Job Discussion Forums

grace · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 38 Location: Canada

Hello everyone. I am planning to go teach English in Japan this summer. I was wondering if anyone knows of any serious and competent recruiters in Canada who place Canadian TEFL teachers in Japanese schools? Thanks!! Smile

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Why do you feel the need to go through a recruiter? Un-needed for Japan I would say. The money any potential employer pays a recruiter is money out of your potential salary. Check some of Glenski's post further down for info on job resources in Japan. Suffice is to say that if you are a qualified and experienced teacher you should have no trouble finding a job by yourself. Good luck.

grace · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 38 Location: Canada

Yes, I am a qualified TESL teacher. I have been teaching English for the past four years. I have a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a TESL certificate. The reason I had asked for recruiters is the fact that I was hoping that they would pay for my airfare, as most of the jobs posted require teachers to supply their own airfare to Japan. It is very costly from Canada to fly to Asia, and I simply don't have the money at the moment for the plane ticket.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Grace,

I can't quite be certain from your post, so let me ask this first.

Are you planning to come to teach ONLY during the summer, or are you planning to come in the summer to teach for a year (or more)?

Reason being, summer only jobs are extremely rare. Moreover, the money you might make in that short a time will hardly be enough to make up for your setup costs.

grace · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 38 Location: Canada

I am planning to stay for a year at the moment. If I am sastisfied of course I would not mind staying longer. I can only leave Canada at the end of June, because I have important issues to take care of prior to leaving for Asia.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Grace,

June is one of the deadest times of year to be job hunting as a teacher in Japan. Were you thinking of teaching in an eikaiwa or someplace like a high school/university/elementary school?

As for airfare, even though some companies/schools say you don't have to reside in Japan to apply for a job, most do not pay airfare. Reason being, if one pays for his own airfare, that shows some commitment to teaching. So many want a free ride (NOT saying that's you, Grace) just to get here and job hunt for something better before their first contract runs out.

Best of luck finding what you want.

Celeste · Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 2:43 am Post subject:

If paying the airfare is an issue for you, then you will also have problems funding your first couple of months here. One way to do this is to apply for some shiny new credit cards or a line of credit with your bank before you come. It will be easy to pay these debts with your first few pay cheques. The only employer that I have ever heard of providing an air ticket in advance is the JET programme, but you would not be able to apply for that until November for possible employment in August 2004.