Job Discussion Forums

[bish]

I am a 26 year old from the UK and have a BA in Englsih Literature, a CELTA and 18 months experience in China and Korea. I have had to return to the UK but want to come and make a go of things in Japan from March.

I am learning the language but want to increase my learning when I get there and have the intention of getting to as high a level as I can and improving my situation year on year in Japan.

I am planning on eventually doing an MA in Tesol but need to save a little first and I would like to improve my teaching and gain more experience before I do that.

I know that TEFL in Japan has probably had it's better days but I feel that because I take my teaching seriously and am genuinely motivated to learn Japanese then there should be ways forward for me.

What opportunities for progression can be found by staying for the long term, learning the language and adding further teaching qualifications to your CV?

[Glenski]

Online / Distance learning to get a master's.
JLPT 1 or 2 will require serious study (and frequent isolation from friends and coworkers).
Publications will help your odds of getting hired for university jobs (yes, even part-time).
Networking is an undisputed way to move up or find work.
Having a realistic attitude about one's potential instead of thinking the world of TEFL owes one a living.

[Nabby Adams]

Japan can offer a very good life. There is still a way forward here. Don't let the nay sayers tell you otherwise. If you do as you say and and Glenski recommends then you will end up in a very good job by the time you are 30 or so.
You can live well in Japan on 200k save and/or live even better on anything above that.
With a professional attitude and focus then earning 400k or more is certainly doable within a few years.
There are still plum jobs too which go above these figures for less work than you may think.

[bish]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I'm not really sure I can start my MA this year but hopefully I would be able to in 2010.

I am wondering if Distance MA in Tesol is looked upon as favourably as taking it in one year full time? I guess potential to do as well as possible is better by not doing the course from a distance?

In my 1st year I think I will be living in a small town in the Chugoku prefecture, trying to save some money and learn as much Japanese as possible.

I would try to find free lessons and use self study but may pay for a tutor to improve my learning. What kind of price would I be looking at for Japanese lessons from a tutor or in a school?

[markle]

[Laurence]

Bish,

I'm from the UK too, (27, incidentally)
I'm about halfway through my MA in Education, which I've been doing through the OU whilst teaching in China (I'm thinking about Japan next so I lurk here from time to time). When I finish I can use 'Med' or 'MA education' or 'MA education (applied linguistics)'. It has a good influence on my teaching practice and keeps things progressive.

It's not that hard as it's quite spread out (if you don't double up on the units), the materials are well organised, meaning you don't need much support, although it's there if you need it. It takes three years, it only really intrudes on my time in the weeks leading up to assignment deadlines.

I'd really recommend it, although I'm not sure how universally recognised it is.. but I never heard of anyone anywhere having credibility issues with OU stuff..

As soon as I started it a lot more higher-level oppourtunities opened up, and I expect the same thing will happen again when I finish it in a year and a half.

It's a bit more expensive to do if you study outside the UK (although I heard that some people just use a UK address and get the materials forwarded, avoiding the international fee).

Yeah just something to consider..

[bish]

[memoryman]

[MrMackerel]

DEs are becoming more and more respected, but of course do your research on the university. Look at their credentials, their study plan, and try to find reviews - even contacting graduates if possible. (A la what are they doing now?) I know a couple people working in the university system here that have DE degrees. I was actually recommended U. Southern Queensland by one of them. (To which I might add I'm interested if anyone else knows about them firsthand.)

Uni's have highs and lows, of course, but the competition seems to be getting higher. Like recommended before, publications and networking will be great allies. In a city I worked in on Shikoku, there were two Uni's - one disreputable (amongst English Lecturer staff), that paid 300k, and didn't require a Master's, and another that all staff loved, paying 500k, and requiring a degree (also asking for publications).