Job Discussion Forums

Charlie123 · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 146

I would like to move from Korea, where I have been teaching for the past three years, to Japan but I have some issues.

First, I have a master's degree in English which has served me well in Korea -- I have visiting professor status (with an E1 visa) at one of the best universities in Korea. In addition, I make a great salary, about 50 million won a year for an average of eighteen hours a week work, including office hours. I get three months vacation plus all school holidays and extra money for pension that I can keep when I leave -- making my net salary somewhere in the mid-50's.. The environment is relaxed and I answer to no one in terms of what hours I keep, how I teach, grade, or any other aspect of my professional life. My boss is a busy administrator who I say hello to in the hallway about once a week.

Really not so bad...

The trouble is, I am a little spoiled and it would be hard to get off my professorial butt and go teach little Japanese gremlins in an academy or whatever for a fraction of what I am making now and more hours. I have all the standard reasons for wishing to leave Korea and move to Japan (mostly the indifferent culture) but I am wondering where I might search for jobs that reflect my slightly-better-than-average qualifications. Any ideas?

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

50 million won/year calculates to about 3.8 million yen. Peanuts. JET ALTs make almost that, and a decent HS job here will also give you that much.

If you want a university job, it may be harder to get than you think. Look at the FAQ stickies for links on where to look.

Be prepared to show the master's degree, publications, some knowledge of Japanese language, and good interviewing skills and/or contacts to land the rare university jobs. Most will not give tenure, so you'll be forced to move in 3 years.

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

Ryu Hayabusa · Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

50 million won per year goes very far in Korea where the prices for restaurant food, drinks, transportation, and other such things are much cheaper than Japan.

Honestly Charlie, if you come to Japan and don't get a university position you will really regret leaving Korea. Your position sounds great. Getting a similar position with similar compensation is much more difficult here.

Why don't you just come and stay in Japan during your vacation periods? You could stay at a leopalace for a month or pay by week. With your salary you could do this easily.

Charlie123 · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 146

Korea is bad. I dunno, maybe I am just tired of being a foreigner. I am completely indifferent to Koreans -- neither like them or dislike them. Ever read Harry Potter? Koreans are muggles. Nothing wrong with being a muggle, they just don't go to Hogworts and can't fly a broomstick with me. Wink

I need a change and Japan is the rational choice. As far as uni's go, I have no Japanese skills but I have wicked good interviewing skills and an MA in English, plus three years of uni experience. It can't be THAT hard, can it?

Also, is age a factor? I'm 45 but look 35. My photo makes me look quite young (and I am distractingly handsome) but they'll see my passport, of course.

[/quote]
Bingo! Why do it? Is Korea really that bad? I lived there for a year and I've been here for about two months. So far, the two countries don't seem too different. Japan is a nicer, cleaner, more expensive version of Korea but with better cultural attractions, prettier women, and more attention paid to aesthetics.[/quote]

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

Charlie123 · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 146

I feel the shivering chill of an icy wet blanket being thrown over my meek shoulders.

Glenski, I sincerely thank you for the helpful information, but I know for a fact that a forty five year old with a few years of Korean experience can get a decent uni position. Please resist the temptation to reply that you are just being helpfully-realistic. I realize that it is a much different environment than Korea, but implying that my chances are near zero simply isn't the case. (I'd be interested in hearing other perspectives on this).

'nuff said.

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

Charlie123 · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 146

Thanks for pointing that out, Aspara. My impression is that Japanese are, well, cooler than Koreans. Perhaps a bit friendlier, but just as important they have personal qualities that make them more attractive as friends then Koreans, who, I'm sorry to say, usually bore me, even when they are well-meaning.

I guess it's not being foreign bothers me so much as the alienation I feel by not being much attracted (though not repelled) by my hosts here in Korea. It's a tricky paradigm to lend linguistic accuracy to.

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

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

I have lived in Japan for 8 years and I have not been able to get a university job yet.
I have applied to many schools.
My wife told me that maybe I just have to settle for part-time work.
I live in the Tokyo area. Things are not like they used to be.
It is so competitive.

You know what universities want?
1. people who are good at Japanese
2. Publications (3 usually)
3. University experience in Japan

If you have a book or are at least working on your Phd that looks good to employers.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

some universities are picky.
I have heard of a few places where you have to be British, Irish or they have a preference for Americans.

Some places want younger teachers so they can pay them less.

Some places would prefer a female teacher.

Lots of schools let teachers only stay 3 years. I have heard of other places where the limit is 2 or 4 years.

At JALT a university teacher in Hyogo told me that 80% of the jobs were for part-time teachers. We are chasing after a smaller pie.

It is probably easier to get work in a rural place or at least outside the Tokyo/Kansai/Nagoya areas.

Getting work in Kyushu or Okinawa must be pretty tough.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

Disregard everyone, and just apply.

That's what I did, and made the leap from uni teaching in Korea to college-teaching in Japan.

Charlie123 · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 146

Uh-oh. Here it comes.

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

No, here comes nothing, Charlie.

People are not telling you NOT to apply. People are telling you it will be tough.

Tiger landed a job in a small college (not university), I believe, and if I remember correctly, he was even interviewed on Skype about the differences between work in Japan and Korea (despite having worked in Japan less than a year). The review got shot down.

But, don't disregard anyone's opinions or experiences. Nosirree.

Just take them at face value, compare, and plan carefully.