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blueberry1
Joined: 16 Feb 2009
Posts: 7
Location: CA, USA
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 Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject: Any good ALT Dispatchers? Is it Interac or Nothing? |
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I have a 3-week vacation to Japan planned in March, but just discovered that my company's economic forecast, shall we say, necessitated that I look for employment. Well, I've been to Japan several times and always wanted to live there, so now's a good a time as any, right?
I realize this is short notice, but I did some cram research and realized I'll be there during prime recruiting season!  I don't have teaching experience and don't speak Japanese, but I'm a writer and I like kids. ALT seems like a better choice than eikawa because the hours allow me to pursue my writing.
I don't have any grand notions about teaching, and think that my lack of experience may benefit from a structured curriculum. I guess it'll depend on how suffocating it really is. It's hard to gauge if ppl are exaggerating or not. 
BTW, please correct me if any of my assumptions are wrong. I've only been researching this past weekend.
The bad news is that there does not seem to be a single reputable ALT dispatcher! I gather Interac is better than RCS and others, but for every person who has something good to say about it several more dis it. DIC International seems good but doesn't even have a website.
I have about $5000 saved up and I don't live extravagantly, but I would like to see Japan while I'm there. Tales of Interac cutting my salary during downtime are really scary. I don't want to be left in a foreign country with no money.  I have friends in southern Saitama, Setagaya and Yokohama but no one I would feel comfortable borrowing rent $ from. I don't need to live in Tokyo, near my friends would be good.
What are my chances in this recession? I'm now hoping to use my trip as interview time. I've also read conflicting reports on whether I have to leave the country to change my visa from tourist to work. Others say you can do it within Japan. Which is true?
If no one can recommend a decent dispatcher I will go with Interac. For a while everything I was reading was SO overwhelmingly negative that I almost gave up altogether. But would you rather go with Interac or not go at all? At least there's a supportive community like this forum!
Sorry for the long read. Any advice would be most appreciated.
Last edited by blueberry1 on Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:29 am; edited 1 time in total |
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flyer
Joined: 16 May 2003
Posts: 539
Location: Sapporo Japan
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:11 am Post subject: Re: Going 2 Japan, Any good ATL Dispatchers? Interac or Noth |
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| blueberry1 wrote: |
I have a 3-week vacation to Japan planned in March, but just discovered that my company's economic forecast, shall we say, necessitated that I look for employment. Well, I've been to Japan several times and always wanted to live there, so now's a good a time as any, right?
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why is now a good time? with the finacial crisis etc
but, moving on.
1st of all you can't make too many blanket generalizations about big companies (eg interac) Sure you can get the basics online (the wage, working hours etc) but some areas seem to have better staff and even better wages it seems?? than others
It sounds like you have done some research (a good thing) so you know the basics of what interac is like. I would give them a try and learn as much as you can. Make it a learning experience for you. A stepping stone, not your dream job. Once you are here you can look for better work |
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Ryu Hayabusa
Joined: 08 Jan 2008
Posts: 182
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:13 am Post subject: |
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Hey there
Good luck on the job hunt. Check out ohayosensei.com if you haven't already. There were some jobs offered in the Kanto area and a few didn't require experience. Many jobs in Aichi prefecture, too.
It's ALT not ATL, by the way. ALT=Assistant Language teacher |
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blueberry1
Joined: 16 Feb 2009
Posts: 7
Location: CA, USA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:34 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Ryu, I made the corrections  .
Flyer, what I mean is that I had already purchased airline tickets to Japan for my vacation when my employer told me to go find a new job. I didn't know it at the time, but my trip coincides with hiring season. So rather than find a job in the US, why not go to Japan, where I've always wanted to live.
But honestly reading all the negative talk about dispatchers and recession it's really discouraging. But can it really be THAT bad? After all, thousands of people go every year. |
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scrying
Joined: 14 Nov 2004
Posts: 27
Location: Nagoya Japan
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:50 am Post subject: thousands going every year... |
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also means thousands are leaving every year.
I also would say that's a bit optimistic on numbers, more likely in the high hundreds, both ways.
If you've done a bit of the research, you should have some idea what to expect. I'd rather not give you false assurances or overly pessimistic views, it is what it is here. Either your situation back home dictats you try and ride it out here, or you try to ride it out at home. Having 5k as a starting point is a good thing, though you'd be well to choose the area you are interested in living and start putting all those feelers out now, before you get here. If you only have a couple weeks to interview, you'll need to do it asap after arriving, and even then you're skating thin ice (you need a place to stay for at least 3 months, and keep in mind any dispatch company that offers you a job right now is blowing smoke up your bum, as none of them have the new contracts for the year inked yet).
Good luck on ya. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:59 am Post subject: |
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| blueberry1 wrote: |
| But honestly reading all the negative talk about dispatchers and recession it's really discouraging. But can it really be THAT bad? After all, thousands of people go every year. |
JET program hires about 5000-6000 ALTs every year, but only half of them re-sign their contracts. I guess one year is enough for them, for various reasons.
As for dispatch companies, keep reading. Have you read the links I have provided from the General Union, just to keep people informed about what is legal and what is not?
http://www.generalunion.org/law/dispatch.htm
Realize, too, that some people will not complain because they just don't realize they are getting screwed in some way. Naive newbies especially. So, if someone says they had a good experience as an ALT, get the details. Perhaps, too, they just didn't mind things that others do.
Do you want to live with some of your salary cut during breaks?
Do you want to have performance reviews adjusted just to cut out a bonus or part of it, even if there was nothing wrong with your performance?
Do you care if the employer continues to make his share of the fees when you are getting less during breaks?
Are you satisfied with being called a subcontractor instead of an employee just so the dispatcher can avoid making health insurance/pension copayments (that you could otherwise get back)?
Do you feel satisfied with zero support (in some cases) with regard to lesson preparation or on-site issues with the school?
These are the main complaints I've heard from people on dispatch ALT jobs. There are others. |
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flyer
Joined: 16 May 2003
Posts: 539
Location: Sapporo Japan
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:29 am Post subject: |
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| blueberry1 wrote: |
Flyer, what I mean is that I had already purchased airline tickets to Japan for my vacation when my employer told me to go find a new job. I didn't know it at the time, but my trip coincides with hiring season. So rather than find a job in the US, why not go to Japan, where I've always wanted to live.
But honestly reading all the negative talk about dispatchers and recession it's really discouraging. But can it really be THAT bad? After all, thousands of people go every year. |
OK, I see where you are coming from now.
good luck |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:18 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| blueberry1 wrote: |
| But honestly reading all the negative talk about dispatchers and recession it's really discouraging. But can it really be THAT bad? After all, thousands of people go every year. |
JET program hires about 5000-6000 ALTs every year, but only half of them re-sign their contracts. I guess one year is enough for them, for various reasons.
As for dispatch companies, keep reading. Have you read the links I have provided from the General Union, just to keep people informed about what is legal and what is not?
http://www.generalunion.org/law/dispatch.htm
Realize, too, that some people will not complain because they just don't realize they are getting screwed in some way. Naive newbies especially. So, if someone says they had a good experience as an ALT, get the details. Perhaps, too, they just didn't mind things that others do.
Do you want to live with some of your salary cut during breaks?
Do you want to have performance reviews adjusted just to cut out a bonus or part of it, even if there was nothing wrong with your performance?
Do you care if the employer continues to make his share of the fees when you are getting less during breaks?
Are you satisfied with being called a subcontractor instead of an employee just so the dispatcher can avoid making health insurance/pension copayments (that you could otherwise get back)?
Do you feel satisfied with zero support (in some cases) with regard to lesson preparation or on-site issues with the school?
These are the main complaints I've heard from people on dispatch ALT jobs. There are others. |
Wait, are you saying they have to pay us during the holiday break? |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:51 am Post subject: |
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No, I'm not saying the are obligated to do so. But hear me out.
FT university teachers get paid full-time wages for summer breaks and such.
So do FT high school teachers (at least I did).
Why should it be any different for an ALT? I suppose the dispatch would argue, but they aren't on site at that time doing whatever it is the HS or uni teachers do when classes are out. Ok, somewhat fair enough, as long as the dispatch or school itself doesn't ask you to do anything else (lesson plan, club activities, etc.).
Besides, don't JET ALTs get a consistent salary even during breaks?
Just how do you feel now? |
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elkarlo
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
Posts: 240
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
No, I'm not saying the are obligated to do so. But hear me out.
FT university teachers get paid full-time wages for summer breaks and such.
So do FT high school teachers (at least I did).
Why should it be any different for an ALT? I suppose the dispatch would argue, but they aren't on site at that time doing whatever it is the HS or uni teachers do when classes are out. Ok, somewhat fair enough, as long as the dispatch or school itself doesn't ask you to do anything else (lesson plan, club activities, etc.).
Besides, don't JET ALTs get a consistent salary even during breaks?
Just how do you feel now? |
I hear ya. It sucks but what can I do about it? I plan on being in Japan for only 2 years. So it's not a huge deal. During the summer I plan on doing side jobs to make ends meet. I will be getting some money, so I'll be able to work PT ie 20-30 hours a week and survive. Not that this is ideal, but I really have no option. I got a way better placement than most JETs, so that may be worth the pay cut in of it's self. |
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blueberry1
Joined: 16 Feb 2009
Posts: 7
Location: CA, USA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:24 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
Do you want to live with some of your salary cut during breaks?
Do you want to have performance reviews adjusted just to cut out a bonus or part of it, even if there was nothing wrong with your performance?
Do you care if the employer continues to make his share of the fees when you are getting less during breaks?
Are you satisfied with being called a subcontractor instead of an employee just so the dispatcher can avoid making health insurance/pension copayments (that you could otherwise get back)?
Do you feel satisfied with zero support (in some cases) with regard to lesson preparation or on-site issues with the school?
These are the main complaints I've heard from people on dispatch ALT jobs. There are others. |
Glennski, well of course no one wants to work under those conditions, but if you can't give me an alternative then I don't see any other option but to work for Interac. DIC? |
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ripslyme
Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 481
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:24 am Post subject: |
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| blueberry1 wrote: |
| Glennski, well of course no one wants to work under those conditions, but if you can't give me an alternative then I don't see any other option but to work for Interac. DIC? |
Interac or bust, huh? This is truly the end of days. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:09 am Post subject: |
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| blueberry1 wrote: |
| Glennski, well of course no one wants to work under those conditions, |
But so many do and don't realize it until it's too late.
| Quote: |
| but if you can't give me an alternative then I don't see any other option but to work for Interac. DIC? |
What's wrong with JET programme (aside from the wait for applications)?
Or eikaiwa? (Not perfect by any means, but what is? Plus, you don't have most of the previously cited problems I mentioned).
Or see if you can get into business English schools? I've heard that not all of them require that people need business experience.
Want the experience of teaching in a real (mainstream) school? JET or international schools. The latter, of course, require a degree in the proper field, teaching license from your home country, and usually some experience there, too. But, before you complain, that option is obviously for the serious teachers.
Slug it out in eikaiwa for a year or 2. Network. Join and participate in ETJ or JALT (preferably both). Learn the ropes. Then, take your humanities work visa and self-sponsor to work FT or PT elsewhere, like in a junior college or tech school, private JHS/SHS, university, etc. The options are far more than you might imagine, but don't expect fantastic conditions just starting out.
What exactly do you want? |
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kahilm
Joined: 12 Apr 2007
Posts: 43
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:06 am Post subject: |
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| Or eikaiwa? (Not perfect by any means, but what is? Plus, you don't have most of the previously cited problems I mentioned). |
That's true and not true...
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| Do you want to live with some of your salary cut during breaks? |
Well, you just don't get breaks. GEOS has no summer break, and about a week in the winter and a week during Golden Week.
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| Do you want to have performance reviews adjusted just to cut out a bonus or part of it, even if there was nothing wrong with your performance? |
This happens with the end of contract bonus (at GEOS again). The majority of it is based on "performance review" that is done after you leave and you have no feedback about it at all.
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| Do you care if the employer continues to make his share of the fees when you are getting less during breaks? |
This is true, you get full pay year-round. But you work year-round, too.
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| Are you satisfied with being called a subcontractor instead of an employee just so the dispatcher can avoid making health insurance/pension copayments (that you could otherwise get back)? |
GEOS teachers are "part-time" with the same BS of 29.5 working hours a week, which means no health insurance/pension copayments. They do pay for a private health insurance that requires you to pay all costs upfront and be reimbursed later.
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| Do you feel satisfied with zero support (in some cases) with regard to lesson preparation or on-site issues with the school? |
Again, I think this is about the same. You get less than a week of training and then you're thrown into the deep end (all by yourself, no JET to help you out either).
All in all, I don't see how eikaiwa is a step up in any way from ALT. At the very least, you get Sat-Sun off and pretty long holidays twice a year. Not to mention "normal" working hours and no selling stuff to the students. Just my 2 cents. |
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blueberry1
Joined: 16 Feb 2009
Posts: 7
Location: CA, USA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:25 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| What exactly do you want? |
Like I said in my OP, I want a more relaxed schedule so I can pursue my writing at the same time. Doesn't sound like eikawa is an option and from what kahilm and others say, the working conditions are not so much better.
I also don't want to be stuck in the boonies, which sounds like a real possibility with JET and I need the job now so waiting until 2010 isn't an option.
So far it still looks like Interac the lesser of all evils, unless someone can point me to DIC contact info. |
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