Job Discussion Forums

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

Does anyone here know of or work for GABA? Can anyone testify as to what they're like as employers?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Have you done a search here?

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/search.php?mode=results

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

GABA just emailed me back with regards to my application. They said that I was "underqualified" and that they were choosing to "persue applicants that were more suited" to their "needs".

What BS! I have nearly three years of teaching experience and a BA.

Its possible, though, that they're referring to the fact that I don't have a valid work visa in Japan. GABA doesn't have a salary (pays by the hour) and appears to be more of a part-time gig.

However, the advertisement that I applied strongly implied that they were recruiting from overseas.

Anyway, let this be a deterrent if you're not sure about them.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

Lost, did you apply via their website or did they email asking you fill in a recruitment form and provide a recent pic?

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

I ask because they've emailed asking for the following:

� Recruitment Form

� Cover Letter

� Resume/Curriculum Vitae [Updated; GaijinPot format is not acceptable]

� Recent Photo [Must be *.gif or *.jpg format]

Is this different to what you got?

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

Hmm. Okay, I'll keep you posted on what they say.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

Gabba are one of the lowest paying eikaiwa that are reasonable well know. To work for they are awful as far as everything I've heard goes.

In contrast I've known a few people that attended there as students and had quite an interesting time. Gabba are one of the only eikaiwa that employ non-native speakers, which is, intentional or not (not), quite progressive.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I disagree that they are awful to work for- I found the students to be motivated, the atmosphere pleasant, and the management very hands off provided you weren't late and had no complaints.

I wouldn't like to have Gaba as my only source of income, but when I worked there part time, it was a very handy way to earn a bit of extra money during the gaps in my schedule without the hassles of private students.

In what way are they "awful to work for", from what you've heard, wombling free?

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

My girlfriend has had a "pre interview task" sent from GABA and she's looking it over now, but I was just wondering if I could get some help with one of the questions:

"What do you think are some of the common reasons English instructors in Japan receive negative evaluations from students due to cultural differences?"

So far all I've really got is that Japanese people don't like confrontation due to their polite nature - maybe this is wrong! If anyone can provide more suggestions for this, it'd be great.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

What do you mean by confrontation though? If you mean conflict, there shouldn't really be conflict in an English lesson anyway, so it's not really relevant to their question.

One thing your girlfriend could mention is folded arms and crossed legs- while they are usually fairly neutral in English-speaking countries, both can be seen as rude or overly casual in Japan and I have heard of student complaints due to this before.