Job Discussion Forums

Arnold the Aardvark · Joined: 28 Dec 2003 Posts: 1

I am a recently qualified CELTA teacher. I have no ELT experience other than that on my course, and am currently looking for work locally (England).

I am keen to find out more about the opportunities for work in Japan.
I have been strongly advised to apply for the JET program (although sadly I appear to have missed the boat for this year).

Basically I want to know how my age and experience might affect
my job prospects, and which organisations are most likely to respond favourably:

I'm 37. I have previously been a physicist PhD, a chartered accountant, and a software developer, so I have come to ELT rather late. As you might imagine, my CV is full of good stuff, but none of it ELT-related. I speak some Japanese (pretty basic; not very fluent)
[I obtained a Pass 'A' on the CELTA course if that helps any.]

Sorry for posting such a woolly question, but any responses will be greatly appreciated.

Arnold the Aardvark

cangel · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 74 Location: Jeonju, South Korea

Apply tp one of the big 3 language mills and you'll have no problem getting a job.

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

Since teaching is not your original field (mine, neither), yet you took the time and spent the money to get a CELTA, it appears that you are pretty serious about switching to teaching.

I would say that JET is a fair way to get started, but I think it would be a waste of your CELTA. JET ALTs, for the most part, are (as the A indicates) Assistants to Japanese teachers of English. JET ALTs do not teach, they assist. That is, their job is most often limited to minor roles in the classroom, and many ALTs are youngish, fresh college grads whose idea is to come to Japan to have a good time, sightsee, and immerse themselves in the culture, not get started as full-blown teachers. Exceptions do exist.

As cangel stated, you are qualified for teaching at any eikaiwa, so you'd do best to try to get your foot in the door in that sector. Look at the FAQ for a list of web sites that have job ads.

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

At 37, I think you might be too old for JET, although I hear they have recently changed the rules a bit. I heard once that thre are quite a few jobs in software development here, you might consider that field too. Some language schools might decide you are overqualified, but I don't think you'd be happy working at the kind of school that would think that anyway, so no great loss.

Basically, you are qualified for just about any introductory EFL job in Japan. So just fire off your CV and hope for the best. Remember, when you apply, the worst that can happen is that they will say no thank you.

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

Being 37 is not too old for JET. The rules changed to put the upper limit at 40 or 41, and even that has been flexible at times.

I wouldn't recommend looking for software jobs here. Unless you land a job with a non-Japanese company, it seems that everyone wants people with fluency in Japanese. The same holds for scientists and accountants.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

If you're British and have a Brit educational background, you could try the British Council for work. You are very unlikely to land a job in Japan first time but your CELTA will definitely count in your favour with them. If you are not too choosy where you go in the world you will have a job pretty soon I would imagine. Their peak hiring time is usually May June for the following September but there are some vacancies available starting very soon.

Check out the online job lists at
https://trs.britishcouncil.org/internetSSL/upload/intro.html
and scroll down to the link "Apply for vacancies online" to view what they have currently.

Work for the Council is definitely a very good way to see what well-supported and financed English teaching is like. It is a far cry from what you will likely be doing if you come to Japan. Here, your CELTA will not count for much with employers, if at all. However, I would mention your PhD status. Though it is in a totally unrelated field it will give you a lot of kudos here and you may find some places pay you more as a result.

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

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Where? Yoyogi Seminar a national cram school (yobiko) that wanted foreign teachers with no Japanese necessary in their Nagoya branch and paid according to your highest level of qualification. I couldn't take it as I had too much on my plate. My friend did and, with his MA, was making a packet acting as a human tape recorder most of the time.

If the OP is wanting work in a yobiko or juku then his PhD might help him out if he mentions it (not flaunts it). Why hide your light under a bushel?