Job Discussion Forums

[kr575m]

I've been working in the U.S. and making a good salary so it is becoming harder for me to make the move to Japan. But, teaching there has always been a dream of mine. The two things I'm looking for are time and a decent salary.

I really wouldn't like to go to Japan to work really hard, I can do that here. What schools, positions, etc. would you recommend that would have relatively low hours, easier schedule, etc.

And on the other hand I really wouldn't want to be strapped for cash. I've read so many posts about salary.

Is this kind of scenario realistic? Could you guys give me an idea of your ideal scenario, city, etc?

Thanks.

[Glenski]

Knowing nothing about you, I'm going to guess that you are eligible only for entry level work.

That is usually 25-30 hours/week in the classroom. Newbies will require SOME time for lesson preparation, even if the employer spoonfeeds them with a planned format, so it'll work out to being a full 40-hour week. Newbies usually get stuck with the worst shifts, so unless your employer and the other teachers are forgiving and flexible, expect to work from noonish to 9pm, and your weekends may be 2 non-consecutive days out of the week.

Teaching EFL is a job, not a playground. Sorry if this sounds condescending.

[sidjameson]

I live in Osaka. If you came over here and were willing to work in the sticks a bit I would have thought you could get a 250k month job where you only had to teach 20 or so hours a week. I seem to recall that I got my prep down to about 5 hours a week after a few months maybe less.
250k will get you a comfortable life over here but is getting increasingly insignificant if you want to send money home.

[southofreality]

If you're looking to have time to enjoy living in Japan, you might want to avoid working at an eikaiwa school since afternoon to evening schedules are the norm. An ALT job will usually give you a Monday to Friday, morning to afternoon schedule, so you can often have free time in the late afternoons and evenings to get out and enjoy. Having Saturday and Sunday off is a plus for many people.

Good luck with the decision

[gaijinalways]

There are occasional jobs that start off with very low hours, usually when a business agency starts in a new territory. Interac offered a job in Toyama Prefecture at one time where the teacher was only teaching about 12 hours a week plus travel time to the factories. As to prep, it would depend on the levels and the classes.

[seanmcginty]

[Glenski]