Below you will find the GEOS Corporation's responses to questions from the Teaching in Japan Page's editors. We've included the introductory paragraph below.
Dear Mr. Furr,
Thank you for including GEOS Language Corporation in your questionnaire. Most of the questions could also be answered from our website which is: www.geoscareer.com We would appreciate your directing people to this site, as there is also an online application form.
Teaching in Japan Page Questionnaire
1. Please describe the type of person that your company is looking for when recruiting new EFL teachers.
We are looking for dynamic, outgoing, energetic, responsible
individuals with a university degree. Teaching experience can be an asset, but isn't a requirement.
2. What is the current salary range for new teachers in your company? Be specific.
All instructors start at 250,000 yen per month as their base salary. We do have an extra payment system whereby all instructors can be recognized for their efforts in providing quality care for students. This can range from 10,000 yen to 40,000 yen per month (or more). On top of that we have a promotion system where teachers are eligible for promotions
every six months (which means increases to their monthly salary). As you may know that out of this they must pay their own apartment rent and utilities, however, we find and furnish the apartment and pay any key money that may be required. We do also provide any transportation fee necessary.
3. Is there a "Probationary Period" for new employees? If so, what exactly does this mean in terms of salary for new teachers?
There is a three month probationary period whereby instructors cannot take any of their paid holidays for this initial period. It does not affect their salary at all.
4. How many hours a week is a new teacher expected to be present in her school?
4. Our instructors working hours are 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with an hour lunch break. Although these are total working hours, the average number of teaching hours is closer to 26.
5. How many teaching "contact" hours does a teacher in your school typically have in one week?
An average of contact hours is approximately 26.
6. Teachers in our organization PRIMARILY use:
a.only materials selected by our company
b. materials chosen by the individual teacher.
Teachers have flexibility in their lesson plans. We provide texts and supplementary materials, but they can be used or supplemented at the teacher's discretion according to the students needs.
7. How many days of PAID VACATION does a new teacher get her first year?
In the first year a teacher gets 10 days paid holiday, a week for Golden Week, a week for the end of the year, and all National holidays. This totals up to approximately four (or more) weeks of paid holidays. Instructors also receive two days off (either Sun. & Mon. or Sat. & Sun.). In the second year there are 11 paid holidays, and those go up in this manner each year.
8. Of these vacation days, how many can the TEACHER take at her discretion?
The 10 days paid holiday can be taken at any time after the first three months.
9. Do teachers in your organization work Japanese National Holidays?
Teachers do not work any National holidays.
10. Do your teachers receive private or shared subsidized accommodation?
GEOS finds and furnishes private apartments for all teachers.
11. What is the average rental charge to a new teacher?
The average rental charge is approx. 55,000 yen per month.
12. What type of Health Insurance do you provide to a new teacher?
We provide health insurance with Mitsui Marine which covers everything but dental, optical, and pre-existing conditions.
13. What is the cost of this insurance?
There is no cost to the instructors.
14. Do you offer an end-of-contract bonus? If so, how much is the bonus?
There is an end of contract bonus of up to 100,000 yen. If instructor stay more than two years there is an additional bonus.
15. Do you provide Japanese language lessons for new teachers? If so, please describe this benefit, and the cost, if any, to the teacher.
We provide lessons during working hours for up to 24 lessons. The instructors are taught by one of their Japanese coworkers at their own level of Japanese. There is no cost
16. Please describe any additional benefits provided to new teachers by your organization.
We provide training before departure and ongoing in Japan.
Aside from these initial positions, we also have advancement
positions in the fields of marketing, publishing, training, etc. We also have 50 overseas schools which offer advancement for our instructors.
17. What is your advice to someone who wants to teach English in Japan?
Please do as much research as possible on many different companies, so you have some information before you go to any interview. Read through your contract carefully, and make sure to clarify any points you're not sure of. Get some volunteer teaching experience at your local Japanese
association. Research Japanese culture. Join JALT after you arrive in Japan.
A service of The Teaching in Japan Page
