Job Discussion Forums

tesuji · Joined: 21 Mar 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Denver, CO

My wife wants to teach ESL abroad. She is seriously considering Korea.

But I love Japan.

From what she has read on the internet, she prefers Korea over Japan because she believes:
1) Japan is expensive to live in.
2) Teaching hours are longer in Japan. We have two daughters, ages 6 and 9, and she's worried she'll hardly see them if she teaches full-time in Japan.
3) Japan has earthquakes.

Are these things generally correct? Help me build a case to my wife for Japan.

My wife has an MS in Linguistics/Language Acquisition, and has taught ESL in the US for several years. So I'm assuming she will be able to find a job. We will probably be hoping to work outside the largest cities.

Much thanks

[Update: I just noticed the pinned thread "Korean Focused Postings and Threads Will be Deleted." The gist of my post is that I want to work in Japan, and am asking specific questions about Japan. So I hope the moderators will be understanding. Thanks]

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 11:28 pm Post subject:

The visa process is a lot lot easier and much more straightforward in Japan (as Iceman33 says below, 'no myriad of medical tests, or background checks'), and the visa becomes yours (rather than remaining the employer's), so it'll be possible to change jobs if you find yourself working for a bad 'un. (NB: You still technically need when changing Japanese employer to get what's called a "letter of release" from the previous employer, as this can help smooth the eventual visa renewal when working for or wishing to work for subsequent employers, but Japanese Immigration often appears willing to overlook this formality). Those IMHO are MAJOR considerations for favouring Japan over Korea.

tesuji · Joined: 21 Mar 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Denver, CO

fluffyhamster, thanks so much for the informative reply. This is my first post ever at the ESL Cafe, so it's nice to see that people are already being so helpful.
Smile

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 11:54 pm Post subject:

I've withdrawn my reply here, along with any information it contained. ("Postings on this thread must focus on living and teaching in Japan...future Korea focused postings will result in sanctions").

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 12:46 am Post subject:

Postings on this thread must focus on living and teaching in Japan per board policy in the link below. The Korean Job Forums contain ever increasing resources and discussions regarding living and teaching in Korea and is the appropriate place for Korea focused discussions on this site. Separate registration is required for the Korean Job Forums.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=83787

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

1) Japan is expensive to live in.
2) Teaching hours are longer in Japan. We have two daughters, ages 6 and 9, and she's worried she'll hardly see them if she teaches full-time in Japan.
3) Japan has earthquakes.

REPLY:
1) Depends on where one lives and what one's lifestyle is. Having kids in Japan might mean choosing an expensive international school, or going the public school route (cheaper).

2) If she teaches FT anywhere in the world, what hours does she expect? Granted, if she works in eikaiwa in Japan, she might be gone from noon to 9-10pm, but you'll have to go to the Korea forum to see hours she would expect there.

What type of teaching job does she expect to go with that MS? If there are no publications under her belt and little to no Japanese language ability, scratch any university positions. That would leave business English, ALT work, or eikaiwas.

3) True, but they don't usually affect people adversely most of the time.

What do you plan to do when you are in Japan? I ask because that might also affect your ability to be home when kids finish school. My kid finishes elementary school at 2:30, so my wife can't work.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:47 am Post subject:

Tesuji, whatever you do, make sure your wife doesn't read this (that, or try to get located far far inland):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/01/japan-earthquake-tsunami-wave-risk

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Urban Japan is expensive. However, the further you go from big city centers, the cheaper the rent. I find that my food bill is the same as it is in my hometown in Canada.

With a TESOL MS., she may be able to work for private high schools that have bilingual programs. Working 5-5.5 days a week, perhaps 10-12 hour isn't weird.

Earthquakes can happen anywhere. So, just don't live on beachfront or on landfill.

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 6:37 am Post subject:

Due to posting of Korea focused comments on this thread, the thread is temporarily locked.

Once the thread is unlocked, future Korea focused postings will result in sanctions and the thread will be removed.

EDIT: Unlocked and trying it again.

Iceman33 · Joined: 08 Nov 2009 Posts: 91

Japan probably has the easiest visa acquisition/processing in the world for an EFL teacher (no myriad of medical tests, or background checks -- very no-nonsense!).

For the past ten year or so, everyone's been searching for the next best locale or country, all while failing to remember that hyper exotic and "rough around the edges" bring a host of difficulties requiring a resolve that most won't have - even in the short-term. That is not to say that I'm discouraging anyone from teaching in any part of the world: go where you heart tells you, but keep a balance between "idealism" and "realism"; essentially, know thyself!

This all brings me to my main point: I think the Land of the Rising Sun - one of best overall countries to teach English in terms of safety, pay, visa acquisition, culture, politeness, etc - is becoming more and more unappreciated in the EFL world. Going to Japan is now a bit "pass�", if you will, and consequently, this gem gets put on the back burner. And so I am reminded of the shining diamond that was in front of a person all along, but he kept digging away, looking for the better one never to be found.

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

It depends where you live in Japan. Outside Tokyo, you can save money on housing.

tesuji · Joined: 21 Mar 2012 Posts: 7 Location: Denver, CO

Thanks everyone for all the great information so far.
I'm hoping this thread will stay on track now, so I can get as much good advice as possible.

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

Do you plan to put the girls in public school? If so, look carefully at the school experience in both countries. Also consider the quality of medical and dental services.

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

I can't give more concrete advice about Japan until you answer my questions. Do me the courtesy, ok?

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

The yen is strong so that makes teaching in Japan attractive.

Teaching hours can be long, but it depends where you work and also if you want to take on a part-time job. University teaching is sought by people with kids since the vacations are long.

However, I think your children's education should be the priority.
Is your wife American? You will have to consider whether you would want your kids going to public schools.

The American school in Tokyo is very expensive. I think the tuition is well over 3 million yen per student.