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nobuko
Joined: 14 Oct 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada
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 Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject: PM group |
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Apparently, I can't join a PM group unless I post a certain amount of blurbs - seems silly. So I can't join the new teacher group yet.
Does anyone know where they will be residing yet? I know I will be training in Osaka but I was not told where I will be living. Assuming that since I will be training in Osaka, I will be residing there too. It would make sense.
Has anyone heard anything from the housing Agency, done research, or have found any roomies? |
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Mahik
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 89
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| Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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@Gonzarelli: I'm not sure how to interpret that, did you have a poor experience with ECC? Care to share?
@nobuko: Although we're training in Osaka I believe John mentioned that we could be as far away as a 2 hour commute (but no further). I don't think they've passed along any housing info yet, we'll probably find out a few weeks into November (I hope).
And fyi, the group I invited you to is not a Dave's PM group, we're an email correspondence group. The others tell me you have not replied to any of their emails (nor mine), are you sure you gave me the right info? |
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gonzarelli
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 151
Location: trouble in the henhouse
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:17 am Post subject: |
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| Mahik wrote: |
@Gonzarelli: I'm not sure how to interpret that, did you have a poor experience with ECC? Care to share?
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I was with ECC for three years and I actually liked working there quite a bit. By the time I finished my third year, I was ready for something different. The FTLs will drive you insane if you aren't careful. I really learned to appreciate teaching kids.
I met a lot of really good people through ECC. I made friends with the staff and many students. In fact, I still keep in touch with a few students and staff even though I haven't worked there for nearly three years. I don't regret working for ECC. I think you guys will enjoy yourselves. I was talking more about life in Japan outside of the western bubble known as eikaiwa.
The first thing I heard a veteran teacher tell me about ECC: "ECC doesn't care." Are your students learning and improving their English? Who cares? The only thing that matters is re-sign rate. They also don't care about you a whole lot. You're just a cog in the machine to them. It's more of a business than a school. Keep that in mind and you'll be fine. Enjoy! |
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jenn24
Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: PM group |
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| nobuko wrote: |
Does anyone know where they will be residing yet? I know I will be training in Osaka but I was not told where I will be living. Assuming that since I will be training in Osaka, I will be residing there too. It would make sense.
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Well, I've been told, but I'm not in Osaka, I'm in Tokyo of course.
I'll be in Koganei-shi, at least to begin with anyway. So if anybody has any info they would like to share...I'll be happy to listen  |
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algo
Joined: 03 Oct 2007
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Not bad. Koganei is only 1.5 hours away from Shinjuku, directly via the JR Tohoku line... |
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Mahik
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 89
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| Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Gonzarelli, since you seem to have the most experience with ECC in this thread, do you think you could share any more advice/experiences?
Did you request Nagoya? And did you stay there all 3 years? |
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gonzarelli
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 151
Location: trouble in the henhouse
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| Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Mahik wrote: |
Hey Gonzarelli, since you seem to have the most experience with ECC in this thread, do you think you could share any more advice/experiences?
Did you request Nagoya? And did you stay there all 3 years? |
I'd be happy to answer your questions and share my experiences. ECC is generally a good company to work for but they are no golden employer as John put it in my interview a few years ago in Toronto.
I did request Nagoya and I did stay there all 3 years. I actually lived there the whole time I was in Japan. I didn't mean to stay there the whole time but I got really attached to Nagoya. I miss it. I'll be there for about three weeks starting next month! 
Either fire away here or PM me your questions. |
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Patrique
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Location: Toronto, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 12:15 am Post subject: |
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| Mahik wrote: |
| So you got in Pat? Congratz, when and what part are you headed for? |
Actually...I turned it down. I'm heading to Korea instead. Just because of practicality - I realized I couldn't save up enough to pay for my first month's living expenses and my plane ticket. Also I can start in Korea a month and a half earlier, and I can save way more money. If I'd chosen Japan, I would have had to get a full-time job and save like mad for four months...basically get a job to save up to get a job.
But if Japan had been in any way a bit more practical financially, I would have chosen ECC in a heartbeat.
Also I must say it bothers me that the people on this board seem much nicer and more sophisticated, generally speaking, than the hordes  on the Korea board. That gives me an uneasy feeling. |
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gonzarelli
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 151
Location: trouble in the henhouse
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| Patrique wrote: |
| Mahik wrote: |
| So you got in Pat? Congratz, when and what part are you headed for? |
Actually...I turned it down. I'm heading to Korea instead. Just because of practicality - I realized I couldn't save up enough to pay for my first month's living expenses and my plane ticket. Also I can start in Korea a month and a half earlier, and I can save way more money. If I'd chosen Japan, I would have had to get a full-time job and save like mad for four months...basically get a job to save up to get a job.
But if Japan had been in any way a bit more practical financially, I would have chosen ECC in a heartbeat.
Also I must say it bothers me that the people on this board seem much nicer and more sophisticated, generally speaking, than the hordes on the Korea board. That gives me an uneasy feeling. |
That's too bad, Pat. From what I've heard from people who have taught in both countries, it seems Japan is an easier place for foreigners to adjust to. I get the feeling it's easier to stick around a while in Japan. I visited Korea twice and I know I would have never lasted there. I agree with your assessment of the Korea board. Hope it all works out. You can always move to Japan later. |
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Mahik
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 89
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:08 am Post subject: |
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Well good luck with that. I was looking into Korea for awhile since it made the most financial sense. But I've looked at my budget and I should be able to finish out a year and make enough to wipe out my debt. My priorities are such that I can settle for that for now. Plus I couldn't get over the abundance of horror stories associated with Korea, I hope you have fun!
@gonzarelli: Since you've been there so long, are there any traits/habits of teachers which helped them adjust better/finish their contract that you noticed? Can you offer any input on FTL? |
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gonzarelli
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 151
Location: trouble in the henhouse
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:29 am Post subject: |
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| Mahik wrote: |
@gonzarelli: Since you've been there so long, are there any traits/habits of teachers which helped them adjust better/finish their contract that you noticed? Can you offer any input on FTL? |
There weren't too many teachers leaving ECC for another eikaiwa company. It's hard to argue with 29.5 hours a week.
I can only tell you what helped me make it through three years at ECC. The biggest factor for me was to make friends with the staff and get to know your students. I'm due to marry my favorite ECC student of all-time in January but that's another topic. That's really getting to know your student. I should mention that we started dating about a year after she left ECC. Honest!
My advice would be to study as much Japanese as you can before you arrive. Continue to study while you're there. You won't use it at work but it will sure soften the culture shock.
Another thing would be to make Japanese friends. It's too easy to spend most of your time with other foreigners. However, I found that the conversation with other foreigners almost always revolved around work and Japan. It more often than not turned into a whining session. That will ruin your enthusiasm for Japan and work in a real hurry. I made a point of avoiding foreigners at all costs and forced myself to make more Japanese friends.
About the FTLs, the more of a clown you are, the more popular you will be with students in general. Don't focus too much on actually teaching them a whole lot. They take the regular lessons for that and grammar. Focus more on letting them talk. They're really there for as a social event and not really to do some hard core learning. Some are but these students are the minority. I made sure the lessons were fun for me and that made it fun for students.
As for conversation topics, the standard "What did you do today" gets really tiring really fast for teachers and students alike. I usually asked about what they're wearing and what's in their bag. Avoid topics like movies. That's usually a sign that you're sinking and grasping at straws.
Things that happened in my lessons purely for my pleasure...
1. A high school girl in the gymnastics club did the splits for me.
2. A university girl tap danced for the group.
3. An elementary school teacher who sings opera sang the group a note.
4. A group of four ladies who took my lesson every week showed up with big macs and fries and coffee for everyone (including me) just because I asked them to the previous week.
The list goes on. |
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Mahik
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 89
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:32 am Post subject: |
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You asked them to buy you fast food? 
You bring up a point that I was wondering about for a bit. I of course want to make Japanese friends, but what's the best way to go about it? I mean the biggest obstacle seems to be the language barrier. Did you just hang out with your students?
Gratz also on tying the knot. |
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gonzarelli
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 151
Location: trouble in the henhouse
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Mahik wrote: |
You asked them to buy you fast food?
You bring up a point that I was wondering about for a bit. I of course want to make Japanese friends, but what's the best way to go about it? I mean the biggest obstacle seems to be the language barrier. Did you just hang out with your students?
Gratz also on tying the knot. |
Thanks for the congrats.
It's actually really easy to make friends in Japan just by the fact you're somewhat a novelty. You'll find a lot of people wanting to take you out for dinner and drinks and what have you. However, the trick is to figure out why they want to be your friends.
Beware of the English leeches who are using you for free English practice. I came across plenty of those. Beware of the girls just looking for gaijin boyfriend trophies. Beware of being used as a token gaijin in whatever capacity.
I met a lot of great people who wanted to be my friend legitimately. The trick is to weed out the phonies.
I started out by going out with students and staff. Of course they have freinds and they will invite them. Lots of people are interested in meeting a newcomer to Japan. From there, you meet their friend's friends etc etc.
Konpa (companion party) is a must for all foreigners in Japan. That's a good way to make friends easily but not necessarily to find a partner if you know what I mean.
I also joined badminton circles and made friends there. Join clubs and groups in the city. Just get out there and you'll make friends. Don't moan and complain about being homesick.
You'll be told how cool you are countless times. Just remember one thing: You aren't as cool as they say you are lest you become another charisma man. |
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Mahik
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Posts: 89
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| Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:26 am Post subject: |
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Hmmm, thanks for the advice.
Is there anything specific that should be looked for in "leeches" though? I mean I don't know that much Japanese, and if a Japanese person wants to try to speak english with me then I wouldn't take issue with it. I doubt they'd be as obvious as having a text there with them and asking me to explain each concept (but then I'm inexperienced in this). I'd figure that if I didn't show much interest in having them speaking perfect interest they'd either lose interest in using me as a training tool or decide to hang out with me for other reasons.
Trophy boyfriends is also a new one to me, I've only gone out with people because I think they liked me for one reason or another. I mean I'm not rich, or athletic, nor do I look particularly like Brad Pitt. What, you mean girls who just want to show you off to their friends? Why exactly would Japanese girls prefer gaijin's anyway? Is it the novelty?
I guess I haven't had to deal with phony friends before so I'm a bit naive in that respect. Honestly, if they're buying me dinner and I'm not too tired I really don't see the problem in talking to them in English if that's all they want. I did it a couple of times when I was in Japan and didn't find it particularly uncomfortable.
By konpa, do you mean the friends of the people who take you out? Just want to verify what that means because I'm not sure what you mean by partner. Do you mean like girlfriend? What is the best way to meet Japanese women that won't perceive you as a trophy if I might ask?
And what is a charisma man? I've seen you use that term more than once and I guess I'm out of the loop. Is that someone who acts cooler than they actually are? I mean I personally find nothing wrong with trying to reinvent yourself in an environment where no one knows you, especially if you're a loser where you come from.
Sorry this post is kinda pointless. But I'm reeeeaaally hurting for people to talk to about Japan. My time to leave is fast approaching and I'm in short supply of people to talk with about it in detail on a regular basis.
Can you tell me anything about Osaka? From your experience, how close were you to the place you were teaching as opposed to the training site? They say we're going to be in Osaka for training, but does that mean we'll be teaching in Osaka or is there the possibility that we'll be teaching in Kyoto, Nara, or Kobe? 2 hours seems like it can cover a lot of distance considering how efficient Japanese public transport is. But then I'm not too familiar with the Kansai area... |
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southofreality
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 579
Location: Tokyo
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| Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:57 am Post subject: |
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Mahik,
Take a breath and relax. You're going to be fine. You'll make some mistakes along the way, but everybody does so don't worry about it.
Be yourself, use your best judgement and try to enjoy the experience for what it's worth. You'll be quite busy here if you're a sociable person. Both foreigners and Japanese people will invite you out often enough. You might have to take people up on their invitations more often than you'd like at first, but once you build a solid network of friends, you can settle down a bit.
As for the leeches, study Japanese in a class or on your own, keep your time involved with language exchanges to a minimum (however, you might make a good friend or two that way) and once you get your Japanese up to an everyday conversation level, find Japanese friends who don't speak English.
One more thing... Charisma men are guys who try too hard to make up for missed opportunities back home. Go to Roppongi if you're ever in Tokyo on a Saturday night and you'll see no shortage of them. In Osaka, I'm not sure where the Roppongi equivalent is, but if you find out, go there one time, take a good look, and avoid it like the plague from then on. |
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