Comments on: AEON Japan

By: LB

LB — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:06:44 +0000

I was wondering about this, but I’ve worked in many different countries for various purposes, and even the negative reviews of Aeon don’t seem too bad with the exception of the informational. It’s close to 10 hours long, and that is the first day not including the next day of an interview. Anyway it is something to consider, but for the most part a lot of what was mentioned is Japanese culture. You normally don’t ask for your overtime pay, also it isn’t unusual if you see people not consulting a labor union beforehand. Anyway like all companies make sure your contract is signed in the US, make sure you have a lawyer present, make sure you get in touch with a labor union in Japan and see if you can join. And this will pretty much ensure that you are protecting yourself. Also I always advise people to do some job hunting and look into other fields if you just used an eikaiwa to get into Japan. I know plenty of APU Alumni who did jobs like Aeon just so they can change their student visa over to a work visa, and extend their time in Japan for proper job hunting. A lot of people just think the only thing you’re allowed to do is teach english, despite having limited japanese language abilities. I was able to do and get experience in a number of different jobs outside of english teaching. Anyway Aeon seem legit, but I do have a sense that they will try to take advantage ofa foreign teacher that doesn’t educate themselves on contract and labor laws. Aeon isn’t like Toyota or Honda in Japan either so taking them to court can be done if contract isn’t honored. Also if it was signed on US soil you can take the company to court in the US. As that is where you made the agreement. Depending on what state you signed it in. Anyway BS is everywhere so be sure to protect yourselves at all times.

By: maddie

maddie — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:05:08 +0000

Dodgy, and unprofessional.
Does not hire Asian Native English speakers and has warped business practices.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 21:24:42 +0000

Thanks for your opinions.I decoded to check up on companies by some other means and these posts have worked a treat. Although not many posts, if 3/4 are negative, I will go with that. Thanks for your effort,I wish more teachers did this.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:41:11 +0000

I worked AEON for a 12-month contract.

It’s true, reading the above posts, that a high work rate is expected. But it is attainable, at least if you are an experinced, trained treacher with classroom and time management skills.

All their materials are ready-to- go – lesson planning is just that, previewing the lesson (which six months in, you have probably taught before), and staging relevant activities.

Training was excellent, and also included some cultural orientation.

There is no need to compile or write lesson content. In fact, most classes could be planned in 15- 30 minutes. So a 26-hour week of contact time was easily completed in work hours. I appreciate, each branch is different, and it’s possible workloads could be very different elsewhere.

But, if you are the kind to get on with it, and have worked in pressure environments like, say, a call center, you would not be complaining about workloads and multi-task requirements at AEON!

I have worked over 15 different languague schools arounf the globe – AEON is a professional, competent outfit.

Wages were always paid ahead of time, the accomodation was subsidized, clean and near to work and the city center, and the staff and students made a special effort to socialize with me in the first few weeks.

My contract ended because of dispute with an employee of AEON, but the company resolved the matter very professionally and tactfully, whereas they could have taken away bonuses, and invoked penalty clauses.

I had a great time at AEON.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:17:32 +0000

….per previous post…”there is”…there ARE some days…i didn’t proof before posting.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:15:25 +0000

I wanted to chime in on this topic.
I’ve been with the company for 18 months, and I have to say that I’ve had a great experience. There is definitely some days where I do a lot of work, but that’s how my career was in the States as well. I know some branch schools are different than others, but the company itself has a great hierarchial structure of both Japanese and non- Japanese employees to talk to if there are any problems. Moreover, they seem to offer the best pay as far as eikwaiwas go. Also, there is opportunity for upward movement.
I have plenty of friends doing the 200k Yen a month ALT thing..no thanks. I’ve had a great AEON experience so far. Plus, my Japanese co workers and staff are always helpful. Not knocking those who haven’t had great experiences, but I love my job here. Remember to take all advice with a grain of salt.
- Chris

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:32:54 +0000

Here is my comment. If you’re invited to AEON’s “Information Meeting,” make sure you understand that it is an interview. It is true AEON will present themselves at the meeting that can take hours without a break, but know that you are expected to wear formal business attire to the interview and that all of your actions (excusing yourself to go the restroom), gestures (crossing your legs is a sign of disrespect), and perhaps asking too many questions (Japanese don’t ask questions) will all be scrutinized.

Bring your own water and snacks. AEON will not offer those things.

Brad

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:37:01 +0000

Here here to everything said above. I have worked at a couple universities and for 2 other eikaiwas besides and AEON was a nightmare. There was a ton of unpaid overtime. It was not physically possible to do all they required within the given time, and I regularly worked 10+hour days. In the orientation we were told nothing of the sales pitches we would be held responsible for in the name of special classes, self-study material and “open Sundays”. Harassment and badgering by head teacher, office manager and favored NE teacher counterpart was so intimidating that the fellow before me lasted 5 just months, and the lady after me just one month and there had been a couple teachers who had pulled runners prior to this. Students were well aware that our school had a hard time hanging on to its teachers. The level of over the top animation they demanded was something like Sesame Street selling used cars; greed was the driver. The students were fine, but the company business is to get them to spend as much money as possible every chance possible, and foreign teachers are very expendable. Get it right or you’re gone, and they will try to squeeze blood out of your turnip. I finished my contracts and even got my bonus, and they didn’t chase me to the train station as I left, but their treatment of employees was ugly, brutal and probably illegal by American labor laws. ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER AEON.

By: Dagny Taggart

Dagny Taggart — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:37:44 +0000

I would not recommend AEON whatsoever. The recruiters were less than forthcoming in my case and this lead to huge problems when I arrived in Japan. I was promised a clean apartment, plenty of lesson preparation time, and I was told that I was to work 36 hours a week. Naturally, I would be paid for any overtime and since the company seemed trustworthy, I decided to go with them.

Unfortunately, AEON did not keep their end of the bargain. The apartment I moved into was filthy, and I had to spend my own money and time cleaning up after the previous tenant, no small task mind you. I also did not have much preparation time, which was problematic since I was not yet accustomed to AEON’s way of teaching. I was then “encouraged” to come one or two hours prior to my official start time to prepare for my lessons so that I would have enough time. I was also told to work during my lunch break and since I was not permitted to leave the building, I had little choice in the matter. I also had to stay 30 to 40 minutes after my official end time since that had been an issue with my predecessor. All in all, I worked much more than the 36 hours I was promised and the company refused to pay me for my overtime. I was only compensated after I sought the counsel of a worker’s union.

I encourage teachers who are looking into teaching in Japan to be extremely thorough in their research and to contact a union, such as the General Union of Japan, upon arrival. In order to make an informed decision, it is imperative that you know your rights and that you are aware of problems that other teachers have had in the past. At least, this way you will know what to expect and you can deal with problems in an effective manner.