Job Discussion Forums

MarisaMP · Joined: 14 Mar 2010 Posts: 6

I'm a little lost when it comes to the in-class differences between an ALT and teachers at Eikaiwa schools. Will I really being doing nothing as an ALT?? And I feel like I run the risk of getting a mean JTE that I'd have to appease all school year.

I've applied to ECC, Interac, Amity and another private school that one of my friends just got back from. But I guess the main decision I have to make is do I want to be in a private or public school??

The thing I like about the private schools is that they pretty much let me go where I want and give me pre-made lessons (which I like since I don't have a teaching degree and know absolutely nothing about lesson planning)

And then it come down to just weighing up the pro/cons of the various companies.

Please, any advice???

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

ALTs work mostly for public schools.
An eikaiwa is a school of sorts, a conversation school.

ALTs therefore work roughly 9 to 5 Monday to Friday.
Eikaiwa teachers can work 5-6 days a week, any of those days, and your weekends are only the days off the eikaiwa give you. They may not be consecutive. Eikaiwa hours are usually roughly noon to 9pm.

ALTs may teach 2-7 classes a day. In their off time, they often just sit around. JET ALTs complain about doing nothing in that free time, so they surf the Net and write on BigDaikon.com. Eikaiwa teachers may have a couple of classes in early afternoon followed by a few hours break, then a few classes at night. Or they may have 7-8 classes straight.

In their "spare time", eikaiwa teachers may be required to stay in the building or let free. They may have no extra duties, or they may be told to give interviews to prospective students, sit in the lobby to chat them up, or do attendance papers and such (sometimes at the end of their shift).

ALTs hired through dispatch agencies are different than those on the JET program. Dispatch ALTs often have little support, and may even be working illegally. They will often get reduced (60%) pay when school is out, but JET ALTs don't. Dispatch ALTs often get stepped on by unscrupulous employers, so beware.

Eikaiwas hire you directly, unlike some dispatch agencies.

Eikaiwas may have pre-made lesson formats or let you do things on your own. ALTs may have to create everything with or without the help of their JTE, or sometimes the dispatch agency has some format to follow.

ALT classes are usually 30 disinterested unmotivated kids (except elementary school), while eikaiwa classes are 2-10 students who actually paid for the course (or their parents did) and generally have a bit higher motivation. Generally. Eikaiwa student can be housewives, retirees, business people, college kids, or younger brats. Many / Most of the older types come just to socialize, not really learn English.

ALTs do not run the class. That's the job of their JTE. How well they work together is case by case, and some ALTs complain of being the human tape recorder, while others are nearly in charge of the class. Eikaiwa teachers work solo and are totally in charge.

And, unless you get special permission from immigration, ALT and eikaiwa teacher need different visas (instructor visa and specialist in humanities/international relations visa, respectively).

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

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

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/zairyuu/shikakugai.html
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/09.html

starteacher · Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 237

Can I also add an additional Q :

Where do ALTs go after they finish, and where do eikaiwa teachers go after they finish ? which are more sought for, experienced ALTs or experienced eikaiwa teachers for. not just in Japan but elsewhere in Asia (even back home) ? In other words, is a 3 year old ALT teacher looking for a new job anywhere in a better position than a 3 year old eikaiwa teacher ?

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

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

starteacher · Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 237

Sorry looking back you're right my Q wasn't so clear, I was really asking a Q that seemed to hase been dissected.
The OP made a query about the difference between ALT and eikaiwa, so I was just suggesting that what options are there for someone who has the same number of years either as an eikaiwa or as an ALT teacher, and the differences there in terms of employability. We often look at the differences as of now, but how about in 3 years or 5 years time ? It is a hypothetical situation.

I mean it is obvious that what is on the resume and how you sell yourself will get you you next job, there are good ALTs and crap ones and that applies to eikaiwa teachers, as well as good and crap Uni teachers, and so on. My question was to ask that if YOU had to hire someone tomorrow (just for the fun of it), and identical resumes (just for the fun of it - a pair of twins) came in the post, one worked for an eikaiwa and another from as an ALT, who would you take on ? I know of some great eikaiwa guys and some dead ALTs, and the other way round. I would have thought, though, an eikaiwa teacher had more choices than an ALT, since the eikaiwa teacher is, however you want to bluff it, is the "Main" teacher, whereas an ALT teacher, however much work put into it or bluff it or in charge of the class, is still, as its title stands, simply an "Assistant". Both could say whatever they wish at an interview. I also thought an experienced eikaiwa teacher would not find it hard to become an ALT as the onus is on the teacher to do most of the lessons, so this would work in private or public sector, whereas an ALT would have a more difficult job to become an eikaiwa teacher as it means going into the private sector.

Anyway I am not sure, just asking in general.

MarisaMP · Joined: 14 Mar 2010 Posts: 6

[quote="Glenski"]ALTs hired through dispatch agencies are different than those on the JET program. Dispatch ALTs often have little support, and may even be working illegally. They will often get reduced (60%) pay when school is out, but JET ALTs don't. Dispatch ALTs often get stepped on by unscrupulous employers, so beware.[/quote]

So do you know if Interac is a relatively good dispatch agency in respect to their support and legitimacy???

Also is there anyone out there that has experience as both an ALT and as a teacher at an Eikaiwa?? I know its pretty much personal preference but I just feel as as though I would be deciding blindly. (not that I haven't received valuable info from previous contributors in this post)

Thanks Smile

Amarok · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:07 pm Post subject:

MarisaMP · Joined: 14 Mar 2010 Posts: 6

REALLY?!?!?? oh man! I think you just convinced me to go with one of my Eikaiwa schools!! Have you ever taught in one??

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

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

MrCAPiTUL · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 232 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

I've never been in a position that necessitated a hiring of either, but....

Within each, the Eikaiwa will provide a bit more internal progression, if you take the job seriously, and would give you experience to open your own school, as you'd have an understanding of how they operate from the business perspective.

I would think that you could sell the ALT story better than the conversation school story (at least back west), if you wanted to be a teacher, as you are at least working in the Public School system.

Within the pan-Asian context, both would be equal, I'd say. If you go to Thailand, for example, they won't care if it was ALT or Eikawa, so long as you were teaching English to Asian students.

If you want to do something like business when you are done, well then, neither really benefits your CV a whole lot. Business people generally tend to frown against teaching experience, unfortunately. You'd be better off working as a head hunter (which also don't have a very good reputation in Japan). On the professional totem pole, though, and maybe even the social totem pole, I'd have to agree w/what Glenski said that these entry level jobs are often looked down upon. Not saying that it is right, but it is just the fact of the matter on how people view them. The common perception is that foreigners go there to fund their travels, sleep with women, or just plainly that they couldn't find what some would say is a 'real job' in their home country. I'm NOT saying I agree with this, but this is how MANY people view these jobs.

If you want to work in government or NGO sector, I'd say ALT is more beneficial, again, as you are working with a public entity.

In the end, what I will say is this: do whatever you think you would enjoy more, and whatever you decide to do, just give it your 100% effort.

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

If you want to teach in the state sector in the UK, you'll need to go through a state approved, university run/validated initial teacher training program. ALT work will look good on your CV and give you something to talk about in the interview, but will not materially affect your application, imo - a good first degree in an area relevant to your choice of teaching program is all you need. The same goes for eikaiwa work.

Competition is not particularly fierce for ITT programs in the UK.