should I say something

[pakalikaPakalika]

OK I wanted to get everyone's opinion on this. I have this job offer. It is for a new International school. The owner said he wants me too work for him and for me to build the English program. I would make everything and choose everything. But I started thinking last night, is it right for me to build the whole program for the school, while he does nothing and makes all the money off my ideas? I started to think that he should build the daily and monthly schedules and I would do the activities. The reason I started to think about all this was the pay. The school doesn't open till March, but in February he wants to do all the lesson building and pay me part time pay, and when the school is open he said he would only pay me 250,000 yen a month. so in your opinion, would you do it or not? Would you say anything to him about it or not? What would you do?

[jeisensei]

Hmmm... It sounds like it should be more of a partnership than that. If you are setting up everything all he has to do is sit back and get the money (though I assume that he is doing work in the way of recruiting students and other people to work there, but I don't know that). Maybe if you are worried about money, you should ask if you can buy your way into the business so you can become partners or do something to that degree. Personally, I wouldn't do all the work just for 250 thousand a month after that.

[Paul]

Before you accept any job these types of issues should definitely be discussed ahead of time. He is paying you for your expertise, that's why he wants you, so I don't understand the concern about "making money off of your ideas".

However if you believe that your input, ideas, and work is worth more money then tell him so, just dont be surprised if he takes back the offer and looks for someone else.

Next for a supposed international school, to be scheduled to open in March, it's god-awfully late in my opinion to start planning any scheduling or curriculum this late in the game. This should have been done months if not at least a year or more before. It sounds like a shot in the dark kind of operation to these ears here. In reality he isnt going to know what his "English" program is going to be even one month prior to opening. That's poor planning and preparation.

I would be worried about whether or not he can support and keep a school like that in operation for any length of time without having these types of issues dealt with in a more timely manner.

[moolooman]

I have to agree with Paul on this one. It seems as of late "International School" is the new catchphrase. I would be very suspect of the whole thing if he is setting it up only now.
As for the return, it is him who is putting up (i.e. risking) the money to start the school. If he employs you, then your intellectual property becomes his. I see it that way. And 250k isn't a whole bunch of money to be doing all that work, let alone a part time wage.

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

Too much work for too little money. IMO I wouldn't take it.

Or if youreally wanted the experience, I would definitely discuss a salary increase. Building and planning is much harder than teaching IMO.

Once or if you get something to your liking, it goes without saying. GET IT IN WRITING and make sure all details on the contract are crystal clear to you before you sign!!!

[Kanashibari]

250,000 a month is minimum wage for a full-time English teaching job.

He's screwing you up the exit hole......

[Paul]

I do have one question, just what type of "International School" is this supposed to be? A conversation school? A day-care center? An elementary school? Junior High? High School? Or could it just be a glorified juku? How many other teachers are there? What are your working hours going to be? What guarantees do you have IN WRITING?

The title is ambiguous at best.

[himitsu]

250,000 a month is minimum wage for a full-time English teaching job.

I wish I had minimum wage then..^^'

[pakalikaPakalika]

I do have one question, just what type of "International School" is this supposed to be? A conversation school? A day-care center? An elementary school? Junior High? High School? Or could it just be a glorified juku? How many other teachers are there? What are your working hours going to be? What guarantees do you have IN WRITING?

The title is ambiguous at best.

He calls a international school but it is more of a preschool becuase I will only be teaching kids 2-5 years old. I am the only teacher and the working hours are 9-6 with an hour break. I have in writing how much he will pay me and what my working hours are and what benefits I will get.

[Kanashibari]

If he wants you to build the entire English course yourself, he should still be paying you more than that.

Sad but true, a lot of schools/companies are into screwing native teachers over for money, because they know they won't say anything.......

[Paul]

I do have one question, just what type of "International School" is this supposed to be? A conversation school? A day-care center? An elementary school? Junior High? High School? Or could it just be a glorified juku? How many other teachers are there? What are your working hours going to be? What guarantees do you have IN WRITING?

The title is ambiguous at best.

He calls a international school but it is more of a preschool becuase I will only be teaching kids 2-5 years old. I am the only teacher and the working hours are 9-6 with an hour break. I have in writing how much he will pay me and what my working hours are and what benefits I will get.

Ok pre-school, that changes things a lot in my mind. Like it or not pre-school teachers here get paid crap. There are literally tons of "International" school pre-schools, nothing major, but setting up a curriculum for kids is a hell of a lot different than ES, JHS, etc. 250,000 per month for a day care teacher here is pretty good pay, not outstanding but well above average, if it also includes pension and benefits that's not too bad at all. Generally speaking day care teachers get paid minimum wage/hourly. Just something to keep in mind.

9 to 6 isnt bad really, considering that all that time is not going to be classes either. The rug rats eat lunch together then have their daily nap time so at the most you might teach 3 hours a day. Plus teaching kids means lessons are not going to be 50 minutes long either, more like 30 to 40, and the majority of it play time kind of activities. High energy, happy face kind of stuff. Some people like it, others dont.

[pakalikaPakalika]

Thanks paul. I just wanted to hear every opinion. I messaged him and told him we need another meeting to talk about what exactly he wants. The only problem is he does not speak english. He has also yet to find a japanese person who can speak english. In the mean time I have another offer and it is more secure but less pay and it is a school already established. Just have to choose.

[Paul]

Food for thought;

I personally do not like teaching the little kids, but I have a friend who is almost the same age as I am, who would rather teacher pre-school than JHS kids, something about not having to deal with the personality crap attached with JHS kids. But anyway, it's just a matter of choice.

I think that it could be a hell of a lot of fun, really, when you think about it planning games and fun stuff with tykes could be very fulfilling as well.

I was playing devils advocate in a manner of speaking because if I read you correctly you wanted to hear things as "we" saw them. It's a tough choice, more money, unsure security, but easier working conditions vs lower pay and more security. Good luck! Let us know what you choose. I would be interested to know.