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japanagogo
Joined: 23 Feb 2009
Posts: 7
Location: HK/Beijing
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 Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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| gaijinalways wrote: |
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2. The weary cynic who stayed too long. 'Eikaiwa teaching is like slavery.'
No it isn't. |
Well, I am a well paid slave who is let out when I finish  ! Oh, wait that makes me a cynic (or a realist  )! |
I recently took a sabbatical from Japan after living there for 5 years. I chose Hawaii. And while the economy is currently affecting the ESL industry, I have to admit that I had it pretty good in Japan.
I wouldn't go so far as to say that eikaiwa work is like slavery. However, it is far less interesting in Japan. Working in Hawaii provides a much more intercultural atmosphere. However, frankly, the pay is better in Japan. Hawaii = low pay + high cost of living.
But it really depends on what kind of eikaiwa you choose. The big companies can be troublesome. And private companies can be really good, or really bad.
So, Japan, even though the economy is in flux, specifically as it relates to the ESL field, is still a good deal for now. On gaijinpot.com, there are some companies receiving over 1000 resumes. A good job is hard to come by now. I am certain that the best jobs are made by good pairings between owners and teachers.
Plus, for those with experience in Japan, you put yourself at an advantage to a person just coming over for the first time. Any way you can stand out from the crowd will help ensure that you get a more plum position. Then you can live a decent lifestyle, even in Japan! |
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flyer
Joined: 16 May 2003
Posts: 539
Location: Sapporo Japan
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:59 am Post subject: |
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| Well, I am a well paid slave who is let out when I finish ! Oh, wait that makes me a cynic (or a realist )! |
I know this is off topic but I have quite a few Japanese friends who have serious health issues from over work. They have to do "service zangyo" (unpaid over time) everyday. One friend should finish at 5;30 but rarely finihes before 10pm and quite often after midnight. And then there is the weekend work, also unpaid. Sometimes he does 7 days a week.
Also he is not young, and not in a low position (he has had this position for many years).
He does get a small bonus but that would only account for a few weeks of the overtime (if added up)
Two of my friends are is on medication (for the stress, etc)
and the economic crisis has probably made things harder for everyone, fewer jobs now, less money flowing
Us ALTs, English teachers don't have good wages but are hardly "slaves"
.... I suppose .... "the grass is always greener" |
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prlester
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Posts: 92
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:53 am Post subject: |
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That sounds awful, but a lot of "professionals" deal with this crap too. I still think Japan wins with the overtime (Incidently office workers aren't even eligable for overtime).
The UN says U.S. works about the same number of hours. Is it because the real work time is undeclared, swept under the rug in Japan? |
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bearcat
Joined: 08 May 2004
Posts: 367
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:59 am Post subject: |
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| prlester wrote: |
That sounds awful, but a lot of "professionals" deal with this crap too. I still think Japan wins with the overtime (Incidently office workers aren't even eligable for overtime).
The UN says U.S. works about the same number of hours. Is it because the real work time is undeclared, swept under the rug in Japan? |
One could potentially also consider that the 19 odd calendar holidays spread out over the year could help shave the total work time down as well.
That's not to say that the Japanese arent hiding over work though. That's plainly obvious it occurs. But the UN report doesn't look at the number of hours in a day/week more closely, which contributes to the stress and health issues for many Japanese due to 12 hours a day 6-7 days a week. |
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gaijinalways
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 2279
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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| But remember, some of those long days in Japan are just spent not wanting to go home early (it look bad) rather than actually working. |
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gaijinalways
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 2279
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| Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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japanagogo posted
| Quote: |
| I wouldn't go so far as to say that eikaiwa work is like slavery. However, it is far less interesting in Japan. Working in Hawaii provides a much more intercultural atmosphere. However, frankly, the pay is better in Japan. Hawaii = low pay + high cost of living. |
I know, I know. Put the wife and I off moving there any time soon now, but one can always dream, yes? |
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rxk22
Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:57 am Post subject: |
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Wanted to bump this.
I worked at Seiha, a kiddie eikaiwa back in 2010. From the news letters, they had 25k students in 2010, which was a massive increase from the FY 2009. From what I heard, seems like a lot of students dropped out in 2009, as a lot of parents weren't getting bonuses, so the eikaiwa costs were easy to cut.
Just wondering how about your stories the private ESL industry. |
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