Going over in March for an interview with Peppy's Kids Club...Any advice?
 

Hi guys!

I'll be heading over to Nagoya in March to have an interview with Peppy's Kids Club. I have been going through websites to find out how past and current teachers there find the school but the posts are really old. Anyone currently teaching with Peppy's to offer me some advice? I'm really excited about the interview and hope I'll get it. Does Peppy employ people who aren't native English speakers? Coz I'm a Singaporean Chinese but English has always been my first language and I've studied in the States for awhile for university.

I'm wondering what my chances of getting employed are like?

Thank you so much!:ywave:

Ive got an interview in 2 days with peppy also . I need some info as a lot of forums are old posters.

i've never heard of Peppy's Kids Club, but i do hear a lot of complaints from chinese americans (who speak perfect english grammar, even better than a native speaker) who got rejected when applying to be an English teacher just because he/she is not the typical Caucasian ie not white enough.

i do wish for the best of things to happen to you though!

That's really unfortunate but I've heard similar comments from some of my Japanese Canadian friends who were teaching English. They didn't have a problem with the employer but some of the students expressed their disappointment for having a "Japanese" teacher.

Japanese Canadians have it rough in Japan. Since we have a Japanese face and name, we're overburdened by high expectations in terms of our language skills. Even if we're 3rd or 4th generation.

When I'm in Japan, I always make it a habit to speak English on my first encounter with someone - even if I speak perfect Japanese. Otherwise, I'm simply seen as a Japanese citizen who happens to speak perfect English.

Anyways, sorry for the hijack Tolora. I'm sure you'll have no problems. You may want to check with gaijinpot.com for additional input. There are tons of English teachers on that site.

All the best Akira!Let me know how your interview goes...It'll be great advice for me.:):)

Thanks dude. Well i had the interview yesterday and it went well. I will be emailed next week and told if i have got the job.

As far as the interview goes it was pretty standard. They ask a fair few quesions. Just be confident when answering every question and show willingness to teach English to children.

I was also shown a video on how they work by the company curriculum. Ill let you know if i have got the job or not next week when i find out.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Cool! By the way hope you dun mind me asking...which country are you from? What kinda questions were you asked? Were you interviewed by Mr Jason Wright?In your view what's the chances of you getting the job?

My apologies for all the questions but I'm really curious...really hope I get the job too.Only worry is that I'm asian....:(

Thanks for the info Akira!:)

Oh by the way,thanks man!I'll check out as many websites as I can before my interview.Anyone has any idea if English teachers are in need now in Japan?Just curious....

Im from Australia and i wasn't interviewed by Jason Wright. Questions were no brainers really.

They are really just making sure you are keen to teach children and things like:

- You wont be homesick on your stay.
- You are punctual
- You will complete the 12 month contract.
- You are flexible to work in whichever region/prefecture.

If your english is proficient then i dont think it should be a problem for you being employed.

Make sure your writing skills are good as i was tested on this. (Getting me to write a paragraph on any subject of my choice.) Hope this helps you Tolora and good luck on your interview.

Thank you so much for all your advice Akira!Did they get you to do a demonstration of a class in session?I wonder why they take 1 week to make a decision.It would take so much of the anxiety away if they can make their decision in a couple of days or on the day itself...:p

This is going to sound really dumb, but can anyone explain Peppy for me?

I can guess that its for english teachers? so is it like JET or do you actuallly need teaching qualifications?

No problem buddy.

I didnt have to do a demo, but you will need to explain different tactics and methods for teaching... eg minigames, flashcards, songs etc. etc.

Hi Akira! Sounds good...Oh by the way,any news whether you've gotten the job?I'm excited for you!:)

Hey hey you can try checking out their website:

itti.com

All the information about Peppy is there.:)

My application was reviewed but not successful. I replied and asked why it wasnt accepted. Ill let you know when i get a reply.

Teaching children in conversational schools like Peppy doesn't require a lot of English skill or ability. The most important thing is that the kids have fun. The interviewer will be looking at how well you will relate to children, and a lot of this has to do with personality and appearance, and very little with actual English ability.

At your interview you must appear very friendly. Smile a lot, and make sure to tell your interviewer how much you love children. You should brush up on whatever children's songs in English that you know, and you should be able to demonstrate a game or two that children would like. Games using dice (which help children to learn counting up to 12), flash cards using things like the alphabet, numbers, colors, days of week, etc. are useful.

Being Asian will be a drawback, the parents usually want a western teacher. It may not be fair, but image is often more important than real substance, and parents often think that a western teacher will be able to bring a little culture to the language lesson.

Once again, smile, be friendly, and good luck.

I thought you had to have a degree to work for JET?

You do...but you don't need any teaching qualifications.

Ahh, gotcha.

Hi Sangetsu!Sweet advice...thank you! Hmmm...I guess I kinda saw it coming.The being Asian part. That's why I was surprised when I was invited for an interview,even though I had my photo on my CV and my nationality is Singaporean Chinese. I was so close to asking Mr Wright if I will be making a wasted trip but decided against it. I'm hoping for the best.:)

Anyhow,do you happen to know if Asians have been employed by Peppy before?

Arigatou gozaimasu! :ywave:

Oh by the way I was going through some forums on non native speakers being employed as English teachers in eikawas in Japan. Some mentioned that they were given better opportunities coz of their degree which were either from the UK or US. Does this matter to schools in Japan when it comes to employing new teachers?

Thanks!

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I have been to Nagoya several times, but have no idea how to answer that question.

I know someone who has worked for a Peppy's kid branch. Let me ask around and get back to you.

While I don't remember any details, my memories, such as they are, leave me with the impression that what I heard was negative, but not so much more negative than eikaiwa work in general.

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We have a branch in Fukuchiyama, apparently as far as child centered English conversation schools, it's one of the better ones. You can do a lot worse.

Of course, take this with a grain of salt, because if it's a franchise, and I don't know if it is or not, then each branch may have significant differences in management quality.