Job Discussion Forums

gallerygirl · Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Posts: 12

Hello,
Though I'm getting a big long in the tooth for this sort of thing I'm 29), I've decided that I really want to go ahead and pursue teaching abroad in Japan, an idea I've entertained for the past 8 years but have not done due to various life circumstances.

A little background about me: I have studied abroad twice in Japan and bachelor's degree in Japanese.

I was hoping to get some answers to questions I have regarding beginning this process.

1. How do I avoid scam schools? I currently work with ESL teachers here in the US, and have heard some pretty bad horror stories (though mostly about Korea and not Japan).

2. How can I find employment through a smaller company as opposed to one of the larger conglomerates like Aeon? My dream is to work in a small school in the countryside.

3. What is the general hiring season? I have a feeling I have missed it, as it seems that most jobs posted recently begin in April.

I'm sure I'll have more questions later, but if anyone can help me with these inquiries, I would very much appreciate it!

-Abigail Confused

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

gallerygirl · Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Posts: 12

Thanks for your response! I appreciate it. I was afraid unfortunately that going through an eikaiwa was pretty much the only way to get one's foot in the door. The reason I am wary of those is because I currently work in the administration office of an ESL school in America that teachers international students. Basically what I learned is that they are customers before students, and any minor complaint is raised to threat level orange. The stress is tremendous.

Does anyone here have any positive experiences working with one of the large eikaiwas? Are they even hiring in this bad economy?

Thanks again.

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

I worked for GEOS for 20 months in 2002 - 2004. It was fine, a little too focused on the money for my liking, but it was a good opportunity to cut my teeth and learn a few things about teaching before I left.

The attitude to complaints might just be the culture of the school you work in, although I'd suggest that it's similar to the way that Japanese schools deal with them.

Complaints happen in any country or context, how you deal with them is largely the same, IMO.

If you have good Japanese, it will help you a great deal, although I would avoid it in class if I were you -it can lead to complaints.

I would suggest that you spend some money on getting a recognised ELT certificate - that with a good level of Japanese will really help you find good work outside of the major eikaiwa chains, in my opinion.

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

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

As the OP said, smaller, independent schools. Being able to conduct the interview, or the initial contacts at least, partly in Japanese helped me out a great deal, even though my Japanese isn't/wasn't that great.

The most professional school I worked at in Japan insisted on a CELTA/Cert. TESOL/postgraduate teaching qualification. Such schools do exist. The eikaiwa industry is not entirely composed of cowboys and jokers! Smile

I should probably append "YMMV / I'm only talking about eikaiwa" to my posts for clarity.

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

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

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe