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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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 Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 10:39 am Post subject: Applying to the Big 4 schools... |
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Hi all,
After having spoken with 3 of the big 4 schools on the phone today (Aeon, Geos, Nova), I would advise any of you who are interested in teaching starting April or May to apply immediately.
They've informed me that even if I were to apply today, the earliest I could get to Japan is May.
Therefore, you'll need about 4-5 months to set it up.
It would be fantastic if anyone could post some specific details about the interviews for each school (I know there are already posts about this elsewhere but perhaps one larger "guide" to interviewing at the 4 schools would be immensely helpful to prospective teachers).
cheers |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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Here you go - links to a comprehensive selection of the relevant threads:
Geos: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
Nova: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3
Aeon: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
ECC: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3
Also, I'll throw in JET while I'm about it: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
Finally an example of how private messages can be detrimental to us all:
Don't PM!!!
Never did find out what was involved in a Peppy Kids Club interview |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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| shmooj wrote: |
Here you go - links to a comprehensive selection of the relevant threads:
Geos: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
Nova: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3
Aeon: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
ECC: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3
Also, I'll throw in JET while I'm about it: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
Finally an example of how private messages can be detrimental to us all:
Don't PM!!!
Never did find out what was involved in a Peppy Kids Club interview |
Hi shmooj,
thanks very much for those links, I'm sure they will be a tremendous help to everyone wishing to apply to the Big 4
cheers |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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avahanian,
If you had taken the time to do a simple search on this web site, you would have found all of that information from shmooj (to which I contributed a great deal of my own time). The information was already here (and since I provided a lot of it, I just want to point out that your comment on another thread about people like me who post only doom and gloom is totally off the mark). |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
avahanian,
If you had taken the time to do a simple search on this web site, you would have found all of that information from shmooj (to which I contributed a great deal of my own time). The information was already here (and since I provided a lot of it, I just want to point out that your comment on another thread about people like me who post only doom and gloom is totally off the mark). |
hi Glenski,
I appreciate all of the advice you have given me, and I'm sure that the other newbies here also appreciate it, even if they don't point it out.
I think you take things way too seriously....you also take comments way out of context.
I never said that you and the others post ONLY doom and gloom - in fact I pointed out that all of you are very knowledgeable.
Just try to take things easy mate, all of us here think you are doing a fantastic job helping people out, and always welcome what you have to say (even if it is a bit negative at times, but people have to know the reality of going to Japan, and not a false fairy-tale description).
Just keep telling us how it is, but try not to take things too seriously - I have been through quite a bit in my life (as has everyone else) and the one consistent thing I've learnt is that almost nothing in life is worth constantly worrying about or taking too seriously. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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From another thread (not out of context, and the source of my comments):
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| I'm glad that easyabc finally posted a reply to this topic, because he seems like the only person here who has a positive attitude. The more and more you read these forums, the more and more you realise that they are all the same - they are loaded with knowledgeable people, but whose comments are interspersed with "doom and gloom". |
Well, avahanian, you can be as persnickety as you like about how you write, but I think you should be more careful with your wording to avoid such confusion.
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| I have been through quite a bit in my life (as has everyone else) and the one consistent thing I've learnt is that almost nothing in life is worth constantly worrying about or taking too seriously. |
I'll thank you for your "concern" about my perceived over-serious attitude and just keep doing what I am doing. I get very few complaints from the half dozen discussion forums that I visit, especially about my style. I don't need an armchair psychologist to tell me how to handle things. |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Glenski"]From another thread (not out of context, and the source of my comments):
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| Well, avahanian, you can be as persnickety as you like about how you write, but I think you should be more careful with your wording to avoid such confusion. |
Hi Glenski,
Again, you have managed to take things out of context....but, then again, as this is a message board and we can't actually see or hear the people, sometimes it's easy to take things out of context.
| Quote: |
| I'll thank you for your "concern" about my perceived over-serious attitude and just keep doing what I am doing. I get very few complaints from the half dozen discussion forums that I visit, especially about my style. I don't need an armchair psychologist to tell me how to handle things. |
Well, you don't have to listen to me, but at the end of the day, I'd rather have my attitude than yours.....rather than look at the bad side of everything, I try to see each situation for what it is. There's a bright side to almost everything in life, and once you realise this things become a lot more enjoyable.
Fair enough, I give you credit and praise, and you reply with scornful remarks....but this is yet another example of how you have managed to get personal. |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 12:00 am Post subject: |
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Avahanian,
go stuff it somewhere mate - this is a job discussion forum and you are like a bull after a red rag. You haven't learnt much if you haven't yet learnt that no one changes their life approach because of a few bits of carefully worded "wisdom" Concentrate on the thread you started about applying to the big four which I took the time to reply to.
So, are you applying, when? where? who with? etc etc
Tell us something about your job hunt so we can help you out. Otherwise, if you aren't going to ask about working in ESorFL then I am going to sanction your posts and not bother replying to you.
Glenski however, I have plenty of time for due to his long term and in depth involvement on this forum.
Cheers |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 2:33 am Post subject: |
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| shmooj wrote: |
Avahanian,
So, are you applying, when? where? who with? etc etc
Tell us something about your job hunt so we can help you out. Otherwise, if you aren't going to ask about working in ESorFL then I am going to sanction your posts and not bother replying to you.
Cheers |
hi shmooj,
If you take a look at some posts in here, you'll notice that newbies (like myself) who have genuine questions have been treated with scorn and contempt.
But, I will take you up on your offer and tell you something about the job hunt.
I've spoken with and am applying to AEON, NOVA, and GEOS this week. Hopefully I'll hear something from them in the next few weeks. Based on what they've told me, I don't think I would be able to get to Japan earlier than May.
So I suppose there's some time to learn some Japanese before I arrive.
cheers |
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april
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 83
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 6:26 am Post subject: |
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| The several month wait is standard for all language companies as that is the time required to process the working visa. If you are from a country that has a working holiday visa agreement with Japan then you can probaly get over there much earlier as that only takes a couple of weeks to process. If you're going with Geos there might be a chance that they'll not wait for the visa to be processed and send you out to start work on a tourist visa as they're desperate for teachers. At least that is what happened to 3 people who were recruited at the interview I went to. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 7:37 am Post subject: |
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| avahanian wrote: |
[If you take a look at some posts in here, you'll notice that newbies (like myself) who have genuine questions have been treated with scorn and contempt.
cheers |
Avahanian
I will throw in my two cents worth here.
Glenski and I have been posting on this and several other boards for close on five years now. Glenski has been in japan about 5 years and I have been here more than 15. we have seen and heard all manner of smart alecks, know it alls and flamers, than you have had hot dinners.
Glenski is probably one of the more level-headed, tell it like is, no bull posters around. Contempt is only shown to posters who resort to name calling, sandpit bullying tactics when they dont get their own way.
Many people, supposedly university educated, with university degrees, even Masters degrees, and calling themselves teachers, can not even be bothered to do basic research, do a websearch or scan through previous posts for the answers to their questions. All your questions have been answered before by other posters and are freely available on many FAQs pages if you ask.
Often we also find that we will provide an answer based on our varied knowledge (remember I am a permanent resident, both of us are married and have kids here) and often find that you give a newbie the answer and he doesnt like what he hears and tries to shoot the messenger.
I was a newbie too, and so was Glenski and schmooj and we are here to provide helpful information. Not pour scorn or ridicule anybody. Howvere if you choose to presume to know better, start attacking the person rather than the message or get into hairsplitting contests we are ready to do battle. |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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HI Paul,
I never claimed to know more than those of you who live in Japan.
I never called anyone any names (on the contrary, I've been called a troll, amongst other things).
I also never attacked anybody, I'm just trying to get advice, that's the reason I'm here.
If I already knew the answers, I wouldn't be posting questions here would I?
Just because I don't readily accept everything you say as Gospel and want to get other people's points of view, this makes me a smart aleck or know-it-all?
I'll tell you right now so there's no misunderstanding, I respect all of your views, and I don't want to fight with anyone. But also know that many people here are not just recent graduates, and have had many life experiences too. Some of them I bet, are even more knowledgeable than you are, but for whatever reason, they choose not to post.
Knowing a lot about Japan, or Spain or China, or whatever country, doesn't give you the right to have a chip on your shoulder.
cheers |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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HI Paul,
I never claimed to know more than those of you who live in Japan.
I never called anyone any names (on the contrary, I've been called a troll, amongst other things).
I also never attacked anybody, I'm just trying to get advice, that's the reason I'm here.
If I already knew the answers, I wouldn't be posting questions here would I?
Just because I don't readily accept everything you say as Gospel and want to get other people's points of view, this makes me a smart aleck or know-it-all?
I'll tell you right now so there's no misunderstanding, I respect all of your views, and I don't want to fight with anyone. But also know that many people here are not just recent graduates, and have had many life experiences too. Some of them I bet, are even more knowledgeable than you are, but for whatever reason, they choose not to post.
Knowing a lot about Japan, or Spain or China, or whatever country, doesn't give you the right to have a chip on your shoulder.
cheers |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 8:54 pm Post subject: double post |
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Hi all,
Please excuse the double post, I've been having problems with the browser
cheers |
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viddy
Joined: 07 Jan 2004
Posts: 50
Location: London, England
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| Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 1:23 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Here you go - links to a comprehensive selection of the relevant threads:
Geos: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
Nova: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3
Aeon: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
ECC: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3
Also, I'll throw in JET while I'm about it: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4 |
I just had my first interview with AEON in London today, so thought I'd share the information I gathered for future reference.
The interview started at 12 midday at a hotel conference room in South Kensington, London. There were approximately 60 people at this session. We were all told to be seated in the conference room, after which they showed a 30 minute video detailing AEON, classes, teachers, housing, living in Japan, typical day etc. All very educational.
The two interviewers, who had flown in from New York, then explained a little bit more about the job, life, training etc., including the various books and teaching materials they used. This took about 45 minutes. Then followed a 30 minute Q&A session. This took us up to about 2 PM, when we were given a 15 minute break.
After this, we were called to the conference room again and told that the group interviews will be held in three sessions, with each of the two interviewers taking a group each in each of the sessions (therefore six different groups of about 10 each). The timings were staggered to reflect the geographical proximity to London from where the interviewees had commuted in from. As I came from just outside London, I had to wait until 6.45 PM before my group interview (so a 4 1/2 hour wait!!!)
Once our turn finally came around, we were seated in a semi-circle around a white board. The 5 minute lessons then began - these had to be in the form of ACTUALLY teaching the class there and then (so nothing like "if I was in the class, I'd do this..." etc.) Anyway, I thought mine went fairly well, and most of the lessons the people in my group held were quite fun. A good tip for this is to have an exercise in which the students are actually conversing for most of the time, instead of the teacher talking (as AEON wants 80% of class time to be spent with students talking).
Once the lessons were completed, the interview ended by us handing in the supplementary materials (copies of CV, letter about why we want to go to Japan, letters of reference etc.) But not before we had to do a SURPRISE TEST, which consisted of five sentences in which we had to select the incorrect part of the sentence, and five short answer questions relating to our personalities, expectations etc.
Following this we were told to hang around for about 15 minutes until the interviewer decided who had passed through the first day and gave us envelopes detailing whether we had reached the next stage. Fortunately I DID get through to the next stage - personal interviews - mine being on Tuesday (20th Jan.) I will post what happened in this then! |
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