Full Time ALT vs Part-time + Freelance

[hotrod68camaro]

I'm considering two positions and just wanted to know the pros and cons of both and get other opinions in case I overlooked something. I've never taught English before, my Japanese is about N3 level, and I've been in Japan now about 9 months. I'm aware option 1 pays more, but I think Option 2 has more earning potential if I get steady clients, plus more flexibility.

Option 1:
Full time ALT position: 245,000yen/month
Combination JHS and Elementary
Work visa provided

Option 2:
Part time ALT position (3days/week): 156,000yen/month
JHS only and Work visa provided
On days off/holidays: Gaba, private lessons, and substitute: +41,000yen/month (see below)
Total minimum income: 197,000yen/month

For those who have done it before, how difficult is it to get lessons at Gaba or students for private lessons?

Here are the minimums I'd need to bring in from each source to get the total income above.

12,000yen - 4 private lessons a month @ 3000
11,000yen - Sub at least once a month
18,000yen - 3 lessons a week at Gaba

[hml]

I'm considering two positions and just wanted to know the pros and cons of both and get other opinions in case I overlooked something. I've never taught English before, my Japanese is about N3 level, and I've been in Japan now about 9 months. I'm aware option 1 pays more, but I think Option 2 has more earning potential if I get steady clients, plus more flexibility.

Option 1:
Full time ALT position: 245,000yen/month
Combination JHS and Elementary
Work visa provided

Option 2:
Part time ALT position (3days/week): 156,000yen/month
JHS only and Work visa provided
On days off/holidays: Gaba, private lessons, and substitute: +41,000yen/month (see below)
Total minimum income: 197,000yen/month

For those who have done it before, how difficult is it to get lessons at Gaba or students for private lessons?

Here are the minimums I'd need to bring in from each source to get the total income above.

12,000yen - 4 private lessons a month @ 3000
11,000yen - Sub at least once a month
18,000yen - 3 lessons a week at Gaba

Don't know about Gaba, but go for Option 2. ALT @ a junior high is a breeze. I wouldn't mind doing that later on as a semi-retiree.

[vallient]

I'd take option 1, primary isn't that much more difficult. The JTE is likely to do most of the heavy lifting anyway. Why stress yourself out about having to get X number of lessons.

[Glenski]

I'm considering two positions and just wanted to know the pros and cons of both and get other opinions in case I overlooked something. I've never taught English before, my Japanese is about N3 level, and I've been in Japan now about 9 months. I'm aware option 1 pays more, but I think Option 2 has more earning potential if I get steady clients, plus more flexibility.

Option 1:
Full time ALT position: 245,000yen/month
Combination JHS and Elementary
Work visa provided

Option 2:
Part time ALT position (3days/week): 156,000yen/month
JHS only and Work visa provided
On days off/holidays: Gaba, private lessons, and substitute: +41,000yen/month (see below)
Total minimum income: 197,000yen/month

What's your current visa? Are you working anywhere now FT or PT?

[Tuneafish]

Option 1:
Full time ALT position: 245,000yen/month
Combination JHS and Elementary
Work visa provided

Option 2:
Part time ALT position (3days/week): 156,000yen/month
JHS only and Work visa provided
On days off/holidays: Gaba, private lessons, and substitute: +41,000yen/month (see below)
Total minimum income: 197,000yen/month

Because the ALT company is sponsoring your visa, you have to get a letter of permission from them allowing you to work for another company and apply for a special work permit. After you get the permit you can then start working part time at eikaiwas such as GABA.

Remember that you will be making less money if you work part time, but potentially have more free time IF you do not have a lot of preparation needed for your classes. If you are conservative with your money and don't plan on pissing it all away it is a viable option.

If it were me and I had no responsibilities I would go for option 2 and use my free time to reach N2 or N1.

[hotrod68camaro]

What's your current visa? Are you working anywhere now FT or PT?

Currently on a student visa and haven't worked since I arrived in June last year.

If it were me and I had no responsibilities I would go for option 2 and use my free time to reach N2 or N1.

That's what I'm thinking about doing.

I'd take option 1, primary isn't that much more difficult. The JTE is likely to do most of the heavy lifting anyway. Why stress yourself out about having to get X number of lessons.

I'm willing to trade some income for flexibility.

[Glenski]

Option 1 (FT ALT) requires that you have the employer sponsor your Instructor work visa.

Option 2, well, you can't get a visa to do PT work. If you wanted to continue as a student to do PT work, it would really depend on whether the employer is even willing to take you on, but I suspect most will want you to have finished that degree first. You wrote that for this option "visa is provided", but have you really checked to see whether immigration will permit that? Maybe it's just the employer's feelings. Nice feelings, but not necessarily in line with what immigration will allow.

If you were to have had a work visa previously, you could go with option 2 and "self-sponsor" with PT work, but I doubt you can go from student visa to PT work with any work visa.

[hotrod68camaro]

Option 2, well, you can't get a visa to do PT work. If you wanted to continue as a student to do PT work, it would really depend on whether the employer is even willing to take you on, but I suspect most will want you to have finished that degree first. You wrote that for this option "visa is provided", but have you really checked to see whether immigration will permit that? Maybe it's just the employer's feelings. Nice feelings, but not necessarily in line with what immigration will allow.

If you were to have had a work visa previously, you could go with option 2 and "self-sponsor" with PT work, but I doubt you can go from student visa to PT work with any work visa.

I have a college degree and I'm attending a Japanese language school on a student visa.

Those options are actual offers on the table from well known ALT companies. I explained my situation and visa status before so I'm assuming they have done this before or know that it can be done, but I'll double check again. The option 2 company offered me the 3 day a week position and said that they can "take care" of the visa. I just emailed them to get more clarification on that, but probably won't get an answer until Monday. The other company said that they won't sponsor a visa if I do part-time, but I don't know if that means they can't or just won't. I've also heard that you can't get a work visa for PT work, but I don't know how they will present my position to immigration, if there are exceptions, or the minimum requirement of hours for a work visa. Again I'll get clarification on all that soon.

[Glenski]

I have a college degree and I'm attending a Japanese language school on a student visa.

Ok, so you're legal for a work visa to teach.

Those options are actual offers on the table from well known ALT companies. I explained my situation and visa status before so I'm assuming they have done this before or know that it can be done, but I'll double check again. The option 2 company offered me the 3 day a week position and said that they can "take care" of the visa.

Yeah, sure they will!

I just emailed them to get more clarification on that, but probably won't get an answer until Monday.

Looking forward to hearing their story.

The other company said that they won't sponsor a visa if I do part-time, but I don't know if that means they can't or just won't.

As I wrote earlier...

[vallient]

Who are we kidding option 1 is the real viable job, option 2 is sounding more and more like a problem waiting to blow up in your face.

[hotrod68camaro]

Looking forward to hearing their story.

So I got a response and was once again told that they can provide me with a work visa even though the position will be only 3 days a week. I will be going on Monday or Tuesday to meet with the BOE. Once my visa has been processed, I will update you all again.

Who are we kidding option 1 is the real viable job, option 2 is sounding more and more like a problem waiting to blow up in your face.

I respect and appreciate your opinion, but I think both options are viable options. Option 1 is just a more traditional and stable job option for traditional and risk averse people. Option 2 involves more risk, but for focused, organized, and determined individuals, it shouldn't be a problem and the potential reward is greater. Also I set my minimum requirements for the freelance quite low, and there are 3 different sources, so if one slows down, the others are there to pick up the slack.

[Glenski]

3 days a week (no. of hours = ???)
156,000 yen pay (guaranteed, of course?), and you get a work visa?

This I have to see!
Fill in the no. of hours blank above, and tell us where you live (for the sake of standard of living costs), especially if the visa goes through.

[Tatsuo]

I respect and appreciate your opinion, but I think both options are viable options. Option 1 is just a more traditional and stable job option for traditional and risk averse people. Option 2 involves more risk, but for focused, organized, and determined individuals, it shouldn't be a problem and the potential reward is greater. Also I set my minimum requirements for the freelance quite low, and there are 3 different sources, so if one slows down, the others are there to pick up the slack.

What are you talking about, man ? "Risk averse", "for focused, organized, determined individuals" etc. lol

We are talking about ALT and Eikaiwa, not some executive position in investment banking. Wanna compare "eating horse sh!t" and
"eating dog sh!it" ? Trust me: You lose whatever you take. Unless you already have 1億〜2億　in investments and do this "jobs" as
a kind of hobby, my advice: GET A REAL JOB and EARN REAL MONEY or TAKE A REAL RISK AND OPEN/BUY A BUSINESS .

...and please, stop talking about 20-30万/month from one source or several sources in ESL as this were the biggest decision you've made so far. There are people your age that pay more income tax/month. Grow up !

[Kionon]

We are talking about ALT and Eikaiwa, not some executive position in investment banking. Wanna compare "eating horse sh!t" and
"eating dog sh!it" ? Trust me: You lose whatever you take. Unless you already have 1億〜2億　in investments and do this "jobs" as
a kind of hobby, my advice: GET A REAL JOB and EARN REAL MONEY or TAKE A REAL RISK AND OPEN/BUY A BUSINESS .

Just what is this real job you speak of, Tatsuo? And where does one get the money to open and buy a business if one has no savings and is living on a subsistence wage as ALT/Eikaiwa usually is?

And here's the real kicker- what if you actually enjoy being an ALT or Eikaiwa instructor?

[Deathblob]

Just what is this real job you speak of, Tatsuo? And where does one get the money to open and buy a business if one has no savings and is living on a subsistence wage as ALT/Eikaiwa usually is?

You could borrow some cash from the yakuza, to buy a dim sim cart. That's thinking outside the box!

[Kionon]

You could borrow some cash from the yakuza, to buy a dim sim cart. That's thinking outside the box!

Something tells me that Tatsuo wouldn't be willing to do that either!

[oxymoron]

You could borrow some cash from the yakuza, to buy a dim sim cart. That's thinking outside the box!

Nasty! But funny. I bet you know where there's a dim sim cart for sale, too.

[hotrod68camaro]

3 days a week (no. of hours = ???)
156,000 yen pay (guaranteed, of course?), and you get a work visa?

This I have to see!
Fill in the no. of hours blank above, and tell us where you live (for the sake of standard of living costs), especially if the visa goes through.

13,000 a day x 3 days/week x 4 weeks/month = 156,000. I mean guaranteed in the sense that its a fixed rate and the position is 3 days a week. I'm aware that we don't get paid for holidays, but neither do many full-time ALT's over the big breaks. The smaller 1 day holidays here and there are fine, and only affect me if they fall on a day I'm scheduled to work. Where I live is irrelevant, I've been here 9 months and I'm aware of the minimum I need/want to make.

What are you talking about, man ? "Risk averse", "for focused, organized, determined individuals" etc. lol

We are talking about ALT and Eikaiwa, not some executive position in investment banking. Wanna compare "eating horse sh!t" and
"eating dog sh!it" ? Trust me: You lose whatever you take. Unless you already have 1億〜2億　in investments and do this "jobs" as
a kind of hobby, my advice: GET A REAL JOB and EARN REAL MONEY or TAKE A REAL RISK AND OPEN/BUY A BUSINESS .

...and please, stop talking about 20-30万/month from one source or several sources in ESL as this were the biggest decision you've made so far. There are people your age that pay more income tax/month. Grow up !

What are YOU talking about?! The principles of risk apply to more than just investment banking. And last time I checked they weren't giving out work visas for people with imaginary jobs, and we don't work for monopoly money, so I fail to see how being and ALT or working in an Eikaiwa isn't considered a real job. It may not be YOUR idea of a GOOD job, but it is indeed a REAL one. If you are happy and able to support the lifestyle you want for yourself, the amount you make or what you do doesn't really matter.

Grow up?! Do you even know how old I am or what I've done so far with my life or why I am doing this? Maybe you should find those things out first before you start telling people to grow up. All I wanted was constructive input on the options above, not a lecture on how I should live my life and where to invest my money from someone who obviously hasn't done these things for himself yet. Maybe it's you that needs to get a real job or one that makes you happier if you have time to troll these forums and make such comments.

[Glenski]

13,000 a day x 3 days/week x 4 weeks/month = 156,000. I mean guaranteed in the sense that its a fixed rate and the position is 3 days a week. I'm aware that we don't get paid for holidays, but neither do many full-time ALT's over the big breaks. The smaller 1 day holidays here and there are fine, and only affect me if they fall on a day I'm scheduled to work. Where I live is irrelevant, I've been here 9 months and I'm aware of the minimum I need/want to make.

Thank you for the reply, but I think immigration is going to want to know the number of hours you intend to work for that 13,000/day. Got a rough estimate?

It is irrelevant to know where you live? Nope. You're wrong. Standard of living is different in Tokyo vs. Okinawa, for example, so you may get by easier on a low salary in Okinawa but not Tokyo. C'mon. Nobody's stalking you. Where is the job?

[Genkii]

Ignore Tatsuo he is a western troll pretending to be japanese. He is just posting here to provoke and annoy people.

I would go for option 1 and marry asap. After 3 years get in line for your PR. Once you have your PR you can do whatever you want.

Oh for what it's worth: A fulltime job looks better on your resume then 2 parttime jobs.

[ozzijp]

What are you talking about, man ? "Risk averse", "for focused, organized, determined individuals" etc. lol

We are talking about ALT and Eikaiwa, not some executive position in investment banking. Wanna compare "eating horse sh!t" and
"eating dog sh!it" ? Trust me: You lose whatever you take. Unless you already have 1億～2億　in investments and do this "jobs" as
a kind of hobby, my advice: GET A REAL JOB and EARN REAL MONEY or TAKE A REAL RISK AND OPEN/BUY A BUSINESS .

...and please, stop talking about 20-30万/month from one source or several sources in ESL as this were the biggest decision you've made so far. There are people your age that pay more income tax/month. Grow up !

I am quite impressed with this post. I am quite sure that knowing people like you will humble me. Great work.

[themoonrules]

Overall option 1 is better in my opinion. Everything is already set up for you.

Gaba doesn't pay teachers for transportation, that will take a bite into your estimated 18000yen compensation. How much depends on which branch they place you at and how far that is from your home.

Private lessons: Depending on where you are, getting private students can be difficult, not to mention, in addition, same for Gaba, if a student cancels, you might find yourself out of cash. Other items such as setting up a meet location can be problematic as well depending on your students.

For the 11,000yen "sub at least once a month", what happens for those months that all the instructors are Genki? Can't sub if no one is sick our out for whatever reason.
Not to mention, lets say an instructor is out sick, who is to say that you are the first person they call to be the sub? Worst yet, the day the person is out just happens to be the day you are working as an ALT. Another 11,000 yen subtracted.

Too many variables to deal with for "flexibility", not to mention even if things went perfect as you planned, you are still missing out on the 45,000+ extra yen a month that option 1 provides. There are months where you might find yourself making 60,000+ yen less by going with option 2 instead of option 1.

[gaijin ga iru]

I'd go for option 1. The full-time position provides higher base income, and you'd probably still have time to pick up supplemental work. Private lessons and substitute positions can be feast-or-famine, so you don't want your primary income to be from that source.

[vallient]

This isn't funny anymore. Option 1 is an actual job (it gives you fixed income, and a visa). You say option 2 gives you flexibility, flexibility to do what? Work more? If that's the case just take option 1, and work out some private lessons on the side (it's done all the time)? What it really sounds like is you want to basically not work, but also not starve and not be homeless, because otherwise as the previous posters suggest, start your own business. Honestly, option 2 is going to blow up in your face at some point in the future, and it's going to be messy.