Job Discussion Forums

[jimi1999uk]

Hi there the illustrious Dave's ESLaratti

I was wondering if any of you fine people would care to drop some knowledge bombs, wisdom grenades (or any other clunky armament metaphors for that matter) on me about a few matters that are causing some chinscratching for my good self

Firstly a bit of a bio.

I'm male in my 30s, British, with a CertTESOL but no experience, with an Open Uni B.A. (in English Language and Lit but which is currently classed as a 'B.A. Open' until I complete my final hons module this winter when I can claim that glorious title for myself).

Anyway.

Me and my girlfriend are looking into the practicalities of moving to Japan this year. Ideally, I'd get a legit job in a city somewhere (ideally Toyko) then have my girlfriend stay with me for duration of a contract (if we can get around visa issues).

The problem is that lots of the big chain oversears recruiters, Interac, Aeon etc, seem to specify single-occupancy accommodation or the like.

My main questions are:

-I was wondering how strictly are these rules enforced?
-If this route was not open, what are my chances of securing employment after arrival in a city that would ideally give me some help with the seemingly massive costs of finding somewhere to stay? Are on-spec in-country jobs less likely to help with housing?
-If I had to fund myself for a sustained jobsearch and start up costs myself, what is the Yen/Dollar or Pound amount I'm looking at? I've had a look at this myself (in FAQs/cost breakdowns) but I'm still a bit unclear as I've no idea about time-scales and extra-costs related to set-up.

My girlfriend has no degree or Cert. She's had 7 months of TEFL experience in Hungary but is not interested in classroom teaching. Although one-to-one might be a possibility (along with myself).

Any advice or comments in relation to my questions or indeed anything you feel like saying would be much appreciated.

Thanks a lot. Bows and leaves

[Glenski]

[jimi1999uk]

Thanks a lot Glenski, great reply.

Wow, lots to think about. It does seem like it is one of the tougher places to try and crack for a newbie. Maybe i'll have to see what the finances are like closer to the time, that's the only way I suppose. Nothing would be worse than going out on a shoestring budget, forking out for flights, day-to-day living expenses, then having to come home prematurely due to lack of funds. Sigh

I'd also written a lengthy defence of my 'Me' usage before deleting it, but I will save you that pain. I did notice when writing that I was breaking a 'rule' around pronoun choices in subject/object slots. In the end, I thought it was fine (and still do to a degree). 'My girlfriend and I' seemed too formal and I wanted to foreground 'me' by placing it first (I swear to God I thought this at the time).

The accusative pronoun form as a subject is relatively widely used in a whole range of language areas, especially speech (which is very similar to forums and social media in my opinion).

Each to their own though. I'd concede it isn't the best choice in lots of areas but in the informal world of internet forums I'd don't think it's that terrible. Feel free to debate otherwise, if you could get me to change my mind I would doff my cap at you. HAVE AT YOU SIR!!!! points fencing foil at the chest of Glenski

Jimi awaits the Glenski grammar hammer falling eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkk.

[thomthom]

[thomthom]

[jimi1999uk]

Glenski is not a pendant if he's right. I'm awaiting the grammatical smackdown I'm likely to receive with bated breath. Be gentle G-man

I have my degree (w/o hon) and transcript now. I have to do one final module to claim my named honours degree in English Lanugage and Literature.

I've no massive amount of funds I can convert now sadly. Although, my girlfriend and I (lol) wouldn't have expensive tastes. There might also be a lag between us arriving that would help matters.

Thanks again for the replies.

[Glenski]

[thomthom]

[Glenski]

"Typical" covers a lot of very different people and their tolerances.

You have minimal rent assessed, unless you live in a breadbox (some do) and far from city central. Unless you have a furnished place offered by an employer, you will usually need to pay key money, too, and buy everything in the apartment, from appliances (including washer, heater, fridge, and stove as bare necessities) bedding to utensils to light fixtures to furniture.
Utilities will run 10,000-15,000 per month depending on habits and season.
Food varies on whether you are a smart shopper, a carnivore, etc. Figure 30,000-50,000 per month.
Health insurance the first year is 2000-2500 per month, then goes up tenfold, calculates on salary, location, age, and dependents.
Phone/Internet can be 10,000 or more to set up, then 3500-8000 per month thereafter.

Local transportation is often covered by the employer, although not required to do so. Estimate 25,000 per month.

Those are the bare necessities aside from any hair care or dry cleaning you envision as "needs". Add it up. What do you get? These are average figures people have reported over the years so they are as "typical" as they get.

Then add to all that whatever else you pay for in life:
Subscriptions to cable or satellite, mags and newspapers.
Entertainment (usually a biggie, and for newbies very big as they are still overly enthralled with the exotic nature of the country). These costs include anything from hobbies to dating to drinking to sightseeing.
Shopping, mail,trips home, teaching materials, photocopies (for resumes as needed), sports clubs, gifts, school events, etc.
Desire your own transportation and you greatly increase your outgoing expenses with vehicle payments, gasoline, taxes, and mandatory safety inspections, plus mandatory parking fees.

And don't forget emergency medical care.

IMO, unless you find an extremely cheap (and small) place to stay, and are willing to live in the biggest city in the country as a pauper, 140,000 is not going to cut it.

[jimi1999uk]

Thanks for all the great replies.

I have a lot to think about. I'll have a look at the money situation closer to the time and see what's it's like. Thanks again.

[Pitarou]

[Pitarou]

Back to practical advice:

I was in a similar position to you a few years ago -- 30s, degree, CELTA -- and I managed to get a job offer from Shane. So it's certainly not impossible.

The girlfriend is another matter. There are no easy options. No degree = no work visa. If you marry her, she might be able to get a spousal visa (I don't know much about that so I can't tell you how realistic a proposal that is), but she won't be able to work openly. It's possible to support a couple on a teacher's salary, but you'll have to spend a lot of time doing without. Setting up home when you don't know the culture or language is expensive.

So unless being in Japan is your absolute #1 priority in life, I advise against it. The advantages of Japan are more than outweighed by the disadvantages your girlfriend will face without a degree.

[Please note that the forum rules include strict sanctions against discussing fake degree certificates.]

[Glenski]

[Rob1209]