Job Discussion Forums

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

1. Is it illegal for a foreigner to teach kindergarten in Japan, the same way it's illegal in Taiwan?

2. Can a kindergarten sponsor a visa?

3. Are kindergartens competitive? Are people more or less inclined to work at them than an eikaiwa for all ages? Is it harder to get a job at a kindergarten, or harder to get a job at an adult eikaiwa?

4. How severe is the bias against male teachers? I have seen many ads saying "female preferred" or "female teacher only." How many places discriminate?

5. What specific qualifications would help one land a job at a kindergarten as opposed to an eikaiwa? Would CELTYL help? I've often heard that playing the piano is thought of as a major plus, is that true?

I ask these questions because if given a choice between kindergarteners and fourth graders, I'd teach kindergarteners any day of the week. Far less malicious (at least in Korea and Taiwan). And I get to use my budding art skills more. And working mornings and early afternoons would be nice, in some ways.

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

1. Is it illegal for a foreigner to teach kindergarten in Japan, the same way it's illegal in Taiwan?
No, I don't think so, but don't expect to be in charge of a homeroom by yourself.

2. Can a kindergarten sponsor a visa?
Yes

3. Are kindergartens competitive? Are people more or less inclined to work at them than an eikaiwa for all ages? Is it harder to get a job at a kindergarten, or harder to get a job at an adult eikaiwa?
Probably competitive, but people are probably more inclined to work at eikaiwa. Easier students to manage.

4. How severe is the bias against male teachers? I have seen many ads saying "female preferred" or "female teacher only."
The ads saying female teacher only are illegal, I think, but "preferred" gets around that. The fact is, younger kids prefer females. My own kid goes to a kindergarten where there is only 1 male teacher.

5. What specific qualifications would help one land a job at a kindergarten as opposed to an eikaiwa? Would CELTYL help? I've often heard that playing the piano is thought of as a major plus, is that true?
Anything you can do to entertain will be an advantage.

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

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Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

Thanks, both of you, for the useful information. I'll probably ask plenty more questions before entering Japan to work next summer (hopefully, if everything pans out). Laughing

Best to be informed, I suppose!

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

seklarwia · Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 6:42 am Post subject:

norwalkesl · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

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Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

I read what you wrote and agree with it to some degree, but my best student back in Korea at my Mangwon Station job first grade class was a girl who started crying and hid behind her mom initially at orientation. For some reason, she did a complete 180 before the first day of class and was upbeat, normal, and learned her stuff.

ohahakehte · Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 128 Location: japan

is this kindergarten an "international kindergarten"? if so, be wary. some international kindergartens are good and only hire native speakers with teaching credentials. but others are "international" in name only, have mostly japanese students and dont mind hiring teachers who are neither native speakers nor qualified to teach at all.