No turning back!

I bought a suitcase the other day. Just brought home how real this is! Haha.

It’s big, it’s blue and it cost me £80! But it was from TK Maxx so it was supposed to be about £200. DEAL! I’m hopign this means it won’t arrive in Japan completely destroyed and will last me a fair few years! *fingers crossed*

It was just the first in my ‘big’ purchases on the run up to moving to Japan. I also bought a Kindle. I love to read but taking books to Japan isn’t really feasible. They are big and bulky and heavy! While the Kindle is light and teeny tiny. It also means I’ll easily be able to purchase new reads while residing in Japan. (I have a year of new releases from my favourite authors!)

I’m also going to have to purchase a laptop. I currently use a desktop computer. I much prefer them as they are generally better value for money. You get more power or your pound and you can update them etc, so they don’t outdate as quickly as laptops. But again taking my desktop to Japan isn’t realistic. It’s big and heavy! Haha. So a laptop is in order. Lucky me my birthday lies between now and my departure date so I can plead for birthday money to pay for said laptop!

Not sure what other large purchases will be needed as of yet… Yen obviously. Lots of clothes and shoes! (need shorts for the heat!)

And plane tickets. That would help.

The interview

The interview went exceedingly well and the person who interviewed me was so lovely!

Before interviewing I really wanted some more information on what to expect, but I didn’t really find much. Maybe this post will be useful for people thinking of applying or who have applied to Peppy.

The interview is broken down into four parts.

1. The Grammar Test

To begin with you are given a short grammar test. This lasts around 15 minutes. You are asked to write a short piece on a topic from a list, around 300 words long. I wrote about my long and shor term goals.

You then answer a few questions on grammar. You pick out what is wrong or how to improve some written sentences. Easy peasy!

2. The Presentation

Next is a prentation about the company. Information on schedules, working day, training, living arrangements, wages, expectations, etc. I won’t go into detail here as most of this information is available on the internet already. Check out their website for such info!

There is also a short video of a typical lesson at Peppy. This was aodrable! The lesson was to young children and they were so hyper and excited! One kid started off crying and not wanting to join in but by the end of the lesson he was loudest shouting ‘Cucumber!’ haha. (They were studying vegetables). It made me so happy to see the kids and got me excited about starting!

3. The Interview Questions

The usual affair. Questions like ‘Why Peppy?’, ‘Why Japan?, etc. along with some questions related to what you would do in certain situations. Typical teaching/ TEFL interview questions. Just by yourself and be honest and you will be fine! ^^

4. The Demo

When I was invited to interview I was told that I needed to prepare a five minute demo to imaginary 5 year olds. This got me nervous! I kept changing my mind and wasn’t sure what to cover in such a short time. Eventually I decided to go with a simple song: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes!

This was kind of embarrasing as I was doing it to two grown women rather than real children, but once I got started it was really fun and they really seemed to enjoy it and take part! My singing isn’t great but i tried to be enthusiastic and speak clearly when I said the words.

And that’s that!

I was super nervous for my interview. After hearing how terrifying the JET interview is I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was really laid back and the interviewer was really friendly. You also learnt alot about the company, which left me with no doubts that I was making the right choice.

Hope this is useful for people out there thinking of going to Japan and trying to pick who to go with!

So it begins…

Hey!

This was going to be in a new blog, but then I realised I might as well just use this one! So I’ve got a job in Japan! Woo!

That’s right! I will be travelling to the other side of the world, to the land of the rising sun, to teach English as a foreign language.

I am SO EXCITED!

My chosen company is Peppy Kids Club! I had previously applied (twice) to JET and failed (twice) to even get interviewed *sob* but I did not give up hope of getting to Japan! For the last year I have been working as a Teaching Assistant after graduating from university with a degree in Fine Art Practice. I applied a little over a month ago for a position with Peppy, interviewed last Saturday and have just been told that I got it! Yay!

Peppy is an eikaiwa company, but with a little difference. For a start there isn’t that much info out there! At least compared to other companies or JET. Although like most eikaiwas the stuff I have read has been mixed reviews. But, to me, it sounds almost perfect!

Peppy Kids Club are small one room classrooms scattered across Japan, running lessons for children (only children) ages 2 to 17. All the lessons take part in the afternoon and evening, so they fit in with school hours. You teach 2 to 4 hour long lessons a day, with two days off a week. You get travel re-imbursed, a company apartment (no key money, yay! Just rent, eh…) as well as basic furnishing, etc. Great!

Like most private companies you must pay for your own flights, but that isn’t too big a deal. You also get paid the average eikaiwa pay, around 240,000 yen a month, but you work less hours! I have heard that there can be longish commutes, but these are paid for by the company and you would still be working much shorter hours, even including the commute!

My attraction was that you work only with children! A lot of eikaiwas also teach business English, etc and adult classes but I want to work with children. So perfect!

Well. This was meant as a short intro to this forthcoming blog, but it’s trailed on a fair bit…

Basically I will be flying out to Japan in August and working with Peppy Kids Club! (Placement to be confirmed)

Stay tuned! <3

Woop!

I realise I don’t have many followers on here anyway, but to those of you who do follow me I have wonderful news!

I’m moving to Japan!

Yay!

In August I will be flying off to Japan to work as an English teacher and I’ve prepped a blog for when they time finally comes (counting down the seconds)!

Please find said blog here… http://www.tumblr.com/blog/hayleydesu

Sigh…

Wacthing videos of people in their Japanese apartments/ dorms makes me sad.

I want to be there so bad!

Another year and i will try again!

Tokyo's Cat Cafe! »

I want to work there so bad! :3