hybrid3415
bradcatblog.co.uk
- 25 Mar 2013
- 6
- 2
- 13
I've visited this forum many times in the past, often as a fly on the wall soaking in advice rather than getting involved in discussions. The same names seem to appear in most threads who I like to think are the "Godfathers" of this forum (Glenski and Mike Cash to name but two) so I know that by coming here, I'll be getting some home truths.
I actually came to this forum roughly a year ago asking for people to help me win a competition (a weekend trip to Japan) my hopes riding on "Facebook likes", in a bid to fulfil my dream of visiting Japan. I ended up coming second place, being awarded Japanese restaurant vouchers. However, more determined than ever to visit Japan, I decided to get an extra job, and eventually fund a 3 week visit to Japan earlier this year.
The aims of this trip were twofold;
1.) Experience a tiny slice of what Japan has to offer, and try to understand things I'd only read in textbooks.
2.) The viability of working and living in Japan.
While in Japan, I made a conscious effort to try and spot the big Eikaiwa names so that I could research them in depth upon returning to the UK. As you can imagine, the main ones included: GABA, ECC, and AEON.
Returning home, I made applications to GABA, ECC, and JET. I'd applied to JET two years ago, but didn't make it to the interview stage (Unfortunately due to the large number of applicants, they're unable to provide individual feedback) however I applied again last year regardless of this. I attended a seminar for GABA and while their representative was very lovely and painted the company in a wonderful light, I couldn't help but find myself drawn to the "pyramid" shapes and low wages. More recently I applied to ECC and managed to pass the initial phone interview, only to not pass the group interview grammar test (Do you know what a sommelier is? No you're not allowed to use Google...)
Which brings me up to my current situation. I'm not a 16 year old Naruto obsessed fan who wants to live in Japan for the wacky lifestyles portrayed in Western media. I'm a 28 year old, highly motivated, keen to learn individual who wants to have a career he can be proud of. Now I know people on these forums refer to the companies I've listed as "language flipping" comparing them to that of working in McDonalds. But on the flip side of that (pun not intended) I have friends in Japan that have used these companies for a year and then found their own work.
What viable options do I really have, other than scraping the barrel for a year before moving on to better things? That's also assuming that a better job would present itself after a year. I'm in the process of completing a 120 hour TEFL course which I'm quite enjoying, but as an ALT will I be utilised to my fullest potential? Is Eikaiwa the only option for a foreigner with my abilities? Glenski, you've been in Japan probably longer than I've been alive by the sounds of it, how did you "break through"?
This is a fairly serious point in my life. I've recently obtained a mortgage which has allowed me to get my hands on ¥522,000, enough to fund my first two or three months in Japan when the time comes to move.
Any advice, jabs, sarcasm, or questions are welcome. I will try my best to answer them so that you're able to offer a better poke in the right direction.
I actually came to this forum roughly a year ago asking for people to help me win a competition (a weekend trip to Japan) my hopes riding on "Facebook likes", in a bid to fulfil my dream of visiting Japan. I ended up coming second place, being awarded Japanese restaurant vouchers. However, more determined than ever to visit Japan, I decided to get an extra job, and eventually fund a 3 week visit to Japan earlier this year.
The aims of this trip were twofold;
1.) Experience a tiny slice of what Japan has to offer, and try to understand things I'd only read in textbooks.
2.) The viability of working and living in Japan.
While in Japan, I made a conscious effort to try and spot the big Eikaiwa names so that I could research them in depth upon returning to the UK. As you can imagine, the main ones included: GABA, ECC, and AEON.
Returning home, I made applications to GABA, ECC, and JET. I'd applied to JET two years ago, but didn't make it to the interview stage (Unfortunately due to the large number of applicants, they're unable to provide individual feedback) however I applied again last year regardless of this. I attended a seminar for GABA and while their representative was very lovely and painted the company in a wonderful light, I couldn't help but find myself drawn to the "pyramid" shapes and low wages. More recently I applied to ECC and managed to pass the initial phone interview, only to not pass the group interview grammar test (Do you know what a sommelier is? No you're not allowed to use Google...)
Which brings me up to my current situation. I'm not a 16 year old Naruto obsessed fan who wants to live in Japan for the wacky lifestyles portrayed in Western media. I'm a 28 year old, highly motivated, keen to learn individual who wants to have a career he can be proud of. Now I know people on these forums refer to the companies I've listed as "language flipping" comparing them to that of working in McDonalds. But on the flip side of that (pun not intended) I have friends in Japan that have used these companies for a year and then found their own work.
What viable options do I really have, other than scraping the barrel for a year before moving on to better things? That's also assuming that a better job would present itself after a year. I'm in the process of completing a 120 hour TEFL course which I'm quite enjoying, but as an ALT will I be utilised to my fullest potential? Is Eikaiwa the only option for a foreigner with my abilities? Glenski, you've been in Japan probably longer than I've been alive by the sounds of it, how did you "break through"?
This is a fairly serious point in my life. I've recently obtained a mortgage which has allowed me to get my hands on ¥522,000, enough to fund my first two or three months in Japan when the time comes to move.
Any advice, jabs, sarcasm, or questions are welcome. I will try my best to answer them so that you're able to offer a better poke in the right direction.
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