I recently received some questions from Z and thought the questions were pretty useful for people who may be wondering about the same things so, I’ve decided to post more about my application experience with the dispatch companies. Do check out their websites for more information.
Borderlink
In 2009, towards the end of my CELTA course, I applied to Borderlink and actually received a reply that asked me to send them proof of at least 12 years of education with English as the medium-of-instruction (MoI). And once I send that over, they would schedule an interview for me. At that time, I contacted the Ministry of Education (MOE) for a letter to prove that English is the MoI in Singapore but they replied that they do not issue such letters and the proof can be “obtained” via their website which says that all schools in Singapore are conducted with English as the MoI. I forwarded the email from the MOE to Borderlink and never heard from them again.
Cosmo Global Communications School
This was the company that very kindly accepted me last year after a round of interview for a period of around half a year. I had a great time working with the people there but unfortunately, I had to leave when my contract ended because the city I was teaching in gave the contract to another company for the new academic year.
ALTIA Central
Before the previous academic year ended, I got a chance to read up on ALTIA Central’s website and was really impressed with the level of ALT support they have. Further, I simply love the fact that they are “not in business just to teach English. [They] are involved with the development of children at all levels.” This got me wanting to work with this company with an amazing mission that resonated with what I believe. So, I applied to ALTIA Central, got an interview with a great guy who offered me a position to teach in Nagoya. I would’ve gone for it if I hadn’t got my current job with the Board of Education.
I hope this information is useful in whatever way it can be.
Hi Jinhan, love this post. I’m thinking of applying to ALTIA, but I noted that they asked for a reference or recommendation letter as part of their application. I’m doing my language course in Japan now, so I haven’t been working for 6 months. I can get my Japanese teacher to write me one, but I’m not sure if that would work…
If you don’t mind, can I know about your reference letter? Thanks. ^^
Hi K,
Yes, you can get your Japanese teacher to write the recommendation letter for you. Frankly, I don’t exactly remember submitting recommendation letters but I provided 2 referees. One of whom was my previous Japanese language teacher and the other was a fellow teacher at one of the junior high schools I taught at.
Your referees can be academic supervisors, work supervisors or fellow workers with whom you work. In my case, as an ALT, I can get the English teachers to be my referees but not any other teachers of Math or Science although they are technically my fellow workers as well. Friends will not be accepted as referees too.
I actually gave them 4 referees but they really only wanted two so they told me to choose two of the four and they will definitely call both. So let your referees know about it, about the job you are applying to and let them be prepared for the call.
All the bests!
Wow, thanks for your quick reply! I guess it’s time to go and “por” my teachers so that they will give a nice report of me XD
May I ask how you got the job at the board of education? I’ve been wanting to leave the agencies and dispatch companies and work straight under the BOE since the contracts are of better terms and don’t get ripped of that way, but don’t know how. If you could share how you landed the job at the BOE, that would be great.
Hi Safo,
I was actually introduced to the head of education at the BOE by a teacher who knows her in person before I started work at my first dispatch company and kept in contact with her. When she learnt that I was looking for a new job, she arranged for an interview with the chief which was how I got the job. Some of the other teachers actually taught through dispatch agencies and had to have regular meetings at the BOE. The BOE observes and assesses the teachers and then may choose to hire them directly after one year.
Thanks for sharing, gaijinhan-san. It was very informative. I wonder if Borderlink was the only company that asked for proof of 12 years of education with English as MoI.
And assuming the type of visa you got was the Instructor Visa, did the government agency also ask you for such proof in order to process your visa application?
A bit info about me: I hold a US passport, but I got less than 12 years of education in the US (because I didn’t move to the US until after I grew up).
Thank you and I hope life has been treating you well 🙂
Hello M,
My apologies for the very late reply. Yes, Borderlink was the only company that requested for proof of education with English as MoI. The visa I got was Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa and no, the government agency does not require such proof.