Job Discussion Forums

[Mike L.]

Thanks for weighing in people.

Sorry for the draft novel above. Just a little grist for the mill.

The mistreatment of workers in the English teaching industry is worsening due to the decline of the Japanese economy. I have personally seen some things which were atrocious and perhaps illegal.

Since labour laws and certainly local labour complaint offices often can do little to help information is the best protection.

Just becasue something is legal doesn't make it acceptable. A few years back it was acceptable, only a lmisdeameanor offence, to buy sex from underage girls in Japan as long as "gifts" were provided, but that didn't make it acceptable to the Japanese public.

There's no reason why we shouldn't point out specific cases and warn people about any misgivings we have about certain employers based on our expeirences and research.

Just to get a visa is not a good enough reason to justify taking a job that is below industry standard.

And I'm going to sate the obvious: ALL PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO AN OPINION!

[Mike L.]

Meteo: Hope this answers your question.

A dispatching company differs from a conversation school in that the former sends you places (private/public schools, companies, even eikaiwas) to teach English. The conversation school of course brings the students to you. Of course they, dispatching company, charge the company a price (maybe 2 to 3 times your pay) for your services.

If you get a job with one look for paid holidays and support such as a materials library or least a budget for materials. Also make sure they're not sending you to too masny places (schools, businesses etc) that are too far apart and will involve endless hours on the train. Unless of course they will compensate you for your time. Any decent company in Japan should pay all transport costs, yes some don't.

[ajarn]

[Felix]

What city are you in?

They have some teachers in Gotemba, which has a population of about 83,000 - that's all I know about the place. Can anybody tell me more about Gotemba?

[james]

It seems like Mike L has a bit of an axe to grind with people who disagree with him.
Also, I agree with Ajarn that he ought to check his facts a little more closely.

Short contract:
Westgate is basically a gig for teachers who are interested in a brief stint in Japan for whatever reason, be it because of commitments back home (I have met several people with spouses back home) or who are on only a short leave from workor whatever. It works great for some people. They can stay on for only one term. Or, they can work a term, travel around for a couple of months, see their family or whatever, and then come in for another term If you want a longer contract, work for another company. Simple.

Recruiting
They recruit from abroad and domestically. Many of the Instructors I met were those who had recently finished up with other eikaiwa schools. So yes, there are people inside Japan who will work for them, including myself.

Wages
Other eikaiwas don't cover your flight. Westgate reimburses $1000 for your flight. Split that over the three months you'll be in Japan, and you're getting a higher starting wage than most any other eikaiwa that I can think of.

Apartment
If you don't like the apartment deal, about guests and what not, you don't have to live in one. But good luck finding a decent place that cheap for only three months. Leo Palace will rent you one, but you have to pay all of your rent up front, which is beyond a lot of people's budgets.
And good luck showing me an apartment that doesn't require a deposit from the renter.

I have been in Japan for a while, and I have worked for plenty of different kinds of companies. Westgate isn't perfect, but they do a lot to make your transition into Japan as smooth as possible, they pay you on time, they cover your expenses like travel, etc., and certainly treat you with more respect than any of the big three.

Relax a little. You don't need to necessarily be pissed off at EVERY eikaiwa school.

[ajarn]

Just finished the Spring semester contract with Westgate. On the whole a very enjoyable experience. No they aren't perfect, but as James said above they do a lot to make your transition as smooth as possible. They pay you on time, reimburse your airfare and provide quality accomodation and all travel expenses.

I said a few months back that I agreed with another poster that Westgate tended to micro manage their instructors. After the contract I would have to retract that statement. There is a minimum amount of paper work and as long as you consistently perform your duties they tend to leave you alone.

Furthermore it gave me a feel for Japan without the obligation of staying for a year. You could do a lot worse than work for Westgate.

[BenJ]

do they reimburse your airfare if you dont fly through their agent? What if you are already in country?

[sutekigaijin]

I spent a year in Japan (99-00) and I returned to my home country. I decided to return to Japan in September of last year to resume working here after a 2-year haitus. I still had remaining time on my 3-year work visa. I took a 3-month position with Westgate (a) to get me back to Japan with paid airfare (b) because I was 90% sure I would be placed in Tokyo, where I wanted to be located (c) Because I was guaranteed a furnished and key money-free apartment for 3 months with no worries or hassles (d) because it would give me just enough time (3 months) to get out there, look for work, and secure a longer term position. Well, I accomplished all of those things. Besides, the apt. they provided was right in Tokyo and wuld have cost a fortune to rent on my own. I enjoyed my 3-month Westgate term -- although the money was lousy and the hours were long. I have since landed a full-time position at a high school -- that pays much better -- and the working hours and commuting time are much fewer. I managed to land a bunch of other good-paying p/t jobs to fill up my schedule (as full as want it) and of course, I got a new 3-year visa as well a few months back. Now my monthly salary is approximately DOUBLE what I made at Westgate and my expenses are a bit lower! So if you choose Westgate like I did for the right reasons, there nothing wrong with it. If you do it just for something to do, you won't get very far with them. Like I said, if you have a goal in mind like I did it was a smart thing to do. I could have very easily returned to Japan, stayed with a friend, and looked for work until a good job came up. Then you get worried and desperate and will grab anything that comes along. Not a good idea here as there are many lousy and low-paying jobs.

[ajarn]