Job Discussion Forums

harliqueen · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 10

Hi there,

I am looking to go to Japan and teach English. I know JET is probabaly the best/most reliable program but I'm pretty sure I can't apple for the next round until the fall. I came across James English School and it seems to have generally positive reviews, although not very many and not many that are recent. Does anyone here have recent experience there?

I also have some more general questions about teaching English in Japan. Most importantly, English is my native language but my background is Indian. I was born there but never lived there and have been in Canada from the age of 7. Will this be an issue?

Thank you!

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

harliqueen · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 10

Yes, I am Canadian. Accent completely Canadian. Thanks for the info!
You might not know but was your friend able to save any money on the salary? Do you know if there would only be one foreign teacher per school?

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

It looks like you've had pretty much your entire education in an English-speaking country, so no problems with being Indian born. Holding a Canadian passport would be advantageous.

EDIT I shouldn't have written this next bit. I was actually talking about eikaiwa gakkou in general, not James school. See apology further down the thread.

As for your appearance (assuming you look like you're from India), of course they'd prefer someone with a milky-pale complexion, blue-eyes, blond curly hair, and a long pointy nose, but I'm sure you'll do. Just try not to be mistaken for a Phillippino housewife.

benshi · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 48

I think that notion about only wanting blue-eyed blondes is pretty much a thing of the past, except maybe in very rural areas. Japan has gotten a lot more cosmopolitan and international even in the time I've been here, and (for example) my eikaiwa company has employed and currently employs Americans and Canadians of Indian, Mexican, Turkish, Hmong and several other heritages. You'll be fine!

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

hagiwaramai · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 119 Location: Marines Stadium

I know that the owner of an eikaiwa I work part-time at has instructed his Head Teacher not to hire one person because she didn't look "foreign" (she was Canadian of Asian ancestry) and no black people. This is in Chiba, 20kms from Tokyo. Hopefully it's just because he's 72 and a bit of a racist dinosaur.

ssjup81 · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 6:36 am Post subject:

I'm black and working here ok. James is nice I feel. The location is ideal for me weather wise since it's in Tohoku, lots of onsen, nice people, etc. in all honesty, I don't have any real negatives about the place, except for inconsistent schedules, but that's not unique to James and more so an Eikaiwa issue.

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

Looking back on what I wrote, I see that I owe James School a humble apology.

When I talked about schools preferring white teachers, I was thinking about eikaiwa gakkou in general (especially ones owned by Japanese). But the discussion was actually about James' School. So I gave the impression that James discriminates racially. In fact, I have no reason to think that is the case.

I very much hope that my careless comments have not affected James School's reputation, or discouraged anyone from applying for a job there.

Very sorry about that.

Pitarou

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

I wouldn't worry too much about it Pitarou.

That said, I do believe that most places, even if it is not blatant, want blonde/blue eyed people. As that is what their customers seem to want as well. It is just how it is.

bansheebeat · Joined: 02 Oct 2013 Posts: 86

What type of qualifications are needed? They don't mention anything on the website. Do you need a degree and a cert, or just a degree, or what exactly?

Do they accept applications year round or only at certain times?

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

I worked there years ago and you only need a Bachelor's degree to get hired there like most eikaiwa jobs. I had a teaching license also so that helped. It was the first job I applied for and I was hired over the phone. I don't remember what time of year it was, but yes, I get the impression they hire all year round because people's contracts come up at different times or someone may suddenly leave.