Job Discussion Forums

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

dgrey,
That does sound nice and overly generous of them, but for that very reason, I don't think they will do it. I think it is a misunderstanding about kokumin vs. shakai hoken.

It's be nice if someone actually working there would pipe up with the real story. Hello out there...?

dgrey1986 · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 45 Location: London, England

Yes it would be nice if someone could confirm this.

Well I have just had the confirmation from Shane English Schools Japan and Peppy Kids Club that they would like to extend an offer of employment to me.

Right now I need to basically way up the pros and cons for each.

SESJ:
Pros: would be working in Greater-Tokyo, get to work with both adults and children,

Cons: housing is expensive at up to 78k, they do not automatically enrol me on either of the 2 the National Health Insurance plans, 2 months notice to move out of apartment, I will only be reimbursed for travel from my home station only, the cover days/stand-by seems slightly annoying, could have days where I would be working within a school as an ALT, start time differentiates between days,

PKC:
Pros: I will start around 3pm and finish around 8pm, apartment will be no more than 55k per month, 50% subsidy up to 40k per year if I am enrolled on Kokumin Kenko Hoken, JT will be with me during classes with younger children, I wouldn't have to wear formal clothes in class just a t-shirt and jeans (even shorts in the summer), 10 holiday days from the get go

Cons: could be placed in an area I do not like, could possibly be working as an ALT/AET or as a Web Based (Online) teacher which are two of their new ventures apart from Peppy Kids Club which are only in Nagoya, would be the only person in the classroom (on-site) with the students, could possibly have long commutes,

I think I may have to explain to the recruiter once again at PKC that I had originally applied for a position at PKC because I did not want to work as an ALT/AET or do web based teaching. I will also explain that I have another offer from another school and see what they say to make me choose them.

I am trying to think of more things I could possible jot down. I have told both employers that I would contact them again in a couple of days to confirm if I would like to accept the position. If anyone has anything else to add about the two companies please share.

Thanks again for all your help

seklarwia · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:57 pm Post subject:

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

I agree 100% with everything seklarwia wrote.

You're confused now, but stop to think about what it is you really want from the job. Also keep in mind that you are not going to find the perfect situation. A year goes by fast, too.

Did you change an earlier post on this thread? Don't expect those of us who have followed it to go back to read it, especially since this is 4 pages long already.

dgrey1986 · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 45 Location: London, England

dgrey1986 · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 45 Location: London, England

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

dgrey1986 · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 45 Location: London, England

seklarwia · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:11 pm Post subject:

I've been to clubs in Tokyo; the decent nights are Friday and Saturday night. People play hard in Japan at weekends but they work even harder during the week. I doubt you are going to find much more than movies or karaoke during the week especially outside of a big city.

And which friends would be willing to stay out with you until those hours anyway? Remember that many other foreign eikawa workers will be starting earlier than 3, may be facing a one-way commute of an hour or more (not unusual especially for those working in more than one school or in the city) and may not share the same days off as you. And I can't see your Japanese collegues doing any more than going out for a few drinks in the evening if they have work the following day.

Besides, why exactly are you coming to Japan?
Are you coming to work, to learn the language, experience the culture or purely to party F****** Fresher style? Because the fact you are trying to pick a schedule that will work around your intention to party hardcore is not hinting at any of the former.

dgrey1986 · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 45 Location: London, England

dgrey1986 · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 45 Location: London, England

I have some questions about Japan. What is the best ISP or which ISP would you recommend for broadband in regards to cost/speed? Also what do you think is the best mobile network or one you would recommend to join i.e. available handsets/plan costs etc. I hear that SoftBank is fairly foreigner friendly.

Thanks again for your help.

seklarwia · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:56 pm Post subject:

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

Alcohol or not, staying out till 3am dancing will tire you out, especially after a day teaching. I hope you don't plan to make a habit out of that. I realize you want to learn the language, but such hours are not really conducive to keeping one's energy even with eikaiwa hours.

Besides, there's more to teaching than just showing up on time. If you truly want to gain more experience teaching, just what do you plan to do? Put on a resume that you were hired by X company, or that you spent your time learning various facets of TEFL? Not so sound like a party pooper here, but the lifestyle you described is one that gives EFL teachers a poor reputation at times.

dgrey1986 · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 45 Location: London, England