Job Discussion Forums

wings · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

I have tought ESL for several years in a few different countires. I am interested in teaching for a year or two in Japan and my boyfriend is also very interested. However the problem is that he is not a native English speaker and he would not be comfortable teaching English. We have been looking into the possiblility of him teaching Spanish which is his native language. It seems that NOVA offers Spanish lessons, but we haven't been able to find information about any other Spanish as a Second language courses or schools in Japan. If anyone has any information about schools that offer Spanish courses, or any advice for us at all it would be a big help.

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

wings · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

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

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Nova has a multi-media centre in Osaka which has teachers teaching various languages online- I assume Spanish teachers' requirements are the same as English teachers: a university degree and making a good impression in the interview.

lalalateda · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 72 Location: JAPAN

I've been job hunting lately too. I speak french and conversational Spanish. A lot of the employers I've spoken to have asked me if I'm willing to teach some french or Spanish classes. They seem to be slightly more interest in french but there are people looking to learn Spanish.

If he is willing to teach English as well as Spanish it should be easier to get a job. But, I'd expect that it would take a lot of searching for the right school.

Good luck!!

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada

God forbid any Quebequois refugees make it into Japan Rolling Eyes

bornslippy1981 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 271

The YMCA might offer Spanish classes. If you're in a small town, you could probably pick up a few private lessons, but be able to charge a lot more as there aren't many Spanish teachers in these towns.
I knew a guy from France teaching French in the countryside, and he got 6000 Yen for an hour lesson outside of school. In the same city, a co-worker taught Italian to the mayor and got 10,000 Yen for an hour.
The Nova MM might be a good option for him, as a way into the country, and then he can explore other routes for jobs, as well as have private lessons in and around Osaka. I was in Kobe last summer, and saw in their international exchange building a number of people with messages that they were looking for a Spanish teacher. Kobe isn't too far from Osaka, so he might be able to meet students along the train route.
I've heard the interviews for non-English speakers at Nova are conducted in English, but it sounds like he knows enough of the language so should be fine.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

You might want to avoid the major factory centres which have a a lot of Peruvian/Chilian etc factory workers. I mean the second langauge in Aichi is Portuguese.

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

I'm not positive about this, but I was informed that you need to have completed 12 years of education in the language that you will be instructing, unless you have a degree specifically in that area.

For example, if you have a degree in engineering but went through a K-12 system in an English-speaking country, you are eligible for a visa to instruct English.
Or, if you are proficient in English as your second language, and majored in linguistics, you are eligible for a visa to instruct English.
But, if you are proficient in English as your second language, and majored in engineering, you are not eligible.

Again, I am not certain about this. It's all hearsay.

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

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

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

As stated there are rules and there are rules. I work with a girl who Chinese Malay but had emirgrated to Australia since she was 11. So she certainly didn't have the required 12 years. Then again she did have a degree in Early childhood education. Still I think that if a reputable school is willing to sponser someone then Immigration is not going to go through the application with a fine tooth comb.