Thank you for your interest in America Eigo Gakuin (American English Institute). This information packet introduces AEG and includes an employment application form. After reviewing the following information, if you would like to pursue employment opportunities with AEG, please send the items marked below.

Resume
Detailed essay describing yourself
Essay stating reason for seeking employment as an English Language Instructor in Japan
Enclosed application form
Four identical passport size photos (required for visa application).
Letters of reference (minimum of two). Letters are requested from non-academic sources. Character references and letters from previous employers are preferred.

In the past, applicants have asked if voice tapes or video tapes can be sent. Tapes are accepted but not solicited. Tapes will not be returned. Telephone, fax, and e-mail correspondence is welcomed for questions, but applications are requested to be sent via mail.

AEG hires 30 to 35 teachers per year. Hiring is conducted year-round. Decisions are made three to five months before the actual starting date to allow ample time to acquire a proper work visa. The Japanese government requires that all teachers have a college or university degree (B.A. or B.S.).

We select applicants who have high standards of integrity who will help maintain our reputation of quality English instruction. Teaching experience is preferred but not required. Japanese language ability is not necessary.

Effective July 1994, AEG has a new USA Office address. Please note the new address below.

Sincerely,

Robert Purcell
America Eigo Gakuin
P.O. Box 1672
St. George, UT 84771-1672

Telephone (801) 628-6301
e-mail: rpurcell@infowest.com

America Eigo Gakuin (AEG) was incorporated in Japan in 1984. AEG is a private language school that offers English conversation classes to the general public. At present over 3,000 students are enrolled in a variety of classes at 24 locations in Osaka, Wakayama, Nara, Kyoto, Mie, and Shiga Prefectures. The main classes offered at our schools are listed below:

    Children (ages 5-12)
    Senior high school students
    Adult
    Business

AEG's foremost concern is to hire quality teaches. Teachers are native English speakers with a B.A. or B.S. degree. The curriculum is provided by AEG. Although prior teaching experience is not required, it is an advantage. Willingness to work hard, honesty, integrity, ability to adapt to a foreign environment, an outgoing personality, desire to share one's culture, and a sincere concern for the students and school are the most important qualifications.

AEG is a private English school and operates year round. Our students come to us to learn English in their spare time. Class sizes average between four to six students. Our schools are located in rented office space. Some students are businesspeople who need English in their job; others study English as a hobby. About 50% of our students are elementary school students who come to our school once a week. AEG also serves many companies by offering on-site English lessons.

Most employees are selected three to four months prior to the scheduled start date. The first step in the application process is to return the materials requested herein. Upon receipt, a file will be opened for you. If you do not have a current passport, you should apply for one immediately.

As the need arises in Japan for either replacement teachers or expansion teachers, your file will be reviewed. If you will be considered for a position, you will be contacted by telephone. At this time we will supply names and telephone numbers of current teachers in Japan. You will be encouraged to call and ask any questions that have not yet been answered. Management will then review your qualifications and select the best candidate for the position. It is to your advantage to apply early.

The initial contract period is one year. The Japanese Immigration Office issues renewable work visas. Contract extensions are offered to superior teachers. Approximately 80% of AEG teachers request contract extensions. Am I the right kind of person for this job?

Although living in Japan is exciting, teaching at AEG is a real job and is demanding. Living in a foreign country has its share of frustrations as well as adventures. If you are not well suited for a teaching position in a foreign country, life can get miserable. Think about your answers to the following questions. If you answer a high percentage in the "Yes" category, you will most likely enjoy life at AEG in Japan.

     1. Am I friendly?
     2. Am I careful not to offend others?
     3. Am I careful not to criticize others even in private?
     4. Can I follow directions well?
     5. Do I plan and prepare well?
     6. Am I enthusiastic?
     7. Am I animated?
     8. Can I confidently stand in front of a small group?
     9. Do I enjoy teaching?
     10. Do I have a sense of humor?
     11. Am I patient when students have difficulty understanding?
     12. Am I careful not to embarrass students when errors are made?
     13. Do I communicate with and relate well to others?
     14. Am I empathetic and considerate?
     15. Can I help students relax in the classroom?
     16. Am I flexible and able to adapt the materials to the students' needs?
     17. Am I open to ideas from supervisors and co-workers?
     18. Am I open minded to other cultures and ideas?
     19. Can I stay calm in difficult situations?
     20. Do I strive to become a better person?
     21. Am I a hard worker?
     22. Do I listen and follow directions well?

If you are well matched for this kind of adventure, your time at AEG will be rewarding in many ways. AEG demands sincere effort. Our company is committed to excellence in teaching.

Since AEG's schools are located in rural areas of Japan, foreigners are rare. You will be stared at everywhere you go. The culture is very traditional and conservative. Persons who practice unconventional lifestyles may not be comfortable in such a setting.

Nearly all teachers are hired on a full time basis. Full time is 28 teaching hours per week, five days per week. Teaching hours vary day to day. Afternoons and evenings are usually the busiest but classes are scheduled throughout the day within a 9.5 hour block, according to the students' needs. If a full teaching schedule is not assigned, the balance of the contract hours is to be used in helping with related work.

Most days will have five or six classes scheduled. A typical 5-class day may be as follows:

     2:45 - 3:45 p.m. Private lesson (one student only)
     4:00 - 4:50   Kids Class (4-7 students of elementary age children)
     5:00 - 5:50   Kids Class (4-7 students of elementary age children)
     6:00 - 7:00   Jr. High or High School group class (4-7 students)
     7:30 - 8:30   Adult group (4-7 students) or a private class

If the day has six classes scheduled, the schedule may either be altered or the sixth class may be scheduled before the first class or after the last class.

Most teaching schedules offer much variety. The majority of classes are taught at one of AEG's school locations, but some are taught at companies, kindergartens, public and private schools, and private homes. Travel time to and from work varies from teacher to teacher but averages between 20 and 45 minutes each way per day. Some days require more travel time than others.

Employees are given ten days paid vacation per year after six months of full time employment. National holidays are paid from the beginning of the contract period and the school is usually closed.

Retraining seminars and refresher courses are held as necessary. These sessions provide help and instruction from the trainers and management and allow teachers to exchange ideas and teaching techniques. Participation is required. New teachers may be required to attend training seminars during their open hours or on Saturdays until an acceptable level of competence is achieved.

Orientation and initial training will be conducted upon arrival in Japan. This session consists of up to 20 hours of curriculum study, observation of other classes, methodology, explanation of company policies, and teaching. Although training starts during the orientation period, employees are expected to put forth the effort to gain an acceptable level of proficiency on their own. The orientation period is paid, but at a reduced rate.

Teachers Manuals are provided to each teacher and it is the teacher’s responsibility to master the techniques. All standard teaching materials are provided at no cost but must be returned at the end of the employment period. Salary and Taxes

Full time teachers are paid a salary of 250,000 yen per month which is equivalent to US $2,083 at the exchange rate of $1.00 = 120 yen (September 1997 rate). Payday is the 5th of each month (for the previous month) and the salary is deposited directly into each employee's bank account.

Japanese Income Tax, which averages 6%, is withheld from the salary. There are usually no other taxes for first year residents. Second year residents are assessed a city tax. It is your responsibility to check into the tax obligations for your native country. In most cases, you are not double taxed.

Teachers have the option of requesting AEG housing. This decision must be made before arrival in Japan so proper arrangements can be made. This section applies to those who request AEG housing.

Most of the apartments rented by AEG are two-person apartments and are occupied by two teachers of the same sex (except for married couples). Each teacher has his/her own bedroom. Most apartments are Japanese style, which means that the bedrooms have tatami floors. The kitchen/dining area is usually linoleum. Single apartments are available in some locations. Single apartments are small and have a mini kitchen. In most cases, teachers move into the apartment that is being vacated by the returning teacher, so a choice of a single or shared apartment is not available.

AEG pays the initial "key money" for the apartment. Key money is an amount up to 10 months' rent which the landlord requires in return for allowing us to rent the apartment. Key money is not pre-paid rent. AEG requires teachers to take good care of the apartments.

AEG also provides the following furnishings for the apartments: telephone (including the initial fee of $700), heater, air conditioner, kitchen table and chairs, refrigerator, washing machine (if not available in the building), gas stove for cooking, and a chest of drawers. All required utility hookup expenses are paid by AEG and all utilities are turned on prior to arrival.

Rent for the apartment is paid by the teachers. However, if rent (including any parking and rent-related fees such as common area maintenance fees) exceeds 55,000 yen per person per month, AEG subsidizes the amount over 55,000 yen.

Teachers pay their way to and from Japan. A staff member from AEG meets all teachers at the Kansai (Osaka) International Airport if arrival is on a weekday.

Since most of our schools are located in cities with populations of 20,000 to 400,000 intracity trains or subways do not exist and buses are inconvenient. Therefore, most teachers drive. A valid international driver's license is required. AEG has cars available for lease, in which case AEG pays 100% of business related transportation expenses which include gasoline, oil, and general maintenance. If a teacher provides his/her own means of transportation, AEG pays only an actual mileage-based fee and/or actual train and bus fees.

Most of the areas where AEG schools are located have a rather moderate climate. It rarely snows or gets below freezing. However, Japanese houses and apartments are not insulated and there is no central heating, so it is not always comfortable. It does get cold. Each apartment is furnished with a heater which keeps the rooms warm while it is on. An electric blanket is strongly recommended for the winter. In the summer, the humidity makes the 90 degree days feel much hotter. Light and cool clothing is recommended. The classrooms and apartments are air conditioned.

AEG requires that all employees and their dependents have adequate health insurance throughout the duration of employment at AEG. Teachers can choose either the Japanese government National Health Insurance or obtain and submit proof of other adequate coverage obtained privately.

The Japanese government offers National Health Insurance to all legal residents of Japan. The cost is based on one's salary. For first year teachers, the average cost is approximately U.S. $55 per month, billed in six or seven equal installments throughout the year. This insurance covers 70% to 80% of medical care costs at the time of treatment and includes normal dental work. Maternity care is not covered. The quality of medical and dental care in Japan is not what most Americans are accustomed to. Make sure you have any necessary work done before you arrive.

As a foreigner in Japan, you will be watched closely by everyone. You, our company, and even your country will be judged by your appearance, words, and actions. AEG believes that a professional appearance is extremely important.

For Men: A suit or jacket with a necktie is to be worn to all lessons.
    Shirts are to be long sleeved and to be white or pastel in color. Striped
    business shirts are acceptable. Shirts and pants must be pressed.
    Socks are to be darker in color than the pants being worn.
    Hair is not to cover the collar or ears. Beards are not allowed.
    Ear, nose, eyebrow, or other facial rings are not allowed.
    Dress shoes that can be shined are required.

For Women: Dresses, suits, skirts, or nice dress slacks are required.
    Culottes, short pants, and dress shorts are not acceptable.
    Denim material of any color is not acceptable.
    Hose or stockings are required.
    Appropriate dress shoes are required. Sandals are not acceptable.
    Loud or unprofessional jewelry is not to be worn.

We have built AEG around the following six principles:

        * honesty
         * fairness
         * responsibility
         * respect
         * punctuality
         * an enjoyable work environment

We manage following these principles and expect our employees to exhibit high moral character. We want the experience of living and teaching in Japan to be positive and memorable. Classes are scheduled throughout the day which can make for a long day. However, the schedule provides ample free time to pursue individual interests, explore Japan, study Japanese, prepare lessons, and participate in cultural or other activities. We look for teachers who want to work. We are not in the business of financing working holidays and therefore expect teachers to put work above all other activities.

The rumors concerning the high cost of living in Japan are true. Rent, travel, gasoline, food, and just about everything else cost much more than they do in the U.S. An estimated monthly budget showing a reasonable range is printed below. Ranges exist as a result of differences in location, accommodations (shared or single apartment), and utilities usage.

From the amount left, all personal expenditures must be deducted. To calculate U.S. dollar amounts, divide the yen amounts by the current exchange rate. (September 1997 exchange rate: $1.00 = ¥ 120.)

Although Japan is expensive, it is possible to save money. If money is your only objective, you will not be happy in Japan. Those who try hard to save average about $600 per month. Sending money home is simple and there is no limit on the amount which can be sent.

AEG does its own recruiting. We do not work with or pay commissions to recruiting companies. AEG does not recruit for other companies. AEG is privately owned and is not affiliated with any religious organization.

Previous information packets listed a Honolulu address. This was the address for Waikiki Campus, an AEG affiliate school in Hawaii. AEG is no longer affiliated with this school.

The information contained herein is current as of the date printed on page 1, upper right-hand corner. Revisions and changes are made as necessary. Statements and policies stated within this information packet are subject to change.

For additional information, write to

Robert Purcell
America Eigo Gakuin
P.O. Box 1672
St. George, UT 84771-1672

Telephone (801) 628-6301
e-mail rpurcell@infowest.com

Click here for an Employment Application. Click here for packet 2.