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[olive eyes]

Hi everyone!! I was wondering if anybody has ever had any experience with the company Joy Talk or heard anything about it. From what I know, it's one of those companies that hires teachers as ALTs. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[JL]

No experience to report. But I did just give their website a once-over. In addition to ALT dispatch, it looks like they dispatch teachers to corporate lessons, and have four language school locations: three in Ibaraki, one new one in Sendai.

http://www.joytalk.co.jp/

[JL]

(double post)

[Poptokyo]

Previously posted on another site.

I thought I might readdress this subject for those who may want more updated information about Joytalk.

Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to work for Joytalk yet; however, I recently had an online (SKYPE) interview with one of their recruiters, March 2009. The recruiter was very personable and easy going, in fact the first question he asked me was, "How is the weather where you are?" This helped to ease me into the interview session, which lasted about an hour. The interview went pretty smoothly. I felt like I missed up once or twice when trying to word myself correctly, but it was no big issue. My best advise is to relax, enjoy the opportunity to speak with them, BE ENERGETIC, SMILE, and express your interest in working with children. It is also beneficial if you have moderate Japanese language skills, but it is not essential. Being more fluent in Japanese helps them to place you more easily into a job, because there are many jobs that require ALTs to be able to speak a certain amount of Japanese. The interview questions were generally standard, only a few caught me off guard. All in all, I received a good impression about Joytalk based from my experience with the recruiter. Below is a list of questions that I was approached with during my interview session:

1. Tell me about yourself?
2. Do you like working with children?

Note: Even though you may not have experience, simply express your desire to work with children, underlying any experience you have had, even babysitting. It is also best to say, children and NOT kid.

3. Have you ever traveled to Japan?

Note: They like to see you have had some traveling experience. If you have not been to Japan, but have traveled I would highlight it, for example: I have not been to Japan before, but I have traveled to Paris. If you have never been outside of the country, but have lived in various areas, I would also highlight it as a strength. The US is big, and people in different places have different cultures.

4. If you have traveled, you may be asked for what purpose, when, and what your experience was?
5. What has been one of the most difficult situations/experience you have had?

Note: If you have traveled overseas or around the country you live, I would highlight a difficult situation within that experience. I explained to my recruiter the time I got lost in Osaka, Japan. How I felt, what I did in response, and even where I felt I could have done better (Don't be down on yourself, be able to give positive criticism of the situation).

6. How will you avoid or overcome this hardship next time, what did you learn to do differently?
7. Where did you hear about Joytalk?
8. Are you willing to participate in physical activities with children?
9. Are you capable of participating in sports with children?
10. What type of sports have you participated in, what was the most recent time?

Note: They want to make sure you are in good physical condition to participate with children at your school.

11. Are you willing to participate in events and functions of the school/community?
12. What is your favorite children's song? Would you be willing to sing it?

Note: The recruiter may ask you to sing, I did.

13. What is an ALT, what is the their role in the classroom?

Note: ALT=ASSISTANT language teacher, this means they are to assist the Japanese language teacher, team teaching.

14. If you are left by yourself in a classroom, would you be willing to present martial/lesson plan?
15. What are your long term goals, plan to go to graduate school?
16. How does your long term plans relate to working/teaching for Joytalk?
17. What qualities do you believe make you fit Joytalk?
18. Why do you want to teach?
19. If your friends were to speak about you, what kind of things would they say?

Note: Highlight your strengths/qualities.


I hope this helps.

Poptokyo