Good afternoon!
I am a current graduate student in the United States. Last semester, I completed my bachelors degree. This summer, I am especially curious to teach English abroad (and in particular, in Japan). I was curious if any of you current teachers are aware of any short-term Summer opportunities? (3 month contract) I currently do not hold a TEFL certification; however, I am absolutely willing to do so.
I have heard of two opportunities: Westgate and Ark Foreign Language Academy (arkgaigo). I was curious if any of you have had experience with either of these? I’ve seen positive and negative reviews on Westgate, but nothing for arkgaigo. I would prefer a position that is paid and with accommodations, which both of these provide.
Thank you kindly!
7 comments
Westgate is for university teaching and universities close for summer. You also need creditited university teaching experience. Company is shady as hell.
Most people come to Japan to teacher in either September or April.
Have you looked into JET? Or international or private schools they have tend to be better run.
3 months would probably be tricky. Especially to obtain a valid teaching/work visa. Maybe you could do a working holiday visa but I don’t know too much about those.
Most big English teaching Schools require 1 year contracts.
I’ve never heard of it. Why not just come over for a year?
https://www.guyhealyjapan.com/eng
There’s no money for this but I did it 8 years ago and enjoyed the hell out of it.
They pay for your plane ticket over and give you accommodations. But any travel money and so forth if you want to sightsee will be on you.
Nobody will sponsor a work visa for three months and you can not work on a tourist visa. Also, in Japan you get paid once a month. You won’t see any money until the end of your second month.
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>Last semester, I completed my bachelors degree.
You are not qualified for a real teaching job.
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The jobs you are looking at want to exploit you for your appearance. Westgate is a total joke and will rip you off. They require you to live in their housing and will deduct about 1/3rd of your pay for the apartment. You then have to pay tax and half your pension and insurance. If they say you get ¥250,000 you will actually get about ¥130,000 a month.
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No Eikaiwa job or ALT job is really worth coming to Japan for. If you are on a working holiday visa and just want to fuck around for a year, it can be ok. Otherwise, don’t bother. It will not lead to any kind of meaningful career.
The American School in Japan runs a Summer Day Camp. It’s not “teaching”, you might have to sort your own accommodation and train fare, but I know a few people that come to Japan just to work at the camp over the summer. It’s fun and you get ice cream everyday.