Job Discussion Forums

Alberta605 · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Japan

I am not a fan of the Japanese ESL job market mechanisms at all, but it would be unfair to single it out as 'absolutely' ineffective.

Take China were the central governments advisory on employing teachers is 3 years teaching experience and a good grasp of the language. This broadest of approaches is then refined by only some of the prefectural governments who do require proof of a degree before they will approve a work visa. So quality is be no means assured even if one optimistically believes that holding a degree assures this.

As I contemplate leaving Japan and returning to Canada I sincerely hope that standards for incoming teachers become much more rigorous in accordance with the strengthening of the wider system governing foreign arrivals. At present you have a schoolboy soccer situation where everyone is chasing after the ball (job) in a large ragged clump. When you try to look into the chaotic dust cloud you may see people without degrees competing with those with education degrees, those with TEFL certification and/or unrelated degrees and perhaps the odd related/unrelated masters degree.

The problem is that experience, qualification and quality aren't properly understood here. It creates an anomalous situation when comparing the lack of professionalism inherent to all facets of the ESL job market to the other very high quality aspects of life in Japan. Imagine a situation when a person with 10 years experience of teaching, with excellent checkable references from say a university and corporate class course in Japan with a master's degree in TESOL can be refused a corporate job based on a 10 minute sample lesson.

Things at the classroom level will probably improve when measures are taken to take the self-importance of 'holding court' away from the instructor by replacing it with mechanisms that select on the ability to support learning.

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

Considering the market over the past 2 decades or more, I wouldn't keep high hopes of any improvements in the quality of teachers here.

Alberta605 · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Japan

Greetings mud covered Glenski

I love the questions you ask. Ask yourself (not) this: Ask not how you have failed the Japanese job market but how the Japanese job market....etc, you get the idea.

American election razzmatazz to anyone that cares.

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

So, apparently getting a straight answer is out of the question?

"Mud covered"?

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

'Ski
Do you ever get the feeling that there are a few of us in the room having a thoughtful discussion and we a surrounded by babbling fools?

Albert A605
If you don't want your 'opinions' challenged then I wouldn't post in a public forum. Much better too start your own blog check out axlecase's for some ideas.

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

i think the last time i posted i got an angry response from you markle. why are you so concerned with what everyone here chooses to write about and address? your response here is snide and useless.

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

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Markle,
Take a seat if you don't have anything nice to say or contribute to the thread.

Glenkski,
I believe the OP may have been referring to your tendancy to come across as nasty and rude.

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

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