Which is best english teaching program?

[headsupcustoms]

Hi guys. I have been doing a lot of research on teaching English in Japan. I am totally in love with the country and the culture, and I can not wait to get there. However, I would like to find out from people who have gone through the programs or have information on them, which do you think are the better programs? I have found info on Berlitz, JET, AEON, NOVA, GEOS, Sophia, and James English teaching schools. Also, is it worth it to stay in the 6 tatami mat rooms or would it be better to get something with a tad more space on my own? How about sharing a place with someone? And what areas are worth trying to get into?

Thank you in advance for your help.

[headsupcustoms]

Also, may I ask, what are some good airlines with decent priced flights (coming from New Jersey, sigh)? Also, being a sculptor (toys/statues) does anyone know any good areas for the art field?

[PopCulturePooka]

From what I've gathered ECC is a better than average company.

Avoid Geos like the plague.

Never heard of Sophia and James (that in itself sets off alarms).

NOVA... is ok if you are VERY lucky in placement. Get the wrong placement and it can suck hard.

[headsupcustoms]

James link

info i received via email on Sophia -

The next full time position will commence in June. We have filled the April position. We will need to contact applicants by phone and we also hope to be able to conduct interviews. We are a small friendly school located in the capital city of Ibaraki Prefecture which is an area surrounded by countryside. We are looking for kind, sincere, trustworthy and reliable individuals who have confidence teaching Kids and Adults. The successful applicant must be a diligent person who will come to class each week on time and endeavour to be consistent in their teaching efforts and to do their best to look after the students. Teaching experience and a little Japanese ability would be preferable but is not a prerequisite. We will wait until we have received all applications before we start asking people to attend interviews.
Thanks again for your application.

Regards,

Mark Allan and Yurika Kunitomo


Following is a further description and outline of conditions.

The pay is \290,000 for 24 hours/week work(preparation time not included)

Mito is located about 100 Km north of Tokyo in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is 20
minutes away from the Pacific ocean and the beach resort of Oarai. The
population is around 230,000. Mito is the capital city of Ibaraki so it
attracts many people from the surrounding towns and villages. Ibaraki is an
agricultural country area. Other cities in Ibaraki include Tsukuba Science
city.
LCC, KSK and Sophia English schools are owned and run by Mark Allan and
Yurika Kunitomo.
LCC has been teaching English for 30 years and is the oldest privately run
school in Mito.
We have three main schools each with 2-3 classrooms. We also have a few
classes at other venues such as community centres, Kindergartens or
companies. You don't need a car to get around although some teachers do prefer to have a car and this can be arranged.
We offer pleasant students, lovely surroundings and a good financial arrangement. Our salary package is dependant on hours worked and the size of the classes as well as taking into account the ability or performance of the teacher. LCC supplies a fully furnished apartment, with no key money or landlords / agents fees to pay. There are several apartments of differing size and costs, for couples and singles. All the financial details will be provided and can be discussed at a later stage.

The classes are small and friendly. There are usually 4 students in each class (max 6).
The students want to learn and are positive and happy. It is a fun
atmosphere to work in. We find that our students respect the teacher and are
attentive so we a sure the teacher will find it a rewarding experience.
We use standard ESL textbooks in most of the classes and download material from the net. Half the classes are adult
classes and we expect the teachers to do their own thing and organise their own classes with a view that the students are learning English and having a good time. Half the classes are children's classes of various ages. We do have a curriculum in place which covers all aspects of early learning including phonics, games, songs, theme of the month, and other textbooks for reading, speaking etc. The exact schedule for each teacher varies from time to time. Classes are usually in the evenings so teachers often don't have to come to school until around 5.30pm. We employ 5 Full time teachers. Each day there are about 4 hours teaching time. We have classes from Mon-Sat. Classes vary in length. There are 55min classes for children and 60/80 min classes for Adults.
Vacation times as listed in our contract are;- Sundays,
about one week in Summer, Winter 10-14 days, 1 week known as ‘golden week’,
National holidays- 9 days in a year. It might be possible to have two days off depending on the schedule. The total working days amount to 47
weeks a year.

What about AEON - it seems like a really good place to start.
AEON link

[mr.sumo.snr]

Like, when do you want to start?

All the options you list, bar JET, are straight-up English language schools and not 'programs'. All they are interested in is making money.

JET is a government funded program, but applications for this year are very much closed. The next 'intake', for which you can apply, will be July 2006. Still, it's certainly the best paid introduction to English teaching in Japan and probably worth the wait. You can search for more about JET elsewhere.

[PopCulturePooka]

Originally Posted by headsupcustoms

James link

info i received via email on Sophia -



What about AEON - it seems like a really good place to start.
AEON link

While the official sites are useful, you must remember that they are filtered by the company.

The truth when one arrives can be far far worse.

[headsupcustoms]

Yea, I was looking at starting sometime near the end of summer - meaning as soon as possible. It seems AEON hires on a monthly basis if you are in NY, which I am. I am researching on the net about them to try and get as much of an unbiased review as possible. If you are making 250,000 yen a month, what is a realistic space you could afford?

[Iron Chef]

This question is routinely asked every now and again and always elicits a number of varied and interesting responses, heh. As for myself, I spent two years working as an ALT in Sapporo during my initial stint in Japan. I loved it and had a wonderful time and highly recommend that line of work to anyone even remotely interested in pursuing it. During my second stint (after finishing grad school), I was hired by AEON to work as an ET (Emergency Teacher) based out of their head office in Nagoya (AEON West/Chubu Honbu).

Part of my job included travelling all over Japan on assignment to various school locations and often on short notice. It was... interesting, heh. The best part of my job though while working for AEON, was being able to meet so many wonderful students. Since quitting AEON last month, I have gone into business for myself and opened up my own language school in Fukuoka. Anyways, I can pretty much fill you in on anything you'd like to know in regards to working for AEON. If you have any specific queries about the possible pros and cons, feel free to ask.

[Harvey]

The answer is JET.

[Iron Chef]

True, but the JET program is not without its cons. The application process has become more and more competitive (despite raising the age limit recently) not to mention many boards of education can no longer afford to pay for a JET. As a result, many rural areas find contracting out to smaller schools or private individuals to work in an ALT capacity a more desirable option.

[headsupcustoms]

very cool iron chef - please email me at chris@headsupcustoms.com when you get the chance - unless you want me to just post questions here?

[Iron Chef]

Feel free to post anything you would like to know in re: to AEON and I will answer to the best of my ability.

[headsupcustoms]

thank you very much iron chef - i guess some of my biggest fears is in regards to the apartments and deciding where to request to be. I was thinking Kanagawa or Kawasaki (that's sort of western Tokyo, right?) I want to be near the city, but not IN it where it is going to be a little more expensive. Also, how are they in regards to moonlighting on the side and teaching on yoru own for some extra cash? Through all my research, it seems AEON has the best history, good people. JET is out because I missed the deadline. So going through one of the programs for VISA and sponsorship is helpful. Also, should I go AEON or Amity? I love kids, but I think the variety might be better. Finally, I guess it would be hard to adjust to a 6 tatami mat room. Being an artist, I like a little more space. But since AEON provides the space, should I just go for it? I know the difficulties of finding something on your own. Are the apartments ok or shabby? What about heat and A/C for the apartments? Have heard stories about cold winters (extra blankets/quilts) and humid summers (put your shirt on when you leave the house to avoid some heavy sweating lol). Thanks!

[Iron Chef]

Good questions!
1) In terms of location you can put in a general request to your recruiter when you meet him or her but that doesn't really guarantee you a chance in securing a position in that vicinity.

2) Moonlighting is expressly forbidden and even your recruiter(s) will emphasize that point early on. Of course... i'm sure many people have taught/tutored private lessons　in their home or at cafes for instance for a little extra ￥ on the side, heh.

3) In terms of reputation (on the web at least), AEON isn't as bad as say NOVA but then again it all depends on the branch school and that school's management and staff (which applies to any of the big schools). There are some wonderful people working at AEON (usually short-lived but I digress...) along with some really bad apples, heh.

4) In terms of teaching just adults or opting into Amity... stick with adults! Trust me, heh. Amity teachers have it rough, not only in terms of class preparation but also in terms of scheduling. A lot of teachers end up with mixed schedules (a few adult lessons and a few kids lessons) but straight Amity will burn you out quick. I like kids too, and have taught children as well but... 6,7, or even 8 lessons straight (5 days a week)with kids (ages 3-10) who don't really want to be there in the first place but their parents make them come can be a bit draining. Again, the students are great (generally speaking) but it really depends on the location and schedule your branch will give you. Make sure you let the recruiter know explicitly your intentions before you decide because I know of many teachers who said "adults only" but got stuck with B-schools (teaching both) after they arrive.

5) Apartments are hit-or-miss. Some aren't half bad but most will be older and if your unlucky you could be stuck with a tiny apartment (and I do mean small...). After you've settled, honbu (head office) will be very reluctant to follow up on any complaints about your living accomodations so if you decide to go with AEON then make sure you let them know if your apt. is suitable or not within that first week after you finish training and move in. Don't worry about heating or A/C as this was never a problem in any of the apartments I stayed in.

In conclusion, I guess it comes down to this. If you can't secure a job with a smaller school that offers more competitive benefits (and I don't just mean a higher salary) then going with one of the bigger schools like AEON is a viable choice. I enjoyed my time at AEON interacting with lots of wonderful students and staff but to be honest I absolutely abhorred working for honbu. They hold ETs (my position) to a higher standard than everyone else and are very unappreciative of the extra time and energy that is invested compared to a normal branch school teacher. An example of this is the two-hour commute (1-way) I had for two months while on assignment. Compare that to the branch teacher who lives 5 minutes away by foot and you see what I mean... I went on assignment to some 17 different schools in and around Nagoya and as far as Kyushu during my 1-year stint. My last month of employment I was going to a different school everyday of the week, heh. If you think of anything else you'd like to know about, let me know. Hope this helps answers your questions.

[headsupcustoms]

Thanks for the answers Iron Chef. I can certainly feel your pain in having to go all over the place, that would suck. There was probably some pluses to it, such as you get to see a lot more of the land while working, and having different environments/schools, but I can see it getting tiring real quick haha.

Any tips for the interview process?

I think I will go for the mixed bag as opposed to Amity, I certainly see your point of view, and it pretty much meshes with what I was thinking anyway. I think having some kids and some adults will through in some variety - and plus I will be missing my 6 year old a ton, so it would help me cope

What would be better to worry about, a cell or a phone line? Do they have VOIP? And what about internet connections? Mostly I guess the phone would be used for calling my son in the states, and for general contact purposes in Japan (I probably wouldn't be doing much phone talk).

Would you happen to have any pictures of the apartments you were at - or anything in general, like the schools or the area?

Where do you stay while you are training?

Phew - ok that's all for now. Thanks again!

[Iron Chef]

Sorry, I didn't take any pics of my company apt. in Nagoya but it was pretty average in terms of single resident housing (for Japan anyways). The company put me up in a Leo Palace 21 bldg. that I would describe as a .5LDK, heh. Needless to say it was pretty small but I rarely spent much time there anyways always being on assignment.

If you apply for a branch school (which I recommend) then you will always be in one location so I suggest looking into renting a landline for that duration. It's not as expensive as you think (￥600/month) or something along those lines (no pun intended). You should definitely consider getting a cell though at some point, even if you stay only a year because it really becomes more of a necessity than a luxury while living in Japan. The extra cost is not so much of a burden if used sparingly. Trust me though, chances are you'll make lots of friends who will be emailing and calling you relentlessly, heh.

In terms of the interview process... I guess I can spill the beans, heh. Basically, you'll be with a group your first day where the recruiters will fill you in on the company's history and a little about life in Japan. Almost no mention of the actual teaching method that you are expected to adhere to (except that there is one) while working for AEON is ever brought up in the recruitment process. Towards the end, everyone in the group is expected to give an individual demo lesson (of their choice selected and prepared for beforehand) that lasts maybe 10-15 minutes. The recruiters then decide who to invite back the second day. As long as you aren't a total tool, you should be able to get through fair enough. I remember in my group there was a young lady who made not one, but THREE spelling errors on the whiteboard for all the world to see during here 15min. demo... I thought for sure, she would not be back the next day but sure enough, she was, heh.

At that point, as soon as you arrive for your 1-on-1 interview (about 1.5 hours) you will be told you have about 10 minutes to prepare for a 10 min. demo where the recruiter will roleplay a Japanese student. The demo usually covers one grammar point or structure so just be creative and you will be fine. That about sums up the recruitment process anyways. Nothing difficult about it at all really. By the way, if you apply to the NY recruiting office say "hi" to Kayoko for me. 8-) We worked together for a couple months in Kyushu before she was transfered to the Big Apple. Send me a pm if you want and I can tell you more about her and the kind of teachers she looks for if you're really concerned about the app process.

p.s. You and your fellow trainees will all be staying in the same business hotel (standard policy) although one or two of you may get to go to your apt.s early which happens from time to time.

[bryan]

why avoid GEOS like the plague. I heard that about nova but not about GEOS. I have an interview coming up in a couple of weeks with them. Does anything know anything about WinBet?

[wintersweet]

James has a good reputation on ESLCafe.com's Japan forums, which you should check out if this is what you want to do. Sometimes, apparently, not hearing anything is a GOOD sign (since complainers, whether legitimate or just whiny, are always loudest). WinBe has a very bad reputation there. Try using their search function within the forum area; you'll probably find a lot.

[headsupcustoms]

Just letting you all know that I am still awaiting the interview process with AEON. When I applied, it said it would take about a month and a half. At that point, I emailed them to see if there was any change, and they said they are still going through the selection process, and asked if I was still interested. I made sure they knew for certain that yes I was, and YES I wanted to go with AEON. So hopefully soon they will contact me. Can you tell I am eager? lol

[budd]

the ones that takes care of the visa and pays on time

[headsupcustoms]

Hey all - just an update, my interview for AEON will be coming up in NYC on July 19th, everyone please wish me luck! I have to prepare a 30 minute program and 5 minute presentation - any tips??

[Tokyo1]

I've been in Japan for nearly ten years and have done my fair share of teaching. I have to strongly warn anyone thinking of coming to teach for one of the larger English schools. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. They often over work their teachers, they have little regard for personal time, and will at times do things contrary to the very contracts they try to hold you to. Not all schools are the same and you may get lucky. Many of the larger schools see their teachers as a renewable resource. If you really want to experiance Japan and enjoy your time I think that ALT is a good option. Of course this in't perfect but if your working in public schools you get a ton more time off and a lot more freedom and I find more respect. This is what I found after working for the head office of a well known large English school and having seen things from both sides I can tell you I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. Whatever you decide don't let anyone fast talk you into a bad deal read your contract carefully and if at all possible try to find people who used to work for the company and can give you some insight. Good luck!

[Furui]

I have been busy with English language. Lol.

[Glenski]

Any reason you felt like responding to a 2-year-old thread, Tokyo1?

[LGDArm]

Hello, everyone. I had a few questions, and would appreciate it very much if you could answer them.

I am currently very interested in teaching English in Japan, but I am very scared that if I go, I will possibly regret it and go back home. I do not wish to teach in Canada, only Japan, so if that were the case, I would only have a BA which won't get me a job anymore. What did you guys do to avoid this?

I am interested in teaching in one of the "conversation" schools like NOVA, AEON, etc. Is it possible to pursue a career with them, and if not why? Also, I am only a senior in High School, so do you think NOVA, AEON and the other competitors will still be around in another 5 years once I graduate?

Finally, is the income that you receive in a program like NOVA enough to adequately live there, possibly for many years?


Thanks in advance!