Job Discussion Forums

[gweengiant]

Was wondering, from people who've lived and worked in both, what are the general pros and cons of both countries.
As I do kung fu, I'm drawn to China, but Japanese culture seems really interesting. any opinions and advice would be greatly appreciated

[TravellingAround]

Ultimately it's a choice between the first world and the third world when you put the question as starkly as you have done.

I don't mean that in a disparaging way to China at all - just that if you live in Japan you will have a very different experience than in China. In China the pay won't be so good but your outgoings will be nothing compared to Japan.

More importantly - your question is useless unless you give a bit more detail. Where in China? Shanghai is a very different proposition to a village in Gansu. Tokyo at a language school is very different than a public school job in a small Japanese community.

[gweengiant]

In terms of where in both countries, ideally i would prefer a middle-sized town where i could hopefully live with decent amenties and infrastructure while still being exposed to the tradition and culture of the countries. I'm travelling alone, so a bit worried about being too isolated. In fact any suggestions of such towns would be great. I would most definitely like to practise martial arts in either country, and i'm aware of the beautiful scenery of some areas. I know the west of japan is more rural and traditional, versus tokyo etc of the east. I suppose i should read up more and decide what i'm really looking for. thanks for your input, any more would be appreciated.

[TravellingAround]

I should have asked - What about your qualifications?

Have you taught before? Are you qualified to teach in your own country? Or have a TEFL or CELTA? Give a bit more information then you will receive some more specific answers as otherwise there is a lot of guesswork.

[gweengiant]

By next august i will have a BA in Geography and Sociology. I had planned on doing the online TEFL course, but am unsure now as several forum postings have said it isn't necessary, and money is tight right now. I haven't any teaching experience per se, but have worked at a kids summer camp both here in Ireland and most recently in the US, for the last four years. As a result, i am quite comfortable around children 4 to 12/13 and feel i could definitely offer something

[TravellingAround]

OK...I'd suggest that, on the whole, China is far better for an unqualified teacher. You can get jobs there just by having a white face for a start.

[jammish]

[prof]

[7969]

[TravellingAround]

OK fair enough, I acknowledge my ignorance regarding Japan. : lol :

I've never been to Japan so it was a generalisation based on what I have heard from others but what I said about China was spot on. You don't need a even a BA there to get plenty of jobs and as for "teaching"...well, you don't have to do too much of that if you just get Oral English classes which proliferate in most towns. No qualification in China is no barrier to many, many jobs. The OP has a BA so could even get a teaching job at some universities (not just crappy ones either) should he apply when they are desperate. Where in Japan could someone with just a BA get a uni job even at the worst places unless they are very lucky? So...ignorant about the situation in Japan maybe but not about China, OK "prof"?

[gweengiant]

Ok thanks
I do know someone who spent 7 months in korea and loved it, so i may ask him about his trip and so on.Thanks for the feedback.in terms of the TEFL, how necessary is it to secure a job in the three countries. my friend in korea said it was no problem at all not having one, as they are desperate for english teachers. is it a similar situation in china, but not so much in japan?

[7969]