Job Discussion Forums

brianfkelly10 · Joined: 17 Feb 2015 Posts: 3

I have a question for those in the know.

Do I need to be living in a English speaking Western country (for myself, it'd be America) or living in Japan to get hired in Japan?

I have taught EFL for 2+ years, one in Korea and one in the States. I have a BA and have almost finished getting a teaching credential (long story short, I'm two classes away from it.) I live and work in Thailand now. And after 4 resume submissions, I have not gotten any replies. This seems unusual. Any ideas?

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

Depends. Some places recruit from abroad but many prefer people to already be here.
In the past I think more places would recruit from abroad, but these days there are more teachers already here.
What are you looking for?
Just an eikaiwa like Aeon? Bigger chains like Aeon would recruit from abroad.

brianfkelly10 · Joined: 17 Feb 2015 Posts: 3

I'm looking for an eikaiwa. Somewhere close to Tokyo. I want to work for the same place for two years and simultaneously get my MA in TESOL. Then become a professor at a university for a year or two.

I'm thinking maybe I can just lie and say I'm living in America right now (I'd rather not. I'd like to make the effort (however potentially pointless, of keeping TEFL as legit as possible.)

I can move there come mid-March. Maybe I can just write as much in the resume/cover letter/email. I'd really like to work in Japan. Just not somewhere hot like Kumamoto.

RM1983 · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 360

4 resumes is not a lot, and the main hiring time is not quite upon us yet. I came here on a WHV and sent out probably more than 50, and did 20+ interviews before I settled on my first job. If you need to be hired from abroad, I don't think it'll matter where you are, and that probably isn't the issue. I'd try as many places as you can find and hope for the best. Also be aware that some places will count your quals and experience against you, because they are very low-quality.

Sounds like you should be aiming for public school, ALT work. You get tons of time off and it is easy peasy. I'd explain your MA plan, and that might actually put you in good stead as they ccan believe they have a pro who just wants the extra free time.
You might not get much choice where you are placed (but then that goes for any job hiring people from abroad)

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

To be an associate professor you need several years at the university level at least plus publications.

Shakey · Joined: 29 Aug 2014 Posts: 199

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

Shakey, rude.

For an idea of the jobs on offer, have a look at https://jrecin.jst.go.jp/seek/SeekTop?ln=1

Starting out, you're looking at part time instructor positions at some technical schools and universities. It's possible that, if you do your MA in Tokyo, or Osaka, you'll make contacts who can help you get jobs before you have a lot of publications on your cv.

You had better get started writing right away. The journals take forever to accept and publish articles. Contact JALT, too. There are groups that can advise you about professional development.

First, you'll need a job to get in the door. Good luck!

Lamarr · Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 190

I wouldn't recommend working in eikaiwa and doing an MA. Eikaiwa is by-and-large totally rubbish, especially for someone with teaching credentials and higher career aspirations. It'll do nothing for you, and the volume of lessons that they require you to work (besides possibly doing your head in) might impact on the amount of time and energy you can put into doing your Master's. They sometimes require you to do 25+ teaching hours a week.

I've got a friend who worked at a uni in Vietnam for 2 years as an ESL instructor while he did a distance MA. He then landed a job at a uni in Japan. He'd previously done JET in Japan, taught English back in the UK for a bit, and got a PGCE (postgraduate teaching qualification for teaching in schools).

Some unis in other countries will take someone on without an MA but with ESL experience and teaching credentials, and a commitment to doing an MA on the job. I'd advise looking at something like that. I would guess that Thai unis would do something similar. Or even do an MA in your home country and try to get some experience at a uni there first.