Job Discussion Forums

bkkgriz · Joined: 08 Jan 2014 Posts: 22 Location: Bangkok

I have been offered a teaching job at an eikaiwa in Chiba. From scouring the message boards it seems this school has a good reputation. I know you need to start somewhere and this may be a good place to get a foot in the door. I am just a little hesitant to make the move to Japan.

I am 44 years old and have been teaching for 12 years. I spent four years in S. Korea. I taught for two years at a hagwan and two years at a high school. I have been teaching for the last 8 years in Thailand at the same elementary school. I have a TEFL cert. and a BA.

What I really would like to know is if I have left it too late to move and live in Japan. I have a feeling that being in my 40’s is not exactly a selling point. If I make the move and complete my contract, what can I look forward to after that? Is it just going to be an uphill slog to find better teaching jobs? There is an MA TESOL course that I can take here in Bangkok and finish in 2 years. Would I be better off getting my MA and then come to Japan?

I look forward to any advice you can give me. Thanks.

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

Your age shouldn't be a disadvantage.

I recommend the MA. It will put you in a much stronger position in the job market. Without it, your career options in Japan are vary limited.

As an aside, I don't think this is a good time to move to Japan (see this thread) but you'll have to reach your own conclusions on that matter.

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

It may be worth considering the accreditation (and acceptance) of the MA. It may be good for Thailand, but internationally it may not be looked upon as favourably as one from a western university.

bkkgriz · Joined: 08 Jan 2014 Posts: 22 Location: Bangkok

Aelric · Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 75

I'd get out of Thailand, myself. I'm 33 and in a similar spot. After 3 years in Thailand with all it's instability, I just needed to get out. I'm in California now, looking for work in Japan and have had a few callbacks with westgate and a few Jukus.

I can't speak for life in Japan because I don't know it yet, but I can say that, unless one plans to retire and/or doesn't mind bouncing from school to school whenever the budget gets swiped by some corrupt director (happened to me 5 TIMES in three years, for god sake), no body should stay in Thailand long term.

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

bkkgriz · Joined: 08 Jan 2014 Posts: 22 Location: Bangkok

benshi · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 48

Actually, there are a lot more adults taking English classes in Japan the last few years (due to the poor global economy and increasing multinational commerce, a lot of the Japanese have finally awakened to the fact that they need English to compete), and a lot of eikaiwa are looking for older teachers because business people prefer them. You'll be fine. . .

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

I always did very well in Tokyo as an older teacher, especially teaching business English at companies. The agencies that sent me to companies were quite wary of young teachers. The young ones proved to be not too dependable and students didn't really "trust" them as an instructor.... I made quite a bit of money stringing together these type of jobs. Thank God, because teaching elementary, junior high, high school or even university students just wasn't for me.

bkkgriz · Joined: 08 Jan 2014 Posts: 22 Location: Bangkok

Thanks for all the words of wisdom. Nervous about the move, but I think it will be a positive change.

davidreese · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 11

When you say older (as a teacher) - what age range?

Thanks-

David

benshi · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 48

I came here when I was 48, and my company hires people in their late 50's and 60's from time to time.

stumptowny · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310

MA matters not. its timing and like thailand, you gotta be here to get work..

your education for lower end job in schools or private language centers doesn't matter an iota and will never garner a pay raise from someone fresh off the plane with a photocopied fake degree/cert..

about appearance. some ekwais are selective is the impression and long standing belief in japan. if you are well kept for your age, not a slob, you should have no problem. most the ekaiwa teachers I ever knew/know were slender to average, not fat, save a few.

some of ALT's here are slobs! huge fatboys (like thailand) but not sure if they were hired like that or developed into during their time as an ALT and likely after marrying japanese robot wife.. most of the overweight gaijins in japan are married...