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jtea
Joined: 22 Apr 2014
Posts: 69
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 Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:25 am Post subject: |
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| Maitoshi wrote: |
| teacherfromca wrote: |
| I never said MA in Japanese. I meant MA in applied linguistics (MA for the purpose of teaching English in Japan pretty much). That versus Japanese fluency, of which I'm thinking of doing two years of intensive study. Anyway, about Japanese fluency and getting jobs outside of teaching English, some of you guys have made some good points and I appreciate that. Thanks. |
So make up your mind already! Are you going to pursue EFL as a career, or are you planning to become a salary man? Your split thinking on this is putting both your posts and the responses you receive at odds. |
This. Why get an MA in applied linguistics if what you want is other opportunities outside of teaching English? That's a waste of time and money. Your running yourself into circles which is why no one has really been able to give you an answer to your question. |
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Pitarou
Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:40 am Post subject: |
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| jtea wrote: |
| Maitoshi wrote: |
| So make up your mind already! ... Your split thinking ... |
This. Why get an MA in applied linguistics if what you want is other opportunities outside of teaching English? ... |
I think what he's asking is: "Should I take an MA in applied linguistics and be an English teacher, or should I study Japanese and keep my options open?"
Last edited by Pitarou on Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:46 am Post subject: |
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| Pitarou wrote: |
| I think what he's asking is: "Should I take an MA in applied linguistics, or should I study Japanese?" |
That's right, but the big question is: "To what end?" It sounds to me like the OP has no career goals, and just wants to find a way to make a career, any career, as long as it is in Japan. |
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Pitarou
Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:57 am Post subject: |
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| rtm wrote: |
| That's right, but the big question is: "To what end?" It sounds to me like the OP has no career goals, and just wants to find a way to make a career, any career, as long as it is in Japan. |
Indeed so. His priorities seem pretty clear:
1. Be in Japan.
2. Have a good career.
You seem to have changed your tune from earlier, when you said you would not question his priorities.
Last edited by Pitarou on Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:58 am Post subject: |
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| teacherfromca wrote: |
| I never said MA in Japanese. I meant MA in applied linguistics (MA for the purpose of teaching English in Japan pretty much). That versus Japanese fluency, of which I'm thinking of doing two years of intensive study. Anyway, about Japanese fluency and getting jobs outside of teaching English, some of you guys have made some good points and I appreciate that. Thanks. |
Sorry about the misunderstanding about the MA in Japanese. I see now that you never said that. 2 years of full-time, intensive study in Japan could get you to a decent level, especially if you already have the basics. I have 2 friends who did that (one at a language school, one at a senmon gakkou), but neither of them ended up using it professionally.
If you have a clear idea of the job that you want when you finish your Japanese studies, and if you have (or have a plan to get) whatever skills/knowledge you would need other than Japanese ability to get that job , then full-time Japanese study might be a good direction for you. |
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teacherfromca
Joined: 02 Feb 2012
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:59 am Post subject: |
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| Maitoshi wrote: |
| teacherfromca wrote: |
| I never said MA in Japanese. I meant MA in applied linguistics (MA for the purpose of teaching English in Japan pretty much). That versus Japanese fluency, of which I'm thinking of doing two years of intensive study. Anyway, about Japanese fluency and getting jobs outside of teaching English, some of you guys have made some good points and I appreciate that. Thanks. |
So make up your mind already! Are you going to pursue EFL as a career, or are you planning to become a salary man? Your split thinking on this is putting both your posts and the responses you receive at odds. |
Like I said in my original post. It's between getting my MA now and paying upwards of 50,000 usd, for better teaching opportunities, or attending a Japanese language school. Two different paths I'm open for but with the same goal of living in Japan. But I'm satisfied with the feedback I've gotten so there are no "at odds" as I can see. |
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teacherfromca
Joined: 02 Feb 2012
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:04 am Post subject: |
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| rtm wrote: |
| teacherfromca wrote: |
| I never said MA in Japanese. I meant MA in applied linguistics (MA for the purpose of teaching English in Japan pretty much). That versus Japanese fluency, of which I'm thinking of doing two years of intensive study. Anyway, about Japanese fluency and getting jobs outside of teaching English, some of you guys have made some good points and I appreciate that. Thanks. |
Sorry about the misunderstanding about the MA in Japanese. I see now that you never said that. 2 years of full-time, intensive study in Japan could get you to a decent level, especially if you already have the basics. I have 2 friends who did that (one at a language school, one at a senmon gakkou), but neither of them ended up using it professionally.
If you have a clear idea of the job that you want when you finish your Japanese studies, and if you have (or have a plan to get) whatever skills/knowledge you would need other than Japanese ability to get that job , then full-time Japanese study might be a good direction for you. |
That's good advice there. Much appreciated! |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:04 am Post subject: |
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| Pitarou wrote: |
1. Be in Japan.
2. Have a good career.
You seem to have changed your tune from earlier, when you said you would not question his priorities. |
I also said back on the 1st page of this thread:
| rtm wrote: |
| Note that I ask about what job you want. People get training and education in order to do a job. "Living in Japan" is not a job. |
I won't judge his motivation. He can come for whatever reason. But, he is asking on a job forum for advice as to what kind of training to get. Since training prepares one for a job, I would merely like to know what kind of job the OP wants. His motivations for choosing that job don't matter to me.
Maybe the OP's questions should be:
1) What kind of jobs in Japan are open to foreign people and offer a stable career and decent lifestyle?
2) What kind of training do I need to get those jobs?
If these are the questions the OP wants to ask, he might (as he has suggested) be asking in the wrong place, as this forum is mostly populated by English teachers, and many of us only have experience in that area. |
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Maitoshi
Joined: 04 May 2014
Posts: 718
Location: 何処でも
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:19 am Post subject: |
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So anything's okay with you as far as your career goes, so long as it's in Japan, and presumably legal?
If so, why wait? Get whatever job will take you and get over here. At least you seem to have made up your mind about that.
If you are looking for someone to plan your career for you (again, so long as it's in Japan) I hear that many Eikaiwa are very eager to plan your every move, even with regards to your social life. You may find this as a good short-term solution to your getting-to-Japan goal, as it will certainly accomplish this, while keeping your options open to find out what you really want to do before committing a tremendous amount of time and money to something you may find isn't a good fit for you after all. |
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teacherfromca
Joined: 02 Feb 2012
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:30 am Post subject: |
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If these are the questions the OP wants to ask, he might (as he has suggested) be asking in the wrong place, as this forum is mostly populated by English teachers, and many of us only have experience in that area.[/quote]
I would have posted on gaijinpot careers but they shut down I believe.
And what I've taken from this is that, if I go the Japanese language school route, merely becoming fluent in Japanese is not enough for better job prospects, I will need another in demand skill. Point taken. |
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nightsintodreams
Joined: 18 May 2010
Posts: 558
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:35 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| If you are looking for someone to plan your career for you (again, so long as it's in Japan) I hear that many Eikaiwa are very eager to plan your every move, even with regards to your social life. You may find this as a good short-term solution to your getting-to-Japan goal, as it will certainly accomplish this, while keeping your options open to find out what you really want to do before committing a tremendous amount of time and money to something you may find isn't a good fit for you after all. |
Everything that needs to be said is right here really. Except I would recommend an ALT job. I think teaching at public schools is probably better experience for university teaching than Eikaiwa and you'll be in a Japanese environment every day.
So by becoming and ALT you can:
Earn and save money for possible future qualifications
Get plenty of free time during work to study Japanese
Live in Japan
To get a job at a university, you need some experience anyway. To get a job at a Japanese company you need to improve your Japanese and be living in Japan. So this seems like the best option for you to me.
After a year or two you'll have a better idea of what's possible in Japan and can decide where you want to go from there. |
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Maitoshi
Joined: 04 May 2014
Posts: 718
Location: 何処でも
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:41 am Post subject: |
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| I agree with Nights. An ALT position may also give you more time to study than an eikaiwa gig. |
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fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 2:16 am Post subject: |
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| teacherfromca wrote: |
| It would be cool to hear from those working for canon, Toyota or any Japanese company where their Japanese skills come into play. |
| rtm wrote: |
But, he is asking on a job forum for advice as to what kind of training to get. Since training prepares one for a job, I would merely like to know what kind of job the OP wants.
Maybe the OP's questions should be:
1) What kind of jobs in Japan are open to foreign people and offer a stable career and decent lifestyle?
2) What kind of training do I need to get those jobs? |
| teacherfromca wrote: |
| And what I've taken from this is that, if I go the Japanese language school route, merely becoming fluent in Japanese is not enough for better job prospects, I will need another in demand skill. Point taken. |
...hence, my suggestion of looking at MBA programs back on page 1 of this thread.
Warm regards,
fat_chris |
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Maitoshi
Joined: 04 May 2014
Posts: 718
Location: 何処でも
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:10 am Post subject: |
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Chris wrote: "...hence, my suggestion of looking at MBA programs back on page 1 of this thread."
I hate to disagree with you, here, but the OP might want to further consider what he really wants to do before dumping the kind of time and financial resources a grad degree would entail. The only thing the OP seems certain of is a vague notion of a future in Japan. Unless I'm mistaken, the other stuff really seems to be a delay tactic to help him figure out what he wants to do in life. IMHO, it may be a good idea for him to get the idea of living in Japan out of his system to at least eliminate this as a factor in his decision making. He might be able to gain a bit more clarity for himself and his future in this way. |
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fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:24 am Post subject: |
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| Maitoshi wrote: |
| I hate to disagree with you, here, but the OP might want to further consider what he really wants to do before dumping the kind of time and financial resources a grad degree would entail. The only thing the OP seems certain of is a vague notion of a future in Japan. Unless I'm mistaken, the other stuff really seems to be a delay tactic to help him figure out what he wants to do in life. IMHO, it may be a good idea for him to get the idea of living in Japan out of his system to at least eliminate this as a factor in his decision making. He might be able to gain a bit more clarity for himself and his future in this way. |
No worries about disagreeing here, I was just making a suggestion--'specially since he was considering dumping 50K into an M.A. for AL, so I thought, why not dump such an amount into a program for a more "versatile" degree?
I do agree with what you have written above, Maitoshi. Sound words, methinks, so I will definitely go along and second your post:
Seconded.
Warm regards,
fat_chris
Last edited by fat_chris on Fri Jun 06, 2014 4:29 am; edited 2 times in total |
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