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tokyorabbit
Joined: 15 Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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 Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 7:28 am Post subject: Working less |
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I have a few questions for long-termers in Japan.
I want to work 4 days a week. I currently work for a big school 5 days a week. I have decent vacation and I like my job, but I have a nagging feeling that it might be possible to have even more free time. I realize that this might require taking a pay cut. That`s ok. I`d rather have a little less money and more time.
I would like to know more about the schools in Japan who promise more flexible hours or giving all private lessons yourself. I have met at least one girl who claimed to be living comfortably by just teaching privates, but it seems a little risky to me. I actually started doing this as a vacation but fell absolutely in love with the job and think that I have found my calling.
That said, I`m also a little nervous about my longterm career options and would like to hear from those who have made a career of this. Is it possible to make ESL a career or live as a foreigner in Japan permanently? Should I go back to school and get my Masters to do so? |
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azarashi sushi
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 562
Location: Shinjuku
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 7:51 am Post subject: |
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Hello Tokyo rabbit...
I'm with you on wanting more free time... I'm actually going for an interview on Wednesday for a four day a week position. Fingers crossed!!! And in my case, it will mean taking a substantial pay cut... but that's OK. From what I've noticed, there seem to be a fair few four day/part time things around (with lowered pay)... you just have to keep looking and you will find it.
As far as relying ONLY on privates... I think unless you have someone supporting you or have incredibly low rent, it's a little foolish. Privates in my opinion are "mendokusai" especially in Tokyo where you need to be very flexible to fit in with everyone's schedule... It's risky and you'd probably end up with less free time if you had quite a few privates... not to mention always having to keep your place clean!
I think it's good to have a stable part-time job and just keep the privates for your "pocket money".
In the past I've had lots of privates, but these days keep it to just a few... Less money, but hey... |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 9:06 am Post subject: Re: Working less |
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| tokyorabbit wrote: |
That said, I`m also a little nervous about my longterm career options and would like to hear from those who have made a career of this. Is it possible to make ESL a career or live as a foreigner in Japan permanently? Should I go back to school and get my Masters to do so? |
As one of those lifers who has made a long term career here (and supporting two kids on one income) I would say that getting a Masters is recommended if yuo are thinking about higher paying university jobs, or at a high school. I dont really think you want to be here 10-15 years with a spouse and family and still teaching at an eikaiwa.
That said, university-type jobs are now extremely competitive, with lots of applicants and the schools are making applicants jump through more hoops and have more qualifications. I think if you only want to restrict your self to living in certain area you will be disappointed, as you will have 30-40 equally or more qualified people chasing after the same jobs. You have to be flexible, be prepared to move around a bit or go where the work is, as well as work not just on the Masters but also publications as well.
Pay is going down, jobs are becoming less stable, and now conversation schools are getting in on the university teaching act as well by sending cheap underqualified teachers to teach college classes.
Sorry I could not be more rosy than this, but the competition is getting stiffer and without a Masters at least you will remain on the lower salary and job rungs and have no chance of developing a foothold into better paying or more secure positions. |
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Mike L.
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 519
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| Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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In the medium 4 days a week can be done with a pay increase or certainly the same level of pay. 
Eikaiwa is the biggest time and wage killer! Just by leaving it your options open up.
Say you got a few PT times teaching in schools during the day.
Then you got some cash privates and or other night gigs.
Might be a few busy days in there but you can do it.
Try to do different types of teaching too like business english etc.
Just try to find jobs that pay yu on holidays.
That way you can have your free time with pay too! 
If your here for the medium term, say 2 years, you can do this easily. |
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BenJ
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 209
Location: Nagoya
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2004 12:10 am Post subject: |
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| even if you went with an eikawa, say Nova or Berlitz or someone and taught part-time with them you will make up to 200k, and add even ONE part-time job a week (say 2 hours once a week teaching Business) and you can get another 40... already up to the standard full-time wage, and heaps of time spare. |
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