Job Discussion Forums

Canuk girl · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 60

Has anyone heard of the Linguaphone Academy? What can you tell me about them (in Tokyo Area).

Thanks.

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

chixdiggit · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 60 Location: ROK

Hey Canuk Girl, I worked with Linguaphone for about 9 months. As far as Eikawas go it was decent. I worked at the Yokohama branch which, apparently, is an entirely different experience from working at Shinjuku. This is largely a result of proximity to head office which is located at the Shinjuku branch. We had a lot more freedom in Yokohama as Head Office rarely visited or even called to check up on us. The students were great, probably the best I've had in my 3 years here. However, as with any eikawa, there were numerous issues. They recently dropped part-time wage by 500 yen an hour from 3000 to 2500. As a full-timer you have to work national holidays and paid holidays are also few and far between(don't remember the exact details). However, at Yokohama branch the manager Alex will help you as much as he can with holidays(albeit unpaid). The head office foreign boss is a guy named Albert with whom most teachers have their own personal gripes. Personally I left because of company policies, not the school, students, or co-workers. As a first job in Japan, however, it beats the hell out of most eikaiwas. If you have any specific questions email me or reply to this post. Bonne chance.

Canuk girl · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 60

Thanks guys, quite helpful. I had an interview there and it ranks as one of the weirdest interviews I've ever had, but not terrible.

chixdiggit · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 60 Location: ROK

Hey again, I felt obliged to post again as I had a similar experience in the interview. He's a bit creepy yeah? There was also a rather large lady who kept touching my leg during the interview. Anyway that's for another forum. My point is that after the interview you will rarely have to deal with that crap again. You have almost 100% freedom in lesson plans( no crap texts like NOVA). You'll get to socialize in the conversation lounge for half your day sometimes and meet lots of cool people. Don't write it off because of the strange interview. It is MOST DEFINITELY a better place to work than any of the Big 4 and I am speaking from experience. I'm not a nova basher or anything, I simply call 'em as I see 'em. Give it a chance. I'd still be there if my current high-school position hadn't fallen in my lap. Good luck with whatever you decide.