Job Discussion Forums

[justaprofessional]

[Apsara]

[mc]

[passport220]

Justaprofessional、I　am a �regular� teacher in the Westgate extra-curricular program. This is my second contract. I attended two days of orientation last term, as a returning teacher I attended only one　this term (the second day).

My advice to anyone is to read and understand the Westgate website information and contract. Do not go by wild and vague internet posts that Westgate is �good� or �bad�. It has pros and cons just like any contract is clearly not for everyone. I can however attest that in my experience Westgate has lived up to their end of the contract in a fair and professional way.

May I ask what your experience is with Westgate? Have you ever worked for them?

[cvmurrieta]

I was supposed to get all my docs into Westgate by today. Guess this isn't going to happen

[honky_mcgee]

[honky_mcgee]

I got a response from Westgate today. It is both encouraging and discouraging. So apparently I'm now on a short waiting list and they wish to give me a teaching position in three months time. But also I'm wondering if I should take this with a grain of salt. Does everyone not selected get this same automated message? Or do those that receive it really stand a good chance at Westgate employment?

Here is the message,

It has been a great pleasure to become acquainted with you and we are very pleased to learn of your desire to teach English in Japan. We deeply desire to have you come to Japan and to join our Westgate team. Given that our teaching program is one of the largest such programs in Japan, we receive applications to teach from many highly-qualified candidates. This year, in particular, we have received far more candidate acceptances from highly qualified teachers who have indicated their desire to come and teach in our program in Japan. As a result, we have established a short 'waiting list' for those highly-qualified teacher candidates, such as yourself, for whom we are unable to offer a formal written teaching contract at this time. For those 'waiting list' candidates, we expect to extend a formal offer of employment within three months.

[Cool Teacher]

They "deeply desire" you to come to Japan? That sounds good, bit creeply though. But if they say they can gve you a contract within three months then that's not bad because they usually only give out three months contracts and then don't give a second consecutive one so that means that all those teaching now are not going to teach next time but sounds like you can get one next time or the time after that. I think it is good news.

[ilovefood]

Westgate does give the option to return for additional semesters 'coolteacher'. I've met teachers here who are on their second semester, or longer. Before the end of the term we all received a form to indicate whether we desired to return or not.

[lindaashleyrosie]

I have just finished my contract with Westgate and have happily signed up for another term. I have come away with a whole lot of cash and a great experience with great students.

I had a horrible commute, 90 mins each way but still I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The contract is so short it doesn't matter about the commute, you just live with it and then get a long holiday at the end. The day is long but when it is for such a short time, you just get on with it.

I would recommend to anyone who isn't frightened of a little hard work for a long break at the end of it.

Also, I was not offered a position at first, was put on a waiting list and then was offered a job. I am very greatful!!

[efemmera]

Does anyone have experience working in the West Gate Young Learner Program? If so, any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[hopscotch]

WG is one of the better programs in Japan. I recommend them and the rent is slightly inflated but many other schools inflate their apartments and utilities grossly way and above WG.
The only bad side to WG are all the "wannabes." These are other gaijin teachers who want to be the "it"guy or girl for WG and so will nark on every move that every other teacher makes, just to gain favor.
I would say that roughly half of all the foreign teachers would probably never have a single chance to work in a university (or even a public primary school) in their home countries. In a group of 17 teachers, I was the only one who'd actually done an extensive stretch of teaching at a Western university. So prepare yourself for these guys, they are not like the instructors and professors you had worked with in your home country.

[scattydove]

I'm sorry I can't answer anything asked in the OP. I've just had a look on the Westgate website though (i'd never heard of it before) and it does sound like a good deal. I am just wondering what the bare minimum is that they ask for in terms of experience/qualifications/credentials?

I've had a year's worth of experience teaching on two undergraduate modules at my old university, a BSc degree in Psychology, i've also done some mentoring in a high school and some exam invigilation too. I'm starting beginner Japanese lessons at the beginning of next month....

I *don't* have any experience teaching English as a foreign language, nor do I have any form of TEFL qualification (I was thinking about doing the CELTA but have been advised multiple times that it's a waste of time as the vast majority of Asian employers won't recognise it anyway). I am attracted to the idea of working in a university and that is my ultimate goal. I suspect it's rather presumptuous of me to think I can just apply and walk into a position straight away, but thought I would double check.

So....what do people think?

[lindaashleyrosie]

Hmm, I'm afraid to say that I'm pretty sure Westgate want CELTA. I'm not positive on that but I think so.

I totally disagree with anyone who says CELTA is a waste of time and moneyin Asia. I worked for a year in Korea and got paid an extra �100 a month over someone who didn't have CELTA/experience. Therefore, I made my money back that I paid to do CELTA. I also doubt that I would have got the job with westgate without it. This job is amazing for me, with the free flights and short contracts, so I feel lucky to have the CELTA.

Apart from that, I did mine at a good school in Budapest and had the time of my life doing it!

If you want anymore info then get in touch. It might be worth applying for Westgate on the off chance. I think the experience might be enough, it's the qualification they will be after.

Good luck!

[Glenski]