Job Discussion Forums

[Cecinaa]

Okay I know most of you may not be able to comment on this, as you have not lived in both of the countries but I was still looking for some sort of feedback.

I have a university four year degree and three years teaching expierence (two years private tutoring, one year with an American company). Where could I live the most comfortably and save the most money (and no, Korea is not an option)? I don't drink or go out much but I love travelling so basically that's where most my money goes. And of course, I love culture and language, but both Japan and Turkey have plenty of that. The other thing that concerns me is schedule. I would like to work no more than 35 hours a week (contact AND office hours) and have a good amount of free time. I'm also fluent in Spanish; could I teach Spanish in Japan or Turkey?

So with all that in mind...Turkey or Japan?

Thanks.....

[Glenski]

If you don't want to put in a full 40-hour week, don't go with any eikaiwa, JET programme, or ALT outsourcing company. That leaves you with... nothing. Your experience outside Japan pretty much leaves you with nothing except these as starting options.

Of course, if you were unscrupulous, you could get a job with any eikaiwa, then bail out on them, keep the visa, and do whatever you wanted, but you'd run into problems trying to find additional work right away.

Some eikaiwas don't expect you to stay in the office 8 hours a day, but you'll have to scour tactfully for them.

On the above jobs, expect to make a meager 250,000 yen/month (JET = 300K) before deductions. Find a place to live on your own, and you'll have to put up 2-5 times a month's deposit just to move into a totally bare apartment (no appliances, no furniture, NOTHING).

[ghost]

Ghost has lived and worked in Turkey.

In Turkey, you can work about 25 hours for about $800-$1500 U.S. per month maximum, depending on the school, location and housing allowances.

Since ghost left Turkey (in 2004) it has noticed that the housing allowances are now more rare and the "free" or subsidized acccommodation as well.

On an average salary in Turkey, most teachers can save between $200-$350 dollars per month, some less, some more.....

You won't save much, but working conditions tend to be more relaxed in Turkey, in the language schools. When ghost interviewed with AEON-AMITY (Japanese recruitment company) it learned that it would have to work the whole 8 hours for the company, whether teaching or doing preparation....goofing off in Japan, ghost got the feeling, would be frowned at.....in Turkey, in that respect, there is more laxity. In Japan, efficiency, one gets the feeling, is the order of the day, and you need to be well organized.

Unless you are a qualified teacher, you will not save much in Turkey, but the lifestyle is relaxed, and most Turks more sociable in comparison with the Japanese who are less outgoing.

ghost

[Gordon]

You'll save much more in Japan. However, unless you lower your expectations, do not come here.
I don't understand how someone with such little experience (private tutoring does not carry much weight) can be so choosy.