Job Discussion Forums

ellienihon · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 34 Location: San Diego, CA

Hello all. My name is Ellie, and I currently am considering teaching English in Japan. I speak Japanese at a reasonable level (my BA is in Japanese Studies). I have a couple of questions.

Is my Japanese ability and degree enough to get me a job (pref. not with the big three) in Japan?
How difficult is it to get the certification after I'm in Japan?

I kinda think that teaching English might be something I would enjoy, and was thinking that I could try it and then get the certification if I found I liked it. If I didn't like it, I would already be in Japan, and my Japanese would probably be at a level where I could pass level 2 on the Japanese test and get a different job. Of course, this doesn't work if I end up at a crappy school or can't get a job.

I am thinking I might try Westgate, since they give full year Visas for shorter term work, and seem to not be such a bad company (from what has been written here).

ellienihon · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 34 Location: San Diego, CA

I wanted to add that I have had some experience teaching at a shogakko English Club in Kyoto and private lessons both there and in the US. I enjoyed doing that although keeping the flow going was sometimes difficult (probably because of lack of experience on my part).

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

All you really need to get a job with an eikaiwa is a degree, any degree, and native English fluency. Using Japanese in class is usually prohibited. You would need Japanese for survival, of course, but not in the class.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

ellienihon · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 34 Location: San Diego, CA

My experience in Japan was that being able to speak Japanese was quite beneficial when teaching younger children and when trying to explain things like points of grammar. I understand that it's not supposed to be used in class as a general rule, but do you really think that the Japanese language skill won't help me get a job?

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

a lot of the jobs on gaijinpot for example, specify a certain level of Japanese required so I think you are right. Also, teaching younger learners or those of elementary level would be easier obviously as you could understand what they are saying.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Will Japanese ability help you teach? Yes a little

Will it help you find a job? Depends on the job, but probably not much.
Many employers don't want you to use Japanese in the classroom. Exceptions being hs and elem schools and some others. A little teaching experience will help you more than your Japanese ability IMO.