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Ideal time to start teaching in Japan?
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fluffyhamster

Joined: 13 Mar 2005
Posts: 3292
Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:25 am Post subject:

I still think that ELT in native English countries, and even Europe (a wstern area) is a case of "Too many cooks". That being said, at least your bosses will speak English well enough to not have any really silly notions about the language and how it should or shouldn't be taught, and there are (as others are intimating) somewhat clearer career paths there for you to follow.

tastycornishmuppetpastydough wrote:

You can't knead bread by beating it with a straw...

You can poke it and blow hot English at it, though! Very Happy

Last edited by fluffyhamster on Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:29 am; edited 2 times in total

Glenski

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

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:26 am Post subject:

Robert100 wrote:

Yes, I have pass B from my CELTA, a BA degree (a 3 year + preceding foundation), native English speaker, had lessons is Japanese and two years part time teaching experience (although I know in today's climate, all of this may not account for much, even for a 'newbie').

Oh, you'd be surprised at how many people actually think they deserve a work visa without meeting the basic requirements (degree or experience). You're set for entry level work. Wink

Quote:

The only reason I thought about about bypassing the ALT route are down to the fact I would like to gain teaching experience as opposed to assisting. Although comments made on this thread seem to contradict what I have read about how much an ALT's teaching involvement in the class actally is.

ALTs come in 2 varieties here, and it's best if you get that straight right off.

1) One is through the JET program. Best entry level job in Japan for teachers. Paid airfare, sometimes paid or subsidized housing, sane hours, and your are not burdened with the responsibility of managing a class of 30-40 kids who have zero motivation and terrible language skills. Heed the JET ALT motto: ESID -- every situation is different! Some ALTs do scant little, others practically run the class.

2) The other ALT type is through a dispatch agency. These are not well-liked by many here, and the government has taken to turning a blind eye to their unscrupulous activities a lot. Read up on these, especially at www.generalunion.org .

In either case, you will probably have to work at more than one school, so consistency in lessons goes out the window.

Quote:

Also, with JET for example, the start date of July/August (presumably for a year) means that the majority of jobs advertised for the 'golden' April start date (if you know what I mean) mentioned in the FAQ will be unobtainable. Unless I am wrong. I would like to (no matter how foolish Smile

) begin a career in TEFL as opposed to just experience another country for a year.

JET jobs start in August, but dispatch jobs can easily start in April. The biggest start date in Japan is April, so ads swamp the boards in late Feb and all of March, but if you are careful you might find work at other times of the year. Most contracts are for at least one year.

Quote:

The one concern I do have, after doing some looking on the net, is the issue of finding work while not residing in Japan. It seems that some of the worldwide recruiting agencies (ECC for example) have already recruited their 'fill' for next year.

Either you fill your pockets with US$4000-5000 and come at the right time to job hunt, expecting to land that first paycheck 2-3 months later, or you stay home in the security of your homeland and shoot for far fewer opportunities that recruit from abroad (like ECC). Your choice.

Quote:

Do private schools and eikaiwa schools have many opportunities for the new spring term where they recruit from outside of Japan and if so, have I missed these opportunities?

Private schools, yes, and they often recruit solo FT teachers, not just ALTs, but recruitment happens 3-6 months in advance of start dates. Usually, they require experience working in Japan (even from eikaiwa). Eikaiwas hire year-round, but peak time is in March. Not all hire year-round, but you will see ads all the time, and far fewer ads during certain months of the year (like Oct to January).

Quote:

Although I haver noticed the word 'saturation' use a lot in these forums, is it currently really that difficult to find work teaching English in Japan?

Saturation, flooded, glut, full, whatever. The market is loaded with teachers and teacher wannabes right now. Competition, even for some eikaiwa jobs, is pretty stiff.

Quote:

I must be in the same position as many people just starting out, so any recommended 'plans of attack' apart from �give up while you can�? Smile

Sure.

1) Decide whether you can afford time and money to come here and look around.

2) Decide when you want to start work. Then backtrack 3-4 months. That will be the date when you should be applying & interviewing because it takes that long to complete the application process (JET is far longer and more complicated) and to get a visa processed.

3) Improve yourself. Get experience. If you want to make teaching a long-term goal, get certified and perhaps even a master's degree.

4) Learn the market here.

5) Learn as much Japanese as you can. You may not be allowed to use it in most classroom situations, but you will certainly benefit from knowing it, whether with coworkers & staff or with just daily survival.

6) If you plan to come here and look around, choose a good time and contact employers who advertise BEFORE you arrive to shorten the down time. Don't apply to places that aren't advertising.

7) Understand who you are going to be teaching and how it's done. This is not your home country, and the culture is different in terms of education.
Example: Asking direct questions in front of the classroom will not work. You only get blank stares.

Cool

Learn patience early. Practice it.

9) Realize that Japan, especially its bureaucracies, is full of "case by case" scenarios in every facet of your job.

10) Leave western morals behind (or at least in your hip pocket) and don't judge people by them. Read up in advance.

Robert100

Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 13
Location: England

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject:

Glenski wrote:

1) One is through the JET program. Best entry level job in Japan for teachers.

Looks like starting off down the ALT route may be the best thing.

Glenski wrote:

By 'swamp the boards', I presume you mena ads for teachers residing in Japan?

Glenski wrote:

I have that money saved (over many years), but I was going to use it to help support myself while I was in Japan. But I suppose the reply to that... �thems the breaks�.

Glenski wrote:

Eikaiwas hire year-round, but peak time is in March. Not all hire year-round, but you will see ads all the time, and far fewer ads during certain months of the year (like Oct to January).

Again, I presume you are referring to ads open only to teachers residing in Japan?
I suppose my questions revolve around accessing job opportunities while not being in Japan. Apart form the 'biggies' listed on Q.21 on the FAQ's, are they any other schools I can apply for teaching jobs for in Japan for the April(ish) start date, which doesn't require one to currently reside in Japan?

Many thanks for everyone's help.

Glenski

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

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:27 am Post subject:

Robert100 wrote:

Glenski wrote:

By 'swamp the boards', I presume you mena ads for teachers residing in Japan?

I mean job ads for any teaching position, whether applicants reside in Japan already or not.

Quote:

Glenski wrote:

Eikaiwas hire year-round, but peak time is in March. Not all hire year-round, but you will see ads all the time, and far fewer ads during certain months of the year (like Oct to January).

Again, I presume you are referring to ads open only to teachers residing in Japan?

No, see above.

Quote:

I suppose my questions revolve around accessing job opportunities while not being in Japan. Apart form the 'biggies' listed on Q.21 on the FAQ's, are they any other schools I can apply for teaching jobs for in Japan for the April(ish) start date, which doesn't require one to currently reside in Japan?

I've been on this board a dozen years, Robert. There have always existed a dozen or so places that I post names of for employers who recruit from abroad:

NOVA
ECC
GEOS
AEON
Altia
Berlitz
Language House
Westgate Corporation
James English School
David English House
Peppy Kids Club
JET Programme

People try to rebuke my meager list by saying, "Hey! There are far more than that!" but nobody has been willing to name names. I'm sure there must be more, but they are not widely known. If you or anyone else comes up with such, please keep me informed so I can add to the list and help others. "Recruit from abroad" can mean a live face to face interview process, or interview by phone/webcam.

Essentially, if the employer doesn't have the funds, he is not going to look abroad.

ssjup81

Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 664
Location: Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:54 am Post subject:

You could always go to job boards or sites to see what comes up. Some places are looking now, though not as many seemingly and are recruiting for those who do reside in the country. GEOS comes to mind. Seems a lot of their jobs have been for those already in Japan lately. http://jobs.gaijinpot.com You can take a look at the newsletter from ohayosensei.com too.

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