Job Discussion Forums

[zash]

Hello, I'm new to this board, but joined because I really want to teach English in Japan. I'm graduating with a BA in English-Writing on Saturday and have already applied to NOVA. Considering other posts, I'm embarrassed to sa they didn't accept me. Not sure why. I've been to Japan twice- once for two weeks and once for a month to learn the culture and language. I love the culture, language and really want to go. I'm almost 22, but I'm not a party-girl and am dependable. I don't understand why they turned me down to tell the truth.

I'm going to try AEON as soon as I can write up their essay, but does anyone have any advice to help me reach my goal? Anything I shouldn't do? Anything I should? Help please!!!

[Sunpower]

I'm sorry to hear that.

I don't know you or what you did/didn't do in your interview to not get offered a positon with NOVA.

But NOVA is not the be all end all.

You would need to provide this forum with more specific information regarding your interview in order for posters to provide you with suggestions.

I hope your next interview produces better results.

There are hundreds of other teaching opportunities in Japan to focus on if you're still intent on coming over to Japan to teach English.

As well, Japan is not the only country offering EFL jobs.

Taiwan is another good alternative to Japan.

If you like, send me an e-mail and I'll provide you with a list of schools in both Japan and Taiwan that usually need teachers.

[Guest]

Hi Zash
Don't be disheartened. Try to learn from it and move on. They may give you some feedback on the interview if you ask for it (they might not, but you don't have anything to lose by asking for it). There are other chances for you and other schools to apply to. Confidence is the key. Go to the interview with a positive outlook. Smile lots. The worst thing you can do is let your anxieties get the better of you. Some schools may test your grammar so make sure you're comfortable with that. Chin up. With some determination I'm sure you'll get there.

[Aqua78]

Zash,

Hang in there. I just got into the JET Program, but I wasn't accepted right away (I was an alternate). I couldn't figure out why they would hesitate to accept me because I thought I was pretty well qualified, too.

When writing your essay, I wouldn't focus too much on your degree in English writing. My degree is in English lit, and I think this actually worked against me in my interview because I talked about it too much. When they asked me how the JET Program would fit into my career plans, I said that I wanted eventually to get an advanced degree in literature and to teach it. However, I realized later that this doesn't really have much to do with teaching English in Japan. Language schools assume that you know English pretty well if you are a native speaker with a university degree, and that seems to be enough for them (at least for a good first impression). I think they care more about how much you want to TEACH, why you would be GREAT at it, how well you can adapt to new stress, and how much you admire Japan and want to experience life there.

Sometimes it's the luck of the draw, and the second try works out when the first time doesn't. This might have been a blessing in disguise because a lot of people who teach for Nova really hate it! (I guess it depends on your supervisor.) AEON has slightly fewer perks than NOVA, but I've heard several people report that working conditions are better at AEON.

If AEON doesn't hire you (hypothetically speaking, since I'm sure they will ), then maybe you could look into getting some experience teaching ESL within your own country. If there is a TEFL Certification course near you, that would boost your qualifications, too.

Good Luck!

[ryuro]

Hey,

This is just a little info from someone who's been in Japan for nearly 7 years and spent a lot of that time recuiting and training.

If you want to get hired, you need to understand the concept of "EduTainment".

This is not meant to insult those of you who have actual teaching degrees and experience, but truthfully the most successful candidates and teachers are those who understand that what we do here is part teaching and part entertaining (business). What percentage is teaching versus entertaining largely depends on what type of outfit you work for.

The NOVA's, GEOS's AEON's etc... are businesses- period. This generally means more entertaining (while paying lip service to being an "educator"). Generally, it's been my experience that enjoyment of a lesson (for Japanese) often outweighs their need to learn something gramatically concrete. There's a phrase oft quoted in Japan "students vote with their feet." Simply translated- a Japanese student will NEVER tell you to your face that they don't enjoy your lessons, they simply stop showing up. If enough of your students stop showing up, you can bet your manager will have a few words to say. So you can be the best qualified teacher in your school, but you may find your career rather short-lived if you can't provide that bit of entertainment the students are paying for and expecting.

JET and AET positions are generally more traditional teaching venues and therefore want something a little more akin to legitimate teaching, but don't be fooled too much. You'll still need to temper traditional lessons with something "fun". One of the reasons we're brought into schools is we ARE interesting and unique for the students. It's a cross between being a B-grade celebrity and the newest addition at the local zoo. Again, either you accept this or you don't. If you don't and insist on being a respected teacher 100% of the time, you'll likely find your contract not being renewed.

Therefore, regardless of the organization I've recruited for, the one thing I look for in a teacher is personality. I'm sorry, but I really don't care about that Masters in ESL if you've got a whiny, boring personality. I also don't want strict teachers who are on some kind of educational "crusade" and are single-handedly going to change the Japanese way of doing things. Hint- you'll fail miserably.

I need people who are energetic, outgoing, able to think on their feet and most importantly FLEXIBLE- they won't bitch and moan everytime a curve ball is thrown their way. Not that bitching and moaning doesn't have it's place, just save it for the bar after work.

Hope some of this is helpful. I guess in the future try to highlight things that show your adaptability, willingness to play with "the team" and an understanding that part of what you do is business oriented. If you can show this either in a cover letter (sometimes essay) or interview I don't think you will have a problem picking up a job (at least in Japan).

Cheers,
ryuro

[Felix]

Very nice post Ryuyo, Thank you.

[kimo]

Four years ago, they rejected me too. I have to admit I didn't perform so well in the interview which was held in Japan. As well, I was terribly jetlagged. It was the best thing that happened to me. Within two months of that interview I was making about 330,000 Jap. Yen compared to the 250,000 they would have paid. And I was only working 23-25 hours per week and not being gouged on accommodations.

As the above person said, Nova is in the edutainment business. Whether or not students learn is beside the point. When in Japan I knew a thousand Nova instructors. All glib as heck, but didn't know a verb from an article. However, they sure could do Lesson 65 like they knew their stuff.

Don't sweat it!

[Smooth Operator]

I was turned down by GEOS in London after 3 days of interviews and tests. I really wanted to go to Japan and overlooked the fact that they seemed quite a shabby organisation.

Anyway, it all turned out for the best, as I got on JET and now teach in a university...

Best of luck...