Job Discussion Forums

[nadi1016]

Hello,

I am supposed to be signing a contract for 18 months with The English Club, Inc. to teach ESL. Can anyone plase tell me, quickly , if they know anything about the English CLub and their experience, good or bad?

Thank you!!!!!

[bornslippy1981]

Is this one based in Saitama?

I interviewed with them awhile back, even though I wasn�t going to take the job. I just wanted some interview practice for the job I wanted.

Anyway, they seemed like nice people.

The schedule is a bit rough. 11:30-9:30 four days a week, and 11:30-8:30 the other day. The days off are consecutive though, and the have National Holidays, Golden Week, and New Year�s holidays.

They did seem a bit dodgy about accommodation. They said they�d prefer I�d live in their apartments, but it was okay if I didn�t. I told them that my rent was cheaper, and they didn�t carry on with it. You do have to pay them a one-month deposit, and if you opt out of your contract, which could happen with it being so long, you won�t get it back. That said, it is a furnished single, and they have a bicycle you can use (maybe it was rent).

However, they did contact me about 5 minutes after I applied through Gaijinpot.com. I had very little information on my profile, but they seemed keen to set up an interview. I think their employee turnover is high because they are always advertising on Gaijinpot and in the Metropolis. I did ask how long their employees tend to stay, and they said usually 9 months. With only 6 or 7 schools though, I think it�s much less. Then again, they could have a lot of new students.

The demo lesson was awful. It was based on their material, which was for a low level student. For 15 minutes, I said �Could you pass the bread? Thank you. And the butter. Thank you.� The �student� pretended to know no English, but after that she stayed for the rest of the interview. I think she was the owner of the company, but I can�t remember.

They do have a bonus system based on your student retention, and sales performance. I think this is how they inflate the salary to 280,000 Yen/month, so it�s more likely the 250,000 Yen/month that they advertise is what you�ll be getting.

Anyway, if you want more information, let me know. I remember I couldn�t find anything on the Internet prior to the interview.

[nadi1016]

Yes, it is based in Saitama, from what other's have been saying, when I've looked up the key search word in the forum, has been even called an "armpit"

My interview was the same and they seem very eager. They are very nice and seem legite, but, this is my first experience and I am quite nervous. I am supposed to read the contract today, which is for the 18 months, which could be a VERY long time if it turns out to be somewhat of a "bummer" to be there. I am trying to be optimisitic, because I would like to try the teaching in Japan thing, but nobody has anything good to say about Saitama? Any suggestions? Thanks for your quick reply too! I really appreciate it!

[ripslyme]

[Big John Stud]

nadi1016 wrote:

Hello, I am supposed to be signing a contract for 18 months with The English Club, Inc. to teach ESL. Can anyone plase tell me, quickly , if they know anything about the English CLub and their experience, good or bad? Thank you!!!!!

Saitama is not a bad place to live. Specialy in or around Urawa. Chichibu is a little too far from Tokyo for my taste but a very beautiful city.

I worked for The English Club many years ago. At that time, they had a Tokyo branch, I forget somewhere around Gotonda. I only worked for them for a few weeks. I didn't like it but remember people are different. What I might not like you might like. Anyway, I taught in a cubical with so thin walls, I could hear the class next to mine.
This was many years ago over a decade so maybe they have changed!

[bornslippy1981]

Saitama isn't a bad place to live. I've lived in 3 places in Saitama.

If you work here, it's good. I'm close enough to Tokyo, but with the exception of the Ueno area, I don't go into Tokyo too often.

Saitama has all the things you need.

If you're going to sign up with English Club, INC. I'd suggest getting your own accommodation. Reason being is it is a really long first contract. You could lose one month's rent staying in the English Club apartments if you throw in the towel before your contract is over. Do they offer a contract completion bonus?

There are some guest houses in the Saitama area. Do a search for "Hippo House, Warabi" on Google. I think their rooms are 60,000 Yen per month and there's a non-refundable deposit of 20,000 Yen. I've also seen some place in Koshigaya City on Gaijinpot.com. Koshigaya isn't too far from where you'd work, but about 30 minutes from Northern Tokyo.

However, you could always live elsewhere, and ride into work. Most of the English Club, INC. branches (I don't think they have a Tokyo location anymore) are on the Keihin-Tohoku Line , which is a good line to be on, as the trains run frequently.

Anything else, please ask.

[bornslippy1981]

Nadi,

I just saw on Gaijinpot the advert for English Club, INC. It said they were interviewing in Detroit this week.

Are you from the D as well?

[Ai]

[nadi1016]

Ai and everyone else on here,

Thank you for your advice! This is very good to know that there are so many people who are willing to help the newbies. I am receiving invaluable information and it feels comforting to know that you guys are out there.

Thanks again!