Job Discussion Forums

[PAULH]

#00156 - Tokyo-to

Job Description: The Society for Testing English Proficiency (STEP) seeks a full-time editor to produce materials for the Eiken English test. The Eiken test is the largest English proficiency test administered in Japan, with over 2.5 million test takers annually.

Job Details: Duties: The successful applicant will work as a member of a team to write and edit test items for all grades of the Eiken test. Qualifications: Applicants must be native speakers of English with a university degree. The successful applicant will have superior writing skills and experience teaching in Japanese junior or senior high schools, or at the university level. Test-writing experience preferred. Advanced Japanese ability is required. Salary & Benefits: Over 300 000 yen a month plus bonuses. Health insurance and paid vacations. One year renewable contract. Application Materials: Re�Lsume�L and cover letter

Deadline: August 13

Contact Details: Todd Fouts; by fax at 03-3266-6590; STEP, 55 Yokodera-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8055

Email Address: < [email protected].>


Job Description: Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (NUCB) Graduate School in Nagoya invites applications for two part-time Lecturer positions to start in September 2004.

Job Details: Duties: To teach an English course in 'Internet Techniques for Global Business Communication' to students with high English language ability from the division of Global Business Communication. Classes (100 minutes each) are held on Wednesday 18:00 ~ 21:30 every other week from September 22 to January 19. To teach an English course in 'English Language for MBA' to students with intermediate English language ability from the MBA division. Classes (100 minutes each) will be held on Thursday 14:20 ~ 16:00 every week from September 23 to January 20. Qualifications: Native speaker of English residing in Japan with a Ph.D. in a language-related field and previous teaching experience at graduate level. Salary: 15,000 yen ~ 18,000 yen per class. Please submit a cover letter, detailed resume, list of publications, contact details of three referees and copies of degree certificates via email, fax or post. We recommend that applications should be sent to us as soon as possible. Successful applicants will be invited for interviews to be held until July 17.

Deadline: July 10, 2004

Contact Details: Mrs. Kyoko Hayakawa, Managing Director, NUCB Graduate School, 1-20-1 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken 460-0003. Tel: 052-203-8111. Fax: 052-221-5221

Email Address: <[email protected]>


#00153 - Fukuoka-ken

Job Description: Two Foreign Instructors of English positions open at Institute of Foreign Language Education, Kurume University.

Job Details: Duties: Teaching six classes per semester (one class is 90 minutes per week); serving on committees; conducting research; and carrying out other university related responsibilities. Qualifications: 1) Native speaker of English 2) B.A. degree from a university in a country where English is the first or official language. M.A. degree (TESL/TEFL or equivalent is preferable, but not required) 3) Experience living in Japan for a minimum of three years. 4) Japanese language proficiency. Salary & Benefits: University scale based on experience and qualifications. The position is a 1-year contract, renewable up to 5 years at the discretion of Kurume University. Employment will begin on April 1, 2005. Application Materials: Applicants are requested to send the following documents. 1) Curriculum Vitae in Japanese (Kurume University Form). 2) List of research publications with two main papers circled (University Form). 3) Copies of the two circled papers mentioned in 2) above. 4) Record of professional, academic and social activities (University Form). 5) Copy of most recent educational diploma. 6) Essay in Japanese on English Education at the University Level, 2,000 characters on A4 paper. 7) Medical Certificate of Health issued by Hospital or Medical Office. Write "Application Enclosed" on the envelope. The application forms are available on the Kurume University website under the Topics and Information section, .

Deadline: August 31, 2004

Contact Details: Director, Institute of Foreign Language Education 1635 Mii-machi, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka-ken 839-8502. For further information, please contact Mr. Kajiwara, Curriculum Office Staff Member; t: (0942) 43-4411, ext. 234; f: (0942) 43-0574.

Email Address: <>

Job Description: Ritsumeikan University announces a full-time Associate Professor position beginning April 1, 2005.

Job Details: Duties: Introduction to English/American literature seminar, sophomore seminar, English composition, graduation thesis seminar, and others. For details, see online syllabus . Qualifications: Ph.D. or equivalent in English literature; knowledge of British and American literature; translation publications preferred. Japanese/English bilingual competence. Salary & Benefits: According to university scale. Application Materials: C.V. with recent photo, three copies of three major publications (may be photocopies). These will not be returned, except by request.

Deadline: July 16, 2004

Contact Details: Apply by postal mail, with �gApplication included�h in red letters on the outside, to: Dept. of English/American Literature Hiring Committee, Faculty of Letters, Ritsumeikan University, 56-1 Toji-in Kita-machi, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8577. p: 075-465-8187.

Email Address: <>

Website URL: <http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/mng/gl/jinji/index-j.html>
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Job Description: The School of International Politics, Economics, and Business at Aoyama Gakuin University's Sagamihara Campus is seeking versatile part-time teachers for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Job Details: Duties: Teach English courses; communication courses related to public speaking, discussion/debate, English in the mass media, English for academic purposes; and advanced English courses related to specific themes, such as intercultural communication, comparative culture, media studies, gender awareness, conflict resolution/peace studies, global issues, and other subjects related to international studies. Qualifications: Resident of Japan (both native and nonnative speakers); proper visa if not Japanese; MA or PhD in relevant areas of the Humanities, Social Sciences, or Education (including TEFL/TESOL); three years�f previous teaching experience at the university level, with at least one year in Japan; ability to teach language, communication, and advanced courses in English; publications and membership in relevant academic associations a plus. Salary & Benefits: Similar to other private universities in the Tokyo area. Application Procedure: Send a complete resume in English that includes details about qualifications/experience in the above areas. No personal responses (including replies to inquiries) will be made unless the applicant is being seriously considered for a position.

Deadline: September 30, 2004

Contact Details: Send applications to Dr. Richard Evanoff, School of International Politics, Economics, and Business, Aoyama Gakuin University, 4-4-25 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8366.


#00150 - Kanagawa-ken

Job Description: Keio SFC Junior and Senior High School, the newest secondary school associated with Keio University, is seeking applicants for full-time teaching positions to start from April 2005. Our students go on to Keio University, one of the most competitive private universities in Japan. SFC Junior and Senior High School differs from other secondary schools in that more than two-fifths of the students have lived abroad for extended periods. Many of these students already speak English or other languages fluently. The school provides training in computing, language, and intercultural communication in an effort to equip the students for active roles in the global community.

Job Details: Duties: Teach up to 19 hours per week (16 core English classes, two electives, one homeroom). Full-time staff work 5 days a week (Sunday and one other day off) and are occasionally asked to come to school on holidays for school events and other duties. Share typical homeroom responsibilities with a Japanese partner, including 1 hour per week supervising a homeroom class. Assess students in accordance with school guidelines. Participate in all school events and supervise students during school trips, sports days, club activities, preparing students for speech contests, etc. Play an active role in departmental functions such as curriculum development, test writing, coordination of exchange programs, coaching, etc. Qualifications: Native speaker of English. MA in TESOL or a related field. Junior or Senior High School experience (particularly in Japan) a strong advantage; conversational Japanese an advantage. Salary & Benefits: Contract is renewable up to 3 years. Salary based on age, qualifications, and year of graduation. Commuting allowance, annual book allowance, furnished apartments close to school available for rent (key money not provided). Application Materials: Cover letter; curriculum vitae; transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended; details of publications and presentations, if any; at least one letter of recommendation from a recent employer and/or a professor in TESOL.

Deadline: September 30, 2004

Contact Details: Mr. Paul Gilson, English Department, Keio Shonan-Fujisawa Junior and Senior High School, 5466 Endo, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa-ken 252-0816; t: 0466-47-5111; f: 0466-47-5078.

Email Address: <>



Job Description: Obirin University Foreign Language Education Center invites applications for a full-time lecturer in the English Language Program (ELP) to begin April 1, 2005.

Job Details: Qualifications: Masters Degree in TESOL/Applied Linguistics. Minimum 3 years teaching experience in Japanese colleges/universities. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team. Experience in ELT curriculum/materials development. Computer proficiency (Macintosh �| Word/PageMaker/In Design/Excel/HTML). Proficiency in Japanese an advantage. Duties: Currently required to work 4 days per week, with approximately 10 hours per week of teaching. Committee, curriculum, and administrative duties, as assigned. Salary & Benefits: Initial contract is for 3 years, renewable subject to performance evaluation and university needs. Salary according to university scale, plus research allowance on approval. Application materials: Applications in writing must include: a cover letter which attends to each of the items in turn under the requirements above, an up-to-date CV with passport-sized photo attached, a recent letter of reference, and a 500 word essay on your view of teaching English to Japanese university students. Short-listed candidates will be contacted and invited for interview in October and should prepare copies of two publications prior to interview. Telephone, e-mail or fax inquiries/applications will not be accepted.

Deadline: September 10, 2004

Contact Details: Applications should be addressed to: ELP Director, Obirin University ELP, Planet Fuchinobe Campus, 4-16-1 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229-0006.



Job Description: English instructor wanted for Kagoshima Immaculate Heart Women's Tertiary College from April 2005. Women strongly encouraged to apply. Duties: Teaching load 12 hours a week.

Job Details: Native English speaker with a B.A. Salary & Benefits: Two-year contract. Annual salary \3,000,000 (\250,000/month), plus board and lodging in student residence. Also, return airfare between the country of residence and Japan.

Deadline: Ongoing

Contact Details: Mr. Masato Omoto, Kagoshima Immaculate Heart College, Toso 4-chome, Kagoshima City 890-8525; t: 099-253-2677; f: 099-254-5247.

Email Address: <>

Job Description: Faculty of Humanities, Matsuyama University is seeking a full-time EFL instructor to begin April 2005.

Job Details: Qualifications: A native English speaker with a Master�fs Degree in TESOL/TEFL, Applied Linguistics, or a related field, and with practical experience in teaching EFL learners at the college level. Duties: Teach eight 90-minute classes per week, including chat room. Other duties include developing teaching materials; instructing extra-curricular activities, such as ESS clubs; provide advice and support for students; and provide preliminary guidance for students concerning study abroad. Salary & Benefits: Non-renewable, 2-year contract. Salary is \5,040,000 per year, and \400,000 per year is provided for research. Moving and housing allowances, according to the university laws and regulations. Employees must join Shigaku Kyosai, a mutual aid association of private schools for medical insurance. An office with a telephone, air conditioning, and network plug can be made available. Application materials: CV with photograph and email address, transcripts, photocopy of diploma, list of papers written, letter(s) of recommendation, one page essay on English language education written on A4 size paper. Application materials will not be returned. Applications sent by e-mail are not acceptable. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview. Interviews will be in English and some basic Japanese. Notification of acceptance for the position will be made after October 15, 2004.

Deadline: September 5, 2004

Contact Details: Dean of the Humanities Faculty, Matsuyama University, 4-2 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8578, Japan.


#00146 - Tokyo-to

Job Description: The English Department at Aoyama Gakuin University is seeking part-time teachers to teach conversation and writing courses at their new Sagamihara campus, and a single conversation class Monday afternoons. The campus is about 90 minutes from Shinjuku station on the Odakyu and Yokohama lines. We are interested in teachers who enjoy working with other teachers as well as with their students.

Job Details: Duties: Classroom activities include leading small group discussion, teaching journal writing, and book reports. Classes are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Qualifications: Publications, experience in presentations, and familiarity with email are assets. Click �gIE Program�h on the department website for more information. Salary & Benefits: Comparable to other universities in the Tokyo area. Application Materials: Write to us for an application form.

Deadline: Ongoing

Contact Details: �gPART-TIMERS,�h English and American Literature Department, Aoyama Gakuin University, 4-4-25 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8366.


#00145 - Niigata-ken

Job Description: The International University of Japan in Yamato-machi is seeking a part-time English language instructor beginning October 2004.

Job Details: Duties: Teach two 90-minute classes every week on grammar, vocabulary, academic writing, or thesis writing, in the fall (October-December) and the winter (January-March) terms. Teach graduate students studying International Relations, International Management, International Development, or E-Business. Be responsible for course materials, lesson plans, and assessment, in coordination with full-time faculty members. Qualifications: M.A. in TEFL/TESL or Applied Linguistics; at least 2-years teaching experience at the university level, but 5-years experience preferred. Salary & benefits: 14,000 yen per class, round trip transportation charges to and from the campus, overnight stay accommodation (if necessary). Application materials: Please submit a cover letter (highlighting qualifications, experience, and research; describing current employment status and situation; and reasons for applying), detailed resume (qualifications, teaching and other professional experience, research); a passport size photo; and two letters of reference.

Deadline: Open until filled

Contact Details: Applications should be made in writing and documents sent to Ms. Mitsuko Nakajima, International University of Japan, Yamato-machi, Niigata-ken, 949-7277

Website URL: <http://www.iuj.ac.jp>
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#00142 - Tokyo-to

Job Description: The School of International Politics, Economics, and Business at Aoyama Gakuin University's Sagamihara Campus is seeking versatile part-time teachers for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Job Details: Duties: Teach English courses; communication courses related to public speaking, discussion/debate, English in the mass media, English for academic purposes; and advanced English courses related to specific themes, such as intercultural communication, comparative culture, media studies, gender awareness, conflict resolution/peace studies, global issues, and other subjects related to international studies. Qualifications: Resident of Japan (both native and nonnative speakers); proper visa if not Japanese; MA or PhD in relevant areas of the Humanities, Social Sciences, or Education (including TEFL/TESOL); three years�f previous teaching experience at the university level, with at least one year in Japan; ability to teach language, communication, and advanced courses in English; publications and membership in relevant academic associations a plus. Salary & Benefits: Similar to other private universities in the Tokyo area. Application Procedure: Send a complete resume in English that includes details about qualifications/experience in the above areas.

Deadline: September 30, 2004

Contact Details: Dr. Richard Evanoff, School of International Politics, Economics, and Business, Aoyama Gakuin University, 4-4-25 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8366

[Vince]

A quick response about the comments on teaching in Japan versus the US. I would teach in either public or private schools in Japan, from junior high school through adult education. But in the US, I'd rather avoid certain political trends in public education. I know politics exist in Japanese public education too, but they won't be so emotionally immediate for me. In the US, I'd prefer to teach in a private school (if it pays enough) or at the tertiary level. For that reason, getting a state certificate isn't that important to me. In the US, I'd prefer to fall back on my BA in English and teach literature. For that reason, maybe I should consider an MA in English and a TEFL certificate. I'll research an MA in English versus an MA in education. Either way, I'll get cracking on TEFL publications and keep studying Japanese.

Thanks for the job list, Paul.

[guest of Japan]

Public School US:

Highest salaries in education unless you are a famous university professor, great benefits package, long term security, nice retirement plans.

Have to deal with politics, but it's mostly local politics. Need state certification and typically a masters degree in the field you teach or education to qualify for a permanent cert.

Private School US:

Typically you teach upper-class children from families that are committed to their children's education. Usually very low salaries. For this reason most teachers are beginning teachers or spouses who are not the primary breadwinners in the family. I can't comment on benefits.

Don't have to deal with politics as much but the families have considerable power. You don't necessarily have to have a state cert. in Ed, but in general teachers have it. If the school accepts funding from the state or national government you will definitely need a cert.

A distance degree is pretty much worthless in US education. EFL certs like CELTA are also useless except in making your resume look a little fuller.


If you want to teach English in the states, my advice is to first check the state requirements for certification in which you live. You'll see several paths to getting what you want at the state level.

Making equal possible opportunities in Japan and the US will require considerable education. For this I'd say you'd need an MA in education, an ESL add on cert. (these take a minimum of one year), and state certication in teaching English, plus publications. This scenario favors the US market. I highly doubt that you have the time or the money to pursue this path as is. My advice is decide exactly what you want to do for the next 5 years and follow that path. If after that point you want to branch out in a new direction select a new course of action. Education is a strange business. Everyone wants specialization and experience.

I don't know your financial situation right now. I'm sure you could make more immediate financial gains in Japan. However, I see Japan as a deadend. If you grow weary of the kind of job you have in Japan you have only two choices. Try to get a new and probably similar job. Or save up money to go back to the US and get more education. If you are teaching in the US, and are unhappy you can take courses at nght very cheaply and enable yourself to make changes far more easily and cheaply.

Good luck, and I hope your wife and you can be together again soon.

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

Sorry, forgot the jobs link

http://jrecin.jst.go.jp

[Glenski]

Vince,
I work at a private HS in Sapporo. If you have specific questions about that kind of work, let me know.

For now, I'll just say you are more than qualified, and I presume you know the prime hiring time of year.

[Billy Chaka]

I wasn't aware that you had a Japanese wife. That changes everything. In that case, if I were in your position, I would go back to Japan, at least for now. If you decided to try the U.S. again, I would go directly into a graduate program and have a definite plan. And I would bring the wife along with me while I carried out that plan. That's what marriage is all about, isn't it? Anyway, I wouldn't know.

For certain people, I don't think going back to the US without a plan is necessarily a bad thing. You'd be really surprised what comes along when you just see what's out there and play the field as it were, but you have to be prepared to really struggle for a while. When I came back from Japan it took me about 2.5 years before I found what I would call a good job. A lot of it is just luck and timing and persistance.

[chi-chi-]

I think the key issue here is to work to keep yourself marketable, no matter where you happen to be.
For me personally, this means never staying in the same place for too long, and making sure that I am going up the ladder, and not vice-versa.
Too many, this may look unstable, but better be unstable than a Permanent waitress/English teacher/children's teacher back home/whatever.
People will forgive your instability as long as they can see (by your resume) that you are constantly moving ahead.
Don't rule out opportunities, no matter how small. Working in a hip hop shop can get you a great job as a fashion magazine intern later on in life. (Please forgive my feminine example, but I'm sure you can see my point.)
If you are working down a dead-end street, job, whatever, you must take what you can learn from that situation, and get off that track as quickly as possible...and while you are on it, work that track to your advantage.
Take life's lemons, and make delicious lemonade. For example, I used my last period of unemployment (in Japan) to quit smoking and enroll in graduate school....having great skin and a better job in a year is like drinking lemon wine in the unemployment line. While this example may seem extreme, everyone is able to open at least one door in their situation, and then others will follow.
I also always try to work with programs that are flexible...for example, teaching in the States is great...but what if you move out of State unexpectedly? At a telemarketing job I once had, there was a woman who did just that. (a certified teacher from another state who also happened to be a military wife.)
As far as my philosophy, I also recommend watching the movie "Legally Blonde", which is laughable but also quite inspirational. I also recommend the book "The Tao of Pooh."
Oh yes....believe in yourself, have faith in everything, and play computer games. And don't forget to laugh.
Good luck with your job search, let us know how it goes.
Ciao.
Chi-Chi

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I think it eventually all comes down to asking yourself how much education is enough.

In Canada (and I can't imagine it's all that different in the States), you do your degree. You spend a year at a community college or university after that to get trained to do something (unless your degree actually gets you a job you want, or employers in the States actually train empoyees). Then you do that thing and try to make a career out of it. You normally cannot move from one area to another without going back to school, unless you make contacts that allow you to doso. If you cannot make a career out of that training (because training for something and actually being hired and making a career out of that thing are two different things), you have to go back and do more training, in another area.

So with a one-year certificate in TESL after your BA, you can teach in private language schools in Canada, or you can go overseas and teach EFL. But you really don't need a one-year certificate in TESL to teach overseas (at least not in the big three or four in Asia- Japan, Korea, Taiwan plus China). The problem is that there really are very few jobs teaching ESL in Canada, many of them are given to friends or volunteers. A one-year certificate in TESL is a prerequesite for an MA in Applied Linguistics. But if you do that one-year certificate and are then turned down by schools offering MAs, then I guess you've got a big problem.

If you decide you really do want to live in Canada and you want to have a job related to English language education, then you may decide to go into publishing texts or something like that. You have to go back into college for another year again, and when you get out you are confronted with yet another market consisting primarily of contract positions, part-time employment.

Money isn't everything, far from it. But somewhere you have to look at the amount of money being paid out for education and potential earnings lost by not having the time to actually work, because every few years or so you end up back in school again. Especially given the costs involved in going to university or college compared with the amount you can earn and save when you are spending years overseas, or in ESL in Canada, or related areas in Canada.

So where does it all end? Do most people who do ESL and get sick of living overseas end up in retail or something in order to survive while volunteering in order to teach? Or do they just have to wait until they retire (if they can ever afford to) so they have the time to volunteer so that they can teach.

Edited to add:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1091225410962&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795

[Vince]

[chi-chi-]

Just keep in mind whether or not your MA in Edu will be applicable if you move to another area...if so, that's great, if not, how much more education and/or training will you need?

[Vince]