Tsukekomareta
Registered
- 24 Oct 2014
- 2
- 0
- 11
Hello,
I'm new to the forum, but I worked as a JET and then an HR rep for these so-called, 'ALT companies' totaling 5 years.
I'm here to give you warning about working in Japan as an ALT.
To begin, I came to Japan with high hopes. I felt that I could achieve something in Japan that I couldn't in my home country. Boy, was I wrong.
As a JET, I was largely marginalized. I was placed 'in charge' of the special ed department. You may say, 'that's great! You were placed in charge of something!' The truth is, however, I spent 90% of my time with 4 special ed children. The school had over 500 other students all with mandatory English lessons. I was 'in charge' of the classes no other teachers wanted.
For some reason, the school district, after having paid a lot of money for me, wouldn't have me in their English classrooms. My theory is that I was essentially a PR
stunt to show parents and other districts that they were hiring foreigners and thus 'with it' in terms of English education.
On to the private ALT dispatch companies...
Long story short, they don't care anything about you. JET has created a need for native English speakers to teach in Japanese schools, yet no guidelines are established as to what that means. The private companies come in and bid (far) lower than JET.
They sell you on 'live in a foreign country!' and 'get to know yourself!'
However, to them they're just looking for a body to fill a role.
They don't care about your life. They don't care if you can speak English and they certainly don't care about the law.
At best, you won't be paid any money at all 3 months out of the year. Usually, August, December and April.
At worst, you'll not be paid at all. Ever.
Your paycheck will be the bare minimum necessary to sustain life and even then, you'll be docked with 'deductions' for basic needs such as water and electricity.
In my experience, I've seen ALTs receive a paycheck of ¥2000 (USD $20) for an entire month's work.
To sum it up - DO NOT come to work in Japan as an ALT. You will be abused and neglected; if you're lucky.
Nothing is worth the treatment you'll receive here. You will become a caricature of 'foreigners' and never let out of your cage. Stay home studying something worthwhile. Japan is overrated.
Best,
I'm new to the forum, but I worked as a JET and then an HR rep for these so-called, 'ALT companies' totaling 5 years.
I'm here to give you warning about working in Japan as an ALT.
To begin, I came to Japan with high hopes. I felt that I could achieve something in Japan that I couldn't in my home country. Boy, was I wrong.
As a JET, I was largely marginalized. I was placed 'in charge' of the special ed department. You may say, 'that's great! You were placed in charge of something!' The truth is, however, I spent 90% of my time with 4 special ed children. The school had over 500 other students all with mandatory English lessons. I was 'in charge' of the classes no other teachers wanted.
For some reason, the school district, after having paid a lot of money for me, wouldn't have me in their English classrooms. My theory is that I was essentially a PR
stunt to show parents and other districts that they were hiring foreigners and thus 'with it' in terms of English education.
On to the private ALT dispatch companies...
Long story short, they don't care anything about you. JET has created a need for native English speakers to teach in Japanese schools, yet no guidelines are established as to what that means. The private companies come in and bid (far) lower than JET.
They sell you on 'live in a foreign country!' and 'get to know yourself!'
However, to them they're just looking for a body to fill a role.
They don't care about your life. They don't care if you can speak English and they certainly don't care about the law.
At best, you won't be paid any money at all 3 months out of the year. Usually, August, December and April.
At worst, you'll not be paid at all. Ever.
Your paycheck will be the bare minimum necessary to sustain life and even then, you'll be docked with 'deductions' for basic needs such as water and electricity.
In my experience, I've seen ALTs receive a paycheck of ¥2000 (USD $20) for an entire month's work.
To sum it up - DO NOT come to work in Japan as an ALT. You will be abused and neglected; if you're lucky.
Nothing is worth the treatment you'll receive here. You will become a caricature of 'foreigners' and never let out of your cage. Stay home studying something worthwhile. Japan is overrated.
Best,