Job Discussion Forums

[wayne432]

So I was thinking of applying to Mike's English School... and I was just curious if anyone knew anything of them?

I searched the forums already, and there were a couple of old posts. But either no one answered, or someone responded by saying they were mean on an interview. I was just curious if anyone happened to have any actual experiences with them? I was just worried, because well "Mike's English School" sorta sounds a bit sketchy with a name like that... but that could just be me.

What do you guys think? Feel free to PM anything that might be deleted.

[Amani Renas]

[guppyfish]

I am thinking of applying there this year. What was your experience like? Would you recommend them as employers? Are you staying on for this coming year?

Thanks!

[bearcat]

I checked the English version of their website. There's alot of information there that one should heavily consider before you think about applying:

1. They give no summer(Obon) time off according to their "Vacation section". Most schools give such. If this is true it technically means you're working more/longer than many other schools for the exact same pay ranges that other schools give.

2. They failed to mention anything about the labor standards "time off" that a worker is supposed to be given. Glenski can clarify that part as I always get how many days(10?) is supposed to be given. (Read below about the "Former Teacher comments" in that regard as well)

3. The number of days and work schedule wasnt specified. Days off during the week were also not specified. Even though they say 5 day work week, this leads me to speculate they could have 6 or 7 day work weeks due to "special" occasions. It also leads me to think they may have split days off or that they could change during the year(if its not specified in the contract offered that's a no no). I would get that clarified. Seems to be a lack of overtime paid as well from the comments made in their Former Teacher section.

If you look at that "application form" on the website at question #26 "Are you unable to work on any particular day of the week for personal reasons?", it makes me further think that may be the case. Something to ask/clarify...

4. 27 lessons @ 50 min per lesson (22.5 teaching hours) isn't uncommon and with a 35 hours work week as they specify; but it does beg the question of what you're expected/required to do during non teaching hours. A full run down of responsibilities would be a question you should ask.

5. Will you be working all at one location or will you be teaching at more than one location during the week? During the same day? etc.

6. The state that housing is provided but then are quick to say on the website that housing, insurance, and other deductions will be explained to candidates who submit the necessary application documents. Why not allow people to know these things prior to applying? The way that is stated and its reluctance to be transparent is suspicious.

By the way, from the pictures, the apartment seems to be an older 1k looking set up. For those who plan to live simply and small, this might be ok but for those that need a lil more space than a small bedroom and a kitchen thats apart of the short hallway from the door, you might find yourself wanting more. And since those type apartments are pretty cheap too, I'd check into making sure the rent they "deduct" is around the same price of apartments of similar size in that area and that you're not having a profit made off of you by the school through a higher rent being paid.

7. Their salary ranges are not clear, and I might conjecture that they are misleading. It seems how much you are paid beyond the 240,000 a month of the first 3 months is anyone's guess due to their not being firm nor specifying beyond the first 9 months (3/4ths way through your contract mind you) when the next increase would be. I would be willing to bet that they say the next "raise" would be contingent on your being offered a contract for the next year...

That use of "to an average" is what made me question all of that.

My best suggestion would be if you intend to work there that you should factor your ability to live off their income at the 240,000 a month rate instead of any of the "potential" raises you may get.

8. ---The Big One----Read the Former Teacher section of the website. 5 teachers left the school(s) around the same time this past year. (July 2008). What is suprising, and makes me wonder if the Japanese owner of the school actually knows/read what was said, is very telling:

- Overtime was not paid to all staff. This indicates that not only is there work expected over the advertised amount of time but that its not always paid.

- More than one teacher expressed displeasure at being forced to live in the school provided apartment. This to me indicates that the living conditions/location of the apartments are questionable and that the school uses the apartment as a form of control over the teachers. This is something that can be a serious problem.

- In fighting and inequality with staff.

- Shortage of teaching supplies

- Lack of paid or other time off of the teacher's choosing (a labor standards contention).

- Sanitary issues (though I found that one to seem a bit hypchondrical, personally.)

- Lack of support for new teachers adjusting to living and working in Japan

- Uneven distribution of work loads and schedules (for the same wage eviedntly).

Again I was very suprised to see this on their website and given much of the other things from their job description information makes me think there's more than a few red flags there.

9. Their teaching "Philosophy" section makes me think its typical eikaiwa gimmic English education/edutainment for profit. Very little was said beyond its emphasis on speaking(that's what an eikaiwa is for), and that they are kid/artistic oriented. Lack of discussion of exactly what their "method" entails again supports the above thinking with their stating of tending to not use resources their company(make no mistake its a business) has not created. A former teacher specifies on the Former Teacher section that: "To be honest, I sometimes feel that Mike's staff forgets the importance of love, dream and smile. Obviously, these three things form the cornerstone of Mike's teaching philosophy..." Not only is this not really a "teaching philosophy" beyond an attempt at creating a positive learning environment, its evidently not followed, if that former teacher is to be believed.

10. Not one single mention of their training for teachers. Beyond the comments of former teachers as well, there doesn't seem to be much with regards to professional development beyond meetings either. Again another typical eikaiwa thing.

11. Their "application form" on question #29 asks this:

"Are you able to arrive in Japan by March 20, 2009, and teach at the School untill July 31, 2010? "

If contracts are for 1 year, and a visa is issued for only 1 year of work, it would seem they're making the first 3 months(specified in the "Salary" section to not be actually part of a year's contract. Either way there is something fishy here and potentially illegal if they are having you work before your work visa is processed.

As well, the application's hiring time period doesn't match that they are looking for "teachrs" for August 1st starts either as per the message at the top banner of each page of the website.
------------------------------------

All in all, I'd have to say that if you've got little to no experience teaching in Japan or else where, can live off of a 240,000 a month wage in the Tokyo area in a small and potentially undesirable apartment and its location, and have a personality type that can deal with lots of problems and let them bounce off you with out worry, then you'll be fine.

Otherwise, give this one a wide berth as I think you could do better.

[elkarlo]

I agree with Bere here. No work schedule is a bad sign. Spilts, maybe different schools, or some long days may be in store. I'd at least want to know my general schedule before I got there, to know how I'd live, socially that is.

[guppyfish]

I appreciate the advice. I'm looking for a job in the Kawasaki/Tokyo area because I have a friend that lives there. I have never even been to Japan and haven't taught English before. There don't seem to be any good ekaiwas, and I think I've missed the deadline for ALT (other than Heart and I've been advised to steer clear of them)

Any suggestions for decent jobs in that area that hire from overseas?
Thank you!

[flyer]

[cvmurrieta]

Wow! I hadn't read the Former Teachers section before reading this thread.

Glad the school didn't get back to me

[LITTLE PEACHES]

[quote="Amani Renas"]

[xmen171]

Hi, Little Peaches.

I worked at Mike's English School from August 1998 to August 2000.

I loved my experience there and would not trade it for anything in the world.

It's a family owned and operated school and that's the way it should stay.
It's a whole heck of a lot better than the chain schools that litter the country.

The only difficulty you may have is just simply getting used to living in another country on your own and also developing your own teaching style. Don't try to speak Japanese at the school because the students will complain. Be as American as possible and speak as much English as possible. That's what they're paying for.

I personally loved the experience and wish I could have stayed longer. But, I got married with someone I met in Tokyo (not a student) and so we decided to come back to America together. We just celebrated our 10th anniversary.

Feel free to reply with any questions or concerns and I hope I can help out.

Mention my name for some instant job-cred.

Have fun and enjoy it!!!

Jason-sensei.