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bingocaller
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Brazil
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 Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject: Brazilian TESOL Master's vs. University Jobs in Japan |
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Hi. I'm a US citizen living in Brazil and working on a master's in English Applied Linguistics at a Brazilian university. The program is taught completely in English and my degree will be a master's in English Language and Applied Linguistics. The publications I'm likely to have will be Brazilian, and the specific thing I'm studying is production of final-/l/ by Brazilian speakers of English. I'm also getting a lot of teaching experience. Eventually, I plan to go to Japan, and I'd love to end up with a university job. I've already researched a lot on this board, I think I have a decent idea of what is expected of university applicants, and I don't imagine even applying until I've spent around three years in Japan. That is, assuming I find work and enjoy living in Japan!
Here's my question: How might a master's in English from a non-English speaking country be regarded by Japanese Universities?
Here are some probaby unnecessary details:
Based on what I've read here, I know Japanese universities look for:
- A few/several years' experience teaching Japanese students
- Japanese language ability
- No less than 3 publications
I'm going to, um, reach for the stars, and assume 3 things:
1 - I will teach Japanese students in Japan for a few years before applying for university jobs.
2 - my Japanese will be fairly good by the time I apply for a university job. I've studied Japanese for two years and visited twice, so I have a good base to build on once I arrive.
3 - I will have a number of publications, probably all phonology related. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 2:39 am Post subject: Re: Brazilian TESOL Master's vs. University Jobs in Japan |
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| bingocaller wrote: |
Hi. I'm a US citizen living in Brazil and working on a master's in English Applied Linguistics at a Brazilian university. The program is taught completely in English and my degree will be a master's in English Language and Applied Linguistics. The publications I'm likely to have will be Brazilian, and the specific thing I'm studying is production of final-/l/ by Brazilian speakers of English. I'm also getting a lot of teaching experience. Eventually, I plan to go to Japan, and I'd love to end up with a university job. I've already researched a lot on this board, I think I have a decent idea of what is expected of university applicants, and I don't imagine even applying until I've spent around three years in Japan. That is, assuming I find work and enjoy living in Japan!
Here's my question: How might a master's in English from a non-English speaking country be regarded by Japanese Universities?
Here are some probaby unnecessary details:
Based on what I've read here, I know Japanese universities look for:
- A few/several years' experience teaching Japanese students
- Japanese language ability
- No less than 3 publications
I'm going to, um, reach for the stars, and assume 3 things:
1 - I will teach Japanese students in Japan for a few years before applying for university jobs.
2 - my Japanese will be fairly good by the time I apply for a university job. I've studied Japanese for two years and visited twice, so I have a good base to build on once I arrive.
3 - I will have a number of publications, probably all phonology related. |
I think your chances are pretty good, though I feel that most universities while not knowing what American universities are like, feel that they are a known quantity, perhaps have a reputation in their own countries and that a person with a US university degree has a certain level of education. the same can not really be said of a degree from a non-English university. I have heard the same thing about degrees from Universities in Thailand.
Japanese is not really expected for foreign part timers but full time I would expect teachers need to know about level 2 or higher of the Japanese Language Proficiency test, to feel comfortable in a largely non-English speaking environment (hardly anyone will speak English outside classes except other teachers and the odd office staff). I use a little bit of Japanese in class, but mostly teach my classes in English. Full timers may attend faculty meeting in Japanese( but not actively participate or contribute to discussion or have any input). You will keep office hours with students so Japanese is helpful for lower level students who come to see you.
Some universities do not demand publications, but most do (over 50% according to a recent study) and the more you have the better. I have not really seen anywhere saying you have to have a US Masters degree, but if you have experience, a relevant degree and publications, Japanese skills, your chances are as good as anybody. It then comes down to timing and luck, and knowing the right people.
PS Universities are also now looking for the x-factor, which is skills and abilities over and above just having a degree and experience. Things like teaching test-taking skills, TOEIC and TOEFL, teaching reading and CALL are helpful skills to have as well.
PS there is a ranking order for publications, and overseas refereed publications come near the top. then unreferreed publications, then referreed publications in Japan,and then things like university journals, which are usually unrefereed.
Some schools look only at the number, while others consider the topic and theme, while others will look at where you publish. In that sense its a bit fo a lottery on how much emphasis they put on the publications you have. The more the better, and publish widely and consistently in different places is the best way to go. |
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