Job Discussion Forums

[ebs.inc]

Hey all! My name is Clifford and I first must say that I have really learned alot searching through these forums. It's been educational and enjoyable. Thanx for all the info and perspective about ESL life in Japan.

I was curious to know: I have a deep interest in teaching at the university-level in Japan. (Actually, my interest goes well beyond, but let's just stick here). Are older people who are credentialed and eligible for university-level jobs usually preferred over younger candidates?

Second, by the off chance that someone is lucky enough to land a job at university, what degree of Japanese speaking ability would be beneficial for them to function in an urban setting? Are writing skills essential, or just reading?

[Doglover]

[ebs.inc]

Well,

I'm interested to learn more about how you obtained a full-time position at university and how long it took you to become fluent in Japanese (assuming it's not your first language). You said you conduct most of your day in Japanese, which leads me to believe you're not restricted to teaching ESL. Is this true?

For me, I am almost 24. I have my BA in Communications, and MA in TESL. I just began teaching Oral Communication 101 at the university from which I received my MA, though I'm not published yet. As for Japanese ability, I recently attempted the JLPT 4-kyu (which was difficult for me b/c I hadn't taken Japanese in 9 years, and was studying on my own). I enjoy studying Japanese, but don't have much opportunity to speak. I do not have extensive experience in the Japanese setting (2-week missionary trip this past summer, taught two lessons at a middle school); however, I have taught ESL informally to Hispanics in my community for nearly the past 3 years.

So, my heart is set on Japan (and I know that it's very competitive and difficult). I assume that I would go in on entry level (as I'm sure most of you have paid dues); but what other preparations would you suggest academically, and skills-wise that I make to teach at university level?

[abufletcher]

To put things in perspective several years ago my university had an opening for a 2-year non-renewable contract position teaching approximately 16 hours of general ed EFL classes for about 280,000yen a month (plus free housing and a few other perks). I posted a job announcement here on Dave's and we got over 300 applications. Of these about 30 were from people with an MA in TESOL or Linguistics -- most with a couple years of overseas teaching experience.

Nowadays the university seems to have settled into a pattern of just hiring anyone who happens to be avaiable locally to fill the slot for 2 years.

So yes, competition for university contract positions can be brutal. But you can also luck out so you never know. Apply for everything you can.

Whether Japanese ability is considered a plus in hiring depends I think on the people on the hiring committee. When I was doing this we didn't even consider Japanese ability. I'm currently in a tenured position (been in Japan now for 10 years) and I have to say that I really don't need much Japanese on the job or even around the office. They pay me to be a gaijin. And even if I did speak flawless Japanese, I would probable still be treated like a gaijin.

Today's 5 hours department faculty meeting was all in Japanese (as usual). Unfortunately, I now know just enough Japanese to realize that I'd be far better off if I couldn't understand a word.

[taikibansei]

I've posted recently on getting Japanese university jobs from overseas. See the posts on this thread, beginning with the following:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?p=344107&highlight=#344107

PM me if you have additional questions.