Job Discussion Forums

[Bucky420]

Hey, I'm planning to start a teaching career in Japan and this place looks like it can provide some basic information for a beginner like me. So if anyone would be willing to help me out, I would really appreciate it.

So here's the deal. I'm a recent graduate from university with a master's degree in British and American Studies. As far as language certification are concerned, I've got a perfect score in TOEIC(990) and FCE certificate, which is outdated however. I have also some, although limited, experience in private tutoring.

But the thing is - I'm not a native speaker, which looking at the advertisments seems to be a huge handicap. I'm from Slovakia and have been studying English for over 15 years. I plan to move to Japan to live with my girlfriend in Shizuoka, however we are willing to move to other cities if any possibility for good job comes.

So the question basically is - are there any language schools which are more willing to hire non-native speakers? And how big of a handicap being non-native speaker is?

Thank you very much. Any help appreciated.

[Glenski]

Yes, there are employers willing.

The problems you face are twofold:

1. You will usually have to prove to immigration that you are eligible for a work visa. A great TOEIC score may help, but to teach a language that is not your own, you have to show you've been taught nothing but English for 12 years.

2. What about your girlfriend? What are her plans here?

Yes, there are employers willing to hire non-native English speakers. Another issue is the current state of the market -- flooded. Even for native English speakers, expect stiff competition.

All I can say is, determine what type of teaching market you want to get into and tell us. "Teaching English" is pretty broad, and even if you qualify for a visa (and there are 3 or more types of visas that permit different types of teaching), you still have to realize that unless you have taught here before, you are probably going to have to start on the bottom rung: ALT work or eikaiwa.

Best of luck.

[Bucky420]

[Bucky420]

Another problem...I bought a one-way ticket to Japan - with toursit visa nonetheless, which would make me very suspocious for the immigration I guess...I did some reading though and it seems that the easiest solution is to buy another refundable ticket to Korea or China and cancel it later on...can anybody recommend me any airline which provides fully refundable tickets? also somebody suggested buying a ferry ticket to Korea as a proof for immigration that I plan to leave the country...anybody has any experience with that? does it work? Thanks a lot...

[Glenski]