Job Discussion Forums

notsure · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Posts: 2

I find a lot of people asking about ALT vs. Conversation School, but I was just wondering if anyone has worked for a company that makes you do both. Is it difficult to balance the two positions?

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

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starteacher · Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 237

If a job has the opportunity to do both, you should try it out. You can quit afterwards with the knowledge of both and see which type of work suits you from then on. The problem is not yours, the problem is the employers, and they would not think of hiring you if they did not think you were up to it.

Besides there are good and bad ALT jobs and good and bad conversation school jobs.

I actually did a job with both, and at first I hated both, and ended up enjoying both ! It was worth it, the pain came first but the gain came later. But I think the ALT job was more monotonous. At least I can talk about both and compare and not be biased.

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

ALTs and eikaiwa teachers are supposed to have different work visas. ALTs have instructor visas. Eikaiwa teachers have Specialist in Humanities work visas (unless there are special conditions like a spouse visa).
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/index.html
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/Table3-1.html

If someone does both types of work, they must get special permission from immigration:
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/zairyuu/shikakugai.html
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/09.html

Be sure the employer knows this!

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

I agree with startteacher. Try it, as he said, many schools etc have many branches/schools and working at different branches can be a totally different feel.

I also agree, if you haven't been in teaching that long, jump in and learn as much as you can and then get out when you are ready.

notsure · Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Posts: 2

Wow! Such quick responses!

Thanks Glenski for the technical information. I checked out the links--that's useful information.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement from others. I'd hate to sign on for two years to discover that balancing two roles in a forty hour work week is too much.

But I am used to forty hour work weeks, just not in a foreign country, and not doing split shifts.

Thanks for the info!

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

Realize, too, that most eikaiwas operate from noon to 9pm any 5 of the 7 days in a week, while ALT work is usually strictly 9ish to 5ish Monday to Friday. Wanna work 9 to 5, then all the way to 9pm some days?