Job Discussion Forums

[aodtohan]

Hello Everyone,

Im a US citizen residing in the Philippines. I actually already bought a ticket to Japan on March 23. I hope is isn't too late to find a job.

But anyway, I have an overseas phone interview next week with HEART ENGLISH SCHOOL in hopes of being chosen as an ALT. I intend to use Skype.

Any helpful interview tips?

Thanks

[OneJoelFifty]

Same as any interview really, make sure that you read all the information that they've already sent you and on the website, and write down some questions to ask at the end. Show enthusiasm for teaching and moving to Japan. You can probably expect to be asked to name the main reason that you want to teach in Japan. Just be yourself, assuming you're friendly and can hold up your end of a conversation.

I had my phone interview with them on Tuesday and they offered me a position on Friday. Good luck!

[spidr245]

Not really answering OP's question. However, it should still be good to know.

You both seem really intent on being with Heart, but good things haven't been said. Just a friendly word of advice: do more research.

[Imseriouslylost]

I interviewed with them. It was really, really, really easy. I ended up declining the job offer for something that sounded a tad better.

Actually, the interview was conducted in a very unprofessional way and that scared me off a bit (a sign of bad things to come).

[OneJoelFifty]

It was pretty easy wasn't it!

Can I ask what job you accepted?

[starteacher]

Is the actual ALT job vacant ?

I thought that companies, dispatch or otherwise, had to bring potential ALT candidates to the respective local BOEs and pass the interviews there so they can work as ALTs.

[OneJoelFifty]

I asked about this during the interview and was told that while it is true that there is a possibility of the BOE turning the candidate down, the 'interview' may also just be a form of meet and greet. I was assured that there's never been a case during the five years the recruiter had been there of someone that Heart had offered a job to not getting a placement in Japan once there.

spidr245, for me it's really a case of beggars can't be choosers. I have the minimum qualifications needed to teach in Japan and I really want to get over there for a March start date, and Heart have offered me a position. My impression of them has been positive so far, and the most negative stuff I've read was from a very short thread on this site, dated over three years ago, from people that said they thought Heart was 'a bit dishonest about some stuff' and had a low rate of pay. I can't say I've seen anything that would make me think they are any worse to work for than any other dispatch companies. Do you have something to share?

[aodtohan]

Thanks OneJoelFifty.

My interview is on Wednesday this week. I was wondering, did they ask you to give a sample lesson? I don't really have a major in education nor much experience as an english instructor.

Also, did they ask very company-specific, or ALT-specific questions which would require me to at least read the recent handout they gave?

[OneJoelFifty]

They're (probably) not going to ask anything to test whether you've read the handout, but you should read it and think of questions you might like to ask at the end. During my interview they did repeat stuff from the handout and FAQ so you can be ready to ask about stuff that wasn't in there.

I was asked about a lesson plan, but it was very brief. You'll be given an age group and a subject and asked how you would go about teaching it. I was asked about teaching modes of transport to 10 year olds. Make sure you mention the three P's (Presentation, Practice and Production - they mention them in one of the handouts) and just base it on that. I think I said I'd start with flash cards and some actions to introduce the vocabulary, and a couple of sentences for some basic grammar like "How did you get to school?" and "This morning I came to school on a ..." (Presentation), get them to practice with me and then each other, then have them get up and act out their own with the class having to guess which mode of transport they were (Practice), then finish with an activity sheet where they match up pictures and fill in blanks in sentences (Production). Very basic. Like you, I have no experience but I've done some research. Someone with more experience might think that's a pretty crappy lesson plan so I'd recommend a little extra reading. Try and sound confident and enthusiastic.

[ssjup81]

[budgie]

In Sapporo Heart had the local school board's contract until Apr 2009. They paid 220,000 a month and sent teachers all over creation; there was no transport money so teachers would have to pay up to 20,000 a month themselves. This led to high turnover and they lost the contract to Interac. Interac has the deal now - they pay 250,000 plus transport IIRC. Naturally retention is higher. Interac has contracts all over Japan, so maybe try them?

[aodtohan]

Thanks for the tip JoelOneFifty. I guess I'll be seeing you at the March training. I got an email today about a "Provisional Employment Offer" from 2010 April." Did you receive this too? How are you doing with the requirements?

[ssjup81]

I got one too, but it just doesn't feel right. I just don't like how their Visa process is set up and nothing seems consistent. I am desperate for a job right now, with all these bills of mine (school and medical), but I don't think I should take it. I can only hope that some other place interviews me and go along with me. I've only interviewed with Heart, Sophia English School, and James English School. I hope I hear something from one of the other two or either ALS gets in touch with me.

[OneJoelFifty]

[aodtohan]

@JoelOneFifty: So is this 'provisional employment' offer a sure sign that were hired?

Good for you! And updates on that training at the end of march? Did they send a blank form for the Medical certificate?