructors will be given a curriculum for each lesson, from which they will create their own lesson plan and record their lesson summary. Instructors will be asked to give feedback on the curriculum and the classes and to keep progress records for their students to assist in the evaluation process. Instructors will prepare individualized student evaluation reports as part of the assessment process. In addition, of course, keeping accurate attendance records is essential.

Evaluations:

At the end of the term, instructors will be required to write a detailed evaluation about each student they have taught. These evaluations are for the student, although the school and staff receive a copy. Instructors will participate in assessment training and evaluation preparation.

Attendance Records:

Before the first day of classes, instructors will be given a roster of all their students. Instructors are required to take attendance every day, marking whether the student is present, absent, or has an excused absence. An excused absence is granted only when a student has advised the instructor in advance of the absence and has a legitimate excuse (a school conflict, an appointment, etc.). A post-dated excused absence will be granted in case of a family death, an illness, or an emergency that prevented the student from giving advance notice.

ORAL EXAMINERS FOR CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY MAIN SUITE EXAMINATIONS:

Westgate may invite outstanding instructors to participate in training to become a Cambridge University Main Suite Examinations Oral Examiner (henceforth, "Oral Examiner"). Westgate recruits candidates to become Oral Examiners whenever positions become available, and all instructors invited to participate in such training must meet each of the Cambridge University ESOL standards and requirements.

During the term of the instructor's teaching employment contract with Westgate, Westgate agrees to pay all required fees and associated expenses for instructors to undergo Oral Examiner candidate training and evaluation, including transportation to and from the instructor's residence and the designated Oral Examiner training site. Examinations are usually held on weekdays, but Westgate reserves the right to hold such Examinations on either Saturdays, Sundays or Japanese national holidays.

Academy Program
Schedule:

This teaching position is a full-time, Monday-through-Friday position. Instructors are occasionally asked to participate in events that may be held on holidays. Occasionally, training workshops will be held on holidays when needed.

Working Hours:

Instructors shall be available to work for Westgate from 8:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. from Monday through Friday. This paragraph, however, shall not be interpreted to require that instructor work continuously from 8:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. from Monday through Friday. Instructors shall be available to work for Westgate for 240 days within any given one year period. Instructors shall be available to work for Westgate an average of 25 to 30 teaching hours per week. The teaching hours do NOT include commuting time and lesson planning time. For the purposes of determining this average, only those five-day working weeks within a four-month period -- based upon a calendar year -- shall be used.

Teaching Schedule:

The teaching schedule that the instructor will receive at the beginning does not mean that the instructor will have it for the entire of your teaching employment contract. Westgate may have some new classes to start, private lessons, intensive course, and Home stay Program in the middle of term once in a while. When those classes arise, they will be added to the regular teaching schedule. Instructors need to be flexible on their teaching schedule.

Activities:

Instructors will be asked to participate as hosts of a weekend activities with the students on occasion. Work performed by instructors during these special events upon request by Westgate shall be considered part of the 240 annual workday obligations.

Commute:

Instructors commute to their assigned corporations and schools by a company car or a taxi arranged by Westgate. Commuting requires from 30 minutes to 90 minutes.

Paperwork:

Instructors will be given a curriculum for each lesson, from which they will create their own lesson plan and record your lesson summary. Instructors will be asked to give feedback on the curriculum and the classes and to keep progress records for the students to assist in the evaluation process. Instructors will prepare individualized student evaluation reports as part of the assessment process. In addition, of course, keeping accurate attendance records is essential.

Evaluations:

At the end of the term, instructors will be required to write a detailed evaluation about each student. These evaluations are for the student, although the school and company administration and staff receive a copy. Instructors will assign the student a communication level based on the Westgate curriculum guidelines, identify the student's strengths and weaknesses, and encourage the student to continue studying and speaking English. Instructors will participate in assessment training and evaluation preparation.

Monthly Reports (For Company classes ONLY):

Instructors are required to do a report on the class each month. All monthly reports must be handed in by the 5th of each month. If the 5th is a holiday, reports must be handed in by the last working day before the 5th. The monthly reports include attendance, key points taught for the month, comments about the class, progress, and individual performance. The monthly report is for the administrative staff at our company clients so that they know how the lesson has been going, the students' attendance, and how the individual student is improving their English skills.

Attendance Records:

Before the first day of classes, instructor will be given a roster of the students. Instructors are required to take attendance every day, marking whether the student is present, absent, or has an excused absence. An excused absence is granted only when a student has advised the Instructor in advance of the absence and has a legitimate excuse (a business trip, a company meeting, etc.). A post-dated excused absence will be granted in case of a family death, an illness, or an emergency that prevented the student from giving advance notice. At the end of every month, instructor must count the number of days a student has attended the class, total it on the attendance sheet, give the totals to the supervisor, and inform the supervisor of any student's very low attendance. Keeping accurate, up-to-date attendance records is very important. Throughout the term, Westgate will contact students with poor attendance and encourage them to come to class.

[chaz47]

[anne_o]

concerning the visa.....how does one "switch" it over? is the humanities visa cancelled at the end of your contract with westgate?

[anne_o]

oh....and......what about the telephone interview? what should one be prepared to do?