qilver wrote:
thanks for the info. It sounds like, other than the boredom extra time between classes, the teaching is ok. I've done a little research as far as which prg's there are, It seems the must funded prg, JET is the toughest to get into, there are others like NOVA, and smaller ones like AMITY(AEON), not sure which one you went through, any recommedations? I am quite open as far as which prg, i just want to teach and experience life in Japan, i am excited about the opportunity. I wouldn't mind teaching in a town just outside japan, 1hr by train is not too bad. I heard of the website you mentioned, will check out it. Most likely i will apply outside of japan as i am in the USA. Was it a tough process to apply to your smaller teaching prg, i have the qualitications to do any teaching prg, but i just want to know how to get in. Thanks.
Have you met a lot of other teachers your age? how are the students? are they nice to you? Is there a policy where teachers and students cannot socialize outside of the classroom? Did you learn the japanese language already while in japan?
I got my job really last minute through a company called Heart English School. Nova and Aeon and Geos are bigh english conversation schools but if you work for them you will be teaching cram school type english lessons ony. Where you ahve a class of different faces each day and the students can vary from kids to old people.
The company I work for does individual and small group lessons in Mito city but they also fill ALT positions. Alts used to only be JETs but JET doenst work well with the japanese system. Jets were hired direcetly by the japanese government for a towns BoE. So if a JET did something that a school didnt like they werent likely to complain to their bosses saying the emplyoee they hired was bad. Thats why smaller comapnies are starting to get used or ALT jobs. If I do something wrong they school talks to my company and then we fix the problem.
Heart is the third biggest english language school that fills ALT positions. I think we currently have 70 or so ALTs working for the company. Interac largest comapny and RCS is the second largerst, im not sure of the smaller ones. Schools should be looking to fill positions starting this fall now if your currently looking now is prolly one of the better times. I know my company is looking for one or two more around where I am now.
Back to the part of meeting teachers my age. There arent many teacher that are my age that ive seen. Im 23 so im pretty young. Some of the smaller schools have stuendt teachers or aides that are around my age, im not exactly sure what thier jobs are tho becuase they arent regular teachers, they tend to move around between classes and stuff.
I havent really done anything with people from work after school was over but I dont think there is anythin wrong with it. I was invited to go drinking once but I had something to do that day. :/ I also play with the student from the school near my apartment at a park nearby whenever I see them when I go shopping and such.
About knowing Japanese i studdied it in college for three years. I still dont speak well but i understand all normal conversation in japanese. (look at my list of dramas Ive watched and youll understand why). Knowing Japanese isnt a requirement at all but its very helpful for elementary schools. English isnt offically taught until junior high school so many middle schools dont have teachers who can speak english well. When the teacher here learned that I knew japanese I could hear them all sighin relief. If your working at a middle school they have Japanese teachers who are there to teach english. Their english still might not be very good but it will be good enough for them to try and talk to you.
Wow the posts jsut keep getting longer and longer.
Also if you end up applying to a Heart School position PM me so you can say I refered you so i can get some extra cash! :)