Job Discussion Forums

marcoelgrande · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Los Angeles

Hi everyone,

I've long been considering going to South America (Chile) to teach, however after reading about the love-hate relationship many seem to have with Japan, I'm starting to wonder whether this country might offer its own degree of excitement.

Thing is, either trip would be my first outside the US (and with a BA and CELTA if all goes to plan), and I'm slightly concerned about how I'll manage with regards to classes (both securing and teaching), as well as ensuring I have a reasonably steady flow of money to support myself.

Given this, which of the two might be a better choice? To be honest, I find the two cultures equally interesting, so the practical elements are really the main issues here. Also, in terms of the Japan option, I'd most likely try to get a position with GEOS or AEON - are these companies more likely to place teachers in a city (Osaka/Tokyo) than say the JET programme? I ask this because coming from LA, i feel much more comfortable in an urban enviroment (not that I'd completely disregard rural teaching of course!).

Sorry that was a bit of a ramble, but any advice??

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

Catch GEOS or AEON when they are hiring, and interview well, and you could be in fairly easily. No guarantees, of course.

And, no guarantees on placement, either. You go where they have the vacancies unless they have one where you want to go and can show some strong reason to be placed there.

marcoelgrande · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Los Angeles

Thanks Glenski,

The placement thing is a factor; in your experience are any of the chains likely to be more obliging than others to grant preferences (i.e. Osaka/Tokyo etc)?

One thing that has made me a bit hesitant about Japan is how quickly some people seem to regret making the trip soon after arriving; I hope this isn't enough to put new teachers off TEFL entirely!

elliewelliesj · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

I was teaching in South America last year, and am now in Japan...
its really hard to compare in the sense that they are SOOO different. For some reasons I preferred South America - it was easy, free and cheap to travel. My job was paid by the hour and very flexible... but on the bad side I had to arrange my own accommodation (which is easy enough) and pay wasnt great...plus obviously S.America can be a little dangerous at times but that is also part of the excitement.
Japan, so far, is very very safe in comparison - that is nice. And they seem to set you up in most jobs with an apartment etc. The pay is better, and if you are clever you can save a lot of money - BUT travelling around is harder, more expensive - your job is less flexible and your vacations are normally when the rest of Japan is on holiday too. But I am reasonably new, so am just getting over the 4th month where apparently you feel at your most down!
So I guess to finish - I cant say which is better. Both are interesting and exciting.....can you do both?!

marcoelgrande · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Los Angeles

Thanks elliewelliesj,

I hope to do both; I might apply for AEON this year and if rejected go to Chile, as there's no guarantee I'd be accepted the year after either. I guess my reasons for choosing Japan first would be:

-Practicality (appartment/visa/work etc.)

-Money (I'd earn more and perhaps SAVE some for the Chile trip; from what I gather the reverse would be virtually impossible!)

-Culture (S. America seems more energetic, and I'm not sure how much this would play on my perceptions of Japan)

Having lived in both elliewelliesj, would you choose one over the other as a first destination if you could? for what reasons?

p.s. Is my reasoning off or does this seem like a sensible approach?

seanmcginty · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 203

With regard to placement, I worked for both GEOS and AEON and it seems kind of luck of the draw. With GEOS they didn't put me where I wanted (but I ended up liking the place they did put me), while with AEON I asked for Himeji and they put me there.

Either way neither of those schools will stick you in a small town because they only have schools in big towns and cities.

elliewelliesj · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

It really is hard to choose one or the other.... i was lucky and did save some dollars in Ecuador but only thru being very very careful - but it was only enough to travel for a bit in Peru and Bolivia - certainly not enough to set me up in Japan. I had to go back home and save money for that.

At the moment, I guess I had more fun in South America - I was freer and my job never seemed real! but now i am in a routine here and it feels like i actually have to work a bit harder! teaching kids is exhausting (but also rewarding too) I have been here 4 months and not seen much of Japan yet to form an opinion and am still adjusting. By this time in Ecuador I had seen loads, learnt loads of spanish and felt pretty comfortable despite dodging the pickpockets and muggers! So I know my opinion now is biased due to the timing of your question! Ask me in a year! bet i will have different things to say then!

But I would say come here first, its easy to get set up, save money - then go to S America and travel and chill and work! Good luck.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Personally I would suggest doing it the other way round. S. America first, get it out of you system (whatever it might be), then come to Japan make some serious money, maybe not have as much fun and set yourself up for the 'real world' back home.

marcoelgrande · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Los Angeles

Interesting responses,

Sounds like that (SA->Japan) might be the best thing to do financially (thinking long-term); wouldn't want to arrive back home completely broke! Most of the posts I've read seem to suggest that saving $500 a month is possible in Japan, which i suppose is quite a decent amount.

As an aside, one of the things which I find very different about Japan (from what I've read/heard of course) is the 'virtual reality' element of the culture, i.e. video games, lots of indoor entertainment, electronic everything etc.... Did anyone find this striking when they started living there? Or am I overestimating the scale of it?

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

gaijin4life

BLAH · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 29

im in south america now. ive blown through a couple of grand in the last months but i have been seriously travelling all over the continent. and travel down here is really not that cheap for long distance buses. right now i am dead broke and trying to find a job down here. and i hate big cities and it virtually impossible to find a job outside of a big city. chile is cheap and there seem to be mnore jobs here than in any other south american city. brazil is really expensive. im trying to apply to language schools now in japan because i need money. i am a cheap guy who enjoys his p�rties. but now, i can be serious when i want and that is why i would want to go to japan right now-to get focused and work and start general financial growth again. the eastern culture, to me, seems more serious. south america is one big party and that costs money. the pay down here is barely enough but the experience is great. the schedules are very flexible, but less jobs here than in asia i would presume. if anyone knows of any jobs, please contact me.