Job Discussion Forums

mmmfreegoo · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 3

Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some advice with regard to teaching in Japan for the first time. I only have 20hrs tefl, a BA hons degree and no teaching experience.

So far, I have had interviews with Interac and Aeon. From these experiences, I have realised that I would prefer to work as an ALT (as you would via Interac, or on JET) at a school, rather than at an eikaiwa.

I was mainly put-off eikaiwa teaching by Aeon due to the lack of term times, and in the case of Aeon, the idea of a 12-9 day did not appeal. I felt it would split my day down the middle - I could just imagine waking late, working late and sleeping late with no actual time outside of weekends / 3 weeks holiday to immerse myself in, and explore Japan.

I would be happier to earn considerably less during summer/easter/christmas breaks (as is the case with Interac) if it meant I had more personal time.

So, I'm guessing this means I need to be looking at being placed as an ALT in a school that work to term times (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Just so you know, I applied to Interac (my 1st attempt at an ALT interview), but did not get in.

For Aeon, I managed to get a 2nd personal interview, but as I mentioned previously, I was put off by their informational session, and even if I do get offered a position (which I doubt I will), I'll be turning it down - it�s just not me.

I am extremely eager to get to Japan as soon as possible, but unfortunately I missed this year�s JET application, so, as far as I can tell the earliest I could go via this method would be in over a year�s time (if I was lucky enough to succeed).

Am I correct in thinking that I have to apply from JET within my native country? In which case, if I wanted to go down the JET route, would I really have to stay in the UK for the entire duration until the next applications are seen through?

I would very much appreciate it if the forum members could give me advice on my options, and avenues I could explore.

Many thanks for reading.

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

mmmfreegoo · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 3

Thanks for the reply, I think you are mainly justified in your response, and thanks for answering my questions.

I can see how this looks being my first post.

Perhaps I could have worded my initial posting differently, sorry if I have given the ignorant impression that I considered a Japanese alt job a 'paid vacation'.

No, that�s not what I meant. Of course I expect to work hard, and that�s exactly what I intend. Whether it be 8:00 to 5:00 (7:30 - 5:30+!) or 12:00 - 9:00 (11:30 - 9:30+!).

I was simply indicating my preference to the former time schedule as I believed I would be able to get more out of the day, more out of the experience, and I assumed that being an Alt in a school would more likely give me this kind of timetable.

My bad for not using the search tool with appropriate efficiency. I did try to research the relevant JET info, but I clearly didn't look hard enough.

But regardless, thanks for replying

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

"More out of the experience".

Well, I guess that's an individual thing. Working 9 to 5 gives you very little time to do some personal things like banking or post office stuff. Working noon to 9pm gives you more freedom there. If you want to watch J TV at night, I think you'll learn how dismal it is and how better you are for missing anything before 10pm. Just my opinion, though. Plus, there are always recorders to fill the gaps.

People in eikaiwa either go out after work (too expensive to do all the time) or they fill their evening hours somehow (Internet, reading, late night TV or vids, studying Japanese, etc.).

You may not have a clothes dryer and have to settle for hanging your clothes to dry (inside during winter in some places), so that's a hassle you may have to take care of, whether in the morning or evening.

Initially, you'll have to spend your off days exploring the neighborhood or other areas. If you are an ALT, you can do that after work any day of the week. Perhaps this is the most enticing of experiences in the beginning.

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

mmmfreegoo · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 3

Hi thanks for the reply Shiori..

The prospect of being involved with weekend/after school activities is an aspect that actually appeals to me.

I'm quite sport minded, I know I'd be asking too much to continue with the amount of sport that I currently engage in with the UK, but I'd assume I'd have a better chance of some kind of after work sport on a 8-5, maybe I'm wrong.

once again many thanks for the advice Smile

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Even in Tokyo, many shops close rather early. I had to run to the post office or bank during my lunch hour to get things done. Working late means you actually have more time to take care of these errands. As someone who now works nights (though not as a teacher) it usually takes an hour or two before I'm ready for bed. I get home at 2 am and rarely get to sleep before 4. But if you're done at 9... really is it that much later than your current bedtime?

Shiggy · Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 86

I know what you mean. I like going to the gym around 5:00 or 6:00. I've worked graveyards and it sucked. I've also worked late afternoon shifts and that wasn't much better, either.

In this case, I think you should remind yourself that living and working in Japan is the primary goal. Everything else should be secondary.

Also, I'd like to know what happened with Interac.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I also lived in West Tokyo, perhaps some place more suburban than you. My grocery store options were not 24 hr. But I don't think buying groceries was ever a big problem. I just remember it was a hassle having to go to the post office or deal with the bank... I always missed package deliveries the first time around. Visa and registrations stuff, doctors visits... all of this stuff required either a hurried visit during lunch or a rehashing of my schedule (or unpaid day off) to take care of. And let's not forget, there are a lot of job placements outside of Tokyo.

Of course this is something everyone has to deal with, foreigner and Japanese alike. I was simply trying to point out that there are some positives to working odd hours.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I agree with you there. I work some extremely odd hours myself (and when I was in eikaiwa worked the standard late shifts and weekends), and I like having plenty of time some mornings to get to banks and POs, and go shopping or to museums on weekdays when places are less crowded. I also like not having to commute very often at rush hour- having to brave the Chuo line at rush hour every day would probably crush my spirit... Confused

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:18 am Post subject:

It's more than your spirit that can get crushed on the rush-hour Chuo line! Surprised

I must say that I am quite impressed with all these tales of heaving oneself up to do chores in the mornings before swooshing bright and breezy into the eikaiwa for nine-hour stints (excruciating if there are few classes for the first five or six hours before 6 or 7pm...though much depends on how personable and stimulating colleagues are!). The most I could ever rouse myself to do whilst working eikaiwa (or the Chinese equivalent) was slap the alarm clock off and have an extra ten minutes in bed/on futon...but then, I'd often been in some bar half the previous night. I did however once get up in Shanghai to do some Tai Chi in a park...big mistake...forget the "Supreme Ultimate", this was the supreme sweatblob as the sun rose and the humidity soared...

On the other hand, like others have said, getting anything like banking done whilst AETing can be pretty difficult (unless on JET, where impromptu leave requests are usually permitted without too much fuss).