|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
BS.Dos.
Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 30
Location: England
|
 Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:36 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
Glenski
a country which is widely recognized as being the most adept at serving the needs of an inexperienced EFL teacher " and that Japan had "the most developed EFL infrastructure." I'm curious what makes you say these things?
Well, I suppose this point is the crux of the thread. Seems to me that Japan has been recruiting EFL teachers for a good few decades now, meaning that (hopefully) there will be a high degree of tacit knowledge to tap into from others. I'd also imagine that these institutions that recruit native English speakers will have well developed programs of study in place that new recruits simply 'slip' into, least I hope so. I'm in for a shock if they don't.
In respect of an earlier point about say, Chile, I doubt that the same experience exists in the way that (I imagine) it does in Japan. I don't think I'd cope very well if things like materials, a well devised program of study etc were not already in place. These big companies that recruit en masse, while obviously treating new teachers in a fairly non-descript manner, would still mean that upon arriving in a new country I wouldn't have to worry so much about the other incedentals and could concentrate on the adjustment phase of things rather than the professional side of things. Sorry to reiterate, but this represents a very significant, perhaps even life defining (sorry to sound so dramatic) event for me. It's not something that you do everyday and there alot of obsticles and variables that need to be in place for those that cannot, for whatever reason, simply throw themselves into something new for the first time without having a few concerns. Ultimately, I want to become a good teacher, one who approaches his work in the right manner. I'm very much an advocate of life-long learning and aside from this being an experience on a purely personal level, becoming a good, effective and respected teacher is something that's important to me. This isn't about a 6-month holiday. I have high expectations of what I can bring to Japan. Anything short of my best efforts won't be good enough. I stand a better chance of achieving this in a country such as Japan that already has both the experience and resources neccessary to achieve this.
Quid pro Quo Glenski, I have a few questions of my own. Sorry, I know TINADS but...
Teacher Could you tell me where and at what level you teach. I'm assuming that you've made some progress since arriving. Be intrested in hearing the abridged version.
Proofreader Is this something you do 'on the side'? I'm imagining translation of texts as well. Could you elaborate? Explain what's involved. You obviously speak/read Japanese. Did you learn on the hoof or were you taught specifically?
Photography Something I've always wanted to study at an elementary level. Is the photo to the left one of yours? I'd also be intrested in watercolours if I had some spare time. Are the Japanese people generally artistic/creative by nature and is the persuit of learning such skills easy to come by.
From your experience, what's the (roughly speaking of course) percentage of the following: (ball park)
Number of teachers who leave within say, a month
Percentage who complete their contracts but who don't renew their contracts
Percentage who stay indefinately I suppose this is slight ambiguous as not having an MA probably means your stuck on the lower rungs forever and cannot progress, but are there long-termers within the big orgs? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Seems to me that Japan has been recruiting EFL teachers for a good few decades now |
You can say that about most countries, I think.
| Quote: |
| meaning that (hopefully) there will be a high degree of tacit knowledge to tap into from others. |
Well, that's why boards like this are here. Dave's ESL Cafe caters to practically every country. Have you looked into the other forums? Have you inquired into JALT or ETJ or the JET Programme? Have you asked those friends of friends that you mentioned earlier?
| Quote: |
| I'd also imagine that these institutions that recruit native English speakers will have well developed programs of study in place that new recruits simply 'slip' into, least I hope so. I'm in for a shock if they don't. |
"Well-developed programs". How would you define them? Most conversation schools here are "mom and pop shops". Even the big 4 have pre-planned formats, but they're nothing special, and until only a year or 2 ago, the biggest one was using textbooks originally designed 30 years ago for Spanish, not English, speakers.
Basically, what you are going to find is that textbooks for EFL conversation schools suck. (my opinion, so if anyone else has some outstanding exceptions, let's hear them, but I warn you that I have bookcases filled with sample copies from half a dozen or more publishers) Most schools will probably just let you have a go at whatever you want to do in order to teach students. Some provide textbooks and plan, some provide neither, many (most?) are in between. Some schools separate their students by a carefully laid out interview and testing plan, while others just get students butts on the seats at roughly an appropriate level, then let them advance only if they have the money to pay for the next class. I don't think you'll find most places give homework or exams to conversation school students, either.
| Quote: |
| These big companies that recruit en masse, while obviously treating new teachers in a fairly non-descript manner, would still mean that upon arriving in a new country I wouldn't have to worry so much about the other incedentals and could concentrate on the adjustment phase of things rather than the professional side of things. |
Let's just talk about the big 4. They provide housing so you don't have to look for it on your own and fork over key money deposits. They even furnish housing so you don't have to. Utilities and (usually?) phone are hooked up when you move in, and you are pretty much given a bank account for the direct deposit of your salary. Just how far they go in setting up the payment of your utilities, I don't know. There is no checking system here, and I don't know if you can pay by credit card, so that leaves what most people do -- take your receipt to a convenience store and pay, or use direct withdrawl from your bank account. Do the big 4 explain either of these? I don't know. They want your body in their classrooms, period. I don't know what the average big 4 teacher gets in the way of an orientation to his neighborhood, with an explanation of shopping, use of post office or bank, local transportation system, etc. I would expect that it would be very minimal if anything at all. I had zilch given to me, and the exiting teacher whom I replaced was kind enough to show me how to take the train to work a day before she left Japan. Another teacher took me to the ward office to apply for health insurance and my alien card. Those things were done on their own free time and at no request from the school. Don't expect to have those things done for you.
Professionality. There is very little in conversation schools. Read this.
http://www.eltnews.com/features/special/015a.shtml
They are businesses, plain and simple, and they thrive on the masses of Japanese that want to come and see a foreigner, not a professional teacher. Most conversation schools, in my opinion, have students who are there to kill time or spend the breadwinner's salary or to socialize or to meet a foreigner, NOT to learn intensive English. It's great that you have the goals you do, and I believe you would do your best to try teaching well (I certainly did, despite what I have just written), but please understand the situation here.
Quid pro quo? Well, we never made such an arrangement, but I'll be happy to answer questions.
| Quote: |
| Teacher Could you tell me where and at what level you teach. I'm assuming that you've made some progress since arriving. Be intrested in hearing the abridged version. |
I came in 1998 to work for a conversation school (almost 4 years), taught privately and PT in a private HS for a year, then changed to FT in that same HS (total of 4 years), and now am in a university as a FT teacher. My private lesson students were housewives, business people, and scientists/doctors.
| Quote: |
| Proofreader Is this something you do 'on the side'? I'm imagining translation of texts as well. Could you elaborate? Explain what's involved. You obviously speak/read Japanese. Did you learn on the hoof or were you taught specifically? |
Yes, it's on the side, completely freelance (except for the unpaid proofreading I do at the university, something considered a normal part of my duties). Freelance proofreading involves two sorts of things, both with scientific manuscripts because that is my specialty. One, I am a copy editor for a scientific magazine. Two, I do research papers (journal articles) for whomever sends things my way. The latter is sporadic work. As far as Japanese ability goes, it is not required for my proofreading because that is done all in English (no translating). I don't have enough ability to translate.
| Quote: |
| Photography Something I've always wanted to study at an elementary level. Is the photo to the left one of yours? I'd also be intrested in watercolours if I had some spare time. Are the Japanese people generally artistic/creative by nature and is the persuit of learning such skills easy to come by. |
No, that's not one of mine, but I like photography, too, and that picture could easily have been taken by me. It's my style. Japanese people enjoy many creative hobbies, but you'll probably find that despite years at it, they will almost always tell you they are not very good, despite whatever evidence you may see to the contrary. Lots of people paint or take photos. You will find that many (most?) can draw very well even at high school age.
| Quote: |
Number of teachers who leave within say, a month
Percentage who complete their contracts but who don't renew their contracts |
I don't understand these questions. Are you asking about teachers at my school, or in all of Japan? The latter will need a lot more focus. I assume you meant the latter, not the former. Nobody has those figures. I can tell you that half of JET ALTs don't renew after the first year, though, and that places like NOVA have teacher "lifespans" of less than a year.
| Quote: |
| Percentage who stay indefinately I suppose this is slight ambiguous as not having an MA probably means your stuck on the lower rungs forever and cannot progress, but are there long-termers within the big orgs? |
Yes, there are some long-term people there. Not a big percentage, though, perhaps less than 25%. I've heard of some that have stayed for 10-15 years. Some choose to remain as teachers, while others prefer to move into a management role. Not much in the way of advancement, though. You could choose either option, or just get your feet wet in a short time (one or more employers, too), then use that experience for other teaching pursuits (mainstream schools, for example). You don't have to stay with one FT employer after you've done teaching for a year or so. You could keep that work visa and "self-sponsor" (a horrible misnomer but the current one) by stringing together a lot of PT work. As long as you can show immigration that you have contracts from reputable sources (not private lessons), and the salary is at least a certain (undefined) minimum (roughly 200,000 yen/month), you should be able to do this as long as you like.
None of these post-conversation school options are without their problems.
1) public schools usually take on ALTs (from JET or dispatch companies)
2) public schools will take on direct hires from the board of education, but this is rare
3) private schools hire FT teachers (usually not ALTs), but their contracts are usually capped at 3 years; tenure is rare
4) international schools require a teaching license and experience from your home country
5) business English schools usually require some other sort of experience to augment the teaching side of things
6) universities usually require a master's degree in a specific field, plus experience, publications, and some Japanese ability (for FT jobs). For PT jobs, you can get by on lesser qualifications, but competition for either type of position is very steep. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BS.Dos.
Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 30
Location: England
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
@Glenski
Most conversation schools, in my opinion, have students who are there to kill time or spend the breadwinner's salary or to socialize or to meet a foreigner, NOT to learn intensive English.
That's quite revealing and shatters a few misconceptions about what I may or may not be stepping into.
Food for thought.
Nice one fella. Appreciate it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
