Job Discussion Forums

[gesundheit71]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post -- I've sifted through hundreds of them and still have a few questions!

My boyfriend (in other words, NOT husband) and I are applying to teach English in Japan for this coming Fall. We're applying from the U.S.

Which of the companies that hire from abroad are best to accomodate couples who want to live together and teach in the same area? We completely don't care about teaching in the same building or what have you, just as long as it's reasonably the same area. It seems like MOST of the companies can sort of deal with placing us in the same area, but most are going to be tricky with housing. We definitely can't afford to turn down company housing at first because of key money, etc, but is there a company that is okay about this? We know AEON is not and that GEOS does not seem to be.

Suggestions or advice?

Thanks so much!

[gesundheit71]

Neither of us has any certification (we have teaching experience but not EFL or ESL), so we're specifically looking for organizations that recruit teachers from the U.S. who have a B.A. and maybe a Master's. (I have a Master's, he doesn't, but we both have teaching and study abroad credentials, for whatever these things are worth.)

[Glenski]

Sorry to say this, but your teaching credentials from home won't mean a thing here. In the larger eikaiwas, they may even work against you getting hired, because those places have their own teaching format and don't want people deviating.

As for getting housing and branch offices together, it's all a matter of luck. You can request till you're blue in the face, but where they have the vacancies is where they put you.

You don't really want to work in the same office all day together, then face each other at night, do you?

[gesundheit71]

Nope, not at all! Definitely would not want to be in the same branch office all day. That's what I'm saying -- we live together now, and would like to continue to, so we don't care if we get placed together in a branch office, just as long as it's the same region.

Also not worried about teaching credentials -- I know they won't get us anything. I was only mentioning our background b/c I know certain companies have minimums (Altia and Westgate and Berlitz seem to require certain credentials at minimum that we don't have).

So is there no chance of us getting the same apartment?

[foster]

Hello and welcome.

I worked for Nova and I know quite a few couples who came over with them. What a few of them did was work in branches in the same AREA but not together. One couple, he worked at the MM center and she was in a branch school somewhere.

I came to Osaka with a *friend* (not any more, but that is another post) and they were quite good about putting us together. if you request a larger city (Osaka, Tokyo) your chances are better of getting put together.

Be clear about what you want and be prepared to make the sacrifice of not working together but living together...which may be better anyway. As Glenski said, do you *really* want to see each other 24/7?? If you do, great on ya, but it is something to consider.

Best of luck

[gesundheit71]

We've got a chance of living together but not working together (fine by me)?

[Celeste]

The Jet programme will also place "engaged" couples together. Once again, you have to request larger cities where there is an opening for 2 teachers.

[foster]

Yes, I *think* so. The couples I met in Osaka were able to get it through Nova. I can't speak for any other companies or cities.

In a perfect world, companies would keep their employees happy by finding them what they want, but who believes that utopia would work???

When my friend and I went to japan, we were clear that we wanted to live together before all else...since we were new and knew nothing and felt that having that comfort at home would be better than at work.

[easyasabc]

Check out the new job listed on Dave's today for two people in Fukuoka.

[Mike L.]

I'm confused on your qualifications.

Do you have a teaching license from your state or whereever?

Are your BA's and or your master's in education?

You mention something about "teaching abroad" qualifications. What are they?

These things could make a signifgant difference. You might get more appealing work than eikaiwa.

[Laura C]

I think M.I.L. in Chiba are meant to be quite supportive of couples. Never worked for them though so I don't know. They were advertising on the Jobs board a week or so ago.

L

[gesundheit71]

In response to Mike L., I'm sorry -- I was unclear. My BA and MFA are not in Education. And I worded "teaching and study abroad qualifications" (and here I am applying to teach English!) -- two separate things. I have a teaching background (in Drama, not English), and I have a study abroad background (same deal). But I have never taught abroad. Same with the boyfriend.

So I'm not sure I *am* qualified for anything else. Right? I've taught on the high school and university level, but I've only taught Acting and Playwriting. Definitely no state certification or anything.

[Mike L.]

I'd say that's better than just a BA.

Some of the smaller schools are looking for more experienced and mature people. There is occaisional drama work (mostly PT) in Tokyo but with the dispatch companies it could make you attractive. IE: can taeach English and drama etc.

Have a look here. Especially the Jobs in Japan and Ohayo Sensei newsletter.

http://www.tokyoconnections.com/

If you go with the big 4 AEON is reputed to be the best of them. I'd choose a smaller eikaiwa if I had too.

If at all possible try for a dispatch companies. Gives you day work and time to teach for yourself at night.

Sepetember is the start of the second term here in Japan and also the second best time (after february March) to get a job outside of eikaiwa.

[gesundheit71]

Not sure exactly what you mean by dispatch companies?

[Mike L.]

These are companies that send you to public or private shcools (High schools, etc) to teach.

It's usually morning to afternoon, Mondaty to Friday type work.