I'm still a few years away from being able to get a bachelors and currently just making sure bases for it are checked and the main company site I'm using is AEON.
If you get a good school and manager, yeah. If you don’t, well at least you got a visa.
In my experience, yes. But your experience will hinge on how well you get along with your manager and co-workers.
AEON is the best and most reputable of the major eikaiwas. Unfortunately, that’s not saying much, but if you want to come over here for a year or two, you can certainly do a whole lot worse. As someone already said, your experiences will depend heavily on your manager/co-workers/school. Some people have wonderful experiences and some are miserable — it’s a roll of the dice.
If you can swing it, though, JET is definitely the way to go insofar as kicking it in Japan for a couple years goes.
Aeon isn’t a bad starter and I believe they pay second to JET. But Aeon isn’t teaching. It’s sales. Which can be a good thing because if you plan to switch to a different industry, you can mention working in sales.
It’s also a very Japanese company. Expect the possibility that your manager will want to have control over your private life. Try not to mention what you do in your private time with your coworkers if you can help it.
Also, if you’re young and single, go mingle far from your school. Try and avoid your students seeing you outside of school.
I had issues where an old lady I taught stalked me a little. She found my Facebook and would try and ask me about when I would go to the bar or eat out with friends. She then would gossip to the manager about seeing me and about what I did. That was my personal experience and I know other teachers that had much better experiences but just giving you a heads up.
If you just want to come to Japan and have a fun experience, apply for the JET programme. If you want to be a real teacher, become a teacher in your country and check the numerous topics on the sub about that.
Its is no less shitty than the others
Starter for what?
There is no starter company, any eikaiwa or ALT job is both the start point and the end point, you’re not going to go anywhere else without actual qualifications. If you’re looking for a foot in the door, get qualified for an actual job before coming to Japan, getting qualified here while working on terrible wages and hours will be much harder.
I came over with AEON, over 16 years ago and it was ok. It varies for everyone. I’m glad I came, worked for AEON two years and glad I left. First year was terrible, difficult foreign female coworker, much better 2nd year after she left. I knew people who quit after a couple months, stayed one year and went home, and some who might still be working there. Personally I don’t think it’s bad for getting to Japan. I didn’t get into JET but I had also lived in Japan as a kid and visited many times. I think it’s also a good idea to consider why you want to come and do here. You might not like it. They pay ain’t great, better than some other teaching places, not good working hours, not much time off, you will work Saturdays,etc.
It’s groundhog day!
Considering you’re saying you’re a few years away, who knows that will happen. The way things are going it’s gonna get worse. Come back and ask the question when you’re done with your education.
Also, since you’ve got a couple of years. Start learning Japanese now.
In my case, yes. I was at one of the smaller schools in my region, and my co-workers and students were fantastic. Worked there for a little over three years then moved on.
But I have heard horror stories from other schools. Temper your expectations.
Had a great two years at Aeon
AEON was my starter company. Was there for two years. I was stationed at a small town with some really great co-workers. Def wouldn’t stay more than two years cause of the salary and the working hours, but made some great friends.
I know from a direct source that they’re slowly going belly-up and closing 150 schools! How’s that for job security?
Is there a website I can for them? I am interested in teaching in Japan.
17 comments
Not really, no. Aim for the JET program
If you get a good school and manager, yeah.
If you don’t, well at least you got a visa.
In my experience, yes. But your experience will hinge on how well you get along with your manager and co-workers.
AEON is the best and most reputable of the major eikaiwas. Unfortunately, that’s not saying much, but if you want to come over here for a year or two, you can certainly do a whole lot worse. As someone already said, your experiences will depend heavily on your manager/co-workers/school. Some people have wonderful experiences and some are miserable — it’s a roll of the dice.
If you can swing it, though, JET is definitely the way to go insofar as kicking it in Japan for a couple years goes.
Aeon isn’t a bad starter and I believe they pay second to JET. But Aeon isn’t teaching. It’s sales. Which can be a good thing because if you plan to switch to a different industry, you can mention working in sales.
It’s also a very Japanese company. Expect the possibility that your manager will want to have control over your private life. Try not to mention what you do in your private time with your coworkers if you can help it.
Also, if you’re young and single, go mingle far from your school. Try and avoid your students seeing you outside of school.
I had issues where an old lady I taught stalked me a little. She found my Facebook and would try and ask me about when I would go to the bar or eat out with friends. She then would gossip to the manager about seeing me and about what I did. That was my personal experience and I know other teachers that had much better experiences but just giving you a heads up.
If you just want to come to Japan and have a fun experience, apply for the JET programme. If you want to be a real teacher, become a teacher in your country and check the numerous topics on the sub about that.
Its is no less shitty than the others
Starter for what?
There is no starter company, any eikaiwa or ALT job is both the start point and the end point, you’re not going to go anywhere else without actual qualifications. If you’re looking for a foot in the door, get qualified for an actual job before coming to Japan, getting qualified here while working on terrible wages and hours will be much harder.
I came over with AEON, over 16 years ago and it was ok. It varies for everyone. I’m glad I came, worked for AEON two years and glad I left. First year was terrible, difficult foreign female coworker, much better 2nd year after she left. I knew people who quit after a couple months, stayed one year and went home, and some who might still be working there. Personally I don’t think it’s bad for getting to Japan. I didn’t get into JET but I had also lived in Japan as a kid and visited many times. I think it’s also a good idea to consider why you want to come and do here. You might not like it. They pay ain’t great, better than some other teaching places, not good working hours, not much time off, you will work Saturdays,etc.
It’s groundhog day!
Considering you’re saying you’re a few years away, who knows that will happen. The way things are going it’s gonna get worse.
Come back and ask the question when you’re done with your education.
Also, since you’ve got a couple of years. Start learning Japanese now.
In my case, yes. I was at one of the smaller schools in my region, and my co-workers and students were fantastic. Worked there for a little over three years then moved on.
But I have heard horror stories from other schools. Temper your expectations.
Had a great two years at Aeon
AEON was my starter company. Was there for two years. I was stationed at a small town with some really great co-workers. Def wouldn’t stay more than two years cause of the salary and the working hours, but made some great friends.
I know from a direct source that they’re slowly going belly-up and closing 150 schools! How’s that for job security?
Is there a website I can for them? I am interested in teaching in Japan.