Job Discussion Forums

[sixfeethigh]

Hello all. I have been reading posts here and in the job journal about working in Japan for several months. I have a BA, a TESOL cert. and I have worked with children of all ages as a tutor, but never as a teacher. I am African American and I have read all the posts I could find about being black and working in Japan. I was wondering if anyone has any new and enlightening advice about searching for a job as a black woman. Are some areas better then others? Is there something particular I should address in my cover letter? I am asking because I have been applying for jobs and I have only received one small nibble in terms of a job offer (they decided they wanted to hire a man instead). I feel like I am minimally qualified, but no one seems to want to hire me. Any suggestions please�.

[Dr.J]

In general, the Japanese assume English is spoken only by white people (except for a few hip-hop stars). So they are uncertain about being taught English by a non-white person. I have heard many stories where the employer, once they realised the candidate was not white, decided not to hire them.

However, there are many schools which do not display this level of discrimination, so please do not be put off teaching in Japan.

I would apply to larger English teaching schools (NOVA GEOS AEON) which are more likely to have and enforce anti-discrimination policies, or go through personal contacts. Good luck!

[Wolf]

[dove]

I remember an organization for women of color that used to meet in Tokyo. They used to advertise their meetings in the classified section of Metropolis magazine. I'm pretty sure Metropolis is online. There is also a recently- published book called Being A Broad in Japan. It's not only for women of color, but it might have some information you are looking for.

I also recommend looking into teaching at one of the conversation schools. I think many of the students would appreciate some diversity. Some of the students where I used to work actually complained because all of the instructors were white male North Americans. That's not to say that all students will welcome you with open arms. But they will welcome a GOOD teacher.

Good luck!
Dove

[sixfeethigh]

Thanks for the encouragement and I am still looking for a position. Thanks dove for the suggestions regarding the book and the women of color organization. I had not really considered applying for one of the bigger schools mainly from what I have read on this site, and also I really want the opportunity to teach. However, it may be the way to go to get some experience. Still looking for now!

[ruggedtoast]

It might not be as easy to walk into some jobs if youre black as if you were white but in my experience the jobs I could have just walked into were generally the ones I didnt want anyway - a proper employer will look at your CV/resume rather than your skin tone.

There are a fair amount of black and asian teachers working here in Tokyo, some work for small schools, some for big, as far as I can tell the students dont care much either way what race their teacher is providing they get a passable lesson.

Dont stress about it, in my opinion the Japanese dont discriminate much between foreigners.

[Glenski]

I work with a black American man who has been in Japan teaching for about 10 years, all in Sapporo. He tells me he has had zero problems finding work.

sixfeetthigh,
You are not minimally qualified. With a TESOL certificate to supplement a BA degree, and some experience teaching/tutoring, you are above the majority of English teachers in Japan as far as qualifications go. So, perhaps the reason you have received only a few bites is that you are applying to places that want bare bones greenhorn newbies.

Another possibility lies in your resume and/or cover letter. If you'd like someone to take a look at them, I'd be happy to volunteer.
[email protected]

[Glenski]

One more thought...

If you are applying to places that don't even offer sponsorship from overseas candidates, you won't get bites. Many employers prefer to hire people who have made the effort to come to Japan, even if only to look for work, not to live. It shows some sense of reliability and seriousness to the employers.

[As Das Fads]

if he had attractive parts that would be okay?

[cangel]

I knew several African-America women in Japan and they seemed to get along very well. In fact, they seemed to be more of a curiousity and thus were in more demand for tutoring. I even knew a couple of Jamaican women who taught in Japan. However, their accent was a tad bit tough for the locals to grasp. I wouldn't worry about discrimination unless you are looking at a very small traditional area. The big cities are well into the 21st century and enlightened enough to know people of color are just as capable at teaching EFL.

[Kestrel]

There's a school in Osaka called Wisdom 21 that's owned by an African-American man--if you're thinking about ending up in that area I'd be surprised if they would show any discrimination there. That being said, the teachers there teach 35 hours a week and I'm told there's not much support. Still, check out their website if you like at http://www.wisdom21.com

Tom

[cafebleu]

To the African American poster,

As you will see from my posts I am not somebody who can ignore racism in Japan or elsewhere. I am white but my partner is Chinese, and during my teenager years I began participating in anti racism campaigns. Racism and other forms of discrimination are things that I am concerned by, but don`t let any potential racism in Japan discourage you from coming here.

In fact, you will most likely not be subjected to any more racism than the average white foreigner working here. Although I don`t like some of the attitudes of the Japanese, in general Japan is a non-confrontational society. The `in your face` racists are rare although unfortunately the Brazilian and Portugese communities (those people have some Japanese ancestry) have been subjected to physical attacks and harassment by motor bikegangs and right wingers.

I don`t think that being an African American woman will hamper your job opportunities or enjoyment of Japan. My advice is to come here through Aeon, Geos or Nova. I don`t think much of these companies and have never worked for them; however they offer sponsorship and line up your housing. Get one year of experience working in Japan and then quit. You will have the visa and the experience to freelance if you want - by that I mean you can work at any number of different jobs and make your living that way.

Best wishes and come to Japan the easy way - via one of the Big Three. Get the visa, the experience and then make more opportunities for yoursef.

[Kapt. Krunch]

You should have little real trouble there or in China. If you are black and 6fttall as your moniker says...you'll scare them silly. I have fewer discipline issuesthan most of my colleagues, and really do as I please where I please. If threatened physically, just look at the guy(he's likely smaller than you) and laugh uproariously, like"Can you believe this dude???Hahaha..go away little one!! Muahaha...

The Dark Lord

[canuck]