Job Discussion Forums

Charlemagne

Ok, this has been on my mind for quite a while and I didn't know exactly where I could share it with someone. I'll try you guys. I am a relative newbie in this ESL game with no qualifications other than a Bachelor's and some experience teaching children and adults. In 2 years I have taught in Korea, Japan, and now I am teaching in China. Recently I have started thinking about where I would like to end up in the future when I'm old and gray. The more I think about it, the more it becomes clear to me that the only place I would want to be is in Tokyo. The city is so beautiful. The sheer size, efficiency, cleanliness, cool factor, excitement, technology, and people in it make me feel all good inside. When I taught in Osaka, I had the pleasure of going to Tokyo twice and, as much as I like Japan in general, I especially like Tokyo. To me, it's the pinnacle of human civillization and that's my opinion, like it or not.

I'm a 25 year old guy so my life experience is relatively low. To all you seasoned Tokyoites and other ESL vets out there, could you give me some tips and pointers? How can I secure a good job and life in Tokyo. Where should I look and how should I approach employers? How are Tokyo employers different from others? How have the visa processes and EFL markets changed recently? What are my options for living out this life dream of mine to live and work in the greatest city in the world - Tokyo?

Innumerable thanks.
CLM

fluffyhamster · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 7:37 pm Post subject:

Do a search for author 'mrtwist' and you'll find two threads, one from Sept 2006 and the second from Aug 2008 (I wonder how Mr T is getting on - hope he's finally made it over to Tokyo!); I wasn't actually aware of the earlier, but did contribute to the later thread, of which somebody said the following: 'I just wanted to chime in to say this is one of the most useful threads I've read on this board. Thanks everyone!'. So it could be worth a look.

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

Get a TEFL certificate.
Learn lots of Japanese.
Network.
Join ETJ or JALT and make a difference.
Publish.
Learn the market.
Don't stop improving yourself (perhaps even to the point of doing an online master's degree).

Stay long enough to get Permanent Resident status.

Decide whether you want to work full-time somewhere, own your own school, or be happy stringing together PT jobs until retirement.

For details, just read every thread on every discussion forum everywhere. Everyone's situation is different. You're very young, so you have tons of time to plan your life.

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

Hi. I, myself, am actually looking to return to Japan for a year (mostly for my two children's benefit). I was self-employed in and around Tokyo for 11 years, and would go down that path again, except for the fact that I don't plan on staying much more than one year, this time around. But if you truly do end up staying forever, depending on your business acumen, you too may find some niche where everything clicks for you. Still, teaching English would be the most practical way to plant some roots, while you survey the scene and plot your path. I envy your youth!

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

Tokyo......beautiful??? It surely is a fantastic place on earth, but beautiful....?

Confused

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Fantastic? Tokyo fantastic? I must be living in the wrong area of Tokyo. A city is a city is a ..................

jc1977 · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Nerima

Those are some strongly affectionate words for only coming to Tokyo a few times. Living here is another animal. Sure, things can be great and there's no end to the excitement and opportunity, but there are plenty of negatives as well. Little things that come with living in such a huge city (crowds, busy trains, rude people, shady foreigners, high prices) add up. Then again, if you find the right job and truly love Japan and can afford fun, I'm not going to rain on the parade.

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:49 am Post subject:

The 3 words Tokyo, fantastic and beautiful really shouldn't be used in the same sentence.

'Busy, overcrowded, lots of opportunities, interesting and strangeness' maybe.

It's a big overcrowded collecton of cities. You can walk miles, live months and not see a single tree.

When I went back for a home visit last time I was standing in the garden , when a strange sensation came over me. I realised it was the first time in 7 months I had stood on grass.

I really find it incredible that someone should use such words to describe it.
And I do like the place!

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Depends where in Tokyo you live and what you do in your free time. I'm not too far out of the centre, but I have several grassy parks within a 15 minute walk of my place, including one which runs for several kms along a river. We spend at least a couple of days a month hanging out in Yoyogi Park, which is pretty grassy. I also would never call Tokyo beautiful though.

dracotei · Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 48

I've never been to Japan, but what cities do you guys or girls... like? I'm looking into this right now.

Thanks

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

dracotei,
Answers will vary with the wind. Perhaps if you say what climate you like or would want to steer clear of, that would narrow things down a tad. Then, say whether you want a more rural or urban lifestyle (and be specific).

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I like Tokyo. Many people can't stand it, so I'm not sure how that helps you. Glenski is ensconced in Hokkaido, I can't imagine living anywhere that cold. What are you hoping for in a place to live? Climate, atmosphere, busyness, cultural activities etc?

dracotei · Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 48

Oh hell, I don't know what I like. I've never been there. I don't like it too crazy, but I like having certain city perks. For instance, I might like to take a ballroom dancing class... or be able to find some English speakers around since I don't speak a word of Japanese and I wouldn't want to go crazy. I would like to learn the language, and I am sure I can, but it will take time. I guess I'm looking for a good place to... start.

Other than that - I hate humidity, I like some mountain near by, in train distance so I could go hiking, I like to be able to go to a club, but I have to have quiet when I am home. I HATE noise at home... nah, I really do. I can't take neighbors who are inconsiderate that way. (I sleep with earplugs... ok, go ahead and laugh at me). I love green, and I don't mean weed. I mean parks and stuff like that, nature. I don't need a beach. I can take cold weather having lived in Chicago and Bucharest, but... milder winters would be nice. Snow - a definite. I haven't seen snow for Christmas in 4 years. I hate that.

Thanks. For whatever reason I can't post a topic... that's why I asked here. Don't get mad, eh?

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

If you can't stand humidity, you're gonna love Kyoto or Tokyo in summer! Heavy sarcasm there, as those places get inundated with heat and humidity.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Basically the only places in Japan that don't get very humid in the summer also have the coldest winters (Hokkaido, Nagano prefecture)

Maybe one of the cities in the Tohoku area? Sendai comes to mind.

If you find an ALT job you can probably escape a large part of the summer by going overseas or elsewhere in Japan for your vacation.