Job Discussion Forums

Sez · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 32

This is to anyone who has worked or works for ECC - what are they like?

They don't seem to get as much bad press as NOVA, GEOS, SHANE etc etc but are they as big as these companies?

Any experiences of this company would be greatly appreciated.

CinD · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 11

Was thinking of applying to them but they dont do interviews in Western Canada and sadly dont have the resources to fly to Toronto or down to LA LOL *Sad Sigh* Oh well--Havent heard very many terrible stories so this appears to be a good option

ruggedtoast · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 81 Location: tokyo

If anyone places a post asking about such and such a school theres never any ersponses. Its very sinister. I too would like to know about ECC

chriswest · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 12

my friend worked for ECC, no problems cept the rent was expensive.
recommended but see if you can find your own place or get a roomate.

meteoreo · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 8 Location: Oregon

I just interviewed with ECC. They appear to be a good company. Not the biggest around but still big. They don't cater to the cut-rate market so they look for professional employees that will represent the company well. I had looked at the other big companies but decided to interview only with ECC. I was told the housing tends to be a bit pricier than others because they try and find more spacious apartments to cut down on the culture shock. Of course they encourage you to find your own acommodations if you choose to go that way.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

Just curious, is ECC still offering that 5-day workweek with 2 non-consecutive days off (a.k.a. the "Japanese work schedule")? That sent me looking elsewhere when I interviewed with them a couple years back.

meteoreo · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 8 Location: Oregon

Yes, that is what they told us in there: two non-consecutive days off a week is likely. I think many people were attracted to their 7 weeks a year vacation plan. At least that is what got me in there. Suppose it is a trade off.

mc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Aichi, Japan

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

Junicus · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 2

I've been with ECC for almost two months, and it's been a great experience so far. They are one of the big 4, but only have schools in Nagoya, Tokyo, and Osaka. They give you almost 3 weeks of training which prepares you fully. Most teachers have between 5 and 10 kids classes/week, and the rest adults. Everything is already planned - you just follow the manual. You work at 2-3 schools, which gives you a nice variety, and the opportunity to meet many more people than you would at just one school. You do have two non-consecutive days off, a Sunday and another weekday. However, I have Mondays off, so it's like having a weekend off. Most don't mind the non-consecutive days off as it breaks up the week. If you stay for another year, you can can give a preference for your other day off. And 7 weeks of vacation is a lot more than the competition. 30 hours/week from 3:30-9:30. Can't complain!

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

As I wrote, it's just a personal preference in my case. (Guess I'm just getting older, but I prefer the two consecutive days off). But, I wouldn't badmouth ECC, they seemed pretty upfront to me when I interviewed with them.

malibubarbie · Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 7

I`ve just started working for ECC and i wouldn`t say the accommodation is any more expensive than the usual in osaka- i share a house with one person at the moment and another is moving in- i pay 60,000 yen a month plus about 5,000 in utilities which for a house is pretty decent- apartments are significantly smaller, especially the single ones. you can get cheaper, but you might end up living in a sh*t hole- the housing isn`t actually owned by ECC, they have agreements with various letting agencies.

re. working here, it`s been ok so far, i also get monday and sunday off and the hours which are generally 3.30 to 9.30 are ok. we certainly have less to do than the nova people who have 8 hrs solid work a day. the classrooms and teaching rooms are pretty nice- mostly light but can get hot. there are quite a few people who`ve worked for ecc for a number of years- over 20 in some cases, which seems a pretty good sign. haven`t started kids classes, but as the previous person wrote, the lessons which i teach- free time are fine, and the training`s v.good. the textbooks are changed every 6 weeks, and apart from certain cultural stereotypes- ie. an english person says one thing and an aussie says another- they`re fine.

air fare isn`t paid, but all travel to and from work is.

one point to mention is that ECC now has contracts with high schools which may mean you`ll be asked to work there for a few days a week. some people like this, some people don`t. i don`t work at a high school so i can`t really comment.

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

hi guys, i got an email from the recruitment office in Toronto. They're asking me to come in for an interview, but I don't know if I'm interested. I read that they have this two (or maybe 3... im not sure) day interview/ orientation. I think that in the last part of the interview one would have to do a teaching demonstration. Is this really true or are they just making it seem like ECC only accepts the best applicants to teach in their schools?

thanks!