Job Discussion Forums

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Forget the beginning of the end. The end is, in fact, nigh. I could hardly believe this...

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Just don't get the videos mixed up Wink

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

I once answered an ad like that. I had a lot of fun making my video. It was just me sitting on my bed answering the 3 or 4 questions they had for me. I felt kind of funny at first and didn't know where to look.

I think it's a great idea. I got the job, too; however, I ended up going with another.

fromCanada · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 48 Location: Ontario

...haha the first two posts made me laugh!! Laughing

I read the same ad. I think it also said something like, "It's nothing to be nervous about..." Shocked

Just send a VHS video clip of yourself and get a job teaching English. Sounds easy enough....and somewhat sleazy. Rolling Eyes

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Anyone ever heard of this being done for applications in any other country? Somehow I feel it is a Japan thing. I mean, it is one thing to expect someone to be able to head down to their nearest photobooth and cope with that technically. It is quite another to expect them to have access to a video camera and have the tech knowhow to get a decent video (i.e. one which would actually help you get the job) and then transfer this to VHS!

What do you think they do with all the videos they get? Suggestions please? And do they continue to video you while you are working at the school... Shocked

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Some high schools in the US ask for video tapes of your lessons, but it is very rare.

For the permanent teacher certification in NY a teacher has to make a rigidly formatted video and send it to the state board of Ed.

When I did my student teaching I video taped on of my classes so as to better understand how I was presenting myself in the lesson. I was made to feel extremely nervous and awkward by the camera. I couldn't keep focused on my lesson at all. I still have the video tape, but I hate watching it. It's not me at all.

nomadder · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 1:34 am Post subject:

Does that mean those people on reality shows are not "real" either. Darn.

It does seem like the supply in Japan must really be outstripping the demand. I've seen lots of jobs offering less and asking more. It's really too bad my old job is not available next spring. What to do. Rolling Eyes

I know I won't pander to the fools. Rather try a new country than do that.

cafebleu · Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 404

Schmooj (sorry probably misspelling) - which school had the audacity to ask for a video cassette from prospective teachers? I cannot understand anybody responding to this especially given the very average wages on offer.

If the job were to pay really good money I could understand the recent boom in eikaiwa schools bignoting themselves by asking applicants to jump through so many hoops. However, it seems to be a trend that mediocre schools are asking for so many qualifications, not to mention what I consider a ludicrous request for a video of the applicant.

My advice - tell those kind of schools to stick their job where the sun doesn`t shine! They have gall asking you to do so much for their mediocre pay. If a school really wants to know what kind of person you look like and what kind of teacher you are, they will follow those matters up.

I applied for my first job in Japan from my home country of the UK. I sent a clear photo, a copy of my passport`s front page, copies of qualification certificates, letters of reference giving tel numbers and email addresses and as much info as I could. I got the job after my referees were emailed and questioned about my teaching ability etc. Any number of schools don`t do this kind of research but it is more acceptable than asking for a video.

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

Maybe someone should dress up in a Halloween costume and send them a video. Would serve them right.

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

That's nothing. In the Ohayo Sensei download of the beginning of November, there was an ALT position somewhere in Kansai that said "PhD preferred." A PhD to teach - no HELP teach - kids classes. Rolling Eyes

As to state boards of education asking for videos, I'm betting that they're looking at things like how well you teach, rather than how genki of a dancing monkey you are.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

If anyone wants to read the original ad, or has finished making their video and wants to know where the sun doesn't shine Wink

go here:

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=7045

nomadder · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 5:22 pm Post subject:

And they give you 10 whole days to pull this all together. We'll see if this ad is still posted next month with different instructions re: Plan B.

oich · Joined: 19 Jul 2003 Posts: 25

This is especially convenient for countries that use the PAL television system, so you can go to the trouble of making a VHS video, only for it not to work in a Japanese VCR!

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

I applied to this school with my video resume in October of 1998. ( I got accepted but went with something else)

As for videos and ESL, I am very used to it. I worked for a year at a school here in New York where there are cameras in the classroom. The vp or director would sit in a room full of TV monitors and watch us.

Now I work at a different school. Although there aren't any cameras in the classroom, my boss did come by one day to record me with a camera. I later had a workshop with 3 other teachers. We watched our videos and commented on them.

I also have friends who work for the public schools. It's not unusual to send a video resume.