Job Discussion Forums

[klclare]

First I have been surfin this subject for several weeks I have read previous thread on this and other sites - I am more confused and have three thousand more questions than before - so thank you for your replies help assistance and your time and effort (and with a cherry on top if you are repeating yourselves.


I am new to the idea of teaching but have wanted to live and work overseas Hong Kong would be my number 1 choice and Japan(Tokyo) a close second. I have signed up and been accepted on a part time TESOL course this September it will take 9 months very hard work (while continuing to do a full time job) it will cost around �800.
I am starting to to see jobs that require only a Degree (I have 2:1 with Honours in Communication, Culture and Media) and no TESOL EFL or CELTA.

One that I have applied for is with California Language School they seem to offer a good package for a first timer - what with a computer and BroadBand all set up ... but you know if it sounds too goood to be true...

I have read conflicting infomation about every school including CLS and I am now so worried about making a huge mistake ... I will be renting my home here in the U.K so will A; Have no where to come back to B; Have no money to do so ... I can afford airfare out to where ever and have a few hundred sterling as a back up for the first month - but no finacialy helpful parents or similar back in the U.K (or anywhere) and no means to return home if the school is a shark fest and I have no other choice but to leave, so what would I do its all quite scary now I read of not being paid and people walking into your rooms eating your food or telling you that your fined for having friends stay. Its so confusing - Id be asking a million questions at an interview !!! Who can you trust? what schools are good schools? How do I know whats what?

I want to work hard and with passion, I want to teach well and effectivly Id like to be on a 25 - 35 hour week with limited travelling from school to school (one place would suit me) and Id like a little money after rent, medical and sundrys I don not mind sharing an apartment I do not mind a small apartment but the idea of a well stocked one like CLI are offering is ideal for me being new to the wonderful world of english teaching. I would like wages that are enough to cover rent, medical, sundry bills and have enough to eat socialize a bit and buy the odd treat, it seems this is hard to find .... or have I just read too many horror stories?

...Please help if you can I would appreciate your time Katie =^..^= ohhhh
P.S how as a rule have you been paid your wages in Japan and Hong Kong? Just curious as I have seen little in the way of info on that matter (probably looking in wrong place so sorry if not appropriate question for this forum)

[Glenski]

In Japan, you are paid by the month. Language conversation schools typically pay the same, about 250,000 - 280,000 yen/month. It is all direct deposit after they help set up your bank account.

Most schools also run about 25-30 teaching hours per day (with other hours doing miscellaneous things like interviewing prospective students, showing your face in the lounge if they have one, doing paperwork, etc.). Most set you up with accommodations, too.

The only way you are going to know if a school is good or bad is to look around and ask (including here). Look here on the Job Information Journal for starters.

Yes, many (most?) jobs at eikaiwas in Japan do not require more than a bachelor's degree (any subject, any grades will do). Getting certification is entirely up to you, whether you want to improve yourself for the long run or not, or whether you feel the need for such training before striking out on a totally new venture.

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

[Glenski]

Gee, Paul, did I p!ss you off somehow? Thanks for making the correction to the hours per week that I inadvertently wrote as day. You didn't have to be so condescending and snippy about it, though.

As for using LANs, you work in a university, and the OP wrote about an eikaiwa. I have met my share of eikaiwa teachers, and none of them cared enough to do any Internet work to look for lessons (unless you call desperate calls for help on discussion forums "research"). I didn't figure the OP was talking about university work. Why do you bother talking about it? He shows no indication of interests in university work. Besides, my point was that he seemed to equate having a computer with a good benefits package, and nothing more.

Yes, so I slipped up on eikaiwa, too. ONCE! I figured he could have made the connection to conversation school. You don't have to be so bloody high and mighty in your corrections. A simple statement would have sufficed.

[yaramaz]

Just a brief interruption into your private conversation, guys--- why do you keep referring to the OP as 'he' when they signed their post 'Katie'? Am I missing something?

[klclare]

A computer would be part of a good package for me for many reasons

A: I am thousands of miles from my friends and family for what could be more than 12 months I would like ....no need to have contact with them as they will be the sounding board for me on those bad days we all have.

B: It would be helpful to me in finding out pertant information on teaching and help could be found if I was not fully understanding aspects of what I am teaching

C: It may help with teaching materials, although I do read many school supply all you will need but as with every job a little extra infomation could go a long way.

D: I am in a very different place - Japan could be quite scary for me out there on my own (although I am sure the school would be helpful) a computer with internet access would give me the chance to plan and work out places to go on visit in the area I am on those days off (I am assured that a day off is avaliable after all I am not signing up to work 24/7)

Ive worked a 40 hour job in the U.K as well as studying 20+ hours and I still had some spare time to do other things and I don't see a hour or two surfing the WWW each week excessive.

I was hoping people would be able to make postings with some of the good aspects of me embarking on this course of employment, so far I am finding bitterness, anger and sarcasam to be the normal feelings ... I was looking for the more positive aspects of working in Hong Kong and Japan a sense of achievement in teaching people would have been nice to hear. Also anyone please let me know about The California Language School if you have ever worked there.

Thank you everyone for your time in posting - it is all helping me to make a positive decision - Katie

[PAULH]

[PAULH]