Job Discussion Forums

[shewbox]

So here's my story:

I have an undergraduate degree in music education. I taught in a public school (in AR), for a year, then taught 2 undergraduate music classes as a teaching assistant at the University of Miami. My wife of 4 years and I are planning to move to Japan sometime early next year (as she will be finishing her masters in piano performance this year). Initially we are planning on moving in with her parents (she is from Saitama, somewheres near Omiya). I plan on getting some sort of entry level teaching position, but it needs to be within commuting distance from Omiya. As I could even get positions within Tokyo, I am hoping that I will be able to find something within the next year in that area despite reading some bad things about the economy. I have just a few questions:

As I have a teaching degree and experience, would it still be beneficial to get other certification? Is it better to apply while in Japan or while I'm still in the U.S? We'd like to move later rather than sooner as our apartment lease will not be up until the spring of next year. Of course I will be looking for jobs starting now online but I'm just curious if being in the U.S vs. already being in Japan makes a difference in securing a job. As we already have a place to stay, moving earlier isn't too big of a deal, but I would like to make a better decision on timing our move.

Thanks for any help you can give!

[Glenski]

[shewbox]

Thanks for the info!

I've read other threads where people have mentioned that the market is flooded with teachers. So making myself more appealing than the others competing for the same jobs is obviously a must. Since we can afford to move whenever, I suppose moving at the beginning of '10 might be a good idea.

Also curious, is there any thing or things that employers look for in teaching candidates? Or perhaps I should say what are their ideal job candidates like? Besides getting certification, are there some things I should emphasize when job hunting that will put me ahead of those others looking for the same jobs?

[Glenski]

Hard to say at this point in time. 5000 NOVA teachers were put on the streets not long ago (a year or so), so there's competition for that type of experience, but many employers still want the green and uninitiated for various reasons.

Personally, I'd say get some experience if possible, and some certs (but don't over-emphasize those in the interview because that sometimes tends to scare employers away, thinking you'll come storming in and try to change the teaching format they already have in place). Perhaps another "qualification" would simply be an indication that you won't freak out over culture shock. Other than that, all I can think of is something you can't really plan for, and that is the chemistry they feel between you and the staff and students.

Try to learn what TEFL is really about so that you don't answer questions with a lot of wrong answers about the reality of the situation.