|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
tyroleanhat
Joined: 21 Oct 2013
Posts: 209
Location: Austria / China
|
 Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:06 pm Post subject: Japanese University positions |
 |
|
In Korea there is a great website where tons of University positions are advertised: MOD EDIT
Somebody of you knows an equivalent website for Japan? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Japanese University positions |
|
|
| tyroleanhat wrote: |
In Korea there is a great website where tons of University positions are advertised: www.hibrain.net
Somebody of you knows an equivalent website for Japan? |
Check JREC-IN (Japan Research Career Information Network) and JACET (Japan Assoc. of College English Teachers).
JREC-IN has an English version and a Japanese version. Many more jobs are advertised on the Japanese version only, although there are some on the English version. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tyroleanhat
Joined: 21 Oct 2013
Posts: 209
Location: Austria / China
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 5:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
| great advice! thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 9:56 am Post subject: Re: Japanese University positions |
|
|
| rtm wrote: |
| tyroleanhat wrote: |
In Korea there is a great website where tons of University positions are advertised: www.hibrain.net
Somebody of you knows an equivalent website for Japan? |
Check JREC-IN (Japan Research Career Information Network) and JACET (Japan Assoc. of College English Teachers).
JREC-IN has an English version and a Japanese version. Many more jobs are advertised on the Japanese version only, although there are some on the English version. |
I had a look and one good thing is that almost all of the jobs advertised ask only for a master's degree.
But all of them are non-renewable (or renewable only once) contracts of between 1 and 2 years. So you lose your job after 1 - 4 years. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: Japanese University positions |
|
|
| Solar Strength wrote: |
I had a look and one good thing is that almost all of the jobs advertised ask only for a master's degree.
But all of them are non-renewable (or renewable only once) contracts of between 1 and 2 years. So you lose your job after 1 - 4 years. |
Most of them look for a (related) MA + publications. I don't think I'd say that "all of them are non-renewable (or renewable only once)" -- there are quite a few that are renewable multiple times, and some are vague about how many times they are renewable (possibly indefinitely). But yes, I'd say that most are fixed-term and renewable a limited number of times. Also, I think more initial contracts are 2-3 years, rather than 1-2 years. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Japanese University positions |
|
|
| rtm wrote: |
| I don't think I'd say that "all of them are non-renewable (or renewable only once)" there are quite a few that are renewable multiple times... |
No, that's not what is posted on JREC. If you think you saw job postings that say they are, "...renewable multiple times", then you need to read more carefully.
The first position I clicked on in the Kobe postings was for a job that was for one year only, with a possibly renewal but not guaranteed.
Kobe University:
| Quote: |
Limited-term beginning 1st April, 2014 and ending 31st March, 2015).
*Depending on the availability of funding, this position may be
re-advertised for another term (from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2017, but not beyond). |
You're splitting hairs here. The bottom line is that there is nothing but terminal, dead-end positions of between 1 - 4 years being offered for gaijin university TEFL instructors in Japanese these days. And a master's is all that is required for these jobs.
That's what I find mind boggling; that you have posters like Ichikawa wanting to spend US $25,000 on a master's degree so that he can apply for a 1-year university EFL teaching job. Sounds insane. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: Japanese University positions |
|
|
| Solar Strength wrote: |
| No, that's not what is posted on JREC. If you think you saw job postings that say they are, "...renewable multiple times", then you need to read more carefully. |
Did you read the Japanese ones? Because there are a some that say "任期なし" (no term limit). There are also a good number of ones that say things like:
"外国人語学教員の任期は３年を上限とする。雇用終了の際に、１回限り更新（２年を上限とする）できる。その後、必要と認める場合には、任期を定めないで雇用を更新する場合がある。" (The initial contract is for 3 years, after which a renewal for an additional 2 years is possible. After that, if there is continued need, they will be hired permanently).
and
"任期5年。任期中に業績評価・審査を実施し適格となった者は、任期のない教員として雇用します。ただし、不適格となった者は再任しません。" (The initial contract is for 5 years. If evaluations are good during that time, the employee will be hired permanently. If evaluations are bad, they will be let go.)
Similarly, on JACET:
"特別契約職員の場合は 3 年間（3 年間の勤務状況が特に良好で、かつ職員本人と大学側がともに希望した場合に限り、3 年後に雇用期間の定めのない「一般契約職員」として新たに契約することがあります。" (The contract for Special Contract Instructor is for 3 years. If job performance is especially good during that time, and if both parties agree, then a contract as Regular Contract Instructor with no term limit is possible.)
and
"任期 平成３１年３月３１日まで。但し、任期中の業績等審査により、任期の満了後に「任期に定めのない職員」となることができる。" (Initial contract is until March 31, 2019. However, depending on performance, after the initial contract, it is possible to have a contract with no limit.)
Yes, there are some that say there is a hard term limit. I saw a few that were 1 year contracts, renewable up to 4 times, or 2 year contracts renewable once. There were others that just said the contract is renewable, without saying how many times.
I think your point about spending $25,000 on an MA is a good one. An expensive MA might not help one get a job much more than a cheaper MA. I quit my job in Japan, moved back to the US and did my masters, and moved back to Japan for less than that. But, if someone is set on staying in Japan forever, getting an MA is not a bad idea. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mitsui
Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 1562
Location: Kawasaki
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 11:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
There is tenure here, but that means being fluent in Japanese, or really good at it, 10 or more publications, and a MA or a doctorate.
Every year it just seems to be getting more competitive.
I would say, at this point, it does not really matter much if you are good at teaching. What really matters is if you are very good at research.
I would rather focus on teaching which is why I am already making my exit plan.
The other thing is, can you really trust universities here? Considering that there are fewer students, and schools will close, there is not that much job security here.
The other thing that comes into play is networking. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:59 am Post subject: Re: Japanese University positions |
|
|
| rtm wrote: |
| Solar Strength wrote: |
| No, that's not what is posted on JREC. If you think you saw job postings that say they are, "...renewable multiple times", then you need to read more carefully. |
Did you read the Japanese ones? Because there are a some that say "任期なし" (no term limit). There are also a good number of ones that say things like:
"外国人語学教員の任期は３年を上限とする。雇用終了の際に、１回限り更新（２年を上限とする）できる。その後、必要と認める場合には、任期を定めないで雇用を更新する場合がある。" (The initial contract is for 3 years, after which a renewal for an additional 2 years is possible. After that, if there is continued need, they will be hired permanently).
and
"任期5年。任期中に業績評価・審査を実施し適格となった者は、任期のない教員として雇用します。ただし、不適格となった者は再任しません。" (The initial contract is for 5 years. If evaluations are good during that time, the employee will be hired permanently. If evaluations are bad, they will be let go.)
Similarly, on JACET:
"特別契約職員の場合は 3 年間（3 年間の勤務状況が特に良好で、かつ職員本人と大学側がともに希望した場合に限り、3 年後に雇用期間の定めのない「一般契約職員」として新たに契約することがあります。" (The contract for Special Contract Instructor is for 3 years. If job performance is especially good during that time, and if both parties agree, then a contract as Regular Contract Instructor with no term limit is possible.)
and
"任期 平成３１年３月３１日まで。但し、任期中の業績等審査により、任期の満了後に「任期に定めのない職員」となることができる。" (Initial contract is until March 31, 2019. However, depending on performance, after the initial contract, it is possible to have a contract with no limit.)
Yes, there are some that say there is a hard term limit. I saw a few that were 1 year contracts, renewable up to 4 times, or 2 year contracts renewable once. There were others that just said the contract is renewable, without saying how many times.
I think your point about spending $25,000 on an MA is a good one. An expensive MA might not help one get a job much more than a cheaper MA. I quit my job in Japan, moved back to the US and did my masters, and moved back to Japan for less than that. But, if someone is set on staying in Japan forever, getting an MA is not a bad idea. |
rtm,
Thanks. I was only looking at the English side.
But, since those jobs are posted on the Japanese side of the site, maybe they are only looking for Japanese applicants.
Mitsui,
All good points, but I have been told by university teachers that high Japanese language proficiency often trumps a doctorate or publications.
A lot of schools will prefer a gaijin that is fairly fluent in Japanese and over one with a Ph.D or who has several publications but has weak Japanese language skills.
Many Japanese schools interview in both English and Japanese, or only in Japanese.
Interesting in that people I know teaching in universities in China, Korea and Thailand do not have to be fluent in the local language.
I have never heard of foreign English teachers having to do interviews in Chinese for English teaching positions in China. Never heard of it happening in Korea or Thailand, either. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mitsui
Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 1562
Location: Kawasaki
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 6:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Not sure about that. Bottom line is that publications are needed to get an interview. After that, well that is the question. What are they looking for?
It does seem that outside the Tokyo area or in rural areas, Japanese ability is more important.
But I think it depends on the school as they get fewer people to apply so they cannot be as picky.
I know two people with doctorates who are not good at Japanese, but they have limited contracts
Frankly so many people apply for jobs so the schools can afford to be picky.
In the US research is demanded in order to get a job if doctorates are required, but not for just an MA. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| mitsui wrote: |
| I would say, at this point, it does not really matter much if you are good at teaching. What really matters is if you are very good at research. |
So, pretty much like being a professor in most universities in, say, the US or UK. It doesn't seem unreasonable for Japanese universities to want to up their research output. The question is whether they can get qualified candidates.
| Solar Strength wrote: |
| But, since those jobs are posted on the Japanese side of the site, maybe they are only looking for Japanese applicants. |
I think they are looking for applicants that can speak and read Japanese. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| mitsui wrote: |
Not sure about that. Bottom line is that publications are needed to get an interview. After that, well that is the question. What are they looking for?
It does seem that outside the Tokyo area or in rural areas, Japanese ability is more important.
But I think it depends on the school as they get fewer people to apply so they cannot be as picky.
I know two people with doctorates who are not good at Japanese, but they have limited contracts
Frankly so many people apply for jobs so the schools can afford to be picky.
In the US research is demanded in order to get a job if doctorates are required, but not for just an MA. |
Mitsu,
your coworkers / friends who hold doctorates are not good at Japanese and are still contract instructors, do you think that they would land permament positions if they had better Japanese language skills?
I always thought that if you had a doctorate it would be just a matter of time before you found a permanent position.
Are they looking for tenured postions or just given up and go from contract to contract?
That's depressing! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
| rtm wrote: |
| I think they are looking for applicants that can speak and read Japanese. |
Yes, that could be.
I was told to look for the kanji, 日本語母語, in the qualifications section. I believe you would already know that this means 'Japanese as mother tongue'. In other words, if the posting asks for this, they only want Japanese applicants.
But if that has not been explicitly mentioned, they may be looking for any applicant as long as they speak and read Japanese. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Solar Strength wrote: |
I was told to look for the kanji, 日本語母語, in the qualifications section. I believe you would already know that this means 'Japanese as mother tongue'. In other words, if the posting asks for this, they only want Japanese applicants.
But if that has not been explicitly mentioned, they may be looking for any applicant as long as they speak and read Japanese. |
Right, but I see very few that specify native Japanese speakers. Definitely more that specify English native speaker than Japanese native speaker. Mostly, I see things like:
・英語母語話者の方，あるいは，英語圏での滞在年数が5年程度以上の高い英語運用能力を持つ方 (English native speaker, or a non-native speaker who has lived in an English-speaking country for over 5 years or more and has a high level of English ability)
・日本語が母語でない場合には、会議等業務を遂行するために、読む、書く、聞く、話すに関して高度な日本語能力を有すること（日本語運用能力に関する資格がある者が望ましい）(For those who are not native Japanese speakers, a high level of Japanese reading, writing, listening, and speaking ability for meetings and other administrative work is necessary [Preferably someone with a certification in Japanese language])
Most of the ads specify which language(s) are needed, and at what level, without referring to native-speaker status. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mitsui
Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 1562
Location: Kawasaki
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
Not sure if they have given up. Some teachers can accept the merry go round here, where they go from one job to the next. If in Tokyo it is possible if you live near a main station.
One guy is a Canadian and he is on the fence about staying or just going to his own country or somewhere else.
I myself am near the end of the line and expect to be back in the US next year.
The weird thing is that people can get tenure without a doctorate in Japan. In the US this was possible in the 1970s.
For people with only a MA being forced to do research without having the training, is pretty tough. Teachers have to learn it on the fly.
My MA program was good but it focused on teacher training. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
