Job Discussion Forums

japanjohn · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 7

"Must currently reside in Japan". This really makes it sweet for the people who arn't too popular at the school they're currently teaching at. You can just transfer to a new job and screw up again there because you know that there are hundreds of others who will hire you.
Come on administrators in Japan. Stop circulating the bad shit, you need outside teachers. Don't be so lazy.

From a head teacher in Japan.

Sherri · Posted: Sat May 17, 2003 8:08 am Post subject:

I worked as a DOS in Tokyo for almost 10 years and we only hired people who were available to attend a face-to-face interview which in practice meant that they were resident in Japan at the time of application. Over the years we hired many, many professional and talented teachers who were already here. Implying that all teachers who are already in Japan looking for work are "screw-ups" is totally unfair. I have always wondered how so many schools dare to hire from abroad without proper interviews. Our system of hiring was not lazy. We had 2 rounds of interviews each lasting from 1- 2 hours. In the final stages, we would talk through the contract section by section with the teacher face-to-face and answer all their questions. Before they started teaching we would pay for newly hired teachers to come and observe classes and placement procedures of new students, then they would attend an orientation for 5 days on full pay before the term begins. This is not lazy this is a rigorous system of recruitment which works very well. I should add that we offered to renew or sponsor visas and that we only hired people with EFL qualifications and at least 2 years of relevant experience.
I would be interested in hearing how your school hires.

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

I'm with Sherry on the issue. Schools that hire from outside the country are looking for anybody that can fog a mirror. Schools that specify that applicants must reside in Japan are looking for people they can interview one on one, who already have a feel for the culture/corporate/academic atmosphere and who are motivated to be here.

Sherri, your school sounds like a good place to work! Putting new teachers in the classroom to observe helps promote continuity and quality in the classroom. I'd work for a school that hires and trains so rigorously.