Job Discussion Forums

Yakamo · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 27

Hello everyone, new poster here and I have a question which hopefully can be answered to some degree.

In a few days, I have an interview over skype with some recruiters from the Heart School in Japan. They are asking me to bring my ideas for music, songs, and games to the table. Of course, this was expected.

However, one of the things they ask me is if I can "practically demonstrate my ability to energize a class with ideas and actions..."

I'm not quite sure how to interpret that, other than discuss with the said recruiter my ideas and methods on how I would teach in the classroom. I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up teaching at the elementary or JHS level.

Any suggestions or input regarding my "practical demonstration" of said ideas and samples would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance and I hope to hear from you all soon.

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

They want you to be "genki". Basically act like a monkey and throw out random English words while appearing likeable and non-threatening. That should do the trick. Wink

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Heart? Run away!
http://www.gaijinpot.com/bb/showthread.php?t=44777&highlight=heart+school

http://www.gaijinpot.com/bb/showthread.php?t=34860&highlight=heart+school

Yakamo · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 27

Where would you recommend I turn to then Glenski? I am looking for work primarily in the Kanto region, and Heart seems to be the only school that deals with this directly.

If there are other ALT dispatch companies you could recommend, then I'd very much appreciate it.

Thanks.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Actually, I don't recommend any ALT dispatch agency. Most operate illegally and MEXT looks the other way. Most that you hear of on these forums end up screwing the teacher in some way.

Kanto region is huge and is the most widely advertised for jobs. Hard to imagine you haven't found more than one puny ALT agency that caters to it.

Are you here or outside Japan? Odds are better if you are here.

Yakamo · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 27

Unfortunately, I am currently in the United States, so my options are quite limited. I applied to RCS with no response, and it seems that the only other route would be through an Eikawa such as AEON or GEOS. I was going to apply for the JET program a few weeks back, but after some thorough research, it appeared that I would most likely end up in some backwoods rural area.

Heart seems to be my best chance at getting into the Kanto region from oversees, since that's the area they deal with specifically (or so they say.)

I understand that most ALT/Eikawa companies find some way to exploit their "teachers," but I am only using this as a stepping stone to other opportunities, so I don't mind a little extra hard work or abuse.

spidr245 · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 60

I can understand the part about using this as a stepping stone, but do you agree with this Glenski? Do you agree that being treated like something under one's shoe for a whole year a good place as a stepping stone? (I'm just exaggerating the horror stories I've read/heard so far, so don't blame me too much for this comment.) Glenski (and others willing to give input), did your first year go over well? I also have an interview with Heart. However, with all the things being said, even if I got accepted, I don't know if I want to use this as a stepping stone.

Honky Nick · Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 113 Location: Hong Kong

In my experience, the Eikaiwas aren't brilliant, but they're suitable if you are looking for a stepping stone. I worked at NOVAcation for a year back in the day, and I thought it was good as an introduction to the place (not in terms of pedagogy, though!). Mind you, I was only working four hours a day.

I'm not sure if you can still get sponsored to work part-time contracts anywhere, but it'd be great if you could do that. Go there, work four or five hours a day, and use your spare time to build up contacts, get private students and/or apply for new jobs. The Eikaiwas won't miss you if you quit before the end of your contract - they'll just keep that production line going.

Yakamo · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 27

Spidr245,

In my opinion, you do whatever you have to do to reach your final goal. If you have to pay your dues by being "under someone's shoe," then you go ahead and do it as long as you are working toward something more fulfilling. Again, it's just my opinion, and I am no stranger to hard work. A lot of the times I find that people who post on forums about places they have worked are generally negative in their opinions. Also, when someone posts about a positive experience that had at the same school/eikawa/whatever, then they are ostracized by the rest of the community.

However, this isn't to say that there isn't plenty of objective information out there. You just have to be wary of your sources. I definitely would agree with Glenski since most Alt dispatch agency's tend to try to bend the rules, but that is what the Labor Union is for. My main goal is to go to Japan, experience the culture, and find work in the IT field.

If teaching is what I need to do, then as long as the conditions are reasonable, I won't object to a little abuse throughout the year. Heck, I may even like my job and the people I work with. Like any job or career anywhere in the world, you will have people who have opposite views of their employer, work environment, colleagues, etc...

So, to answer your question-- If you really want to go to Japan, and Heart school is your choice, then by all means go for it if that's what you have to do. There are plenty of other choices. It's just that in my particular case, I chose heart because they dispatch alts specifically to the Kanto Region. Nobody says I have to stay with the company after a year, there are always bigger and better things out there.

Also, once you're in Japan, it will become easier to find the teaching position that is more attractive to you since they won't need go through all the red tape of securing your visa.

I hope this was somewhat helpful. By the way, thanks for your input Glenski Smile

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Yakamo · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 27

Glenski,

As of this year, I heard that RCS is under new management, and since then I've heard nothing but good reviews--hence the reason I decided to apply.

Also, don't get me wrong, I like the country, but I have a lot of friends who live in the Chiba/Tokyo area, so my main reason for trying specifically for the Kanto area is so I can hook up with them as I believe that it'd be easier for me to adjust to life if I had some help.

As far as my goals and qualifications-- I've taught privately for the last 4 years while pursuing my Bachelor's degree. Recently I've been teaching in an elementary school in my area, and it has been working out just fine since I am good with kids. I plan on getting my masters sometime in the future, but for now I'd like to try something different (obviously that would mean going to Japan).

Again, I'd like to emphasize that I don't mind starting out at the bottom, so I am not against going through an Eikawa. I'm just trying to give myself a little wiggle room as far as where I'd like to be. After I get into the country and get a year or two of experience under my belt, then I'll worry about what I'd like to do long term. For right now, though I am just looking to get that new experience.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject:

Like Glenski said, it's fact that most ALT dispatchers end up screwing the teacher in some way (this will probably happen even if they are under new management that has the greatest will in the world, simply because it's not getting any "easier" for them to expand and maintain or improve their profit margins - not that my heart bleeds for these exploiters! Especially given the way they always try to undercut each other way past the point of subsistence for the actual worker, the teacher - talk about cutting their own throats!), and sometimes pretty badly, and it isn't being negative or disgruntled or whatever to on a forum such as this report the more serious or shocking facts (it's simply to help people make an informed choice, and perhaps take the resulting calculated risk, but securely and in the knowledge that they e.g. have brought sufficient funds if things do turn from ideal to nasty real e.g. when pay is docked or witheld, unreasonable and illegal threats made etc (it does happen! And of course, I for one wish that it didn't!)). So it's maybe for the best that you didn't get an "offer" from RCS, Yakamo. But of course, if you really are made of ultra-strong super-resilient positive genki stuff and absolutely nothing can faze you, by all means keep applying to dispatch agencies (Interac was about the best/most benign in my experience, but perhaps that was due to my not having to become in-debt-ed to them and us both therefore being able to muddle along and finally part company relatively smoothly (there were no problems with my final paycheck or pay generally)).

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=64828&highlight=realistic

(You might like to do a search for keyword 'Interac' or 'RCS' with me fluffyhamster as author, this will unearth a story or two).

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:50 am Post subject:

Nice post, Glenski! Especially the three points (i-iii) towards the end.

If one can do nothing (ii) about potential wrongdoings/screwings (i), then long-term "success" (i.e. surviving at least) comes down to saving(s), "gaman" etc.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN