Job Discussion Forums

[Canehdian]

Okay, making a very long story very short(ish): I have spent a year preparing to teach English overseas. After many, many dead-ends applying for Japan positions (most prominently, I am located expensively fa-ar from all interview points of the big schools), and subsequently shifting my focus to the Czech., I now find myself in the unexpected position of having been accepted for a (seemingly) good position in BOTH countries. The main consideration is that I am new to teaching (except for recent ALTing in an adult ESL classroom), AND I'm new to foreign traveling. I've been doing tons of reading this past year about life in Japan (yes, among other sources, me and that search function are o-ld friends... I know somewhat less about the Czech.), but if you've been to both places, or especially TAUGHT in both places, any comparing/contrasting would be appreciated. Which would you say is more "new teacher" friendly? Or, "easier" to adjust to? I know it can be pretty subjective, but your impressions will provide some insight--even if you've never been to the Czech. but want to share your Japan impressions.

Still attempting brevity, here is the gist of each position:
Japan: full-time with 2-6 students max/lesson, conversation school (yes I've looked into the school's rep. and they meet all my major concerns), all age groups, lessons adapted from curriculum textbooks, week of training, apartment provided and start-up costs covered (I pay rent and utilities), average ESL teacher salary.
Czech: full-time with 15 students "max.", days split between grammer school ages 11-15 and secondary tech. school ages 15-19, small town at foot of mountains (!! We don't have those here), furnished housing provided and paid incl. utilities, avg. salary, and (of personal significance) near my sister in Switzerland.

I'm not looking for the "easy" road. I genuinely want to live and work in both these countries and experience them for what they are. But clearly, they offer two very different experiences, and my lack of travel/teaching experience seems to carry the most weight in this decision. So, I would love some feedback from experienced teachers and travellers. (Could I have used the word "experience" in that paragraph ANY more? Ah, yes...brevity...)

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

the Czech job is in regular schools, right? take that one. There will be eikaiwa jobs available pretty much any time in Japan, I doubt that situation in the Czech will be available again.

If both jobs were in Japan, then 99.999% of people would go for the one like what you are being offered in the Czech.

I've never been to the Czech, though.

And if you are worried about employability at an eikaiwa later, the Czec experience will make you more employable to them.

[Brooks]

The job in the Czech Republic sounds better for you.
Nice country with great beer. Prague is fantastic.

But, if you want to make more money, come to Japan.
I think it would be better to start out in the Czech Republic and come to Japan later.

Where in Japan is the job?

I used to work in Warsaw, and several times I went back to Poland while working in Japan. From the Czech Republic it is easy to travel around Europe.

[Glenski]

Can't speak for Czech, but the job in Japan sounds pretty vanilla-flavored eikaiwa. You could use it as a stepping stone. If the Czech job sounds better overall for a starting position, as someone else has suggested, then I guess that settles that. You may just have to decide whether that is more important than the country you live in.

[dove]

I have never taught in the Czech Republic, but I taught Czech students in Chicago. I have taught in Japan for many years. No mind-blowing revelation here, but most Japanese students are extremely shy, hesitant to speak, and filled with fear. Their fear is not only of making mistakes, but also of appearing too good at English (might be perceived as showing off). I love Japan, but sometimes all the complexes just get to be too much. (My senior students are often the exception, high school and college students, the rule). I think the Czech Republic would be a more fulfilling teaching experience, Japan a more fulfilling financial experience.

[parrothead]

I have worked in both countries. First Japan, then Czech, and now Japan again (and I studied in the Czech Republic before all that). My heart is still in the Czech Republic, but my wallet keeps me in Japan. I am sure you know already that schools in these two countries compensate very differently. Money is certainly not everything, but the cost of living in the Czech Republic is higher than it once was. The fact that your housing is free is half the battle, but realistically I wouldn't expect to save a whole heck of a lot in CR. Japan is more expensive, but I find that I make enough to sock quite a bit away every month. The constant Koruna pinching can wear on one over time.
Split-shifts are not that appealing, but you might have to work long hours in Japan too. One thing I enjoyed about Europe in general, and the CR specifically is that there is a nice balance between work and family/free time. Many people in Japan work six (or seven) days a week. I find that my life here often revolves around my work and I live for my vacations. That wasn't the case in the Czech Republic. Work is work. Free time is free time. Many people go to their little plot of farm land on the weekends or, because the country is so small, abroad. I make the best of my free time in Japan, but I find that I need it more than I did when I lived in the CR.
I personally didn't find either country to be a difficult place to adjust to. Japan is comfortable and safe. At times it's wonderfully odd. I hate to generalize about people, but I might just do it anyway. Many visitors to the Czech Republic are put off by the Czechs' (Praguers more than others) boldness or perceived rudeness. It's not uncommon for a tired shopkeeper to just throw your change on the counter. It's easy to laugh it off, but that rarely happens in Japan. The opposite is more likely. (Thank you for shopping at my store! Here are three pieces of tape for your bag!") On a personal, social level, however, I found it easier to met Czechs. Perhaps it is cultural or geographical, but for many people in Japan you may be the first foreigner they have ever met, and there is definitely an air of cautiousness. Novelty as well.
I took a peek at your posting on the Czech side of this forum and noticed you would be living near Karlovy Vary. This is not a bad area at all, a spa resort, and low-key. Good transportation would likely be limited to buses, however. Not sure about Ostrav. Where would you live in Japan?

You have a difficult decision to make, my friend. In short, I guess I would say that Japan is the safe bet, but the Czech Republic may be the more fulfilling one.

Parrothead

[markle]

Can I just congratulate Parrothead on an excellent post I wish more were like this.

[Canehdian]

Hey, thanks so much for the replies. I really appreciate the general characterizing of Czech. and Japanese students/citizens--I know that generalizations only take you so far, but still it's helpful to get insight from people with experience.

My plan more and more is to spend a year (atleast) in each place. The only question is: in which order. A few of you suprised me by recommending the Czech. first to get experience, since it will apperantly be easy to find another Japan-position later. I was suprised, because as far as actual teaching duties go, I assumed Japan conversation schools, with pre-set lessons (especially when lots of texts and materials are provided), would be the ideal situation for a new teacher to gain their footing--you know, idiot proof . However, noting Dove's comment about shy students, I can see the difficulty for newbie teachers as well. Am I making the wrong assumption?

Oh, and location-wise, I have been accepted by the head-office, but won't be offered a specific contract for a few weeks. So, I know all the work conditions, except location.

P.S. Thanks so much Parrothead for that comprehensive answer! I was hoping to find someone with your experience, who would be candid. Very helpful.

[Brooks]

I worked in Poland before I went to Japan.
I found that it was easier to teach Poles than Japanese.
Many Japanese are so passive. As a teacher you have to do everything.
A lot of students are just like passengers on a bus.
Yes people come to Japan without experience but I think it is better to get it somewhere else first. It will help you be prepared.

You can make more money in Japan, but you will earn it.

Czech people can just hop on a train and visit another country and practice their English. The Czech Republic is in the EU. There is more reason to know English.
A lot of Japanese just stay in this country, which is monolingual.
Some Japanese need English because they travel, or for their work, but most have no need to learn English.

[oskinny1]

Do Czech. Do Czech. Do Czech.

I have lived in both places, though I just got to Japan

Make sure they are sponsoring your visa. Things change in a week and as a Non EU citizen (unless you somehow are) you can only stay in the country for 3 months before having to leave the EU for 3 additional months.

I taught in Brno for 2 years and it was great. Could not save a lot but the time I had was the best in my life. What is "an avg salary" though? What is full time? If you are teaching more than 25 hours you are doing too much in my opinion.

You will probably put in a 1+kk which is a small one room apartment with a hotplate.. much like Japan. If you are by the mountains you are probably out in the boonies but that is great if you actually want to learn the language.

I'd recommend avoiding Prague like the plague other than to do a little touristing. You get the same sites with far fewer people in almost any other town in the country (try Kromeriz!!)

So to summarize, Go to Czech.

[Sadebugo]

I worked in Slovakia in '06 and Japan in '07. I was teaching EFL to local military in both for the US government so I don't have the pulse of what's going on in the private sector. However, my gut feeling is you will enjoy the Czech Republic much more. The students are very enthusiastic and Old Europe is a blast. Japan's pretty nice, too and should be considered especially if a high salary is important for you.

Sadebugo
Djibouti, Horn of Africa
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/