Job Discussion Forums

[jrwhisky]

Ok, so most of you have gotten a couple to several good years in the teaching position. After a while perhaps many of you are considering new or bigger things, if so what are they?

Of course this is on my mind I'm always wondering what sort of ideas and opportunities are available. I sure would love to crash the market for some token gaijin on an NHK program or something. Or try to find some cheap accredited college in Europe and grab a masters so I can come back and teach English at a college. Some folk I know have started their own Eikaiwa school and some have opened their own bars in their favorite drinking districts. I also thought about just leaving work and volunteering somewhere and try to score a home stay for a short time.

Realistic or not how do you hope to progress from your current status?

[TokyoLiz]

Some people I've met in Tokyo moved on from working in corporate jobs or English teaching at unis and high schools. One guy I know who's been here twenty years left banking to become a professional entertainer and martial arts teacher. Another left uni teaching for broadcasting and journalism. Both look super happy.

My partner (he's Japanese) and I run my home as a guest house for visiting martial arts students. Last week I had four guests from Europe.

Bilingualism or at least solid fluency in the language and culture help a lot. I'm still working on that. And a bit of audacity helps, too.

[rxk22]

I work for a private school, but I want to not teach English at some point. I feel it is not taken seriously here.
Anyhow not to rant. I am not sure what to do. A lot of martial arts don't pay that much, and most instructors in my field only teach PT at night or on weekends.
Eikaiwa, I unless found a great location for a silly low price, I wouldn't bother. Too many around, and too much pandering to kids just looking for a place to play in.
I am looking into perhaps hospitality. As tourism is being taken seriously here now. Perhaps I could do guide work, or work at a hotel. Or even, help large cities make their landmarks and destinations more foreigner friendly.

Anyhow, I need to really get my formal and reading skills up. Otherwise, outside of working at an embassy, there just isn't much out there. Unless you know Japanese

[TokyoLiz]

Martial arts isn't a job, but a calling that ought not to be your main source of income. Don't do it for the money, but the joy of giving and receiving blows to the ego and body

You have to have talent and drive to make it here in the media, not just look cool and be token gaijin. I've done some tv, audio recording and writing for Japanese and international media, and can see there are well-prepared people doing exciting stuff. I like my day job, so I just do little gigs when they come up.

I agree with rx22. Eikaiwa isn't attractive. I've considered running a cooking or bar keeping class in English. It's good value learning a skill in English rather than learning ENSP (English for No Specific Purpose), which is what happens at Eikaiwa. A dojo mate ran a kids martial arts class in English. The kids got authentic martial training and grading plus they were fearless English speakers (and shin kickers) after a few months

[rtm]

[TokyoLiz]

What rtm said. Maybe staying put for a long while helps you develop in aspects of your life besides career - hobbies, family, community.

[nightsintodreams]

[Mothy]

There's an after?