Amity/AEON

[Cordula]

Apologies if this comes off a bit desperate, but...

Long story short, I finally earned a BA in English and Paralegal Studies recently. I had been applying to places like mad. Either they never got back to me, required more experience I didn't have or granted me interviews I didn't pass. I don't understand this last reasoning, because I have tried to research interview questions and answers. Even when I replied with things people who got the job did they basically sent me home, said they'd call me and never did.


So. One of my friends suggested I just teach English in Asia. My majors are very ideal for that kind of thing, and I actually come from an Asian immigrant background as well so it'd be easier. I managed to snag two more interviews. One with Amity and one with AEON. I'm well aware they're actually the same company. I noticed the email formats and office addresses were identical.

I've Googled and read as much as I could. I get that I'm supposed to be very attentive, enthusiastic and wear a suit. I have all of these things. I even bought a new notebook I can use for the occasion. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any recent information. I put together a rudimentary lesson plan about nationalities and colors. Five minutes is a while, but I'm going to just rehearse and do the best I can.


Does anyone have any other advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[Glenski]

One of my friends suggested I just teach English in Asia. My majors are very ideal for that kind of thing, and I actually come from an Asian immigrant background as well so it'd be easier.

How do you figure paralegal studies is ideal for teaching English?

Being an Asian immigrant might actually work against you, you know. Many people here can hardly believe that natural English can come out of an Asian face. Plus, people on the street will sometimes automatically assume you speak/read/write perfect Japanese. Do you? That can sometimes lead to problems or at least confusion, so it wouldn't be "easier".

I get that I'm supposed to be very attentive, enthusiastic and wear a suit. I have all of these things. I even bought a new notebook I can use for the occasion.

Notebook? Loose leaf or notebook PC?

I put together a rudimentary lesson plan about nationalities and colors. Five minutes is a while, but I'm going to just rehearse and do the best I can.

If you think a 5-minute lesson plan is a long time, you really need to rethink things. Your lessons could run 45-80 minutes! I don't recall how long they are at AEON.

Most eikaiwa in Japan will not interview you unless you are here. The few biggies will have recruiting staff outside the country and take you at their schedule, not yours, and at your expense, which might mean traveling to the interview city and staying 1-3 days. In rare cases you might have a Skype interview with other employers, but without actually being there, you miss a lot of details.

My advice is to learn more about EFL. Go to the ESL Cafe discussion group for Japan.

 

[nahadef]

I worked for them for a bit. Of course, they have offices in N. America to hire all the time (L.A., Toronto, I forget where else).

They have a strict teaching style, the McDonalds of teaching if you will. As much as they might say they want teachers, they mainly want people who look nice, smile, and tow the company line. If you have different ideas about teaching, that can often lead to friction with the company.

My opinion on them, long story short: not the worst, not the best. They are a very good way to get settled in Japan, since they will secure a visa, pay a living wage, and set up an apartment, these days at Leo Palace. If you really want to teach, you'll go crazy, since they want you to sell and advertise a lot. But it's not terrible for one year, and they pressure you much less that first year. If they put you in a city, you'll have easy access to other jobs. If they put you in the boonies, you're out of luck. Most teachers get along okay, but a few get pretty wrung out from the job.

I had a great school staff, but I loathed the head office. The head office was borderline evil, all big smiles and money grubbing. I would never work for them again, and my life here drastically improved when I left the company.

They hire a lot every week, so be friendly and positive. Those are the two most important points.

 

[Mike Cash]

Most people who come here and do the Eikaiwa thing (pretending to teach English to people who are pretending to learn it) do so as a way to travel abroad for a year or two after college prior to returning home and getting started on their real careers.

If you envision doing this as a career, then get educated for it and certified for it and treating it as a professional endeavor.

Just be aware that the sort of job you're looking at is essentially "flipping language burgers" and is not the sort of thing most want to do (or can stand doing) long-term. If you just want to fart about for a bit while still hoping for something in paralegal, come on over and have a good time for a year or two. If you're thinking of teaching English here as a career and imagine that your English degree has prepared you or qualified you for it....it hasn't.

 

[Cordula]

How do you figure paralegal studies is ideal for teaching English?

I have been told that it is. We analyzed and read a bunch of documents. I think my English degree is undoubtedly useful.

Being an Asian immigrant might actually work against you, you know. Many people here can hardly believe that natural English can come out of an Asian face. Plus, people on the street will sometimes automatically assume you speak/read/write perfect Japanese. Do you? That can sometimes lead to problems or at least confusion, so it wouldn't be "easier".

I assumed that was the case. Any East Asian is told that. But I've heard the culture shock is pretty massive. I lived with a similar culture in a Chinese family. So it is a little easier. Plus I can read and write some Chinese, though I'm well aware Japanese pronunciations are different.

Notebook? Loose leaf or notebook PC?

Well this I knew someone would ask. They specifically requested a loose leaf.

If you think a 5-minute lesson plan is a long time, you really need to rethink things. Your lessons could run 45-80 minutes! I don't recall how long they are at AEON.

Not true. Like I said, they requested a 5 minute lesson plan. And I know most teachers go at it at least 5 hours a day. But I am not accustomed to speaking publicly for even those few minutes.

Most eikaiwa in Japan will not interview you unless you are here. The few biggies will have recruiting staff outside the country and take you at their schedule, not yours, and at your expense, which might mean traveling to the interview city and staying 1-3 days. In rare cases you might have a Skype interview with other employers, but without actually being there, you miss a lot of details.

My advice is to learn more about EFL. Go to the ESL Cafe discussion group for Japan.

I have had one, which I didn't get. I've joined ESL Cafe. I was just telling someone on another site about that. Most people join one of the Big Four since you basically won't get interviewed unless you're already in Japan.

 

[Cordula]

I worked for them for a bit. Of course, they have offices in N. America to hire all the time (L.A., Toronto, I forget where else).

They have a strict teaching style, the McDonalds of teaching if you will. As much as they might say they want teachers, they mainly want people who look nice, smile, and tow the company line. If you have different ideas about teaching, that can often lead to friction with the company.

My opinion on them, long story short: not the worst, not the best. They are a very good way to get settled in Japan, since they will secure a visa, pay a living wage, and set up an apartment, these days at Leo Palace. If you really want to teach, you'll go crazy, since they want you to sell and advertise a lot. But it's not terrible for one year, and they pressure you much less that first year. If they put you in a city, you'll have easy access to other jobs. If they put you in the boonies, you're out of luck. Most teachers get along okay, but a few get pretty wrung out from the job.

I had a great school staff, but I loathed the head office. The head office was borderline evil, all big smiles and money grubbing. I would never work for them again, and my life here drastically improved when I left the company.

They hire a lot every week, so be friendly and positive. Those are the two most important points.

Thank you for all the feedback. I am glad to hear that they hire so frequently. The turnover rate is probably very high, though.

 

[Cordula]

Most people who come here and do the Eikaiwa thing (pretending to teach English to people who are pretending to learn it) do so as a way to travel abroad for a year or two after college prior to returning home and getting started on their real careers.

If you envision doing this as a career, then get educated for it and certified for it and treating it as a professional endeavor.

Just be aware that the sort of job you're looking at is essentially "flipping language burgers" and is not the sort of thing most want to do (or can stand doing) long-term. If you just want to fart about for a bit while still hoping for something in paralegal, come on over and have a good time for a year or two. If you're thinking of teaching English here as a career and imagine that your English degree has prepared you or qualified you for it....it hasn't.

That's what I've heard. Although some people can alternatively pursue other jobs outside of a year or two with this "debut" company. Some even married and had kids. It becomes the same deal, opposite version of immigrating from Asian to Western countries. Most of them just go home and enjoy that they experienced a different country for what it is.

I am planning to have a good time in Japan for a year or two. Then come back and get a real job.

Certainly not. The companies I looked at specified they didn't care what I majored in. Just that anyone with a BA or BS is qualified, so there you go.

 

[Glenski]

Teaching English is absolutely unlike and unrelated to paralegal studies 100%. Analyzing legal documents has no bearing whatsoever on it. Why told you it was helpful, and why?

Culture shock depends on you and your life experience and what you expect when you come here. You won't hear koto music in the background, people don't walk around in kimonos or samurai outfits, and it's not like WWII. I will assume you know a bit of the culture because of your heritage, but if you've never been here, it's probably not what you expect. Just keep your eyes open, your mouth shut until you learn why/how things are done here, and any western morals held close to your chest instead of parading them out like some do.

AEON requested that you bring a loose leaf notebook? Good grief!

Not true. Like I said, they requested a 5 minute lesson plan. And I know most teachers go at it at least five hours a day. But I am not accustomed to speaking publicly for even those few minutes.

What's "not true"? Yes, they and others will often require a 5-minute demo, but yes they also expect you to teach several classes per day, often back to back with very little break, and each one could be 45-80 minutes long.

If you aren't used to speaking more than 5 minutes, you will be in for a real lesson yourself. Even though teachers shouldn't actually speak more than 15% of the time in each lesson, too many do, and besides, just being there to monitor things for that lesson is sometimes quite physically draining. I'm sure AEON has its own little lesson strategy laid out for teachers (do this first, second, third, etc.), so get that into your head right away. You will be asked to speak only in English, and most students will still have a hard time understanding the lessons even though they may be adults with more than 6 years of English schooling under their belts. They just don't get the practice using it. Your job is to coax them into doing that and showing them how.

Mike wrote:

If you envision doing this as a career, then get educated for it and certified for it and treating it as a professional endeavor.

I don't think Cordula is looking that far down the road, but it would be nice to know his intentions. Most teachers here are just temps who leave in 2-3 years.

There's also ALT work, whether with dispatch companies (shudder!) or the JET Programme.

 

[Cordula]

Teaching English is absolutely unlike and unrelated to paralegal studies 100%. Analyzing legal documents has no bearing whatsoever on it. Why told you it was helpful, and why?

I think you mean WHO? My school psychologist, a career counselor and some other students I know. A lot of people with English degrees work in law. Granted, the fields aren't identical. We learned how to write and analyze documents it's more helpful to have as a skill.

Culture shock depends on you and your life experience and what you expect when you come here. You won't hear koto music in the background, people don't walk around in kimonos or samurai outfits, and it's not like WWII. I will assume you know a bit of the culture because of your heritage, but if you've never been here, it's probably not what you expect. Just keep your eyes open, your mouth shut until you learn why/how things are done here, and any western morals held close to your chest instead of parading them out like some do.

I've read blog posts from confused teachers. They say that they had to work overtime, aren't used to some aspects of the culture and just generally find it harder. But okay.

What's "not true"? Yes, they and others will often require a 5-minute demo, but yes they also expect you to teach several classes per day, often back to back with very little break, and each one could be 45-80 minutes long.

This is what I stated. I was replying to your quote... This is if I even get the job.

If you aren't used to speaking more than 5 minutes, you will be in for a real lesson yourself. Even though teachers shouldn't actually speak more than 15% of the time in each lesson, too many do, and besides, just being there to monitor things for that lesson is sometimes quite physically draining. I'm sure AEON has its own little lesson strategy laid out for teachers (do this first, second, third, etc.), so get that into your head right away. You will be asked to speak only in English, and most students will still have a hard time understanding the lessons even though they may be adults with more than 6 years of English schooling under their belts. They just don't get the practice using it. Your job is to coax them into doing that and showing them how.

Sure. I'm having trouble with this myself. I need to rehearse.

I don't think Cordula is looking that far down the road, but it would be nice to know his intentions. Most teachers here are just temps who leave in 2-3 years.

There's also ALT work, whether with dispatch companies (shudder!) or the JET Programme.

I'm a lady, hence the name.

The JET Programme isn't hiring people for awhile. I already called in and checked their official site.

 

[WonkoTheSane]

...or granted me interviews I didn't pass. I don't understand this last reasoning, because I have tried to research interview questions and answers. Even when I replied with things people who got the job did they basically sent me home, said they'd call me and never did. ...

Just an aside: As someone who has been involved in all aspects of hiring and firing, canned answers from people who 'researched' interview questions and answers are both obvious and a huge red flag. If I'm hiring I'm talking to tons of people and it's quite obvious quite quickly which ones are honestly thinking about and answering my questions vs which ones are saying what they think is the right answer.

 

[Cordula]

Just an aside: As someone who has been involved in all aspects of hiring and firing, canned answers from people who 'researched' interview questions and answers are both obvious and a huge red flag. If I'm hiring I'm talking to tons of people and it's quite obvious quite quickly which ones are honestly thinking about and answering my questions vs which ones are saying what they think is the right answer.

That makes sense. But the first few I went to I actually had to use my head. I think my tone of voice has to do with it.

 

[nahadef]

Standard Aeon classes are 50 minutes, and average about 5 a day, 7 on Saturdays. Very occasionally there were 8 on a Saturday, but that was twice a year, under stressful circumstances, like covering for a sick coworker.

 

[Glenski]

I think you mean WHO? My school psychologist, a career counselor and some other students I know. A lot of people with English degrees work in law. Granted, the fields aren't identical. We learned how to write and analyze documents it's more helpful to have as a skill.

sorry for the typo. Yes, I meant who.

None of those people knows what they are talking about if they tell you paralegal studies will help you get an English teaching job here. Maybe the reverse is true, but I wouldn't know, and that's not what you asked anyway.

Why did they say so? If the bit about writing and analyzing docs was all they used for support, they are wrong and misguided.

I've read blog posts from confused teachers. They say that they had to work overtime, aren't used to some aspects of the culture and just generally find it harder. But okay.

confused?

Sure. I'm having trouble with this myself. I need to rehearse.

Don't memorize a lesson, or what you will say. It looks bad, and the moment something unplanned happens, and it will, you're dead.

I'm a lady, hence the name.

The name doesn't mean anything to me, but apologies for not seeing the ankh symbol.

The JET Programme isn't hiring people for awhile. I already called in and checked their official site.

They hire twice a year. When did you want to be here?

Lastly, heed Wonko's remarks about the hiring process.

 

[WonkoTheSane]

That makes sense. But the first few I went to I actually had to use my head. I think my tone of voice has to do with it.

Could be... Or it could be any number of things. Someone else was better, the interviewer didn't think you'd fit with the team, they wanted more experience, there's a glut of talent, etc.

I've had a great applicant walk in the door right after a stellar one, guess which one got the job and which one got a nicely worded rejection letter?

A note about the paralegal thing:

My profession is about as closely related to English teaching as it is possible to get while not being an educator, but I am in no way qualified to be an English teacher and I certainly wouldn't attempt to do so without getting a bunch of training specific to teaching.

Regardless of what some blogs and memes might have you believe, teaching English (well) is a hard job which requires a significant amount of specialized knowledge and a skillful application of that knowledge. I would highly recommend that you take the time to become truly prepared, both for your students' and your own sake. Just because someone will hire you to do something doesn't mean you are qualified to do the job, it merely means you are qualified to get the job.

 

[Cordula]

confused?

You can be confused, you know.

Don't memorize a lesson, or what you will say. It looks bad, and the moment something unplanned happens, and it will, you're dead.

Actually, I saw a psychologist in Urgent Care. She told me that's pretty much the only thing you can do. Many people get their jobs without rehearsing, though.

The name doesn't mean anything to me, but apologies for not seeing the ankh symbol.

The name is traditionally given to females exclusively. I was going to point the symbol out. It was late. Who knows? I could be using fake information, but I'm not.

They hire twice a year. When did you want to be here?

As soon as possible.

 

[Glenski]

You can be confused, you know.

That question mark was meant to be more direct, but it went past you, so I'll ask directly.
What did you mean when you wrote that those other people were confused?

Actually, I saw a psychologist in Urgent Care. She told me that's pretty much the only thing you can do. Many people get their jobs without rehearsing, though.

Your sources of information on how to teach English abroad are staggering. (That's a sarcastic tone.) Why do you persist in bringing up those people when I've already told you they are useless sources?

As soon as possible.

Ok, here's another piece of information, plus a question.

It's September. Hiring will take place for a very minor surge of openings that begin in October, then nothing until April (which mean announcements in January or so). JET interviews in Nov/Dec, and most of their jobs start next August. Check their web site for more accurate info and on when the second hires will be placed.

You shouldn't rush things.
#1 , you're barely qualified to teach anything. As Wonko wrote so well, you are only qualified right now to get hired. Sadly, lots of jobs only want a foreign body from a native English speaking country, but if you really want to do a decent (not half-arsed) job, you'll get some kind of training/education first.
#2 , it will take 2-8 weeks just to process a visa application. Typical time is a month. So, even if you interviewed today and got accepted, you might not even start until end of Oct, early Nov, but that's an unlikely time frame the way things work here.
#3 , people who are physically here stand a far better chance of landing a job under the above circumstances. You aren't among them, and I suspect you haven't got leads on who else to pursue once you land.
#4 , rushing means making mistakes. Sometimes that means choosing the first apparently good opportunity that comes along, whether it's truly good or not.

So, now the question: why are you in such a hurry?
Additional question, where in the country do you want to work?

 

[Cordula]

That question mark was meant to be more direct, but it went past you, so I'll ask directly.
What did you mean when you wrote that those other people were confused?

They were confused about the culture. Living their whole lives in Western countries, coming from white backgrounds. Now forced to live the Asian way in Japan. A lot of things were noticeably different.

Your sources of information on how to teach English abroad are staggering. (That's a sarcastic tone.) Why do you persist in bringing up those people when I've already told you they are useless sources?

No, a psychologist is a trained professional. She wasn't referring to teaching English abroad. She was referring to job interviews in general.

So, now the question: why are you in such a hurry?
Additional question, where in the country do you want to work?

That's a very good question. I've been out of school for a good ten months already. Save brief volunteer work, I have nothing else to do. I actually live in a house in LA with my parents. They're hoping I secure a job ASAP. Now is a good time.

I really don't have a preference. I heard that there are a lot of people moving to the urban areas, so does that mean competition for me?

 

[Glenski]

Your answers are a bit difficult to grasp at times, and I think it is partially because you don't stay on topic. Here is how the disjointed conversation went:

You: One of my friends suggested I just teach English in Asia. My majors are very ideal for that kind of thing

Me: How do you figure paralegal studies is ideal for teaching English?

You: I have been told that it is. We analyzed and read a bunch of documents. I think my English degree is undoubtedly useful.

Me: Teaching English is absolutely unlike and unrelated to paralegal studies 100%. Analyzing legal documents has no bearing whatsoever on it. Why told you it was helpful, and why?

You: My school psychologist, a career counselor and some other students I know. A lot of people with English degrees work in law. Granted, the fields aren't identical. We learned how to write and analyze documents it's more helpful to have as a skill.

Me: None of those people knows what they are talking about if they tell you paralegal studies will help you get an English teaching job here. Maybe the reverse is true, but I wouldn't know, and that's not what you asked anyway.
Why did they say so? If the bit about writing and analyzing docs was all they used for support, they are wrong and misguided.
(no answer, and here is where things got off-target the most...)

You: Actually, I saw a psychologist in Urgent Care. She told me that's pretty much the only thing you can do [memorize, presumably for interviews, when I gave advice about not memorizing for lessons]. Many people get their jobs without rehearsing, though.

Me: Your sources of information on how to teach English abroad are staggering. (That's a sarcastic tone.) Why do you persist in bringing up those people when I've already told you they are useless sources?

You: No, a psychologist is a trained professional. She wasn't referring to teaching English abroad. She was referring to job interviews in general.

So, after all these posts, you still have not answered my question as to why any of your sources have suggested that your background, especially paralegal, makes you the least bit suited towards teaching abroad. Please answer this very simple and direct question.

But furthermore, you have just insulted everyone abroad who teaches with even a modicum of professionalism and seriousness:

I am planning to have a good time in Japan for a year or two. Then come back and get a real job.

I work long hours, plan lessons, create syllabuses and curriculum plans, attend staff meetings, present at conferences domestically and abroad, get paid a decent salary with benefits, have tenure, etc. What's NOT a real job about that? Even when I worked in eikaiwa and as a solo teacher (not ALT) in HS here, I put in the same amount of professional attitude and got treated as if it was a real job...because it was!

Thanks for the snub, intentional or otherwise. Want to come here and party for a while? Forget work. Hop on a plane and spend 3 months sightseeing instead. Your attitude smacks of the very type of foreigner that shouldn't be employed here, mostly because it makes the rest of us look bad, and we aren't zipping in and out. We stay and have to suffer the consequences of people with your mindset.

I heard that there are a lot of people moving to the urban areas, so does that mean competition for me?

Duh!

I've been out of school for a good ten months already. Save brief volunteer work, I have nothing else to do. I actually live in a house in LA with my parents.

Ten months and you can't find work??? Wow. Why?

 

[Cordula]

Your answers are a bit difficult to grasp at times, and I think it is partially because you don't stay on topic. Here is how the disjointed conversation went:

You: One of my friends suggested I just teach English in Asia. My majors are very ideal for that kind of thing

Me: How do you figure paralegal studies is ideal for teaching English?

You: I have been told that it is. We analyzed and read a bunch of documents. I think my English degree is undoubtedly useful.

Me: Teaching English is absolutely unlike and unrelated to paralegal studies 100%. Analyzing legal documents has no bearing whatsoever on it. Why told you it was helpful, and why?

You: My school psychologist, a career counselor and some other students I know. A lot of people with English degrees work in law. Granted, the fields aren't identical. We learned how to write and analyze documents it's more

I work long hours, plan lessons, create syllabuses and curriculum plans, attend staff meetings, present at conferences domestically and abroad, get paid a decent salary with benefits, have tenure, etc. What's NOT a real job about that? Even when I worked in eikaiwa and as a solo teacher (not ALT) in HS here, I put in the same amount of professional attitude and got treated as if it was a real job...because it was!

Thanks for the snub, intentional or otherwise. Want to come here and party for a while? Forget work. Hop on a plane and spend 3 months sightseeing instead. Your attitude smacks of the very type of foreigner that shouldn't be employed here, mostly because it makes the rest of us look bad, and we aren't zipping in and out. We stay and have to suffer the consequences of people with your mindset.

No offense to you Glen, but you are the one who snubbed me. Now you're upset because I misunderstood your question about the major? You were the one who started asking about it. I never once implied it was helpful for teaching in Japan. I said it was what I majored in. You foolishly jumped on that. Not my problem. I am sure people take their work seriously over there. However, a lot of others say it is not a "real" job. You float in Japan teaching for a year or two, come back and find a "real" job.

Duh!

Ten months and you can't find work??? Wow. Why?

That was very helpful.

We seem to be from different generations. In case you haven't noticed, this is not news for people who graduated college after 2007 or so. Even people with MAs have been unemployed for two, three years. It's become the hot new alternative to find work teaching in Asia.

Anyway, suit yourself. Gtg

 

[Glenski]

You don't apparently know the meaning of "snubbed". You also need to learn to write better and/or read more carefully. The fault with the miscue is yours.

So, now we have TWO questions you refuse to answer. Childish.

As for different generations, yes. I am probably as old as or older than your parents. Doesn't matter. People have been coming here for far longer than you wrote. Longer than you've been alive! I have been on these forums that long, too.

 

[Dotanbatan]

Hi Cordula,

Amongst all the pedantic quibbling ﾂ…. Zzzz ! – Glenski did give you one good piece of advice: Visit Dave's EFL Café Forum.

From that site, here is an interesting and informative thread about AEON in Japan.

Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - The AEON Schedule, Deconstructed

I understand the difficulties you are having as a young graduate finding a job. You are exploring your alternatives outside your initial field of study, which is good to do. Keep applying and keep attending interviews, learn from each experience and you will get better.

I have interviewed hundreds of people and as Wonko said, you often have to turn down superb candidates simply because there happened to be another slightly better or more suitable one! Try not to be discouraged, use it to build experience.

Here are some good, professional Interview tips from a Recruiting firm we often used:

Interview tips

When making the final decision about moving, I would advise you to keep in mind the comments on this thread and many others about the realities of teaching and living in Japan – The positives AND the negatives!