Job Discussion Forums

[guest of Japan]

Would I be foolish to finish my contract at my private high school in the Spring and return to my previous Big 3 eikaiwa job?

Everything dealing with prestige, experience, resume building, and time off says I'm an idiot.

However, I'm miserable. The students I teach are killing me and I hate team teaching. I was so much happier at my previous job and my old manager told me she'd take me back without hesitation.

My goal is to go to grad school in the states starting in Sept of 05. I plan to study applied linguistics. I've recently married a Japanese girl who is all for whatever decision I make. I lost a lot of money trying to get the job I have and I'd rather not have to do that again as I want to go back to school sooner than later,

But I'm quite tired of living and working in isolation from other foreigners. And I'm much more tired of the students I teach. 90 percent of them don't even give it a thought that they are in school. They don't listen when I speak. They refuse to do any work. They wrestle and fight in class, sleep, talk on the phone, research new ring tones, play games, attach purikura, curl their hair and do their make-up. In the states I taught strippers, drug addicts, students on probation from juvenile hall, gang members and of course a lot of good kids, but I have never been as frustrated as a teacher as I feel now. 90% of teaching problem students is establishing a good communication, but how the hell am I supposed to do that if my students don't know the difference between when and where after 6 weeks of lessons on the topic. And I'm not supposed to use Japanese.

In short, right now I'd be a lot happier teaching students that have desire to improve their English. Should I stick with what I'm doing, go back to what I left, or find a new uncharted area?

Thanks in advance, Mark

[denise]

I haven't worked for either the big 3 schools or a high school, but my gut reaction is that you should go back to what makes you happy.

Based on what I have heard about the big eikaiwas, it sounds like they have their problems, but I'm guessing that what you're going through now is worse than whatever problems you may have faced before.

You're weighing prestige/holidays/prof. development (which you'll get in grad school anyway) against happiness. If I were in your position, I'd be inclined to go for happiness.

Good luck!
d

[Celeste]

If you are this unhappy with the highschool job, go back to the job you liked - there is no prize for martyrs in this life. If you think that the old job will pay enough to enable you to save up for grad school, then there is no reason not to go back to that job.

[Glenski]

Hmmm, go back to a job where you are happier and making more money, or stay in a miserable situation? No brainer to me.

Besides, what does it matter what your work history is if you want to go back for a grad degree? They don't admit people based on work references.

Go back and enjoy.

[guest of Japan]

I thank you all for your quick responses and for your sage advice. I've always been apprehensive about returning to previous places of employment. This time it became an idea in the forefront only because of the goal of graduate school. I wasn't so much worried about what it would do to my graduate school resume as I was to its effects on life after graduate school.

However your responseshave helped me to accept that happiness is more important than professional image. I find it incredibly ironic that I felt much more like a teacher at AEON than I do working in a high school. I've had all the responsibilities of a teacher with absolutely none of the joy one should get out of teaching.

I'll grin and bear the remainder of my contract. It really is an interesting cultural experience, but it one I'd be happier to reminisce than experience.

I've already set the wheels in motion to go back to my old job by speaking to my ex-manager a little while ago. I'll watch as to how the process unfolds and keep a carefull eye on the renumeration.

Again, thanks for your advice. Mark

[Gordon]

Mark,
I'd have to agree with the other posters too. Do what makes you feel happy. I too have never wanted to return to an old job, always want to move on to something better. However, life doesn't always work out that way. How about a different eikaiwa job? You do have time to find something else and you have a lot of leverage because you don't have to take anything you're not totally happy with. Negotiate!

[guest of Japan]

Thanks Gordon for adding in.