Job Discussion Forums

[qwertyu2]

[Pitarou]

[SunShan]

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[Pitarou]

[SunShan]

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[Pitarou]

[SunShan]

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[qwertyu2]

[qwertyu2]

[SunShan]

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[RollingStone]

[Pitarou]

[SunShan]

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[PlanetWord]

I came across this thread on Google and was surprised at some of the patronizing and negative replies. I have worked around Japan with forearm tattoos for the past 11 years � including schools and private language institutes. I regret my tattoo, but only because of the design, and cover it with a long-sleeve shirt all year round. It has been awkward at times but mostly accepted. SunShan, as you said, your girlfriend is Japanese and likes them, so there�s evidence of many similar attitudes you�ll find in Japan. Most of the younger adults won�t bat an eyelid as you�re Western, younger children will be intrigued, but their parents... To say it is too hot to cover with a sleeve is ridiculous. Yes it would be nicer to wear a short-sleeve shirt, but body temperature is hardly sent into the danger zone without, and many places have air-con too.

qwertyu 2, �have you ever worked as a bartender�. Is this a genuine question or completely condescending? It�s a job just as in the public eye and likely to gain problems with tattoos as teaching, not to mention it�s unskilled work. If it�s true SunShan is about to get a 1st class degree, I hardly think that�s an appropriate comment to someone who�s just looking for genuine advice in an area they�ve worked hard to achieve something in.

Sounds like RollingStone has an axe to grind too. SunShan actually talked about an ability to successfully integrate with other people by accepting their diverse culture, perfect for working in Japan I�d say. Also his partner is Japanese and they met studying Mandarin in Beijing, can you get any more accepting of other cultures? And what�s wrong with wanting everyone to get along? Not sure what you were reading? The Japanese are mostly kind and respectful. Maybe it�s your attitude that is rubbing them up the wrong way.

SunShan, you may have some problems with your tattoos and I�m sure you don�t need any more info about that. However, another major problem with Japan (and other Asian countries) is that it�s riddled with foreign people in jobs who are unqualified to teach them. You said your previous career was as an electrician. Is it likely that people with a degree in, say Geography, can get a job installing electrics legally in the UK, let alone Japan? No. Well, here people with a degree in anything can get a job teaching English even without a 4-week CELTA qualification. JET and companies like AEON accept people with no relevant degree or experience, and they then make careers here. People with a related MA can�t find work as was mentioned before. Sucks doesn�t it!

Here�s some constructive advice: I understand that you want to come to Japan, but you said that you were studying Mandarin. What level are you and your partner at? Not sure if you want to, but you could consider other countries to work in together. How about China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, for example? Especially the latter three are extremely multi-cultural and assuming your partner speaks English � that along with Japanese and Mandarin could place you both in a good position to find a decent job and still be close to Japan. Malaysia in particular is lovely and the people very friendly, and it�s pretty much impossible to get a teaching job with just a degree (even subject related).

My advice, if you�re serious about teaching, is to carry on and do the CELTA course. Then consider doing a PGCE and MA. In just 2 years (potentially and subject to funding) you could hold all of these qualifications, and they�re going to make you extremely employable in somewhere like Malaysia where they teach a version of GCSEs in-line with the British curriculum. It�s the same as the UK � you can�t teach English in schools with a �Geography� degree and without a PGCE. Otherwise there are international schools all over Asia that require similar qualifications, and having them will stand head and shoulders above concerns over your tattoos (so long as you dress appropriately).

Your degree is perfect for teaching English. I assume you have studied language structure in grammar, syntax, morphology, phonetics etc.? and utilised these in different contexts such as critical analysis and applied linguistics? Seeing as you�ve worked so hard to gain a quality degree it would be a shame not to use it. I�m not trying to put you off Japan, but there are alternatives for now. If you want a well-paid career and respect for your qualifications consider these options. Often in Japan it�s who you know, but you may find in a few years with all this experience you can become an excellent teacher and work here successfully. If you give good lessons and engage well with students and staff, it�s possible your tattoos will be overlooked as long as you continue to show respect by hiding them. On the other hand you may be having such a great life you don�t want to teach in Japan anyway.

Hope this helps!

[SunShan]

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