Job Discussion Forums

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

Hey there folks.

This is all stuff that I just got thinking about today - nothing's too serious or definite yet!

I've got getting on for 3 years experience teaching, have a CELTA and DELTA (well, after the exam in December), and am (like most teachers in London) experiencing financial difficulty. My aim is to end up in Spain/South America - but the idea of paying off my overdraft in either is out of the question.

What I need is a short cash injection - and the possibility of Japan came up after bumping into the "Westgate" website. I'll be honest here, I'm no fan of East Asian culture (I teach Japanese students in London every day) - and am not particularly interested in Japan as a country. I'm in it for the money, pure and simple.

But, I'm a good teacher, know what a past participle is, and am at least somewhat aware of the challenges that teachers face with Japanese students.

I don't have a bachelors - I'm doing one now in fact, but as I understand it there is a working holiday visa which I am eligble for. The Westgate website does not specifically state a bachelors is required either. Having read up a bit about Westgate, it doesn't sound sooo bad...

So, I'm considering....

Hopping over to Japan for one term (a few months) with these Westgate people. Keep my head down, work my ass off, save a few bucks, then come back to Europe.

Does this sound feasible, and am I correct about this working holiday visa stuff?

Apologies if any of this sounds daft - this is just an idea I had today, and these are preliminary enquiries at the mo...

Cheers Smile

Leeroy

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

Sorry, Leeroy,
Westgate does not hire people on WHVs. Here is what they wrote me at the end of September this year.

Dr.J · Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 304 Location: usually Japan

Japan is a good place to make money; though you don't need any teaching qualifications, so it's a waste don't you think? I haven't been there, but from what I've heard the Middle East is the best place to make money based on your level of teaching ability. If you can hack the lifestyle, that is.

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

Oh well!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Japan is not a great place to go to make money if you're only interested in the short term (6 months or less). Private students take quite a long time to get established and rent and key money is expensive. If you want to work for 6 months or so and are in it for the $, I'd recommend S.Korea (not sure how long tourist visas are for Brits there).