Job Discussion Forums

Gouki · Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 65

I have 2 options,

1. ALT position
- 240,000 per month
- short working hours
- weekends off
- close to home

2. stint at one of the big schools (the better ones)
- 350,000 per month
- longer working hours
- 2 days off (may not be the weekends)
- distance is not too far from home, 450 yen per trip

Can someone shed some light about ALTs, do I still get paid during school holidays/national holidays?

I like the look of the ALT position because it offers a lot of free time, but the pay from the big school is too good to miss. Basically I want to save as much as I can for a long time hobby.

What would you do if you were me?

Many thanks!

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Gouki,

this is just a guess but if you are applying for a job as an ALT are you employed directly through the school or through a dispatch agency such as Interac? ALTIA?

My guess is you only get paid when you teach classes as you are only paid when you teach classes. If you work directly for the high school you should get paid year round. Moreover ALT jobs are more assistants than 'real' teachers, though I have no direct experience with these kinds of programs myself.

No idea about high schools but part time teachers at national or government run institutions (universities etc) dont get paid during vacations.

Need more information to give you a more detailed response.

PS If it were me i would take the higher paying job but it will depend on the hours, the contract, the type of teaching you are doing and what your 'hot buttons' are going to be.

Guest · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2003 8:01 am Post subject:

What big school pays Y350 000?

As long as this is not a typo I'd take the higher paying job.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Gouki,

You are not giving us enough to work with. Where are these jobs? What will your housing situation be like? What kind of students will you be teaching? Just what are those hours in each job? Do both places sponsor your visa? Do they pay health insurance? Etc., etc.

By the way, getting 240,000 a month is 10,000 below the acceptable "mimimum wage" for a full-time teacher. And, I agree with katy; none of the big 4 pays 350,000 a month, so what outfit is this? And, what are the "longer hours"? (Three more hours a day in the office, different start times, three more classes a day?) Details, please.

You like the concept of lots of free time, but you want to save money. You can't necessarily have your cake and eat it, too. Based on what little info you have provided, the obvious choice for saving money is the "stint at one of the big schools".

Gouki · Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 65

HI PEOPLE, SORRY MY KEYBOARD REFUSES TO WORK PROPERLY SO PLEASE BEAR WITH ME!

PAUL, YOU ARE RIGHT. I WON'T BE PAID DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. IT WOULD BE ON PER DAYS WORKED BASIS (NOT PER MONTH). THIS MEANS THAT THE PAY IS MUCH LOWER THAN I EXPECTED.

KATY, THE BIGGER COMPANY OFFERS A MINIMUM SALARY JUST LIKE THE OTHERS, BUT WITH THE HOURS THAT I THINK I AM PREPARED TO WORK, IT WOULD PROBABLY WORK OUT TO BE AROUND THAT MUCH.

GLENSKI, SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION (THIS UPPERCASE THING IS GETTING DIFFICULT EVEN FOR ME TO READ). THE ALT POSITION DOES NOT REQUIRE ME TO WORK EVERY HOUR, PERHAPS 2-3 HOURS A DAY. BUT I NEED TO BE AT THE SCHOOL FOR 7 HOURS. THAT'S A LOT OF FREE TIME. PAY WOULD BE LOW, BUT WITH THE FREE TIME THAT I MAY HAVE, I COULD USE IT TO STUDY JAPANESE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BOTH PLACES WILL SPONSOR ME.

Sunpower · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 256 Location: Taipei, TAIWAN

Wow, that upper-case problem is freaky to look at.

About your dilemma - Having too much free time on you hands could drive you mental.

Would they allow you to take out your study materials or would you have to help out around the school - organizing materials, helping other teachers with English related matters, etc. etc?

I'd be inclined to go the BIG school route - that way you'd have more control over the hours you get.

When I worked for a couple of the big schools I could close my schedule off if I didn't feel like working or wanted to leave the country and when I wanted to make money I opened my schedule up and took on more lessons.

You might have a little more control with your schedule that way. If your company is NOVA you can work out shift swaps or work part time and then take on over time classes if you are feeling motivated to make money.

If you work for Berlitz as a per-lesson instructor you can block your schedule for more free time or open it up 7 days a week all day if you want to go full on and make money.