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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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 Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject: Having a CELTA and Teaching in Japan? |
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hello all,
i'm interested in teaching in japan. i am celta certified.
should i apply to chain schools or private schools?
(not interested in the JET program as i actually WANT to teach)
will having a CELTA even help me odds at getting hired
at a place like AEON/ECC/GEOS/Etc? or are place like that
only looking for the salesperson personality?
please give me your feedback as to how to proceed......
p.s. don't tell me to "go to korea" yea, i like korea a lot,
but i've been studying japanese for a while and want to put it to use.
even if the job market is tighter there. |
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Mr_Monkey
Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 661
Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| I think having a CELTA will help, but that you shouldn't limit yourself to the big chain schools - I'd apply for as many schools as I could find that would be willing to sponsor a visa. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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Do you have a bachelor's degree in anything? A CELTA is only a certification, not something that immigration wants for a visa, and a CELTA is usually not even considered by most entry level employers here.
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should i apply to chain schools or private schools?
(not interested in the JET program as i actually WANT to teach) |
If you have a degree, you are eligible for ALT work (JET program or dispatch) or eikaiwa (whether chain school or single-owner single office, perhaps what you called "private school").
Teaching in eikaiwa is not what you may think it is. It is certainly not ESL classes like you would find in a mainstream school here or back home. And, in some cases, ALTs practically run the class (although you will never know if that's the case until you are there), so don't think ALTs don't teach.
It's good that you've been studying Japanese, because you'll need it for daily survival and perhaps communication with staff in the office, but in most cases you are prohibited from using it in the classroom. |
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TokyoLiz
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 12:54 am Post subject: TESOL qualifications, JET's good points |
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Like most noobs in Japan, you'll likely start by being recruited from abroad. The agencies that do recruit from abroad don't care if you want to teach or not, and don't recognize any teaching qualifications.
However, those agencies that hire in country often give preference to those with a TESOL certificate or diploma of some kind. Your Japanese language skills will be a bonus, too.
I second what Mr_Monkey said - apply to every job you can. The job market here is grim.
Like Glenski said, don't knock JET program positions. You may find that you are called on to lead classes. A year on JET is valuable for those intending to become teachers - I learned a lot about classroom management from three really awesome Japanese teachers whom the junior high kids adored and respected. I also had to speak Japanese to cope in rural schools and with other subject teachers and staff who did not speak English. That year was gold, and one year was enough for me. I teach in international high schools now.
Good luck! |
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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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i forgot to mention that yes i do have a bachelor's degree.
is it just me or is it a LOT harder to find a job in Japan than Korea?
i got my CELTA to strengthen my odds of landing a job, some say it's meaningless, others say it will get me a job anywhere... :/ certainly can't hurt.
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| It's good that you've been studying Japanese, because you'll need it for daily survival and perhaps communication with staff in the office, but in most cases you are prohibited from using it in the classroom. |
yes, i took a trip alone to japan to check out the scene, and the japanese i know went a LONG way....
as for the JET program, i didn't get in my first try. i definitely have a stronger resume now but i really don't feel like going through that loooong waiting process again and i'm also not too keen on living in the middle of nowhere. should i try other dispatch places or stick with eikaiwas?
this is so frustrating... i've been trying to get a job in japan for years now without any luck.... a part of me just wants to say $&*@ it and go to korea
but i think i'm going to be persistent and keep trying for japan.... |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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| ironclad80 wrote: |
is it just me or is it a LOT harder to find a job in Japan than Korea?
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From what has been posted recently, you are right. You did know about the flooded market here, didn't you?
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| i got my CELTA to strengthen my odds of landing a job, some say it's meaningless, others say it will get me a job anywhere... :/ certainly can't hurt. |
It won't hurt as long as you don't throw it in an employer's face as if to say, "Look, I've got something that will help change everything about the way you teach your students." Just say you have it. With the competition you will face, it may tip the scales, or it may do nothing. It won't hurt.
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| as for the JET program, i didn't get in my first try. i definitely have a stronger resume now but i really don't feel like going through that loooong waiting process again and i'm also not too keen on living in the middle of nowhere. should i try other dispatch places or stick with eikaiwas? |
1. JET is not a dispatch agency. Get that straight.
2. If you don't apply to JET, you have precisely zero percent chance of landing a job with them. Take it or leave it. You can always tell them "No thanks" if they hire you.
3. Eikaiwas may put you in a similarly rural area. ALT jobs differ in several aspects, so ask yourself which you prefer. |
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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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on a lighter note, how is Hokkaido?
And are you there with JET? |
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ssjup81
Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 664
Location: Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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| ironclad80 wrote: |
on a lighter note, how is Hokkaido?
And are you there with JET? |
Even more flooded, imo. Not as many jobs seem to open up there. I've been wanting to find a job there for a good long while, since I'm most interested in residing in that area. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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It's just as crowded with teachers as the next place, and in some ways it's worse for job hunting because there are few English resources for job hunting.
No, I'm not on JET. Never have been. |
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