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What do you want to do after this?
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rxk22

Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:51 am Post subject:

Shakey wrote:

mitsui wrote:

The yen is at 123 to the dollar and it is harder to save money.

I am tired of limited contracts.
The best work is at universities but it is hard to get.
Schools will have to close in the future since there will be fewer students.

I can get more money, and live in my own culture instead of being a second-class citizen.

All good reasons to leave Japan. The TEFL industry has really declined, hasn't it. If you can make it back in the US, good for you.

I know a lot of people who hung on, maybe they hung on here a little too long.

Problem is, going home is really hard to do. Landing a job from abroad is not easy. Also, moving countries, when established, or in my case, having kids, is a leap of faith.
I can't go back. At least not with out a solid job in hand.

But yes, TEFL here is not just declining, it is becoming less and less serious. I feel bad teaching my kids, as most do not get what they are paying for. On top of that, no one seems to care that they SHOULD be learning far more, but for a multitude of reasons, they simply aren't.

I'd say that Japan is more for a working holiday. Get here, look around, hang out, hit up other Asian countries on vacation, and then get out while you can still re establish yourself.

TokyoLiz

Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:59 am Post subject:

Jagariko wrote

Quote:

In the future, I think MA/MSc-holding uni teachers teaching standard oral and writing classes will be paid no more than 350,000 and the higher salaries will only be paid to those that teach academic classes in English...

Woah, that salary is lower than some private high schools offer. Can you tell us what MA holders are earning now at unis?

If it's so low, then finishing my MA is a vanity degree, not a real step up. I started an MA TESOL, but I'd rather do grad studies in something else. That means I would probably do distance ed through Athabasca Uni (Canada).

jkozera

Joined: 09 Jan 2015
Posts: 90

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 6:39 pm Post subject:

TokyoLiz wrote:

Jagariko wrote

Quote:

I have been browsing TEFL job postings and it seems ones open to people not living in the country, the pay for MA is the same as an BA/BS. I personally am hoping to avoid getting an MA as I feel that the pay increase wont compensate for the loans I would need to take out to pay for that MA

rtm

Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:15 pm Post subject:

jkozera wrote:

An MA isn't worth it for getting a pay bump at the same kinds of jobs you could get with just a BA, but it is for getting a job that one couldn't get with just a BA. Most advertised full-time university positions do not require one to already live in the country.

Also, if you can get a graduate assistantship, you can do an MA in TESOL for free or nearly free in the US. Universities that have an intensive ESL program will often offer a number of assistantships, usually to people who already have some ESL/EFL teaching experience.

jkozera

Joined: 09 Jan 2015
Posts: 90

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:59 pm Post subject:

rtm wrote:

jkozera wrote:

well, honestly I would not want an MA in TESOL since I have the TESL cert which is the same course work as people do in the MA program. I would rather get an MA in education but besides the point. I wouldn't mind getting my foot in the door somewhere and work my way up, if one can even do that anymore

Maitoshi

Joined: 04 May 2014
Posts: 718
Location: 何処でも

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:11 pm Post subject:

Do you really think a certificate is the same as an MA in the subject? If this were the case, why didn't you receive an MA upon completion?

jkozera

Joined: 09 Jan 2015
Posts: 90

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:28 pm Post subject:

Maitoshi wrote:

Do you really think a certificate is the same as an MA in the subject? If this were the case, why didn't you receive an MA upon completion?

at my uni, the MA students are in the same classes as the BA students. The only difference is that their classes are labeled LING 507 vs my classes are LING 407. They pay more per credit, gotta pass with a 3.0 and have a little more work per class than the BS students.
example: For my syntax course, we all have the same tests and homework, the MA students had to create a pod cast explaining a concept of x-theory.
If I already had a BA and had the money, sure I would get an MA but I don't care enough about theories nor publishing research that only a handful of people actually care about.