Job Discussion Forums

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 229 Location: Kyuushuu, Japan

Hello everyone.

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read my post. I tried to use the search function to find the answer to my question but all I could dig up were really old threads, so I decided to start one of my own.

Next year I will be finishing my master's degree in Applied Linguistics from Texas Tech. After which, I hope to find a job teaching ESL in Japan. Of course, my dream job is a uni position, but since I don't as of yet have any publications nor Japanese speaking ability, I was hoping to first find a job teaching at the high school level just to get my foot in the door for the first few years before pursuing something at the tertiary level.

In addition to my master's, I have over four years teaching experience at the university level (two in China and one in Mexico teaching English, and one year as a graduate part time instructor teaching Spanish in the US). Furthermore I have a CELTA certificate.

Judging from this, I am wondering if I would be qualified to land a job teaching at the high school level, and if so, where would be some good resources to begin a search for such a job. I should mention I'm not really interested in the JET program, as I want to be in charge of my own class and not a teacher's assistant.

Thanks for any input!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Don't count out some unis just yet. See what happens if you apply. And get published!

As for HS jobs, most are ALT through JET or dispatch agencies. Only rarely to public schools take on direct hires. Private HS's may have openings, but many/most want people with experience teaching in Japan.

You might get lucky with Westgate Corporation or some eikaiwa that farms out people (legally) to HS's.

Got a timeline?

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 229 Location: Kyuushuu, Japan

Hi Glenski,

Thanks for the info. Maybe I will try to focus my search for private HSs then and maybe I'll get lucky. If at all possible I would like to avoid using an intermediary such as Westgate, but I'll keep all options on the table.

Current timeline is I'm set to finish my master's in May of 2010, which means I would be available for work any time after that. Maybe this year I can get something published and if possible audit some Japanese classes so at least I can learn some functional Japanese.

Amarok · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, a May graduation is going to mean you're going to miss the major hiring period/start of the school year in the spring. Have you considered how you're going to work your plans around that? I really regret not having a winter graduation because now I'm stuck waiting for a new hiring season with nothing out there. Don't be like me! Sad

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 229 Location: Kyuushuu, Japan

Hi Amarok,

Thanks for the heads up about the hiring season. I'm not really sure there is any way around it. There was actually a university in Japan that a friend of mine works at, and I was going to apply there until I saw that the contractual period for next year would begin before my graduation. I was hoping that that university's academic calender was atypical--but apparently not!

I guess we're in the same boat...

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

You could also try to find work at an eikaiwa or as a dispatch ALT in Japan after you graduate. Then when the next main hiring season starts, you'll already be in Japan ready to interview, and have a bit of experience in Japan to have on your resume.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 229 Location: Kyuushuu, Japan

Thanks everyone, for all the useful comments. I think I will look into the possibility of the shorter Westgate contract in order to get my foot in the door. I will let you guys know if I have any luck with it!