Hi Guys,

I've got an interview to teach English in Japan with the California Language Institute in a couple of weeks, i was wondering if anyone had any experience with the company as i can't find anything online other than one negative comment on a forum, and their website is very outdated and uninformative which is also slightly worrying.

Look forward to your replies

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca.  You are right to be concerned.  Almost everything with CLI is not up to date, website included.  I worked there for several years, I did really well and increased the number of students dramatically at all the schools I worked at.  As a result I was treated reasonably well and given a bonus every year and so on.  However, and this is a BIG however; The treatment of staff, both Japanese and Western, ranges from reasonable to absolutely shocking.  I am a very strong character so I could deal with the management of xx, xx and xx but others really struggled.  I have seen grown men and women reduced to tears and nervous wrecks through intimidation and insults.  Even a really strong personality, a lad who's email I can pass to you because he is happy to warn people away, 30 year old lad from Essex was belittled, told the death of his mother was insignificant and reduced to tears at a supposedly innocuous work meeting.  This also happens repeatedly to Japanese staff who are told they are everything from useless to incompetent even if they have worked there for over 5 years, try really hard and are really good with kids.

xx is a nasty piece of work who, unless you keep sweet and nod and listen to his rants about everything from homosexuals to retards or sexism, you won't get much.

The staff retention has become awful because people just can't stand him and the little circle of people he keeps to support him.  Indeed, when I left last year after finally having enough of all of them, the ENTIRE workforce of Tokyo branch save for one lad and a couple of Japanese staff, left at the same time.

The job is great, the schools are good and the kids are brilliant but xx is dangerous.  Another lad I worked with, when he finished (after being emotionally broken by the experience), had his last month's salary taken, as well as the computer they had "given" him so he was left in Japan with no money and no home.  Fortunately he had friends he could stay with.  This again is very common treatment if xx doesn't like someone.

Be very careful and if you want any other information I have emails of all the staff I worked with who will give you their accounts of their treatment. 

Take care.

Az.

OMG - ive heard of horror stories but nothing this bad.

I have friends who work for JoyTalk - a dispatch company...again this is a small company and can be hit and miss as to whether you get along with the managers, office staff etc. One friend was told he would be given a 4x4 drive car because he has school where theres heavy snow and he has to go into the mountains - they gave him a crap car that was over 10 years old and not 4x4...he fought it and was told he would get a new car in time for winter...he got a car that was 8 years old and still not 4x4...turns out the car they had got they gave to another person who lived further south, had less driving and lived in a city - He left the company a few weeks ago because there was a family emergency - he is now having the fight the company for his money because in the contract if you end the contract early you have to pay 100,000yen (thats about 800pounds or 1000dollars)...

another girl was tired of being mistreated - even at one of the schools PTA meetings a students father had too much to drink and came on to her and tried to feel her breast - the company had a word with the school but that was it...so when she was found a better job in Nara, also where her partner lives she gave 30days noticed as agreed but now she is having the fight the 100,000yen charge - she reckons its illegal but it is in the contract

My advice is to find out from people who have worked at places (but keep in mind there will be the occasional horror stories with every company, sometimes a person can exaggerate - in this case theres no exaggeration) - when looking over the contract it will be in japanese...you have the rights to look it over before hand but most companies like you to sign quickly...however, if this is the case you have a cooling period whereby you can have someone check the contract, question it or leave if you dont agree...

I work for interac and they gave a translated version of the contract...for the apartment contract that they helped set up they went through that and explained the key points. They also provided a helper who acted as a translater when i was moving in etc.

Interac about 2-3 years ago did have a horror story that was released to the press when a man was fired - the man claimed his wife had a complicated birth and he left school after receiving a phone call in the middle of class and then when he went to return back to work he was questioned by his local office and management and the result was him being fired...he claimed it was unfair dismissal...sounds shocking i know BUT this isnt the whole story and not fully why he was fired - Yes his wife had a complicated birth...whilst teaching you are not suppose to have a cell phone on but he did and accepted a call during the class without prior permission from interac...he then left midclass with permission from the school (the school was not his employer, interac was, so he should have contacted interac)...he then notified interac 4days later and requested 2weeks off. Interac agreed but said they need to discuss the matter...3 weeks later interac contacted him because they hadnt heard anything...he was called into the office and was told the matter was going to be reviewed via head office due to leaving work, failing to inform interac, using a cell phone a work and not coming back to work or contacting the office...he got abusive and was asked to leave which resulted in him being fired.

He tired to fight the case - its now been closed and he lost

So, there can be 2 sides to an arguments, issue or problem...what might seem like a horror story might not be - so make sure you do your research - with CLI it is clear enough people have quit...you might be fine...who knows they might have new management - me personally after hearing this i wouldnt go...

Oh and one last thing about interac - when my aunty died i was offered the day off and asked if i needed to go home and if i did not to worry they will sort stuff out...i didnt go home and i refused the day off cos i needed to be distracted BUT interac and my boss did call me during the week to make sure everything was ok and also asked if school was ok.

3months later my uncle died (the husband to my aunt)...they offered the same...

More horror stories indeed.  I totally agree with you PPDixon in what you say; always ask around and find out before you go, as is being done here, but also you can never rely on reports 100%, this is obvious, but if the first report you hear is not very good it is obviously a bad sign.

As I said in my first post, I got treated well, I even received a reasonable bonus WHEN I LEFT to return home but after I left, as with so many previous members of staff, I was unable to get responses to emails or phone calls, something that is very common with CLI as they are slow to respond to anything that is not beneficial to them.  Basically very unprofessional.

The management team has not changed, it is still xx, xx and xx at CLI.  They have been working (and drinking) together for 10 years and it is very hard, particularly for someone who is female, to get into their "circle" and that is the only way you will get any sort of help from them.

I still shudder when I think I worked for them for nearly 4 years after seeing work colleagues, both male, female, Japanese and Western, absolutely ridiuled and broken in front of their peers.  "Training" sessions would be organised so that they can pick on particular members of staff that they don't like or think are too "happy" for them.  I remember one poor Japanese woman, about 30 years old, being told to practice a particular lesson in front of everyone in the tiny office in Machida.  They made her repeatedly do it again for about 3 hours (and this was on a Saturday by the way, supposed to be a day off) after the 12th time of doing it she just broke down crying.  At this point there was silence in the room and Ro just basically said "what the f**k is this all about?  From now on nobody cries in my training lessons or you can find another job"

Some encouragement that eh?  She quit a week or two later, it was basically constructive dismissal and I know because I was out a week earlier when they were all laughing saying how they were going to "break her because she is shit"

She wasn't the best teacher but was really kind and really tried with the children who really liked her.  I have witnessed this at almost every training session or "after work meeting" but the one that really sickened me was a guy who was trying to explain why he took a week off (unpaid might I add) to go his mother's funeral after she died of Cancer.  They told him it was unacceptable and they only did it because he never went out for a drink, didn't attend the Saturday training sessions and was very strong willed.  So they decided to publicly berate him, humiliate him, and then take his final salary and kick him out of his apartment taking his laptop on the way.

Seriously beware this company unless you are a strong character.  Ro is deceptive and callous, the company is small and run on a shoe string.

Check out my other post..

http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/groups/8-Japan/discussion/1095-california-language-institute-japan-warning

Take Care.

Az.

Hello all

Not one single thing I have read here in this group via aerona has been a lie. Everything I have read is nothing short of the truth and I myself witnessed everything that has been mentioned and was also subjected to bullying from teh management staff. I was even put through a 'The Apprentice' style meeting once where the full staff team was one by one told their job was safe or not. One by one people were able to leave the meeting after hearing why they were terrible at their jobs but their jobs were for now safe. Finally it was left to me and another lad to which we both got a grilling. Finally, after dragging his final decision of who was going to get fired.... the other lad got fired and I was told my job was safe. I had been very successful at the company having tripled the students at 2 kindergartens and doubling the numbers at 2 others. One of the main points as to why I nearly got fired was the fact I hadnt been carrying a certain text books 2 years previous when we had had a on the spot check as to what materials everyone was carrying. At the time, the text books I hadnt been carrying were already being stored at the Kindergartens that I attended. Anyways.... after being 'gifted' with a 2nd chance at working at CLI (even though I have had already done near on 4 years) I was taking out for a drink after said meeting until 3am / 4am in the morning were I was verbally beaten and my girlfriend at the time (who I was meant to be meeting for a date but couldnt due to not being allowed to leave the drinking session meeting part of the Apprentice style meeting) was told to join us. After my girlfriend turned up at the Izakaya, she was asked repeated questions by the management team about 'why are you with Ben?', 'why do you think Ben is a good person?', 'Can you tell us one good thing about Ben?'. Eventually, a few days later, having thought about the whole experience I decided to leave CLI even though this wasnt my first choice to do. I thought leaving was the only way I could get my life back under control and have any sort of confidence in the work place. After telling CLI I was leaving, the other lad that had been at the meeting and had been fired was asked to stay and got re-hired by the same people that fired him.

This is only half the story from everything that happened that night... if I was to write everything down here, you wouldnt even believe it. Its too extreme for words. But it was at that very same meeting that I was told the death of my Mother, only a couple of months beforehand, was insignificant and not important. Absolutely awful thing to say to anyone.

This is one story from one night.... I was there 4 years. The stories are endless. 

Thank you for joining the discussion Ben, and I sent you an email personally too to keep in touch.  I'm really glad you are doing well and also that you have contributed to this discussion.  The "apprentice" meeting was truly shocking and as you will see from my emails to you on your hotmail, I won't ever forget that or the treatment of you that night in Machida when you were still grieving.  I am here to share the truth and only began this thread after seeing a young Rebecca ask an honest question. 

I urge anyone previous from CLI to continue to add to this thread, indeed I have already emailed and am in the process of emailing others to share and also give validity to our comments and experiences.

Take care all and post this thread on.

And Ben, I'm glad you can talk about it and it's not too harsh to "re-live" it.

Az.

Hi all,

Just a heads up that these posts have been moderated to remove individual names. This is to avoid a libel risk.

As ever we'd advise anyone thinking of teaching overseas to check their school thoroughly and evaluate reviews both good and bad.

Hi Rebecca,

The manager xx may decide to leave you alone, not to ridicule you at staff meetings or company drinks evenings in a local bar (beware of these) by calling you a slag/slut/whore if you are female (yes really) or to pick out some aspect of your physical appearance, teaching or anything else that he simply does not like about you which he will then use to refer to you by.

Or he may not, and you will be his next victim experiencing what those above have shared here.

If what is said on this forum sounds like the reporting of bullying behaviour, then you need to decide whether you want to work in such an organisation where this occurs without any recourse apart from leaving (which is known as constructive dismissal in this country). xx owns the copyright to all the teaching materials the company uses so behaves in such a way knowing that the owner of the Company won't fire him.

The kids are great and Japan is an awesome country to be in. However, think VERY HARD about why previous teachers are leaving these comments, particularly from those who have no issue with Ro personally and who enjoyed their experience with the company.

Do you really want to be the next person writing comments on this forum giving warnings not to work for this company?

Whilst these comments may not seem all that bad sat in the comfort of your home in the UK, in the isolation that can be cli it will be a VERY different story. You will need to be a VERY strong character to deal with xx, and sadly women are not welcomed into the inner sanctum free from ridicule and humiliation.

Good luck

Personally, CLI turned from something great into somewhat of a horror story for me. But at that time, it was a time I needed support from my company the most. Eventually one of the best experiences I had ever had in my life turned into the worst thing I have ever experienced. I would like to put CLI behind but at the same time I would like the truth about that also exposed. We are not the only people to have had such bad experiences with CLI and we wont be the last. Whether the Manager himself thinks people served him wrong or right, at the end of the day he should never be putting people through the emotional stress that he does do... whether he thinks he is joking or not joking at drinks parties or meetings (one in the same thing... so never really can tell when one thing is on record and another thing is off record). Saying that Miss K had a 'slutty face' to her face the first or second time they went out drinking together is noway to talk to a brand new member of staff that you want to get the best out of. Putting me through emotional stress and playing games with the security of my job at a time I needed security more than anything is just not right.... and telling someone they are fired when they are so far away from home and then telling them that they have a job again like he did with Mr P is just not on. The Manager, whether he treats some people good and some people bad.... at the end of the day he runs a company and should be treating his staff with the respect that he wants to be treated with. Its the Japanese way that everyone gets the same and is treated the same, yet that isn't the system he operates. I remember himself saying that he bullies people to see if they bite back or not and that's how he judges their character and if they are worthy of his employment or not. But that game is a lose lose situation.... so if you are strong then he will want you out, show that you are weak and he will want you out. The manager does everything he can just to keep himself at the top of the pile, when their is no need to prove to anyone that he is at the top. Like the time he explain that if Head Teacher Mr F was the best teacher in Tokyo branch then the Manager himself would always be X-amount of times better followed by hand gestures demonstrating who was above and who was below. At the end of the day.... The Manager did have good teaching ideas, he had ideas that were very unique.... but those books, flashcards and website... along with a lot of those ideas are out of date. And so is his management style. ... and that my friend is the bare facts. All the rest are stories and details that are individual to each and every teacher depending if you appeared of his radar or managed to fly low and keep out of his way. Each individual teacher will definitely without a shadow of a doubt have experience either directly or through a colleague a horror story which will shock or just be totally unbelievable. 

This is certainly a company i wouldnt want to work for but like with every company, companies do have good points and bad points and so its about weighing them up and judging whether its worth the risk - or sometimes you just dont have the choice and have to go with a company like this because your main determination is just to make it to japan...generally once you are here, as long as you are in a big city you will probably find it easier to find other work with other companies...

One thing that i would point out (and this isnt to justify this company in anyway) is in japanese culture when you to a Drinking Party with work OR any form of drinking meeting (which also happen within other japanese company) is a place where many people speak freely and can behave so rudely but then the next day all is forgotten (or is suppose to be)...it is very common for people to be friendly at work but talk behind each others back at drink parties...drink parties are good places to get to know your teachers but sometimes you come across people who are very open about their opinions and reveal things you dont need to know and can cause heaps of trouble...general western people do have a habit of thinking its ok to share their opinions. Japanese is a different culture, generally when someone asks your opinion - dont give...say "you havent really though about it", youre not sure etc...for once being on the fence is best because the idea is to please the people above you whilst maintaining group harmony with those around you 

I worked for CLI for 10 years and I know the company very well. “Az” will say that I’m biased and he’s right – I enjoyed my time and will always be grateful for the support and training that I got from the company / management. I know the amount of hard work that goes in to looking after staff (especially new) and helping people to develop their teaching. In fact, one of the main reasons I left the company was having to deal with the odd individuals who would undermine much of that hard work by creating needless problems (“Az”) and/or simply not doing their jobs (“Benjapan”).

I think that anyone with any common sense can see that “a pinch of salt” definitely does apply – people will generally exaggerate the positive and leave out the negative with regards to themselves. It’s interesting how the CLI critics posting here all claim to have done exceptionally well and don’t mention ever having done anything seriously wrong.

I’m not trying to start a futile “Yes it is!” “No it isn’t!” internet debate – any replies that just repeat previous arguments or merely contradict this post would be stupid (let’s see who picks up the baton!)

To present the other side: The accusations about CLI here are either skewed versions of the truth or in many cases, just plain lies. “Az” is trying to start a smear campaign – as he says here he has contacted 30 people, all with a view to joining his crusade. Only 2 people did – a disgruntled ex-employee and his friend. Also notice that of the 3 people writing negative things, 2 say they were personally actually treated well by the company. So that’s 1 person that says he was “bullied” – or put in other words, he was giving a public dressing-down because he wasn’t doing his job properly.

To let you know a little about “Az”, below are some quotes from or about him while he was at CLI. These are all genuine work email comments and not taken out of context – I can forward the emails to anyone who’s interested. This is just a selection (I kept this stuff in a folder labeled “hahaha”) but the point is “Az” created hours of extra work for senior staff every month, having to diffuse situations between him & various others members of staff (senior/junior, male/female, Japanese/Western) and the company still supported & kept him for four years!

“I lost my cool and spat in his face” (Az; incident with a work colleague)

“I called at his apartment to basically give him a hiding” (Az; work colleague again)

“he doesn't actually care about anyone else's position as long as he gets his own way” (Benjapan, about Az)

“I love being here and with this company” (Az)

“He stood over me and repeatedly told me to f### off” (work colleague, about Az)

“Thank you for your continued support” (Az, to the management)

“I would be disappointed to hear that I can't progress any further within the Company… but… can accept mistakes I have made” (Az)

“He went very red, his face became very tense and his fists clenched” (about Az)

“Sticking the tyre outside ****'s door” (Az, about himself – making **** late for work)

“children saying they could smell beer on me” (Az, about himself)

“F### him and tell him to stay the f### away fromme from now on” sic. (Az, about a co-worker)

“f###ing rude mate” (Az, to a co-worker, who said “Hi” to him)

“Thanks again for sorting everything for me recently; you have both been more than kind and I thank you both” (Az, to the management, right at the end of his contract)

 As has already been said on this forum, make up your own mind – especially about who the bully is! It's just my point of view but for what it's worth, CLI is a great company to work for!!

This is becoming a smear campaign of he said/ she said...

As i said previously - all companies have good and bad points...not everyone is happy and generally these people sometimes exaggerate.

One of the man things here is CULTURAL DIFFERENCES. Quite a few people come over here and treat it as a holiday rather than a prefossional job...at the end of the day it doesnt look good on you and it reflects bad on the company and so if you keep messing up they will come down on you like a tone of bricks...at the same time other ALTs from the company will no longer like you...

The big picture for dispatch companies is that they do rely on the ALTs to do a good job to get the contract again the following year - unfortunately its not just the contract for your school but for the area - therefore if you do a bad job (smelling of alcohol, swearing, etc) will result in not just you being out of a job BUT everyone else in the area = a lot of unhappy people.

As bad as it seems people who cause the most problems are American males who are loud and brash...its not surprising then to find out that companies are starting to prefer females and people from england or australia.

My advice for any one considering a job in japan - regardless of company - is to do your research on culture...generally this means being quiet, keeping opinions to yourself, listening and watching instead of doing and talking, showing off is a no-go unless you want to be seen as the funny gaijin (or in british terms - the village idiot), saying yes when you mean no, helping even when you dont want to, going beyond the call of duty, being overly polite to everyone and more so to those older and above you...these are just a few 

Oh Dear, Oh Dear, Oh Dear...... what has it come to ??? Like I say, I am just glad I am out of that company. If I was doing my job (as stated above by GYMBOWEN) that how come I was offered a 5th year contract to which I turned down ?? If I wasnt doing my job, how come I was employed for 4 years and not fired ??

Either way.... the is one major telling sign to all these posts... the people that say they were happy at CLI have all used fake names or names that arent their own. The people that actually have something genuine to say backed up by their actual experiences have use thier real names and havent hidden behind anything. If you have something truthful to say, why would you hide behind a fake name !!??? Either way people can see for themselves what sort of environment this company breeds and encourages. Its now here for all the world to see, from both ex-employees and also from senior members of staff thanks to GYMBOWENS posts.

As said before... I was good to start until you start and ends oh so very badly.

*** correction*** As said before.... it was good to start with and ended oh so very badly at CLI as it often does with alot of people that walk through the doors there.

As gymbowen yes, my experience at cli was positive, though this was largely despite rather than because of the manager of the company who lacked professionalism and personally attacked staff; treatment which was unsurprisingly reflected in the high turnover of teachers. The point of forums like these is to give prospective employees information on which to base any decision to work for a school; what they are like to work for, how supportive the management are and what the boss is like. Read the comments of those ex-employees above and those of a former member of cli management and decide for yourself.

Good luck.

every company is different...the smaller the company the more chance you might clash BUT at the same time it could be the best decision you make...in the TEFL/ALT industry the only way you will know is by giving it ago...i work for interac - interac is suppose to be a good company but each person will say differently...also interac has many branches and it will depend on the branch you work for

no matter what comapny you work for it will also depend on who much you depend on them and need to contact them - the less the better

but this forum post is becoming a "he says, she says"...its becoming childish and boring now - granted some people had a bad time and others had a good time...some of the people that have had bad times, from what theyve said some of the things is because they dont understand the japanese culture

Hi there, just wanted to add my tuppenceworth!

I worked at CLI for just under a year. My last months pay was taken and my deposit money was never sent to me (my apartment was spotless) but honestly by that point I didnt care, the euphoria of being out of the grips of that man and the company was amazing!

He is completely power crazy to mind boggling levels and he absoloutely defines the word bully.

I too experienced the beer meetings. Some of the things that come from that mans mouth are absoloutely abominable, he seems to think most women are a sub-species that deserve to be taunted and ridiculed. Hes not much kinder to anyone with any kind of disability.

Usually I would not want to try to warn people away from something like this, but the rules really are out of the window when it comes to this man. He IS that bad, hes a sadistic, twisted individual who gets his kicks from humiliating people (he especially likes humiliating the more vulnerable people, especially partner teachers)

My partner teachers were unbelievabley miserable, I remember speaking to one of them after they had a big japanese partner teacher meeting, and she said they all felt very down because mr man had given them an English test and they had ALL done badly, and because they were English teachers they all felt terrible and must try harder. She then produced the test, I looked at 10 mind blowingly difficult questions, that people in mensah probably would have struggled with. It all made perfect sense, make them feel low and shitty and then lecture them about it, then make them go for dinner with you after and tell them all YOU are paying for it so they have to be suuuper greatfull (but then charge it to the company secretly......swine!)

Anyway, thats just one tiny drop in the ocean. Like the others said, far worse has been seen and heard.

I wonder what percentage of the people who have left the company will say that he is the main reason?

In fact, hes probably getting off on the fact were talking about him!

Funnily enough uglybob I think you've hit the nail on the head.

Only a few stayed on with cli back when I was there (and they soon left for pastures new) but for the majority that didn't want to stay it was solely because of the boss. A real shame as the job itself is great and Japan is a truly stunning country.

I'm not backing the company or the people who work/worked there - just so you know i work for Interac so im not here to take sides....

But i'd like to clarify things for everyone about apartments in japan

1. Before you move in you have to pay Key money* (gift to the landlord - none returnable), deposit** , agency fee and 1-2months rent...


2. you are suppose to have insurance for the apartments - sometimes you might have to sort this yourself...othertimes the agency/company might sort this


3. for some apartments you are expected to buy your own light fittings


4. To leave an apartment you are suppose to give 1 months notice in writing - your 30 days notice begins once the landlord has acknoledged this


5. a lot of foreigners stay in Leopalaces which will include some furnishing and sometimes internet...also some agency dont charge key money - if your in a private apartment you will be expected to buy everything yourself and set up bills and internet - sometimes your company might help, such as interac does


6. When you come to move out - you will need to move everything and leave it how it was when you moved in...you will be expected to clean the apartment however, anything left, including trash lighting etc that wasnt originally there, the landlord will charge you to remove of the items...even if you clean the apartment the landlord will usually arange for the apartment to be cleaned...anything damaged, including pin holes (even if you didnt do it) the landlord will deduct money...if you have tatami mats either you will have to pay for them to be repressed (costs about 6,000en per mat) or replaced (about 40-50,000 for 6 mats) - you should note it is very rare to get any of your deposit back unless your deposit was 2months rent - cleaning cost is about 20-30000en


7. the contract will be in japanese and will usually explain all this - usually you have to accept it

*Key money is usually one months rent - some companies now dont charge this to foreigners

**deposit - this can be 1 or 2months - it is usually used for cleaning cost and so is rare for you to get any back

NOTE: apartments can be expensive - most people tend to not move around often...some companies will pay for a transfer if they move you (you are forced to relocated)...if you choose to relocate, you pay

Hi everyone,

I've got lots of things to say in reply to recent posts here but, considering recent events in Japan, now is not the time.

I hope everyone here is well & safe.

Hi everyone,

A new user, but happened to stumble across this topic and read it as I used to work for CLI down in Saga in Kyushu. I was very surprised by the comments being left. I worked in Saga for two years and I can not relate to the negative things being mentioned in the posts at all. My time at CLI was a great experience. I found the General Manager and branch managers very supportive, helpful and easy to approach. The reference I got from the general manager was so glowing that it facilitated a number of interviews back in the UK when i returned. I found him a great source of teaching but he is not someone who suffers fools gladly. CLI differs from many other companies in that its focus is about teaching. Generally people who struggled are those who wished to coast, and were not interesting in teaching, rather just being in Japan on a working holiday. CLI as a small business is not that sort of company at all. As a professionally qualified teacher in the UK I found that my expereince and the professional support I recieved really improved the craft of teaching and is something I have taken with me since. If you are interested in becoming a better (TEFL or otherwise) teacher then CLI is a great company to work for.

My second point of surprise was the personal attacks. The administrator had edited out some names but I still read the General Manager's name mentioned at least once. Even with the names edited out, the fact that persons are identified by their jobs (thus a claim against a group) is enough for a libel case. A soliciter friend of men said to me that I was morally obliged to inform the site administrators of the following as it is not the hosting site who is making the claims against the General Manager/managerial staff at the company but it is the hosting site who are liable for libel. This sounds like something I would want to avoid. Just a heads up!

Defamation—also called calumny, vilification, traducement, slander (for transitory statements), and libel (for written, broadcast, or otherwise published words)—is the communication of a statement that makes a claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government, or nation a negative image. It is usually a requirement that this claim be false and that the publication is communicated to someone other than the person defamed (the claimant).

In common law jurisdictions, slander refers to a malicious, false, and defamatory spoken statement or report, while libel refers to any other form of communication such as written words or images. Most jurisdictions allow legal actions, civil and/or criminal, to deter various kinds of defamation and retaliate against groundless criticism. Related to defamation is public disclosure of private facts, which arises where one person reveals information that is not of public concern, and the release of which would offend a reasonable person. "Unlike [with] libel, truth is not a defense for invasion of privacy.

False light laws are "intended primarily to protect the plaintiff's mental or emotional well-being." If a publication of information is false, then a tort of defamation might have occurred. If that communication is not technically false but is still misleading, then a tort of false light might have occurred.

In most civil law jurisdictions, defamation is dealt with as a crime.

Enjoy the path you take in teaching, it is one of the most rewarding careers there is.

Des

everyone is entiled to their own opinion - i dont work for i-to-i but have been on this site for a long time... when this post came along and it became, more or less a flame fight, i-to-i did ask for alterations on using peoples names... just because these people had a good time, it doesnt mean others didnt have a good time (just like you had a good time, doesnt mean other people didnt have a bad time)

You also have to remember that this is a forum site - forums allow for freedom of speach - had the person including pictures, emails, weblinks etc - then yes legal action could be taken  - which would cost the company a lot of money and all that would be done is a letter sent to i-to-i requesting for the post to be removed for set reason,if these reasons were accepted then the post would be removed

i had a similar problem with JET forum - the difference being is they had copies and pasted extracts of my blogs, used my pictures and used a link to my profile - im a featured writter on this site, my content is copyrighted under i-to-i...therefore the other site at to edit and remove any copy righted content BUT it did not prevent them from forming their own opinion - as time went on though the person who posted the original post was belittled by people on that site for being a jerk - at the end of the day, people are not stupid and can make their own minds up on who to listen too!

I wholeheartedly agree with you...

Many people on these sort of forums are very erudite and can easily see through when someone has an axe to grind or a personal grudge and make up their own minds. Lets hope they do!

This was the absolute worst teaching job I've ever had.  I was with CLI many years ago back in the days of the original owner (long dead.)  He and his family members ran the place w/o a shred of thought as to how to treat people.  Total lack of professionalism.  Tried to control the personal lives of the staff--played mind games all the time.  Truly, truly the most awful people.  I am  surprised that CLI is still around...

please dont start this up again - everyone on here can read and are more or less well informed that some people thing its a good company and some (like you) think it is a bad company BUT as many of us who are still working in japan can honestly that every company has its ups and downs, good points and bad points - it all depends what you expect from a company and who reliant on the company you are... CLI sound like a company that dont have a lot of flexibility and prefer things their way, so if you dont accept their way you will not like it... most companies in japan are similar, the smaller the company the less flexibility you have and you more or less have to conform to how they do things.

In general though japan is vastly different from other countries - for example, you dont get compassionate leave (well, you can but dont get paid), paid sick days dont exist (you use your holidays), even though you are schedule 830-4 (this is an example) the schools would appreciate any over time, such as at clubs, because they do the same... japan has lots of paper work, getting time off during school time is very difficult...

ok the list can go on - for most part this is also similar across asia - if you expect to come to work 830-4, go home and have nothing to do with school, have every weekend free, get time off when you want, have days off for a little cold - then teaching in asia may not be for you... i can speak for japan and say they are very hard workers and as a teacher you will be more respected if you help your school and students as much as you can (and dont take time off during school time)

as for CLI - it would be nice to hear from people who are there NOW, rather than people from many years ago!!!