Job Discussion Forums

Meagan0813 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 45

I am working in Yamaguchi Prefecture, just arrived on Sunday and I came to a small school that misled me. It is a grueling schedule 11am - 10 pm most days, a lot of driving, no curriculum for adult beginner english, and the young kids are given the smack down for the smallest mistakes. I am trying to work with the owner on a more reasonable schedule, but I don't think she understands. Over lunch with some older students, I was told that she has a very high turnover, notorious for being too demanding on teachers, and too strict.

I've only been here 4 days, really love this area, and would like to make this a successful experience. If she cannot work with me, I will try another school.

Any ideas? What the heck do I do? If I try to find a job while I am working I may be too exausted. I would actually go home first. It's just not do-able. If I quit, where do I stay while looking for a job? Is it easy to find another job?

Any help would be great.
PS. She is currently processing my work visa.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Meagan0813 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 45

Of course it does, I came over bc she was in a cruch and I was able to do it. But, this isn't helpful for me. Any actual advice than to tell me what I've already done wrong?

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Good god! You knew it was shady but you did it anyway. At this point your options seems to be pull up stumps and go home or suck it up, wait for your visa then gtfo.

mimimimi · Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 53

Sorry to hear of your situation. May I ask about your accommodations? Did your school arrange it or did you? If you arranged it you're in a far better position (once you get your visa) to go shopping elsewhere.

Do you know the time line to receive your visa? If possible, I say stick it out until you at least get it.

Good luck!

PS. Did you bring your cat?

Meagan0813 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 45

Thanks for the nice response. Squeaky, the cat is at home. Thank God. She set up my accommodations. She said she is getting the work visa soon, I have given her everything she needs, but she told me another woman got her work visa and left, so I have a feeling she is going to drag her feet. Can I get a deadline from her? Is that possible?

Sorry to hear of your situation. May I ask about your accommodations? Did your school arrange it or did you? If you arranged it you're in a far better position (once you get your visa) to go shopping elsewhere.

Do you know the time line to receive your visa? If possible, I say stick it out until you at least get it.

Good luck!

PS. Did you bring your cat?

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

get that visa into your passport first before you quit.......until then try to find the time to look for another job.....best of luck with such a stressful situation.

mimimimi · Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 53

I wouldn't do anything to raise her suspicions. Just try and wait.

Try to start attending the free Japanese language courses your local city hall should be offering. They may be offered a few times a week at different times of the day, so at least one should fit into your schedule. Once you're there, you can start networking with the other students and your teachers. They may be very helpful with finding another job or at the very least, you may be able to stay with one of them temporarily.

Not to mention of course, you'll be making yourself more marketable.

I got a lot of help from one of my Japanese teachers.

Meagan0813 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 45

It might be too late for that. She asked me to be honest with her so I told her that the schedule was too demanding. This was yesterday. She said her teachers always leave and she didn't know why so she was happy I told her. But, I may just shot myself in the foot. Is your advice to still wait for the visa? Even though she knows I'm uncertain...

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

Meagan0813 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 45

Another question is... is it common to have a 1-2 hour beginner adult class at a company where just anyone shows up, whenever they feel like it, and often only have one student? How do you plan a curriculum if you don't know who will be there, and they don't always show up?

Also, it is common to repeat the same thing over and over and over again to nursery school, kindergarten classes and elementary schools? Never really moving on? I feel like it's robotics.

If anyone has the time, can you tell me what a good teaching English as a foreign language school does? I'm wondering at this point if it's me (plus ridiculous work hours) or the actual occupation.

The kids are just repeating the same thing over and over and being treated harshly if they say the wrong thing. It doesn't seem right. Then, she is calling student at a company advanced just to make them feel good, and they are beginners, with no curriculum. But, she calls it conversational english. I seriously don't get this.

What is your school like?

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367

Thats a books worth of answers there meg.

Meagan0813 · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 45

Mimi,
Will you pm me? I have a question or two.

Thanks in advance....

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

#1, She is not processing your work visa. Immigration does that.

#2, How do you really know she sent in the paperwork? Saying that you came over because she was in a crunch is a common ploy for people to fool teachers into working illegally (which you are) and then dumping you without a final paycheck after you overstay your tourist status.

#3, is she paying you overtime wages? 11am to 10pm certainly calls for that by law.

Get out. Forget the visa. If it comes through, good. It stays with you. Just get out. Find another job.

Tell her you have been warned by the labor standards office NOT to work without a visa, and that it is illegal anyway. Her answer will be telling.

mimimimi · Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 53

Sorry, I can't PM you because I don't have the minimum required 50 posts.

If you sign up with gaijinpotdotcom, I'm on there as well and then I can PM you.