Job Discussion Forums

[kungfupanda]

Does this concern anyone else? Factor this in with a declining population and there is a really big problem. Does anyone think that within the next few years there will be a big shift in ESL teaching? Less people going to Japan perhaps?

Growing up I loved everything from Japan and when I was in college I studied in Chiba prefecture for a year. I'm sad to say but a lot of the news that I read online and the current poor economic situation has led me to the decision to look for another line of work that doesn't involve Japan. Have I made a wise decision or should I still consider going to Japan?


http://www.businessinsider.com/kyle-bass-i-dont-see-how-japan-has-a-way-out-2010-1

[Fina1]

The video isn't working for me but I can understand what you are saying (I think).

I don't know what country you are from, but in America I don't see things getting much better for a long long time.
Graduating college at the beginning of the economic collapse was really difficult.

I had a 4 year degree from a great university and it took me 7 months to find a job after graduating. I live in a big city with a lot of "opportunities" but so many places had hiring freezes. A lot still do.

And when I did get a job it had absolutely nothing to do with my major. Rather I hired because I had 4 years previous work experience (college part time work). Furthermore, I was hired as a "temp" and had 0 benefits. No time off, no health insurance, etc, while the other employees had excellent health insurance and up to 4 weeks paid vacation time...not to mention personal and sick days.

It wasn't until a year after many of my job applications that I began getting calls back asking me if I was interested in an interview. A year.

My point is: For many people in America, especially recent graduates, it's been extremely difficult finding a job. It hasn't been getting better.
Every day in the news it's one or the other "Unemployment unexpectedly rises/falls." More and more people are still being laid off.

Japan definitely is having a problem with declining population, which will affect ESL and other teaching jobs, but in America there is a problem with too many people and not enough jobs.

For me, going to Japan to teach is going to be a good thing. I decided to leave this job because no benefits, poor salary, not what I enjoy doing, and zero time off (which wouldn't be so bad if all of the employees had it the same way)...

I am very glad I was hired to teach in Japan because I just found out that the place I work at is having major construction on our building and it will be closed for a while this year (during that time I wouldn't be paid), and two years from now they don't think we will even exist. My position is part of a major medical college that is having to cut back because of the economy.

So Japan for me! I get to do a job that I will enjoy (always wanted to go into teaching) and I get to be in a country I have always been fascinicated about. I will pay for healthcare but I can rely on it. (I had to go on medicaid here in the U.S. because healthcare was too expensive).
I will also be getting paid more and I know that I will have job security for a year.

Will my contract get renewed? I hope so. If not, will I will be able to find more work in Japan? I hope so.
If I had stayed in the U.S. would I have had enough money to pay for rent for the rest of this year? No. Would I have been able to find another job that will pay me enough? Probably not...at least not quickly enough for me to keep rent while I look. 7 months again? I'm not doing that again.
Doing something I don't really enjoy? No thanks.

So if you really want to go to Japan and really want to teach ESL then it's a wise decision. If things get back you can always come back.
Hey, things weren't going well here for me and that's why I am leaving.

TLDR:
As to answer your questions:
Does it concern me? Yes, because I am going to Japan to teach English and I would like to stay there (if all goes well). However I am confident in my abilities and believe I will be a great asset to the company or that I wouldn't have too much trouble being hired elsewhere.
A shift in the ESL teaching? Probably. I wouldn't be surprised if there is already a major shift. More people seeking individual classes to get out of high prices from schools. Less schools popping up. Maybe.
Less people going to Japan: Maybe. People will always want to go and always be looking for opportunities. If it's not ESL then maybe there will be another niche market for foreigners. Although they may have to learn the language.

Wise decision: If you enjoy Japan and enjoy/think you'll enjoy teaching, then yes.

[Apsara]

There has already been a major shift. It was happening already but Nova's collapse in 2007 accelerated it. Salaries have been declining for over a decade now, still plenty of people arriving to fill fewer jobs with worse conditions, and that will continue probably until the economies in the main English-speaking countries start picking up again. There are still good jobs out there but they seem to be getting a lot harder for people to find.

[flyer]

Yes, as pointed out above, things haven't been good lately and with the population expected to go down (and the Nova fallout), the old days of the bubble are well and truely gone

But, then many other countries (if not all?) are having difficulties too. Personally, I am glad I am not working back in my home country right now. There have been hugh lay offs etc etc

If its just money you are after, then maybe somewhere else might be better? but for how long? there are so many variables no matter where you look, you never really know how things will turn out.

I like Japan, I like the lifestyle, culture, people etc. If its true that the chances of getting a good job are getting more difficult and wages are going down, people aren't stupid. Less will want to come (eventually, word gets around) and if less come, that means more work for those that are here, ... at least thats the theory?

another thing, this financial crisis has strengened the Japanese yen, so in effect given me a wage rise (when I send it home)

[Glenski]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]