Job Discussion Forums

[The K Dog]

Readers,
My significant other and I are curious about relocating to Japan with a few caveats: the first one is that we both wish to teach adults only, I have an M.Ed in Postsecondary TESOL from an American university, and she has an MA in English Literature from Eastern Illinois University, both of us have teaching experience and are eager to start anew. The problem is that neither of us has the money to hop over to Japan on a plane and search for work, the second problem is the refusal to teach non-adults; from what I have seen most of the jobs advertised are for teaching children, many do not pay airfare anymore, so we are naturally a bit concerned. Does anyone have any advice for two people in the dark about the Japanese market? Thanks.

[PAULH]

My significant other and I are curious about relocating to Japan with a few caveats: the first one is that we both wish to teach adults only, I have an M.Ed in Postsecondary TESOL from an American university, and she has an MA in English Literature from Eastern Illinois University, both of us have teaching experience and are eager to start anew.

Married? Girlfriend? Makes a big difference when it comes to visa status and how much your 'significant other can work on a dependent visa, for example. If you both have working visas, no problem.

Probably overqualified for teaching at a language school as they seek BAs with little or no experience, and even less, Japanese ability. You dont get paid extra for having a Masters or TESL certification either.

Universities are your best bet but you will need to be in Japan to apply for them (or be able to attend an interview when they are hiring) and make lots of contacts. I have info on teaching jobs at universities but be advised jobs are getting harder to come by even for qualified candidates and there are a lot of hoops to jump through.


The problem is that neither of us has the money to hop over to Japan on a plane and search for work,

You will need about $3000-4000 in your first month before you see a paycheck. What do you plan to do about accomodation, living costs in the meantime, not to mention airfare?


the second problem is the refusal to teach non-adults; from what I have seen most of the jobs advertised are for teaching children, many do not pay airfare anymore,

Most language schools do not pay airfare until you complete at least a 2 year contract. They do in Korea and China but that is like the Wild West compared to teaching in Japan.


so we are naturally a bit concerned. Does anyone have any advice for two people in the dark about the Japanese market? Thanks.

Just as matter or interest- what are your teaching goals- do you want to teach at a language school, high school, university? Teaching companies?

To get jobs you need to get your resume and cover letter up to scratch. outside of Japan your best bet is with the four big companies ECC GEOS NOVA and AEON that recruit overseas, to get a work visa and a foot in the door. Once you are here you can network and look for jobs, and meet people, make contacts etc. Getting hired off a resume is next to impossible, unless you can convince an employer to hire you over someone with similar qualifications, who is already in Japan.

Everything in Japan costs MONEY, so I would not recommend coming here with less that $3000-4000 between you, and be prepared to do a lot of pavement pounding first and hitting the classifeds.

[Glenski]

[homersimpson]

Just a point about teaching "adults" only. Conversation schools consider high school students "adults," so be advised of that when applying for jobs.