Job Discussion Forums

generalunionone · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 29

The General Union is preparing for negotiations with Shane English School. See www.generalunion.org for more information.

Sublime · Joined: 23 Apr 2011 Posts: 90

A 4-day week sounds alright.

Is that still possible?

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

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

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

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

"Personally"
"Roughest waters"
"Keeping my head above water"

What does all that really mean? I don't see why you are avoiding a clear description.

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

Sour Grape · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 241

I found the work at Shane quite exhausting. You could have four hours of continuous lessons, which could be an hour class with Playgroup (a group of three or four year olds), followed by a five minute break - taken up by clearing up time - then a class of adults, then another kids class with no break at all between them, in theory. Not enough time to shove the cd into the player.

I have few complaints about the company, but they do get their pound of flesh out of the teachers.

stumptowny · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

stumptowny · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

Shimokitazawa · Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Posts: 458 Location: Saigon, Vietnam

Shane is the worst place I've ever taught, next to NOVA. They are both the same thing. Terrible management, foreign head teachers and Japanese secretaries.

I can't believe how unorganized and chaotic and unprepared they were. Books not organized, secretaries that didn't have the right materials available for teachers or information when asked about something. This has to be one of the worst places to teach EFL in Japan.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

LongShiKong · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 1082 Location: China

I've been at a new Shane in China for 2 months. The 15 yr old system I came from was twice as organized as Shane (at age 34).

There are too many flashcards--100s--and yet, no list available anywhere--not even from head office. For SPEC1* I'm supposed to use cards from 4 different sets and yet colour flaschcards are duplicated in at least 2 different sets as are numbers. Some of the flashcards are even ambiguous in the way they've been illustrated.

The Playtime, E-Z Colour, and FAB Red books are merely colouring books. Likewise, the SPEC books have limited classroom value. Strangely, there's not even a teacher's book for the Playtime or E-Z Colour--courses that tend to be the most lucrative for this market.

The FAB Red CD contains only '80's New Wave inspired songs--barely acceptable for classroom use, but are students expected to sing along at home? They hardly reflect the actual language taught in the class including my N.A. pronunciation.

The 'level check' test (initial placement test) and corresponding form seem a complete afterthought rather than something carefully thought out and continually revised over the past 34 yrs. There's not even any teacher/course evaluation form for adults to fill in.

As for the elitism, I've suggested we put up a Cdn and US flag next to the Union Jack at the gate of our school. There're no Brits here.

Having never been to Japan, I'm curious---is the heavily drill-oriented teaching method that Shane uses common there? During training in Shanghai, we covered well over a dozen drilling methods. I know the highly successful author of Longman Superkids series that's more popular there relies heavily on drilling.

* I assume the books are the same: Playtime, E-Z Colour, FAB, Open Door, SPEC, Take Off, etc.)