Job Discussion Forums

satchel · Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

Hi,

I am 30 years old and would very much like to go to Japan to teach for a year. I have taught ESL in the states for 2 years, and would like to take a break from America.

I don't know what the age group of most teachers over there is. I wanted to do this when I was twenty, but didn't. Am I too late?

CinD · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 11

Oh yes I can see the grey hair from here Wink

I'm under 30 but my friend who is 34 just got accepted and will be heading over so I think you're going to be just fine! GL!

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I'm 27 and at the younger end of the age spectrum in my school. You'll be fine!

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

Glenski who posts on this board got his first teaching job in Japan at 41.

I've just turned 40 and teach at a university. NOVA employs teachers who in their 40's and 50's. As long as you can keep up with a 6-7 lesson a day teaching schedule (27 hours a week) and have a degree you should have no problem getting a job here.

satchel · Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

Thanks for your quick comments. I live in Los Angeles now, and am just wondering what is out there. Everyone I spoke with who has done this says its wonderful. I love to teach and want to travel, so it seems like the perfect fit.

Does anyone know of any recruiting agencies in Los Angeles?

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

I believe NOVA schedules recruiting sessions in different states. Check out www.teachinjapan.com.

olorin · Joined: 24 Jun 2003 Posts: 13

I'm 30 yrs. old and just took a position with Nova. Their closest office is in San Francisco. You may also want to check out Aeon. They have an office in L.A.

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

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

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

in Japan the older you are the more respect you are given. As long as you are genki, age doesn`t matter. And if you have a M.A. or Ph.d., even better.
Age can be an issue when it comes to money. Where I work, our salaries are based on age, experience, and educational background.
So a person in his 50s could get the same pay as two people in their 20s.

nakanoalien2 · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 52 Location: Nakano, Japan

In the big eikaiwa -Nova, Aeon, Geos - I would think late 20s might be average, with lots of teachers in their 30s.

In my school there were about 15 people. I was 28 at the time and right about in the middle of the pack.

In my apartment I had 2 roommates, 1 older (3 Cool

and one younger (23).

satchel · Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

Sounds cool. I teach a mid level ESL class in Los Angeles now with a mix of Japaneese, Korean, Mongolian, Turkish, Hungarian and Chinese students. I think very highly of them for going to another country and leaving behind what they know.

The way I figure it, you'd have to work those hours in the states anyhow.

Also, i do things like take the scipt for the MAtrix and watch the movie at the same time with them. Would I be able to do thing slike that with my class?

Being in America is pretty insane right now. I wonder how the world is looking at us. Funny, when my students get here, they are shocked to find out that it's not like they see on TV. I guess that's every culture though.

Anyhow, I'm on my search now. You all have been very helpful.

Peace.

Christopher

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

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

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

Seriously, the situation here in the US is one of the reasons why I took the job in Japan. France is probably laughing at us even more right now. I was there a few months ago and boy did I think they were gonna attack us or what! If Bush wins the elections again next year, I'm seriously gonna flip out!