Job Discussion Forums

Kaizer7 · Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 8 Location: Japan

I got offered a job teaching English at an NPO "International" kindergarten. I have 3 years experience working at a Kindergarten outside Japan. The hours would be form 8:30 to 5:30 M-F. As I don't have a working visa yet. They are offering to sponsor the visa and after I get it pay 200,000 a month including, paid vacation but no Health Care. What do you think about this? From what I've read the salary with my experience is at least 240,000.

Rooster. · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 247

No, it's a rip-off. You should be making at least 250,000 a month the at an international kinder garden. Paid vacation other than the 10 days legally required by law and other holidays? They should be paying half of your healthcare costs.

Kaizer7 · Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 8 Location: Japan

Vacation is standard 15 days of days off. Then after 10 years it 20 days! HAHA

jtea · Joined: 22 Apr 2014 Posts: 69

Rooster said it...average starting salary is about 250,000 yen a month. The only reason I would be willing to take anything lower is if 1) I have no experience and can't be too picky 2) take in consideration the cost of living of where you are and see what's doable 3) housing is subsidized 4) transportation provided, etc... and even then I wouldn't take anything below maybe 230,000.

Given you have 3 years experience already, I wouldn't take anything less than 250,000 to 270,000. Move on from this one, 200,000 for a full time teaching job is a rip off.

Maitoshi · Joined: 04 May 2014 Posts: 718 Location: 何処でも

jtea · Joined: 22 Apr 2014 Posts: 69

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Sounds like a scam at best. If that is all they offer, then they are really offering nothing. As FT jobs should pay half your insurance and half your pension.

Even ALT jobs don't look that bad. I would run away from this job, unless you badly need a visa. Then get out as fast as you can.

Rooster. · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 247

Unless Kaizer7 is getting housing included.

Kaizer7 · Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 8 Location: Japan

Nope no housing included or half of the medical. The school seems legit enough. Its small with only 10 kindergarten students now but they said if they take in more students I can have a better raise. Again it is an NPO so I don't know how that works in Japan.

We'll see what happens after the probationary 3 months which is in Sept. I've told them I was hoping for 240000 and I thought that was being fair for the cost of living in Japan. If they won't give me at least 230000 I'm walking. They will switch my tourist visa to a wprling visa but sounds like I'm being low balled for sure.

hagiwaramai · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 119 Location: Marines Stadium

If they've only got 10 students they're not that reliable a company anyway. "International Kindergarten" is a euphemism for one anyone can start without licensed teachers, where English is used instead of Japanese. To be fair most do stick around and try and do a good job, but if they're just starting out who knows if they'll still be around in a year's time. Which is good for you in a way as you can take this job and not feel too bad about looking for another one if it doesn't look as if it's going to last or if the job sucks. As someone else said if it's in a rural area 200,000 wouldn't be too bad anyway, equivalent to 240,000ish in Tokyo. Can you give us a rough idea of the location?

Kaizer7 · Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 8 Location: Japan

The school was established in 2001 it located in Fujisawa a suburb of Yokohama. It only has 10 kindergarten students by they have afternoon cram school as well which I don't know how many students they have. On top of that they teach at a parent and toddler class once a week as well, take the kindegarten kids to an old person home once a week for Japanese lesson and do volunteering with the parents once a month. Which they will give me an extra day off the week if it lands on the weekend.

As far as the town is concerned I've found studio apartments for as low as 550000 if that helps get a grasp of the place.

jtea · Joined: 22 Apr 2014 Posts: 69

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Wait, so you do Kindergarten stuff in the morning, and then eikaiwa stuff in the afternnons for 200,000? That is the worst deal I have actually seen. Well, almost, I think Heart the ALT company is a bit worse, but this gives it a run for it's money.

It is also in Kanto, and in the urban part too! Sounds like they are trying to get away with paying as little as possible.

Maitoshi · Joined: 04 May 2014 Posts: 718 Location: 何処でも

I retract my previous post. If OP is expected to teach K in the mornings and eikaiwa in the afternoons, this is tantamount to 50% salary and 50% volunteer work. Tread carefully!