Teaching English in Japan with Heart Corporation.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ก.ย. 2024
- This video gives an honest view about my experiences teaching English in Japan while working for Heart Corporation, the ALT dispatch company. This video is NOT judging Japan, Japanese people, the culture or life as an ALT in general. Everything in this video is factual and has been posted so you can get a bit of an idea of how this company operates. Please go out and look up alternate opinions to judge for yourself, don't just take my word for it. Here is a link for alternate opinions: www.glassdoor.c...
Sorry for the bad vid quality.
I worked in Japan (Tokyo, Saitama and Chiba) for many years as an English teacher in private schools, international schools and a couple of Boards of Education and eikaiwas. The industry is awash with mercenary companies and always has been. Shane Corporation used to be bad but they are nothing compared to Heart. I was offered work by Heart recently and turned them down flat for the following reasons: They make promises they don't keep such as locations of schools. They tell you about a school then change it in their offer. They pay a flat 500 JPY a day for travel regardless of how much the travel actually costs so you are losing money daily. To be reimbursed for travel is a standard in Japan across all companies, it's tax deductable. Ask at the interview what the daily rate is and if that includes the travel reimbursement, which it shouldn't. The two are legally seperate. They won't give a straight answer on social insurance or pension. They tell you that you are free to choose the schools they offer you but then refuse to give you the school you want. Don't accept a company apartment as they will have total control over you. Go to a gaijin house, they are affordable, clean and convenient. Use the Government Health Insurance too. Just go to the local city office and a translator will help you to arrange it. Don't even think about a car as they will make you pay huge amounts for it and if there is an accident you have to pay about 70,000 JPY no matter who is at fault. They set stupid rules such as not being allowed to bring your own food to school so you are forced to sit with students to eat and you can't bring water into the classroom. I NEVER saw that EVER in all my years in Japan. Their standards are awful. Their language test could have been written by a 6 year old. Working for a company like this is a learning curve but it won't do anything to help your career. Why would you want them on your CV or a reference from them when they are known to be so bad. It is illegal for an ALT to lead a class in a Japanese state school (You can in private schools only) but they will make you do all the lesson prep and delivery whilst the highly paid Japanese teacher stands and watches. Japanese teachers also get an annual bonus which you won't get. You don't get paid for national holidays and there are a lot in Japan. You will have months with no money. If a company opens a bank account for you they have control of the account. I had a friend who had his account cleared by the employer when he died!! Seriously, that's true. They are totally unprofessional. They will tell you that you have to watch some training videos and they are utter rambling nonsense. They tell you that the videos are 5 minutes long; the first one is 22 minutes long and there are 25 of them. The company handbook is 35 pages of Japlish waffle. I remember when Heart was a small eikaiwa and suddenly they have 3 more years contract to supply teachers to Boards of Education. It's all down to how much is in the brown envelope.
Appreciate your bravery in coming forward. You will help a lot of people.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video Simon, hope things are better for you now.
Finishing my first year. I kinda got blessed. I came in with my company worried about a lot of things such as housing, getting things set up at city hall, the fact that I have 5 schools. I spent a few weeks in Osaka before my training agonizing over it. I am Christian. Ultimately I gave my anxieties to God in prayer and a few things happened. Housing was fine, I had plenty of money I brought from the US to furnish the apartment and my mother sent me a few things, my coordinator is an awesome woman who is also in her first year so we get along very well she helped me a lot with getting set up, I have 5 schools but I get along with the staff at all five and the trainer helped me get introduced to the schools. All of which, I totally admit is very much not the norm for even this company. I was just blessed with really good circumstances and I am well acquainted with the office staff. Like I said, I prayed about all this, everyone of my concerns were answered.
@andrewrivera190 Hi Andrew, I am just wondering if you'd be able to give an insight on Heart Corporation's reputation outside of your own experience since you are still currently employed by them. Have you heard of any incidents that have been similar to Simon Baker's. This video is 9 years old so I am hoping that the company has improved, I have just obtained my COE from Heart but I am unsure whether I should proceed any further. To date, I have not found any positive reviews aside from your post so I would really appreciate your review. Thanks
@@rainisdryHi, did you get your coe? do you have the intention to join them? i have an interview with them too and then i saw this video i know it’s been 9 years but maybe they still do this shady thing…hope you see this
Thank you for your comment. I am also a Christian and I am relying on God’s favour as I will be starting with this company in September. I am glad you had a positive experience. I hope mine will be good as well. I am excited for this new adventure!
Thank you so much for providing this information and keeping me from making a huge mistake. I want to go to Japan on good terms, and I am not nearly desperate enough to work for a company such as this one.
Please don't listen to this nut. Not all experiences are bad. They are not as bad as he makes them out to be. But I would prefer that you stay out of Japan, more chances for me.
@@sckool4sf4 I would listen closely if your planning to work there. He is speaking from actual experience.
Thanks for the fair warning! Almost started applying there.
I'm relieved @Simon
I believe you.
I won't go to Heart Interview this week.
It might be bad but It's still a chance to work and live in Japan. Getting a job in Japan is not easy as it seems, so I think It might be a good start. It really depends on how much do you want to live in this country
This sounds soul crushing
Thanks Simon, I agree with you, I worked for them and I can tell that they are dishonest.
They give you a very shady contract, for example: the part "Reimbursement of expenses: The transportation allowance is already included as part of the salary."
In my country this mean: Base salary + transportation fee = Total salary" They also told me the transportation will be reimbursed in a skype interview.
In fact you need to translate that by "You will have to pay the transportation fee out of your pockets"
I also got an apartment from them, it saved me some time looking for one as I was hired in a hurry (I was already in Japan and looking for work) but
later I figured out that I was paying more than the real price and paying for a parking lot who's in fact free.
But I have to say, working as English teacher have been a great experience, you can still live/survive with that job (I worked one year for them).
It's just that I had a bad experience with the company.
Anyway, like Simon's says, try looking for another company.
I just got an email from Kent for a job I recently applied to. I decided to do some digging around and I'm glad I stumbled upon this video and all the reviews, it sounds like a horrible company!
Nikki Towers Haha, you and me both, and I'm glad I saw this, because my thick head was about to give them a chance despite having read the Glassdoor reviews. Gonna just write back and cancel.
I'm glad you're putting this out there. I just got s job there and I feel like I'm being dragged on a lied to. Heart also responded to me by email but I think I'll pass. I hope there are not two contacts; one here and then another in Japan. That's super shady.
I'm taking a stab at this and going to go through with the contract- as I should be moving there in the next few weeks.
Maybe I'll stay there for a year- maybe I'll dip and get a contract somewhere else- but it's a good way to get over there.
I totally agree. If you ever find yourself in the situation where a Japanese company tries to screw you over, you just need to prepare yourself. Learn the labor laws in Japan, contact the Labor Standards Bureau if you have any labor disputes and stand your ground. Labor Standards Act: www.jil.go.jp/english/laws/documents/l.standards2012.pdf Labor Standards Bureau: www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/koyou/gaikokujin12/pdf/english_0010.pdf Recommended read: www.amazon.com/Handbook-Newcomers-Migrants-Immigrants-Japanese/dp/4750327417
thats what im doing lol
Joe Schmitt how'd it go? How was your experience? I have an interview with them coming up
@@natayjohnson8311 How'd you interview go? get accepted?
@@Oversurge_ did you go?
truly appreciate - you're a savior
I had an interview as well three days ago. I believe this company is not legit, unfortunately, i won't be working with them at all and i will trust myself as well my own instinct on this. Heart Corporation needs to realise this we maybe foreigners, but what comes around goes around as well. I won't be taking this position either. I love Japan but not when the work is like this.
Thank you for this informational video! Unfortunately I will be working with them for a year, but I appreciate this video so I know to have my expectations low. From what I've seen, basically any ALT/eikawa willing to sponsor you visa internationally is going to be pretty horrible. :/ Oh well! Hopefully I can tough it out for just a year! I'm telling myself that because after a year I'll move to another job. ALT/eikawa jobs seem like the bottom of the barrel, but it is really the only option if you're a foreigner living outside of Japan and not fluent in Japanese.
Hi! How's your experience so far? :)
How it’s been so far?
@straberryshinigami15 g What is your opinion now?
No follow up? Heart got him 💀
Hello...are you still working with them? How was yoir experience??
I’m already in Japan under my dependent visa. I have a Skype interview coming up. I also stepped into so many negative reviews. And is it true that they will place you in different schools at one time.? I’m having not only second thoughts but also to completely stop my process. I don’t have any visa issue or coming into japan.
Hi! May I know if you still pursued applying to their company? How was it? I have an interview tomorrow but kinda doubting if it's a good thing...
@@naomi5843 Hi! may I know if you still pursued with your interview? Im starting to doubt as well if I should continue
@@carlatorres1507 I did but I quit. I passed the first interview and upon the second screening, they were already asking for my private documents/information (which is usually should only be asked if you’re approved officially, i guess). And I was asking them the exact location of the school that I will be teaching if ever but they said they can only discuss it when I’m officially accepted. Very sketchy so I didn’t push through.
@@carlatorres1507 I got my interview and passed I have tried so many, so I am just hoping this will get my foot in the door for the year and maybe try another with the new experience. It's a lot harder than what I was told in university. I may stick it out because I have need something to get my career going. I'd guess just have to tough it out here hoping I get that final contract. I will take caution though.
Same thing just happened to me...Kenney is a fraud! This company is a fraud!
I'm currently in the process of filling all the requisites for Heart Corporation. They were very nice to me in the interview. I just want to arrive in Japan as that is my goal. When it comes to shady stuff it is nothing new with shady companies for me guys. I'm in Cambodia and I have dealt with corrupted companies for over 6 years one more will not affect me that much. I mean after a year that I work for them if I like it I will stay but if not I always have the option of choosing something else right? In addition, I have no degree so they said that they will try to get me an instructor visa because I have experience and I have 3 TEFLS. Please provide me some feedback guys.
If you’re desperate, then use them to get your visa. Once you got it, find another position. But first try other companies like Borderlink, Joytalk, Altia, etc.
Hey did you got the job
Hello Aaron. I was wondering if you pushed thru with Heart Corporation? I will be having an interview with them next week. Thank you!
@@aleynaharb1931 thank you for your question so apparently, my Certificate of Eligibility was not approved by the government. Heart Corporation gave me the job but it is the government that hindered my progress 😭
@@aarong.859 Oh I'm sorry to hear that. I guess you are in a much better situation now :) I'm just a bit nervous because I will have an interview with Heart Corporation on March 11th. May I know the reason why your COE was not approved by the government? If it's okay with you, you can send me a message on my email address which is carmelaloveskoji0416@yahoo.com and I'm hoping to hear from you because I really wanna go to Japan. Thank you so much!
I thank you for all the details you have shared! I wonder though aside from JET, Interac, ALTia, Borderlink (though no good reviews either), are there any other good ALT dispatch companies for Japan?
I worked with Heart and I did not like it. I had to switch banks, and they told me to find someone who can speak English. I was shocked because most people do not speak English in Japan. I ended up asking the bank in Japanese if anyone speaks English at the bank, then the person told me that there was no one speaks English. Luckily I got my bank switched no thanks to Heart Corporation. Also, I had to do things by myself without their help at city hall. The only time Heart Corporation will help you is when you have to get everything squared immediately. When I bumped into someone who was a boss at Heart Corporation at the LeoPalace office in Saitama, they told me that they are helping a person who was fresh off the boat and inexperienced in Japan.
Thanks for sharing this! I have a Skype interview with Heart tomorrow
Su Lwin how was your interview ? Did u get the job.?
I also worked for Heart Corporation and when I left they didn't give me a massive chunk of my money in the final pay so they did the same thing to me too just in a different way. They treat you like they own you and have no respect for your privacy. They even in August 2020 banned all ALTs from travelling to other prefectures in Japan in the name of the Covid-19 situation.
Hi.. Are you still working for hear corporation? I wanna work with them
:( that sounds terrible. My flight will be on 26th and the pay date is 25. Now I'm worry if they will pay me on 25th and the last paycheck on the next month.
@@annanguyen6105hi, do you still work for heart?
What happens if you get chosen.. get your visa and head over.. Then say no to the contract that changed and bugger off the same day to search other jobs in japan
You end up having to pay them 18,000 Yen which is the visa sponsorship fees and they can claim up to 150,000 Yen from you in damages as per their contract if you quit without the notice period.
The coming into the apartment etc is unfortunately not specific to heart, but a part of how Japanese companies deal with that. It's happened to me before in a different job that wasn't teaching.
Heart English Corporation is called 'Heartless English' by one of the public schools I used to work at. Heart English Corporation is the worst. Anyone who is thinking of applying please don't waste your valueable time to work for this garbage company. Beware, Interac is also another garbage company. You are so much more valuable to waste your time with Heart English Corporation or Interac.
Thank you very much
I am desperately in need of an Assistant Language Teacher job and I belong to a Non-Native English speaking country so it's already tough. Something bad happened with me while I was in middle of recruitment process. My original recruiter left in middle and my data wasn't properly transferred to new one. As a result, in the month of March, when I was supposed to receive a COE, my new recruiter after me desperately managing to connect with her via company's head office (she doesn't look at the skype messages or emails) told me that some of my documents were pending and then I found out that it wasn't exactly pending but just uploaded in a different tab on HRO. Now, despite me being one of the first few people who applied in August of 2022, I am not the part of 100 something ALTs shortlisted for the month of April 2023 😔
Take this as a good sign. Keep trying with other dispatches like Joytalk, Borderlink, Interac or Altia. They might not all be great, but miles better than Heart. Best of luck. Being a non-native doesn’t matter with dispatches. In my city,some of the direct hires are non-natives, such as Uzbekistan and Ghana. Your actual ability and character matters more imo.
@@dandan3045 no one hires at this time of the year sadly. Most of them only hire for March.
Just keep trying. You can consider apply for English schools directly. If you can speak some Japanese I believe you can find one. Wish you luck.
I have an interview with them in about 10 minutes. This is terrifying.
I do not want to work with them, after what I've read from them and heard from you.
Theoretically, if i were to take the offer, if i get one, what would happen if i broke the contract and got a job somewhere else? Would I get my visa revoked?
No. I believe your visa would remain valid until the expiry date. You should try to avoid working for shady companies if possible, although if it can't be avoided you just have to be prepared for the situation where they try to screw you over. Learn the labor laws in Japan, contact the Labor Standards Bureau if you have any labor disputes and stand your ground.
Labor Standards Act: www.jil.go.jp/english/laws/documents/l.standards2012.pdf
Labor Standards Bureau: www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/koyou/gaikokujin12/pdf/english_0010.pdf
Recommended read: www.amazon.com/Handbook-Newcomers-Migrants-Immigrants-Japanese/dp/4750327417
Obviously a smart person would always keep themselves one step ahead and wait until the end of their contract before making a move, while a reckless person would just jump right on in there. The Labor Standards Bureau do not have any legal power so you definitely can't rely on them, although you can often use them to discourage companies and have things go your way.
how did it go mate?
I FEEL YOU 😭
For my experience, I had to study for a bachelor of education in Japan and Canada prior to contract
I have a second interview with them Tomorrow. These words do concern me but I've been rejected by every other company I have tried to apply to and I need money. (I'm not a bad person, just someone who is bad at interviews... >_
How did it go? I have an interview with them last week.
Hi Chris, I would love to hear how your experience with heart is going. I am preparing to go to Japan on a work visa sponsored by them. Basically I’m looking for friends who work for the same company 😅.
@@freelanceteaching1641Hi! I got an interview offer from them! Do you have an update?
@@freelanceteaching1641hi. Did you pursue your application with heart?
@@Aisomaiii Hi, yes I did . Worked for them for a year.
And what about renting an apartment on your own? So.. the visa you get from them is just for two months? ;(
Thank you so much for the info!
Thanks for the info man.
I worked for heart from 2005-2011. Then I changed to Interac from 2012-2018. Last December 2017, I got my Permanent Visa. This April I might go back to Heart.
@@JosephSalcedodeLeon Why would you want to go back to Heart if it's such an abusive company?
nina rekhi who said it’s abusive? I didn’t say it’s abusive,
@@JosephSalcedodeLeon Not you, but most people do. Did you have a good experience with them? I got an offer but I'm not sure if I should take it up.
nina rekhi I got my permanent visa 8n Japan after teaching at heart for 8 years plus 2 years from other company.
As far as I am concerned, heart is good when it comes to staff management. You can view my old videos to see my teaching experiences.
Sounds like the wage situation might have gotten even worse.
I will be paid 1 man yen per DAY and there are no paid vacations whatsoever, so I will have to find part time work during the school holidays.
It's already shady af, but I will work for them anyway, cause it's my only chance.
English isn't my mother tongue and I couldn't find any other company.
Luckily I have organized my apartment by myself so it'll be about 3man cheaper than their stuff.
+norb4152 You will be working very hard for minimum wage or even less.
Ed Denoy Actually I'm not working very hard at all. I think I got lucky with my school. I have about 3 free periods a day on average, where I can go into other classes if I want or do preparation and stuff. It's pretty relaxed. But yea, pay is shit.
norb4152 Cool
Hey, not sure if you'll see this. Have you got an email I can contact you on to have a chat about some Heart stuff? Got an offer from them today and want to talk to someone who ACTUALLY works there now haha.
+norb4152 Hey, did you get the email?
I'll share this!!
I’ve got a job at heart co and now waiting for CoE. This video makes me nervous.. wtf.. it’s actually kinda sad, because I’m a non-native speaker of English and heart corp was the only one that agreed to even have an interview with me. So like this is my only chance to get to Japan, if I dump it it’s over
Well now I’m sad and confused
Hi Alice, I’m having an interview with them this week. May I know how the interview went? ☺️
I feel you very much Alice! I'm in the same position as you. Non native and heart was the only company willing to give me a chance. Can we privately message? Regards x
Hello, Alice. I am basically got an e-mail from them as well. I would like to ask you more about it. Can we talk in private? Thanks. 😊
Hi, Alice! Same here.... Know exactly how you feel 😞 How is your hiring process going right now? Can we talk? Please! 🙏 my e-mail : pollyteacherstudy@gmail.com
@@pollyteacher2960 Alice is gone lol. I should have an interview this week as well... non english native here... kinda weird tbh. Not sure if i'll go for it.
some of this isn't making any sense. You say they went into the guy's share house even though they didn't subsidize his accommodation and I assume they weren't the guarantor either, so how the hell did they get a key to get inside ??
You're Fired ! I also wonder why these people don't use the latch on their door that only opens from the inside.
So you quit/lost your job, right?
What happened to your visa? Did you go straight home or were you able to work somewhere else?
The visa will run it's course.
Thank you for posting this. Very informative and important to know about working for Heart Corporation.
Question for you, for someone like me who doesn't have a TESOL or any kind of certificate, what other companies do you recommend I apply to for teaching english? The big draw of Heart corporation is them not requiring any certification.
Hi Dennis, I have an interview with Heart this coming Monday myself and have read really good reviews and bad so my advice get a feel of the mangers etc. I will also let you know after my interview. I have applied to Borderlink and they have replied to me and have set a Skype interview, similarly Ive had one with Aeon but unfortunately didn't get the job
Hi Khadzy,how'd the interview went? I have an interview with them next week.Will appreciate your tips thanks
Hey RG, so the interview went great actually got offered the job within the day. So as for tips I can say be confident smile a lot and just be yourself. For the small demo test I would say just make sure you have fun games and make sure the 'children' understand the lesson! I did have a small japanese interaction as well so brush up on your Japanese if you have said previously you know it. There was also a spelling test for words such as 'maintenance' and 'receipt' I think i only got like 10 words. I wont lie and say I got all of them correct, i did get a few incorrect. Then there was a grammar test dont sweat too much on that. But otherwise the remaining of the interview was them getting to know me and what the job was actually entailing. If you have any other question, please feel free to ask! I am more than happy to help :D
Khadzyy Hey thanks for the response. Im just feeling nervous as early as now since Ill be doing the interview on Monday 11AM Tokyo time.Can I add you somewhere we can talk more like viber or skype?If you dont mind tho
Heey, yeah sure i dont mind tbh, try adding my email on skype its animecrazy_01@hotmail.com dont judge me :P
In their latest contract, they don't pay for days there's no work... So basically get a part time job or else...
Hi anyone here got an offer from heart this coming April 2020? After reading all the comments here i was hesitant if I'm going to push through with the application. 🤔
jay cee did you accept the offer?
@@marieromero2979 yes. u applied on the same company as well?
jay cee yes.. im waiting for my coe now
jay cee did you pass ?
@@marieromero2979 got mine already. Do u have messenger. Can i add u up?
Su Lwin hi! did you proceed with the interview? I was wondering coz I have one too next week.
Hi, I did go through with the interview. It went for about an hour, pretty basic questions, there was one main American interviewer who took up most of the hour, and at the end, there was a Japanese person (native speaker) who came in to assess my level of Japanese. I got a job offer but after watching this youtube video and reading the reviews on glassdoor I don't think it's a good position to take
Su Lwin Thank you so much for the tip and reply. Yeah that's what I'm thinking too so I dunno if it's good to go ahead for the interview. Well good to know. Glad to have spoken to some1 about it.
+Su Lwin I had an interview with them a couple hours ago (followed by another interview with a different company) and after the second interviewer's comments about Heart I decided to do some research about them and found the glassdoor reviews and this video and am not going to accept the position (if they offer it).
Would you prefer for us to work for your dispatch company instead?
Also, are you still working with this company?
thanks for the information. heart corporation sre hopeless
Wtf is wrong with this stupid company. They make you do one main interview and then u end up doing another 1 or 2 more for placement with their so called "placement coordinators." Same shit in each interview - demo class, oral Japanese test, grammar test. It's very annoying.
I'll be joining you in a few weeks in Mito. Cheers!
David are you in mito now?
Damn... i am about to set up an interview via skype with them.. i am not even an english native but they they said ok to me. I had some questions about this company so i started to check the review... oh boys.... it's pretty lame... i think i'll avoid them.
how much is jet pay? and what about heart?
Heart pays 10,000 Yen per working day. You only get paid the days the school is open. No salary in summer or vacation. No transportation allowance. They don't even pay your health insurance premiums.
JET pays 320,000 Yen month. Heart pays 10,000 Yen per work day.
@@PrestigeX-1 hi, may i know what is the link to apply in JET? thank you.
So they choose how much they screw you over pretty much. Proceed with caution.
Wow those stories aboutthe whack teachers. I really hope the image of foreigners isn't ruined by these kinds of people. Not cool.
I have 3 interviews lined up. this is the first one.
I'll only take it as a emergency, and look for a job a 1month after working with them
Hi @oversurge. Did this plan work out well?
29:09 I have friends who I met through Heart who turned up to the orientation without their visa, but for myself, I actually had that lined up before I arrived in Japan and Heart sponsored it. I guess it is just a matter of timing.
did you get your visa by yourself?
I received a certificate of eligibility from Heart for me to apply for my visa and then I applied at consulate general of Japan. :)
@@dylanmorgan17 Hi is it okay to have Heat as a dispatch company?
@@dylanmorgan17 and how was your experience working for them?
Kent seems alright so far.
He is an asshole as are all of their staff.
They did that to me in China. They screwed you.
Do you still work there
First.
Second!