Job Discussion Forums

GoEastYoungMan · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 4

Hi, this looks like a great list and scanning it is giving me lots of info, fast. (The Global Scam Warning, for one!) That's my problem: lots of bad news about teaching in Asia, so...

Could some of you list several top organizations (gov't and private) in the best Asian countries?

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A note about me: I have a BS, no teaching certificate nor experience. As a career-changer, I want to go where they NEED people; it seems like they don't need employees here in the U.S. I am a native English speaker. I have travelled abroad as a tourist, including Japan.

But AEON just turned me down after an in-person interview and the other 3 of the Japan Big Four turned me down withOUT even an interview. Maybe Japan is too choosy and I need to try elsewhere?

But I'm especially concerned about being CHEATED or LIED TO, etc. I much prefer to get hired while still here in the U.S. because, just up and going abroad and THEN job hunting sounds too wild and chancey [sp?]. Maybe some of you could convince me to try it, though?

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

You should really consider taking a one-month TEFL certificate from one of the reputable organizations out there. You are not going to get a great job in one of the best countries (Japan, Taiwan, etc) without teaching experience. Even in the 2nd tier countries the best employers are going to expect at least a certificate.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You got turned down from 3/4 of the Big Four without an interview? Something doesn't smell right.

How old are you?
Were they actually hiring at the time you inquired?
How did you inquire?

If you want to get hired while you are still in the USA, there are only about a dozen places that will do this for you (and sponsor your visa).

The Big Four (NOVA, AEON, ECC, GEOS)
Altia
Peppy Kids Club
James English School
Language House
JET Programme
Earlham College
Westgate Corporation

GoEastYoungMan · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 4

A one-month certificate? That doesn't sound too bad, necessarily. If typically offered by universities and colleges, everywhere, especially.

When I applied, AEON was looking to hire but I had not recently seen any ads or anything by the other big three. I am 47. (Even JET claims that over 40 doesn't positively rule one out.)

GoEastYoungMan · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 4

Oh! Glenski, I inquired by email. NOVA and Belitz turned be down via email and GEOS never responded.

BTW - I was wondering: maybe blacklisting is legal in Japan or other countries? I understand that that violates U.S. law. But these companies aren't mainly operating in, nor hiring for, the U.S. Does anybody know or suspect anything about blacklisting, let's say, at least, among the Japanese Big Four? If one turns you down and you immediately go to one or more of the others, might they have you on a list?

Paranoid? Yeah! But as a character in the movie "Falcon and the Snowman" said, "This isn't America!"

GoEastYoungMan · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 4

I'm looking into "one-month"-ish TESL programs (I guess that should be another post), but first...

Glenski, I appreciate the list, that you gave, of organizations that hire in the USA, but are these only in Japan? Could you (or could someone?) provide a similar list for some or all countries (Korea, Taiwan, China, atc.)? I know about HESS in Taiwan, for example.

You said there are only a dozen that hire in the U.S. Are those dozen you are refering to all Japanese companies? Or does "a dozen" cover the waterfront...including, China, Singapore, etc.?

ALSO: I need a TESL certificate for all that hire in the US, and/or for all the top schools?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan