Post: #1

So I'm in the ESL game, and I have a lot of friends who do the same. It's interesting seeing how some of them globe hop.

There's a company called the Westgate Corporation, which several people I know have used to teach in Japan. Basically, the deal is they set you up with an apartment, take care of your flights, and you're contracted for 3 months to teach English classes at a University in Japan. You are not teaching official courses at the University, it's more like extra-curricular help for students there.

The money, I've been told is OK, but this is from English teachers used to making less than $1,000 a month in South America. I've also been told that accommodation can be an issue, since they set you up in an apt. and you have little to no choice in the matter. The commute to the University may be up to an hour. You likely won't be situated in the heart of the city, but rather somewhere further out. At least that's the impression I got. They operate in several major cities in Japan.

So this is not all roses, and certainly not the jet-setters choice. But they do take care of your flight and it seems like an interesting opportunity for someone who wants to experience Japan for a few months. They expect ESL certs and experience.

I'm personally considering it for the near future, once present obligations in the U.S. terminate.

http://www.westgate.co.jp/application/

Post: #2

(07-17-2013 01:12 AM)Sonsowey Wrote:  So I'm in the ESL game, and I have a lot of friends who do the same. It's interesting seeing how some of them globe hop.

I'm personally considering it for the near future, once present obligations in the U.S. terminate.

http://www.westgate.co.jp/application/

I looked at their page and it doesn't state age restrictions.

Do you know of anyone that ever got hired being over 50?

I know age discrimination is legal in most countries.

EDIT: They say there's no limit but it's hard, hour each way on subway.

Post: #3

Why are you still here? You get offered compensation, logistics and lodging to go and interact with people who you will direct and assume a leadership role for.

Unless you're making 80k+ where you're currently at and being very pleased with your situation its sound like you should head or this minute .

Post: #4

(07-17-2013 01:50 AM)Vicious Wrote:  Why are you still here? You get offered compensation, logistics and lodging to go and interact with people who you will direct and assume a leadership role for.

Unless you're making 80k+ where you're currently at and being very pleased with your situation its sound like you should head or this minute .

+1

Post: #5

(07-17-2013 01:50 AM)Vicious Wrote:  Why are you still here? You get offered compensation, logistics and lodging to go and interact with people who you will direct and assume a leadership role for.

Unless you're making 80k+ where you're currently at and being very pleased with your situation its sound like you should head or this minute .

I am living in NYC in the summer, playing in a band, getting it in, generally happy.

It's not bad here.

Post: #6

(07-17-2013 01:21 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:  I looked at their page and it doesn't state age restrictions.

Do you know of anyone that ever got hired being over 50?

I know age discrimination is legal in most countries.

EDIT: They say there's no limit but it's hard, hour each way on subway.

No I don't know anyone over 50, but I do know someone who was around 40 who had done it several times between other teaching gigs around the world. And I have known people well over 50 who were hired in South America to teach ESL.

I have no idea though, about age discrimination in Japan. Best that you look into that on your own, there are many forums dedicated to ESL in Japan.

Post: #7

This sounds like a pretty cool opportunity - great way to see the world.

How do you get one of these jobs? When I graduate college I'd like to do a bit of traveling...teaching english could be a cool way to do that.

Post: #8

(07-17-2013 11:13 AM)Sonsowey Wrote:  I am living in NYC in the summer, playing in a band, getting it in, generally happy.

It's not bad here.

What you have to ask yourself is: will I regret not going 1,3, 5 or 10 years from now?

You say it's not bad, but is it great? Complacency is the hardest habit to kick.

Post: #9

(07-17-2013 01:06 PM)Vicious Wrote:  

(07-17-2013 11:13 AM)Sonsowey Wrote:  I am living in NYC in the summer, playing in a band, getting it in, generally happy.

It's not bad here.

What you have to ask yourself is: will I regret not going 1,3, 5 or 10 years from now?

You say it's not bad, but is it great? Complacency is the hardest habit to kick.

Exactly. I am dealing with my own indecision when it comes to this.

You get comfortable and genuinely content. The only problem is you are also getting into a routine that goes by day after day. Do you just be happy with being content or break out of the routine and change things up?

Traveling is always in the back of my mind even when I am happy. I almost feel like I am wasting my life if I am not learning and seeing new stuff.

1st world problems!

Post: #10

(07-17-2013 01:06 PM)Vicious Wrote:  

(07-17-2013 11:13 AM)Sonsowey Wrote:  I am living in NYC in the summer, playing in a band, getting it in, generally happy.

It's not bad here.

What you have to ask yourself is: will I regret not going 1,3, 5 or 10 years from now?

You say it's not bad, but is it great? Complacency is the hardest habit to kick.

Huh? Lol, he was the guy who posted the thread in the first place. He's obviously considering it. Leave him alone, haha.

Post: #11

(07-17-2013 01:16 PM)RichieP Wrote:  Huh? Lol, he was the guy who posted the thread in the first place. He's obviously considering it. Leave him alone, haha.

I think Vicious was right on the money with his post.

He could be considering the move but that doesn't mean complacency isn't also a deciding factor.

Post: #12

Wow, guys, I appreciate the "get off your ass" motivation, but cmon, Im in a masters program and dedicated to finishing it. Chill for a minute. not everyone who isnt in Japan RIGHT NOW is wasting away in endless drudgery hell.

I am genuinely enjoying my life. I came back from south america to do my masters program. I am dedicating to terminating the program.

Post: #13

(07-17-2013 01:45 PM)Sonsowey Wrote:  Wow, guys, I appreciate the "get off your ass" motivation, but cmon, Im in a masters program and dedicated to finishing it. Chill for a minute. not everyone who isnt in Japan RIGHT NOW is wasting away in endless drudgery hell.

I am genuinely enjoying my life. I came back from south america to do my masters program. I am dedicating to terminating the program.

Stop being overly sensitive. No one said anything about laziness or drudgery hell. Don't make posts if you don't want opinions.

Post: #14

?? You guys did seemingly jump on him, lol
To me this read like:

OP: Hey guys, check out this cool thing, I might do it too sometime
You Guys: JUST DO IT NOW, WTF DUDE GO

Maybe no one else find that bizarre..!

Anyway, good find OP! First time I've heard about a 3-month teaching gig in Asia with flights paid. Most I've heard about make you stay a year before fully compensating flights.

Post: #15

(07-17-2013 05:28 PM)RichieP Wrote:  ?? You guys did seemingly jump on him, lol
To me this read like:

OP: Hey guys, check out this cool thing, I might do it too sometime
You Guys: JUST DO IT NOW, WTF DUDE GO

Yeah, that is exactly what happened. We also talk like that in real life.

Post: #16

What always irks me they want a native speaker. Yet, they can't even tell the difference between English and Australian accent. Thais, Japanese, Russians...all want a native! I sound like Vitaly from Youtube ( VitalyZDTV) - almost no accent, but I wasn't born in America. I would totally do this gig though...sounds like not much money but also a very short commitment.

Post: #17

OP wanted advice on going to Japan.

We are on a forum for international players.

I'm giving him my opinion. I'm asking tough questions because these are tough choices.

It's an act of kindness, I intend to truly help. If you're focusing on the wording rather than the content you are looking at the wrong things. I'm currently sitting in a sail boat this week in Scandinavia and getting my dick sucked every night by blonde 20 YOs while my coverage is extremely spotty. My eloquence might suffer while typing on my phone so let me assure you that I could definitely be doing more exhilarating things than posting on the forum right now.

Now obviously the first post didn't contain enough information to give the best possible advice on the situation.

Post: #18

(07-18-2013 12:33 AM)Vicious Wrote:  OP wanted advice on going to Japan.

...No he didn't, haha. Think you guys misread it or skimmed.

Quote:We are on a forum for international players.

I'm giving him my opinion. I'm asking tough questions because these are tough choices.

It's an act of kindness, I intend to truly help.

It was something he'd heard of from friends, and thought to share. There was no dilemma or question, lol. Anyway he (rightly) doesn't seem too bothered.

Post: #19

(07-18-2013 02:24 AM)RichieP Wrote:  

(07-18-2013 12:33 AM)Vicious Wrote:  OP wanted advice on going to Japan.

...No he didn't, haha. Think you guys misread it or skimmed.

Seriously? Did you just write "No he didn't, haha"? Is this an all-girls school yard?
OP wrote:

Quote:I'm personally considering it for the near future, once present obligations in the U.S. terminate.

Whatever you've gotten your panties in a twist over, I'm not interested in semantics.

Post: #20

That statement you bolded really isn't a request for advice, lol. Maybe you see it that way.

Post: #21

(07-17-2013 11:24 PM)Wayout Wrote:  What always irks me they want a native speaker. Yet, they can't even tell the difference between English and Australian accent. Thais, Japanese, Russians...all want a native! I sound like Vitaly from Youtube ( VitalyZDTV) - almost no accent, but I wasn't born in America. I would totally do this gig though...sounds like not much money but also a very short commitment.

Do you have a passport from an English-speaking country? If so, just say you were born there.

The reason they want "native" speakers is because in Japan they probably had lots of English teachers who were Japanese and hardly spoke English at all, which is a waste of time. But if your English is at the same level as a native speaker because you grew up in an English-speaking country, then I see no real difference. Obviously your English is native-like. Do strangers even know you're not a native-speaker? If you have a slight accent but otherwise your English is perfect, I would just make up some B.S. story like "Oh, I was born in West Virginia, and grew up there, then moved to California. People always comment on my accent, that's just how I was raised."

The salary is relatively decent for such a short commitment. They pay $1200 for your round trip ticket, and charge you about $900 for your apartment. After that you are left with about $1,900 a month.

I'm not sure what the tax situation is for temporary foreign workers in Japan, but that's not bad at all for an English teaching gig.

Post: #22

Part of the reason they want native English speakers is a face thing. Parents think their kids learning from a native English caucasian is the best way for them to pick up the language. It's the same all over Asia.

I mean really the optimal way would be have native Japanese teachers who speak English and can explain the grammar and meanings in Japanese.

Then again, language learning isn't really taught "optimally" anywhere I suppose.

Post: #23

Well if you're white but not a native English speaker (ala Vitaly), you can pull it off if your accent is minimal.

Not sure how strongly racism figures into hiring practices in this program. The people I've known who did it were all white Americans.

Post: #24

(07-18-2013 12:10 PM)Sonsowey Wrote:  Well if you're white but not a native English speaker (ala Vitaly), you can pull it off if your accent is minimal.

Not sure how strongly racism figures into hiring practices in this program. The people I've known who did it were all white Americans.

Face racism is pretty strong in Asia, especially with multicultural America. Since the recruiter doesn't know if John Smith is black or white, so they ask for "head shots to see professional appearance".

Also, your passport says where you were born. So if I say " I was born in SF" but my passport says "Monterrey, Mexico" under Place of Birth, I'm won't get hired.