Job Discussion Forums

[iteachenglish]

I've read the website thoroughly.

Some of interesting things about the program , in my opinion , are that
1.It's Japan and there are possible positions in city areas/not just innaka
2. They would issue 3 month contracts as well as longer ones
3. you can apply to teach young learners or uni level students:

But there are a few concerns
1. The rent is 80 000 per month in the city areas - but they say the decision to give you a single apartment or get you to share with up to 2 other teachers will be at WEstgates discretion. Surely 80 000 should equal single apartment?? or 3BDR 3 teachers 240 000 yen per month for westgate

2. The section about sickleave is weird. It says teachers are expected to be dedicated and links dedications with not taking sick days or taking sick days and having to make the days up. This is a concern because most teachers get sick even if its 1-2 days a year and would staying home if youve got a temp of 39 be an act of unprofessionalism?

3. The website contains a barrage of info that seem to reinforce one philosophy: conform eg "dont assume anything" attire expected

Any comments from anyone especially about people who have done Westgate.

BUT then again an applicant can always leave after 3 or 6 months or not be asked to renew and he'she experienced Japan or if he'she likes it the contracts are renewable (based on performance)

[Glenski]

I may be flamed for nitpicking, but here goes.

Westgate (and any other employer, for that matter) does not issue the work visas. Immigration does. Employers merely choose whether to sponsor them. Not all do.

The rent is definitely something to clarify. If they charge each person 80,000, they'd better guarantee that you're living in an apartment that is worth X times 80K, or they'll simply be pulling what NOVA does.

Get used to the sick day situation. There are none in Japan. You come to work unless you are on your deathbed. I've worked with a fever of 41C, and so have others. If you must take off a day, it will come out of your paid vacation.

[furiousmilksheikali]

[JJJJJ]

If you are young and gay, particularly female, and decide to accept a stint with Westgate, take your running shoes, you�ll need them. While I was employed by Westgate, one of my roommates aggressively pursued every female in the building who she suspected of being gay or at the least bi�and she wasn�t the only one. She was at least 15 years older than the interns she so unabashedly chased. From all appearances, these fledgling instructors were initially intimidated, then intrigued, and finally delighted to be the momentary object of her affection. My other roommate, a woman of 49, pursued every attractive young male student on the SIT campus with whom she could slightly communicate and took pride in the fact that she indiscreetly bedded these young men at her age. Personally, I have no problem with older women dating younger men. I do have a problem with one dating one�s students, or other students on the same campus. This woman had also never taught English before. She claimed to have supported herself as a singer in Singapore for eight years. Yet, she was paid the same salary as all experienced teachers. Sex, drugs, alcohol, and fighting were rampant in my apartment building along with serious damage done by drunken teachers to more than one apartment. When it came time to re-contract, none of the competent instructors I knew did, although the student-chasing teacher noted above was anxious to sign on the dotted line.