Job Discussion Forums

aristotle84 · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

Hello all, I am interested in teaching English in Japan for 1 year and maybe more if I really like it. I have a problem however..
I am Korean-American, and I am male. I understand that asian-looking + male = tough time to find job.

However, I was born in the great USA and educated here all my life. Therefore I have all the qualifications of any other applicant.

Being that I am of Korean ethnicity, how hard will it be for me to find a gig at one of the major eikaiwas like Aeon, Nova, ECC, Geos?

Do you know of any schools that do not discriminate or will be easier for me to apply to? Any help is appreciated.

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canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

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

I agree. There are plenty of Asian-whatevers teaching English here. As long as you have the degree and nationality for the employer and immigration, you stand as good a chance as most people.

Just one tip. Don't refer to yourself as "[insert Asian ethnicity here]-American. You are either American or you aren't. Don't confuse the employers and immigration with hyphenated names.

seastarr · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 76

You should be fine. When I was in Japan there was a girl who was American but her family was from Laos and a Canadian guy that was the same. There was also a girl who's family was from the Philipines and one that was half Japanese. As long as you are a native speaker you shouldn't have any problems getting hired. Once you are here though, you might run into some stereotypes about Korean people. A couple of teachers in my area were married to Korean women and from what they said, Japanese society is not so friendly to Koreans. Lots of bad history. With that said, don't let it deter you. You will probably be considered American first and you have the same qualifications as anyone else that is here, so people should treat you just like they everyone else that isn't Japanese.

24601 · Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 75

The Korean Americans I work with get a kick out of it when the students start K bashing and insist they can tell what Koreans look like on the street. Seriously. Dorks.

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

My manager at the last eikaiwa I worked for was a Korean-Canadian. The next manager was a Chinese-New Zealander. Don't worry.

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

[quote="aristotle84"]Hello all, I am interested in teaching English in Japan for 1 year and maybe more if I really like it. I have a problem however..
I am Korean-American, and I am male. I understand that asian-looking + male = tough time to find job.

However, I was born in the great USA and educated here all my life. Therefore I have all the qualifications of any other applicant.

Being that I am of Korean ethnicity, how hard will it be for me to find a gig at one of the major eikaiwas like Aeon, Nova, ECC, Geos?

Do you know of any schools that do not discriminate or will be easier for me to apply to? Any help is appreciated.

___________________________________________________________[/quote]

I have to dissagree with the other post! You will have some troubles, but nothing serious. A friend of mine who is also Korean American did experience some discrimination. Nothing serious. A few companies did not hire her because they wanted a sterotype westerner.
Again don't get me wrong. I just don't want you thinking there will be no problem at all. Remember for every advantage there is a disadvantage. One advantage is there you will blend in while walking around.

sallycat · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 303 Location: behind you. BOO!

nova doesn't discriminate in that way, and i don't think any other the other big 4 companies do either. it's possible that you may have problems with smaller schools.

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

you have a pulse? a degree? can smile in an interview?

Yes to all and you've landed a job in Japan.

bornslippy1981 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 271

marksuth · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Japan

shouldn't be hard to get the job, you might just find a few difficulties with the job. Sometimes Japanese people can be a little funny when it comes to their teacher. I know there was a teacher in the Chubu area who was Asian-American and she taught kids, and there were some parents who wanted their kids to have a "real" foreigner teaching their kids. So I don't know how that would make you feel. Having said that, sometimes students don't even want to have a non-North American teacher. One of my British friend's has students ask him all the time "how would an American say it?". If that kind of thing doesn't get to ya, then there shouldn't be any problem. Gambate.