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JerkyBoy
Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
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 Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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I applied to Westgate twice over the years and they knocked me back. I don't really approve of their operation/ ethos either.
And that stupid faux crest of theirs. 
+ they scam you on the accommodation, I think. |
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JerkyBoy
Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Some UK universities can be flexible when it comes to qualifications. I am assuming that Japanese universities are totally inflexible - is that correct? |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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Like pretty much anywhere in the world, if they need someone urgently and you are in the right place at the right time with the right contacts, they will likely be flexible. But you won't be their first choice, so it's highly unlikely that they will be willing to sponsor your visa. Apart from anything else it's a slow process so if your selling point is being there when they need someone yesterday, you are useless to them if they have to wait 3 months to employ you.
Last edited by HLJHLJ on Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:29 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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JerkyBoy
Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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I saw that Tokyo University was hiring P/T instructors for oral presentation classes and they had to have a PhD + plus documentary evidence of positive performance reviews from previous courses (etc.).
A PhD? To teach EFL? Really? Pathetic. That's another reason why I hate TEFL. And the money is crap, of course.
I have taught plenty of oral presentation classes down the years and I never needed a PhD; however, a lobotomy would have been nice.  |
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JerkyBoy
Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| HLJHLJ wrote: |
| Like pretty much anywhere in the world, if they need someone urgently and you are in the right place at the right time with the right contacts, they will likely be flexible. But you won't be their first choice, so it's highly unlikely that they will be willing to sponsor your visa. Apart from anything else it's a slow process so if your selling point is being there when they need someone yesterday, you are useless to them if they have to wait 3 months to employ you. |
You have to have a special university teaching visa, do you? |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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Why shouldn't they ask for PhDs if they can get them? It is university work. You talk about flexibility, but even in the UK most universities will preferentially hire PhDs, regardless of whether it's in any way relevant or useful. It looks better in their stats.
In any case, a P/T position isn't going to get you a visa.
BTW if you find Westgate unpalatable, you are setting your standards way too high for eikaiwa work. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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| JerkyBoy wrote: |
You have to have a special university teaching visa, do you? |
It's not any more special than any other visa, there are different visas for different jobs, and you have to have the 'right' visa for whatever job it is you are doing. |
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JerkyBoy
Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| HLJHLJ wrote: |
| Why shouldn't they ask for PhDs if they can get them? It is university work. You talk about flexibility, but even in the UK most universities will preferentially hire PhDs, regardless of whether it's in any way relevant or useful. |
Because it was a p/t job teaching oral presentation skills - hardly rocket science. It's like asking you to have a Michelin star before you can cook a hamburger.
It's overkill. If you look across EFL departments in the UK, there are few PhDs - mostly MAs and PGCEs.
| HLJHLJ wrote: |
| It looks better in their stats. |
I guess. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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| JerkyBoy wrote: |
| I find teaching TEFL to be inconsequential low stakes trivia, to be honest. I was very idealistic once but I think if you do anything for too long it becomes a chore. Like many, I never set out to teach TEFL long-term, but a job is a job, I canne just sit on my fat behind. |
If this is your attitude, I find it hard to understand why you are even in it, let alone pursuing university work.
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| What about just turning up on a tourist, finding a job, going to China to get the visa and then taking stock of my surroundings? |
You can get the visa without leaving Japan. It appears your knowledge of the system is outdated.
And just in case you hadn't realized it, you aren't even eligible for PT work. You can't start working here with only PT jobs. The visa requires FT work.
So, you've already booked a ticket. When are you arriving? Anything after the first of October means you are going to have to scrape for jobs, since the number of ads declines until February. Some uni and ALT job ads may be prevalent, but they will start in April 2013.
Come as a tourist and enjoy yourself. Nothing more. |
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JerkyBoy
Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
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| Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 6:52 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| If this is your attitude, I find it hard to understand why you are even in it, let alone pursuing university work. |
Because (a) it is the only thing I am qualified to do (b) we don't always do what we want to be doing, e.g. garbage collector, etc., and (c) it takes time to transition out of a job sometimes ... I cannot afford to take an extended break from work.
| Glenski wrote: |
| You can get the visa without leaving Japan. It appears your knowledge of the system is outdated. |
Cool. That's good to know. 
| Glenski wrote: |
| So, you've already booked a ticket. When are you arriving? Anything after the first of October means you are going to have to scrape for jobs, since the number of ads declines until February. Some uni and ALT job ads may be prevalent, but they will start in April 2013. |
No, I lied about the ticket. I was going to see if you'd lend me the money before committing.
I suppose I could turn up in, say, 1-2 weeks. Would there be jobs available in Tokyo at that time? I don't think there is any point hanging around for up to 4 months. In which case, I would have to think of something else. |
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JerkyBoy
Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
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| Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 6:53 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| If this is your attitude, I find it hard to understand why you are even in it, let alone pursuing university work. |
Because (a) it is the only thing I am qualified to do (b) we don't always do what we want to be doing, e.g. garbage collector, etc., and (c) it takes time to transition out of a job sometimes ... I cannot afford to take an extended break from work.
| Glenski wrote: |
| You can get the visa without leaving Japan. It appears your knowledge of the system is outdated. |
Cool. That's good to know.
| Glenski wrote: |
| So, you've already booked a ticket. When are you arriving? Anything after the first of October means you are going to have to scrape for jobs, since the number of ads declines until February. Some uni and ALT job ads may be prevalent, but they will start in April 2013. |
No, I lied about the ticket. I was going to see if you'd lend me the money before committing.
I suppose I could turn up in, say, 1-2 weeks. Would there be jobs available in Tokyo at that time? I don't think there is any point hanging around for up to 4 months. In which case, I would have to think of something else. |
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JerkyBoy
Joined: 12 Jan 2012
Posts: 485
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| Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 6:54 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| If this is your attitude, I find it hard to understand why you are even in it, let alone pursuing university work. |
Because (a) it is the only thing I am qualified to do (b) we don't always do what we want to be doing, e.g. garbage collector, etc., and (c) it takes time to transition out of a job sometimes ... I cannot afford to take an extended break from work.
| Glenski wrote: |
| You can get the visa without leaving Japan. It appears your knowledge of the system is outdated. |
Cool. That's good to know.
| Glenski wrote: |
| So, you've already booked a ticket. When are you arriving? Anything after the first of October means you are going to have to scrape for jobs, since the number of ads declines until February. Some uni and ALT job ads may be prevalent, but they will start in April 2013. |
No, I lied about the ticket. I was going to see if you'd lend me the money before committing.
I suppose I could turn up in, say, 1-2 weeks. Would there be jobs available in Tokyo at that time? I don't think there is any point hanging around for up to 4 months. In which case, I would have to think of something else. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 8:52 am Post subject: |
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| JerkyBoy wrote: |
| Glenski wrote: |
| If this is your attitude, I find it hard to understand why you are even in it, let alone pursuing university work. |
Because (a) it is the only thing I am qualified to do (b) we don't always do what we want to be doing, e.g. garbage collector, etc., and (c) it takes time to transition out of a job sometimes ... I cannot afford to take an extended break from work. |
I'm sure others will tell you how to find work outside of teaching.
| Quote: |
| I suppose I could turn up in, say, 1-2 weeks. Would there be jobs available in Tokyo at that time? I don't think there is any point hanging around for up to 4 months. In which case, I would have to think of something else. |
Jobs will be scarce. Expect to support yourself for 2-4 months before you find a job, interview, get it, apply for and get a visa so you can start work. |
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