Job Discussion Forums

Clandest · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

So I currently just turned 23. And I've always wanted to live in japan. I took a two week vacation last year to japan and that made me crave even more to live there. So pretty much right now the only way I would be able to live in my dream country would to be to teach english.

So this is my situation. I have an associates degree in graphic design and animation. I can go back to school and turn that into a BA. All that is required to get a work visa is a BA/BS. So cool, I can do that. And for the money to live off of. With my current job I can save up at least enough money to survive for half a year or more by the time I end up leaving. I have no teaching experience at all. But my resume shows that I have leadership experience. I am a goofy, interactive, patient, and very animated type of individual.

So given the above information. Would it be smart to just move to japan and look for a job in the 3 months I am able to live there since I am from america. OR go with one of the bigger eikaiwa schools just to get my foot in the door?

I am just a little worried with my lack of teaching experience, and since my BA will have nothing to do with teaching. And since right now I hear its flooded with teachers right now. I hope that in two-three years when I would be able to go there that I would be able to land a job.

Thank your for taking our time.

Cheers

yangyoseop · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:03 am Post subject:

Sounds like if you don't even have a BA you should probably work on that before you start making any decisions about moving to Japan.

Clandest · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:34 am Post subject:

The benefit of getting a degree related to teaching is that it will help open doors beyond TEFL (e.g. international schools, teaching back home eventually etc) should the TEFLing not quite pan out and/or you get tired of it. But you don't actually need a teaching degree in order to TEFL, just a BA in any subject will do...which is a way of saying that having the teaching degree won't necessarily translate into much greater hireability or pay in the field of TEFL itself (in fact, there are quite a few employers who don't really want serious educators but more edutainers, who won't push or upset the "customers" as opposed to, y'know, really treating 'em like <GASP> 'students'!).

As for heading over without sponsorship/a work visa in hand already, that IMHO is always a risky venture and probably even moreso nowadays, and tourists need to have sufficient funds, perhaps return tickets etc...that route would appear to be a bit fraught, is what I'm saying! Plus the hiring peak is ending now (though there are smaller peaks later in the school year), especially if you might have been considering not just eikaiwa but perhaps even a bit of downright dirty dispatch AET work!

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 30

Clandest · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

Yea, if a degree in TEFL doesn't make a night and day difference then it wouldn't be worth it. And I already am halfway to a BA with my current associates. And if it doesn't work out over there. I currently have a $50-60k a year job that I can easily be able to get again when I come back because I have very good reputation.