Job Discussion Forums

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

They may have just asked you about the elementary program because they had an immediate need when they interviewed you. Dispatch companies (from what I understand) hire teachers and place them accordingly to where they are needed at the time, experience, teaching background, etc.

Not sure if that's the case, but maybe that's why they asked you if you would be flexible to possibly teach another program.

As far as hiring over 300 teachers a year, they have several different programs where they place various teachers all over. They have an E-learning program too, which they're probably also including in that info. Contracts may not be consecutive in all cases, but there are certainly cases I've heard from firsthand about teachers doing 2 or 3 contracts within close proximity of each other.

JohnHarris · Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 10

That is a reasonable reply. But if they are including elearning instructors in their numbers, then it could be a bit shady, in that elearning people do not usually teach full time. Still the number is very high for a demand which could not possibly be growing that quickly. Teaching children is a different art from teaching adults. My qualifying experience has been entirely in adult education, so, yes, I was put off by the question asking how I would feel about teaching children.

Thank you for your kind reply. This is my last post on this topic.

bule_boy69 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 158 Location: Jakarta

It doesn't surprise me that Westgate asked you something several times.

I'm sure most if not all Westgate applicants have had emails asking them for info that they have already provided. However...such is the deal if you want to enjoy 'the best short term ESL gig' or however it was described earlier.

I'll give it that..great working holiday..excellent intro to Japan. Overall I had a positive experience. While I don't think the accommodation was a rip off, my commute was pretty nasty. Westgate explain early on that this kind of experience is a fact of life in Tokyo, but i still think they could've made more of an effort.

I can't see many people making it work for them long term as it's only six months. Perhaps some chill in nearby 3rd world countries while others do summer camps in korea or something. For me that sounds all a bit too unsettled.

As for consecutive contracts.. I think it's possible, but there is never any commitment on their part, so how could you rely on this?

Someone mentioned that they are recruiting now for September, but i wouldnt rely on this. I am sure that in today's saturated climate they have found everyone they need.

In any case....is it possible to organise the visa by the start of their fall term?

I can't remember.... what's the turnaround time on a japanese work visa?

MikkaRose · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 3

RE consecutive contracts - I think it's pretty easy if you're talking about doing back to back Spring then Fall (or vise versa) contracts. I did a term with Westgate last Fall and there were several teachers who signed contracts for the next term, which was the following Spring. They sent all of the Fall teachers an e-mail letting them know when to get in touch with HR.

RE the work visa turnaround - they sent us our papers in late August and the Japanese consulate in Edinburgh was able to get the visas mailed back to us within a week or two?

As for Westgate itself - like others have said, there are some downsides (the commute was probably the worst, to be honest) but I generally thought it was a pretty good experience, especially since it's only 3 months and they make it pretty easy for you. Experienced teachers may find the constraints frustrating, but I would recommend it to anyone who just wants a short term gig in Japan. Everyone's experience is different but both my boyfriend and I had no problems, and the students at our school were awesome, which went a long way in making the job fun.

bule_boy69 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 158 Location: Jakarta

MikkaRose · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 3

Ah, sorry. I remember it being pretty fast - they told us it was ready on August 19th and mailed it within a day or two of that. There may have been some delays on our part because it took us awhile to get the contracts back to them (we were traveling in early August). In any case, good luck whatever you end up doing!