Job Discussion Forums

[Gypsy Rose Kim]

My first post here, so I'm just gonna be completely honest and put it all out there:

I taught at NOVA for four years, got good evaluations and full pay raise each year. However, at some point I just needed a break and it was impossible to take off enough time to see all of my family, organize stuff at home, etc. I had to leave my job.

After getting stuff in order, I found it was rather hard to return to Japan. I gave up and took a great job in Korea.

I've gotten far more experience in Korea and learned so much about the industry. I've taught so many different kinds of lessons, been involved in curriculum planning, etc. My work in Korea is far more academic than most eikawa work and it suits me very well. I also earn around 400,000 yen a month.

I love my job, cannot say enough good things about the company, Korean students, the money, the size of my apartment, or the friendliness of Koreans. Incidentally, since this is my first post here, feel free to PM if you ever have any questions about Korea or want to know the good companies, etc. I don't post on the Korea boards at Dave's, no need to. Anyway...

I love all that stuff BUT all of my dearest friends are in Tokyo. I love Tokyo and I feel like I kind of belong there (oh, God, feel free to flame me, but I have my reasons).

I desperately want to come back. However, I simply don't want to start at the bottom of the barrell. I've done a lot over the past seven years, and I just don't think I deserve the same pay and responsibilites as some newbie fresh out of school or away from home for the first time. Likewise, I know that I only have a bachelor's degree and I'm relatively green compared to many in Tokyo.

What are the options for someone applying from outside Japan who is not just starting out for the first time? Anything?

I appreciate any help. And I know I might sound like a bitch here, but believe me, I just want a normal job for someone my age and with my experience. What are my chances and where would you start if you were me? Most of my friends who are still in Tokyo have left teaching to go onto other stuff. I want to teach, just not all conversation all the time for 250,000 a month.

[Glenski]

You don't have to start out at the bottom. You already did. Now is the time for you to decide where you want to go next.

1. ALT for dispatch agency in a public school? (yuk, but some like it)
2. Direct hire by BOE? (extremely rare and potentially unstable, due to #1)
3. Full-time at private high school? (could be tons of responsibilities and work, but the pay is good)
4. Improve your credentials and shoot for something like a university (takes time)
5. Go for a business English recruiter (your cup of tea? not many reputable ones)
6. Start your own business (are you this type?)
7. Work here doing something, ANYthing for a year, then change your work visa from full sponsorship at a FT job, to "self-sponsorship" where you only have to show 1 or more PT employers for a minimum salary, and then supplement them like crazy with a string of PT and/or private work (could be long hours doing a plethora of things and traveling a lot, but it could also be lucrative)