Job Discussion Forums

[jingoye]

Greetings, I'm coming to Japan to teach at one of the bigger eikaiwa companies. However, I've been frequenting these forums for the past several months, and it seems (albeit a lot of hearsay) that the particular eikaiwa I will be working at isn't getting very warm reviews.

I've been told to jump ship when I get to Japan, but that really bothers me because for starters, I always honor my contracts. Two, the complaints that I've heard really do not bother me. After being a blue collar worker, working 12 hours days for seven days a week, and getting my university degree, I work hard as long as the conditions aren't horrible, and three, even if I am a robotic chicken reading from a textbook, I'll always manage to slip in some material that will improve my students' English.

However, just in case the conditions are much worst than I think, and let's say I do want to jump ship, if I apply for another conversation school, how do I explain why I am in Japan? Should I even mention the eikaiwa I'm working at, or will it lead those potential employers to believe I am not trustworthy and one who tends to leave quickly?

Thanks for the advice in advance. Also, I want to thank everyone, mostly PaulH, because like I said, I have been reading everyone's post and learning the reality of the business and what it takes.

Jin

[PAULH]

[Glenski]

Paul is forgetting one important detail about jumping ship. If you work for one of the big four and leave before the contract is up just to join one of the other three, be aware that some of them WON'T HIRE YOU because of your shortened contract with the previous one.

Also, as has been stated a million times here, people *beep* and complain about eikaiwas, especially certain ones. One reason to do that is because it's easier than taking the time to write something positive. Also, the big four employ the most teachers aside from the JET program, so you are likely to hear from them anyway.

Many people have good experiences with the big four. A lot depends on the branch manager and/or your own expectations and background.
http://markcity.blogspot.com/teaching.htm
http://vocaro.com/trevor/japan/nova/level_up.html
http://www.grassrootdesign.com/articles/nova.asp

[jingoye]

Thanks Paul, and I forgot to mention you in my first post, Glenski. I also read your posts on another other site, too.

I guess I'm built differently than other people. I actually like repeating material, because I'll either refine my approach or find new ways to present it. As for teaching experience, I dedicated myself to see if I was really ready to teach English as a second or foreign language, so I spent six months teaching low-income Latino students with very basic knowledge of the language.

For the first three months, it was very hard. I didn't speak Spanish, so it was difficult to translate or express my lessons. But by the four month, I had organize my lessons more effectively, and the machine was rolling. They were learning and I was learning in the whole process. It was good times for me, and it motivated me to get a TEFL certification.

So the next step is going to Japan. I probably won't be bitter, because life is really about a comedy of errors, so I tend to be more steadfast with humor about everyday life, both good and bad.

Although... I would find my life a little incomplete if I don't eat the best omurice in Japan.

To Glenski, how would the other three know about this if I don't mention it?

[Glenski]

If you come to Japan and bail out in a month or so, you will have a hard time explaining how you got a work visa that has nearly a year left on it, unless you mention a previous employer. Some places want to see a copy of your passport information, too, and that will list the dates of the visa.

[PAULH]