Job Discussion Forums

[adalo]

Hello all. I have taught at Aeon for more than six months now and I am looking to get a new job this summer. I hear that "small" schools are the way to go but I have no idea how to go about getting one of those jobs. Any information or links regarding this topic would be greatly appreciated.

[Glenski]

www.eslcafe.com
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www.jobsinjapan.com
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The Japan Times

[bearcat]

Small schools have their own equally and worse pitfalls to that of their larger counterparts.

Alot of smaller schools are family or personally run establishments.

If you get housing, it may be right next to the school and or owned by the owner(meaning you have zilch in the way of privacy and could be told who when if etc people can come see you and how you live). I read instances of school owners having keys and coming in and checking(rummaging) teacher belongings and seeing what you're doing.

Pay may be less "formally" put into your bank account (meaning you are paid late).

Many smaller schools attempt to have their own piece meal curriculums that are a hodge podge of of past teacher's efforts. This means you could have a rough time if it sucks.

You may be required to pull cleaning duties(toilets, trash, etc) at the school.

If it is a real mom and pop style place, many of those individuals have little experience running such things or dealing with foreigners etc. Thus managerial nightmares up the wazzoo. I know one teacher who worked for a small school that the owners spoke no English what so ever and depended on their one Japanese office staffer to poorly translate things. Poor communication ensued for the entire time and both the teacher AND the staffer quit out of frustration since both realized the owners not only had no understanding of Education but also no understanding of business.

On the subject of business, you may find yourself being required to do aspects of sales that you wouldn't have thought you would be required to do.

Getting a good smaller school/company is as much a luck of the draw as getting on with a good branch or two and one of the big four. Smaller schools usually will require more of your personal time and for you to be more flexible than you were used to with the bigger firm as well.

Not saying to steer clear(I've had a good experience with a small company) but I am saying to research very very well any place be they big or small before you join up.

[Gordon]

Bearcat,
Those are good cons, how about a few (possible) pros:
Better potential for trust
More reasonable
You have a face to deal with
Japanese language support and/or teaching
Varied classes and varied experience teaching
Having a say in curriculum and books
Shorter commute as you're more likely to be in a small city too (not many big chain schools in the countryside)

I agree that it is more hit and miss with a small school, but you could find something much better than the big schools.

[joncharles]

I am now working at a smaller chain and I am enjoying it. I am given respect and the schools allow teachers to use thier own personalities and teaching styles. Of course we have to use the books selected by the school, but teachers also have an input into new texts. I am ten times happier here than when I was with one of the big boys.

[hip-hop boy78]

But do the smaller schools sponsor a work visa and provide you with accommodation? maybe it's a hit and miss operation on this point too. how many small private schools would you say there are in a city like tokyo or osaka?

[rachaela]

I agree with bearcat, sometimes small schools are the way to go as far as being more personal. But a lot of owners I've worked for or interviewed with have been rumored to be nutcases. The owner of the school I worked at was caught in an amourous act with an unknown woman in his teachers' housing while it was being remodeled. He would even come over to 'check' up on the house early in the morning, to make sure that curtains were in place or any ridiculous reason. He was really checking to see if there were any people staying the night.
Places like Tokyo and Osaka have so many foreigners that companies aren't willing to offer full time positions. They'll lure you to Japan with offers of full time jobs, but when you get there it's only a part time gig, or only two days a week.
The only advice I can give on how to know which places to trust is to do your research before you buy the ticket. Google their names and companies, create forums like this asking what people know, it's a small world after all.

[adalo]

Thanks for the help. People always complain about big schools, but I am begening to realize that it is give and take no matter what. Maybe I am taking a lot of the things at my current job for granted. I will research my options, but I am quite wary now.

Thanks for the help.

[Akula the shark]

I worked for a couple of smaller schools for a period of 4 years in total.
Both of them did sponsor my visa by the way. I agree though, that such schools can be hit and miss.

[6810]

[Gordon]

Yes the schools will sponsor your visas unless they are illegal. At least then you will know before you get here if they are legit.

[Marika]

I know when I applied for my job I was terrifed. Its with a private school.
Has turned out to be the most amazing job and experience ever.
I love the school, director and children.
I guess I was one of the lucky ones. I've not had any problems.
We have text books and outlines to follow but pretty much have total freedom in the classroom.
Our directors and head Japanese teachers english is incredible. They have been very helpful to the other foreign teacher and I.
I just wanted to pipe up as one of the teachers who took a gamble with a private school and its been nothing but good.