Job Discussion Forums

[chirp]

OK - I'm just curious. Most companies require you to do some training with them prior to starting a teaching assignment. I am surprised though that some don't pay you during that time. I just want people to chime in and say who pays for training and who doesn't.

MLS (Eikaiwa) - paid training

Interac (Dispatch) - unpaid

ULI (Dispatch) - paid

[Glenski]

NOVA talks about a probationary period followed by a different wage, so I believe they pay during your training, but you get less salary than later.

GEOS's web site says this about 3 types of training (no mention of exact amounts compared to regular salary):
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE IN JAPAN
Correspondence Course
Prior to going to Japan, you will complete a one-month correspondence training program. This course is provided by GEOS and it is designed to prepare you for both your job and life in Japan. The program focuses on different aspects of English grammar, lesson planning, Japanese culture, etc. You will complete this training at home in preparation for the pre-departure Paid Training Session.

Pre-Departure/Paid Training Session
The correspondence course will be followed by a 4-day comprehensive paid training session. In this session, you will have a chance to put the work you developed during the correspondence training into action. You will implement lesson plans with Japanese students, discuss the cultural challenges of living and working in Japan, etc. This training is intended to prepare you to be successful once you arrive in Japan and is usually conducted close to your departure date.

Arrival Training
Upon arrival in Japan, you will be met at the airport by a GEOS representative. This representative will escort you to your apartment and help you settle in. You will generally have a three-day arrival training (with the teacher you are replacing, a substitute teacher, or a teacher trainer/manager). Here you will have a chance to observe lessons with your future students, understand the business side of GEOS, observe student counseling, etc. Gradually, new teachers take over more and more of the existing teacher's schedule.

ONGOING TRAINING IN JAPAN
Ongoing TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training is provided throughout your employment in Japan. Substantial business training is also provided allowing you to gain transferable skills in cross-cultural communication, customer service, counseling, sales, record-keeping, and event planning to name just a few.

ECC's web site says this (underlined bold emphasis is mine):
Training
ECC prides itself on offering outstanding training for all new employees. Upon arriving in Japan, there will be a paid training period of approximately two weeks. All employees - even those with no previous teaching experience - will be able to bring, share and learn a variety of teaching techniques. The training session will span 50 to 70 hours and will cover teaching both children and adults. You will acquire all the tools you need to manage successful, fun classes.

Throughout your time at ECC, trainers will be available to support you, and there will be periodic workshops where you can trade ideas with other instructors. Training is remunerated at the special training rate of 1,000 yen/hour .

AEON says this little bit:The teacher receives one week or more of paid training in Japan. Accommodations during the training period are provided at company expense.

JET talks about language training (a 6-month correspondence course, and a 5-day intensive one), pre-departure training at embassies/consulates, and a couple of days "orientation" upon landing, plus various conferences. I doubt if you get paid for any of these, but I think for the conferences and initial orientation, your accommodation is paid for. JET alumni care to comment?

Berlitz has a 6-day unpaid training period.
If you are hired from abroad, they offer this:
Once you have successfully completed the interview process, you will be invited to attend our Berlitz Instructor Training. Our instructor training (6 days) is unpaid and successful applicants must provide their own transportation and housing arrangements in Japan. After successfully completing the instructor training, you will be considered a Berlitz employee and will start at your full salary and normal working conditions.
If you are hired locally in Japan, they offer this:
Once you have successfully completed the interview process, you will be invited to attend our Berlitz Instructor Training. Our instructor training (6 days) is unpaid. After successfully completing the instructor training, you will be considered a Berlitz employee and will start at your full salary and normal working conditions.

[chirp]

As usual Glenki, you are a great source of information. Thank you.

From other posters though, who don't need to go into as much detail, have the companies you worked for paid for your training? We seem to have the big eikaiwas covered, what about dispatch and other smaller companies?

[nelly06]

[bornslippy1981]

[Glenski]

bornslippy,
Thanks for that update. I tried to verify it by visiting the Berlitz Japan union website.

Unless it is buried in the password-protected area, it is not public news. For something as important as this, one would think it would be easily accessible.

[Inflames]

[Willy_In_Japan]

The 'one month' correspondence course for GEOS is pretty time consuming if you don't know what you are doing.

It is true that they do '4 days paid training' but in fact, the pay was $150 dollars. It paid for my parking and lunch but not my gas. I was fortunate enough to live near Toronto so I could drive there. The people who had flown there were putting themselves up in hostels and hotels while doing the four day training on the way to Japan. I think that they gave us the option of taking the 150 dollars, or getting 'free' accomodation while in Toronto. So, hardly 'paid'.........but this may have changed.

Interac used to pay for training but cut that.

Certainly, not paying for training does not create good will toward the company out of the door. It is false savings in my opinion.

[bornslippy1981]

[untmdsprt]

What exactly is the successful completion for Berlitz, and has anyone not been able to do it? It seems like an awful lot of time and expense just for them to get you a visa, and you try your best but not good enough.

Are you sent packing, or can you use your visa to stay the year with another company?

[gaijinalways]

[flyer]

amazing,

I didn't know so many places didn't pay for training!