Job Discussion Forums

[superstevieg]

Hi,
I�m hoping someone could be kind enough to help me with a few queries I have,

I have obtained a Working Holiday Visa, and I�m looking to teach and travel for about 7-8 months in Japan, I�m 26, I have a BA degree but no teaching experience or qualifications,

The main concern I have is the time of the year when I arrive into Japan. Due to work commitments, the very earliest I can arrive is probably w/c 9th March, w/c 16th March or w/c 23rd March. I understand the peak hiring time is Feb to March, but my initial hope was to travel around Thailand for about 5 weeks, learn a TEFL course online on my laptop, and perhaps undertake some voluntary work as a teacher, before arriving into Japan late April / early May time. I think this would make me better prepared for world of teaching but I guess this may not be of much use if there is a lack of teaching posts. My ideal choice would be to teach as ALT in kindergartens or elem schools, so would it be less essential to gain teaching skills for this sort of job as opposed to working in international conversation schools, as I guess these lessons are more geared around teaching the absolute basics and the enjoyment factor? I�m just worried about being thrown into the deep end and being an absolute disaster!

I understand the peak hiring time is Feb to March so I�m quite apprehensive that job opportunities may be scarce from the beginning of April onwards. I also think that even if I do arrive in late March, many of the vacancies may have already been taken, unless the schools really do leave it until the last minute to recruit new teachers? In terms of job hunting, would it really make much difference if I arrive mid-late March as opposed to late April � early May?

Would I be correct in thinking that most of the Kindergarten or elem school jobs would be occupied in April, and any posts which do arise after April mostly relate to teaching in international, eikaiwas or English conversation schools? If this is the case, I think it would best for me to arrive in March time. Is it definitely common every year for schools to recruit in late march?

I would like the opportunity to stay in another city such as Osaka or Fukuoka, therefore I only really want to find short-term work for about 3-5 months in Tokyo, and then head elsewhere (though if I�m having the time of my life I would consider staying and may be do a bit of travelling on weekends/holidays or after my contract has finished). I believe a lot of the teaching jobs prefer you to stay long-term (at least 6 months). I�m worried that I may not be accepted onto anything if I tell them I only want to be teaching for 4 months. Should I be honest and tell any prospective employers that I�m only willing to work for up to 4-5 months, or should I conceal this fact and then quit my job after 4-5 months? I don�t like to let anyone down so I�m very reluctant to use the latter approach.

I have applied for a Working Holiday Visa � do you believe this will work in my favour when applying for jobs whilst over in Japan. I�ve been told this will give me an advantage over applicants because the employers won�t need to go through the hassle of paperwork and securing paperwork. However, I�m worried it may be a hinderance when looking for full-time work.

Many thanks for any help provided,
Steve

[AgentMulderUK]

Sorry in advance for the brief answers, time is short.

A few points.

Hiring Time.
Your arrival time is ok. At least it's not months after hiring time. Lots of new teachers quit here when they realise it actually involves hard work.
Set up links with employers before you come here. That will effectively put you closer to the right time.
Do bear in mind the economic situation, set to worsen, will reduce anyone's chances somewhat. I don't want to be the prophet of doom here, as I don't need to be. It's not pretty and will get a lot uglier.

Online TEFL Course.
Waste of money. Either do a TESOL or CELTA for your long-term teaching career (if that's what you want). No others have any international credibility whatsoever except from employes who don't know these things are anyway. Most employers in Japan don't need this and even more don't know what they are. Such pieces of paper gained in 2-4 weeks 10,000 km away have little interest to them. Western employers view it differently, but they still might be better swayed by a more genuine qualification.

Teaching kids
If you want to teach young kids you are already at an advantage. I think (I could be wrong) that right now that is the biggest demand and probably the least popular with teachers as it's hard work and not everyone's cup of tea anyway.

Being thrown in at the deep end.
Take a deep breath and prepare to get very wet. Each school is different, each place varies, so nothing will prepare you except what you bring between your ears. You'll be fine.

Travelling and teaching
Not done this style.Other would be better to advise you. But yes, I can't see this being popular with companies.
Meet the students, get the know the students, then bugger off and leave the students may be considered less then professional. Depends on what the employer is looking of course.

Teaching time
Why not go for the 6 months, rather than 4, make life easy for yourself and the employer and student. The go visit places and go home.
I can't see why you want to restrict yourself to 4. You can always sit back and count the extra yens for the last 2 months. The start up costs here are very high now, so really less than 6 months is kind of a money drain.



I have applied for a Working Holiday Visa � do you believe this will work in my favour
Yes, because the penny pinching companies here (that's all then) don't like to pay the gargantuan (joke) visa processing fee. There is also no delay for you to start work. Personally I know of companies that wouldn't employ working holiday people, and I can't say I disagree with them, but depending on the job it might just suit everyone better. I assume you are not planning on lecturing or running specialist classes.


Just go for it if you really want to. Don't expect an easy ride but do expect the unexpected.

[superstevieg]

Thanks for your reply,

I am definitly more keen to teach kids as opposed to adults, but I'm worried that the short-term jobs (i.e. 6 months or less) are mailnly for work in conversation skills teaching adults (and there is a chance these sort of jobs may become scarce if the economy continues to worsen). Have you in the past noticed any 6 month contracts working with kids?

I was actually of the opinion that education may propser during a time of recession because people may see they need to improve their CV and so may seek to improve their english in order to get an edge over others,

I am slightly regretting getting a WHV - If I do find employers are put off by it, I wonder if its possible to sinmply switch it to a working visa,

Thanks again for your help, and hopefully I may hear back from you,

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I've gotta say, I'm grateful to hear someone with a WHV having a college degree and thinking about going to Japan to experience it. There's just nothing like being a candidate for an M. Ed. in TESOL (since awarded) and being criticized by a 20-year-old Kiwi high school graduate who's only "professional" qualifications were white teeth and blond hair...what of his quals, no worries, mate...not required with a WHV! Mmm, Mmm...BAD!

Don't squander Japan, it's a beautiful nation with some great scenes and sights.

NCTBA

[Glenski]