Job Discussion Forums

[meeks]

I am wondering whether it woul be feasible for me to teach English as a means of accompanying my boyfriend, who is looking into studying in Japan next year, as part of his Master's in Asian Studies. A year-long separation does not appeal to either of us, but I can not afford to be without income for that length of time.

I received my bachelor's degree in May, and have some experience as a tutor and paraprofessional for middle-school students. I am considering enrollment in a TEFL course of some kind, but I would feel a lot better about committing the time and money if I had even some small assurance that it might allow us to remain together.

I think an elementary or middle-school ALT position, or a job with an eikaiwa that caters to students of that age would suit me best, but I've read that people in these jobs are placed by the companies with no choice of location. I am willing to commute, within reason, but it would do me no good to be working in Sapporo if he studies in Tokyo, for example.

Are there any options available to me? Would it help to have a contact in Japan who could send me information about local job postings (and would replies to those postings be accepted from overseas)? Any advice you can provide would be appreciated!

[Glenski]

You do have the freedom to request where you would like to be placed with the JET programme and the Big Four eikaiwas. Whether you get that desired location depends on where they have openings and how obliging the employer is to your request, based on wanting to live with or near your boyfriend. It's as simple and as complicated as that. Are there guarantees? No, but it's not like you have "no choice."

Where is your bf planning to study? If you go through JET and he wants to study in Tokyo, the odds are very small that you would get a Tokyo slot because there are so few placements there. However, look at what surrounding areas in Tokyo (a huge city, remember) they post people to. Perhaps that would be close enough...? Just an example.

[meeks]

Thanks for the quick reply!
Unfortunately we don't yet know what area he would be studying in - he's still discussing options with his thesis advisor. I will definitely be looking at surrounding areas once we get a better idea.
My main concern with JET is that from what I read on their website, it sounds as though applicants are expected to confirm participation in the programme *before* finding out about placement. Would other companies have similar expectations, or are there any that would specify a location along with (or shortly after) a job offer before receiving a reply?

[ironopolis]

I'd strongly recommend that you tell any potential employer the reason why you're requesting a particular place. As reasons go, yours is a pretty strong one, and in my experience the kind of employers you're looking at DO place people in specifically requested places if they're one of a couple wishing to be together.

I know of one case of a JET scheme participant asking to be placed in a specific city to be with her partner in that city, although he wasn't on the JET scheme. She got the placement requested. However, in their case, they were married, which might have made a difference. They were once told that if they hadn't been married, they wouldn't have received the help they got in finding an apartment to live together in. I also know that this particular area of Japan no longer participates in the JET scheme.

That was 10 years ago. I know of several cases over recent years of people working at one of the big eikaiwas who were placed in specific cities they asked for having given reasons similar to yours. In fact, there's one woman I know, whose situation seems identical to yours. (If you want more details about that, send me a PM)
To be honest, I'd say the big eikaiwas are likely to offer you a lot more flexibility than JET, certainly as regards the timings of when you start and finish with them, and probably as regards location too.

[japan_01]

Meeks, if all else fails, seek employment with GABA. They employ anyone and anything that has almost any background in English. As a last resort, if you can't find the desired placement with the big 4 chains in your desired location, go to GABA (recruitment is only done WITHIN Japan) which is currently in Kansai, Kanto or Chubu and request an interview.

I am an earning approximately 300,000yen per month teaching around 200 forty minute 1 on 1 ADULT lessons. Although there are no transportation benefits, if you live close enough you can ride to work.

[canuck]

[seastarr]

I knew a girl in exactly this situation when I worked for Nova. If you tell them you have housing in an area, they will put you within an hours travel of the apartment. She ended up about 20 mins away. I also knew a guy who told them he had housing and was put at a school that was walking distance from his school. If Nova is still in the same situation with the teacher shortage that they were a few months ago, they will probably try to accomadate you if you are a good applicant.

[tokyo376]

Most major employers like Nova shouldn't have a problem placing you in Tokyo or Osaka. Interac has a lot of ALT postions in the Tokyo suburbs and surrounding area. The larger the city you request, the easier it will be for them to place you.

[japan_01]

[furiousmilksheikali]

[meeks]

I'm glad to hear that employers are receptive to placement requests . His school will most likely provide some help with housing, though we have not yet asked if they can provide something suitable for two. It's useful to know that already having an apartment helps when asking for a specific location, and I will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you all!