Job Discussion Forums

[secretgarden]

Hi everyone,

I plan to work in Japan, preferably Tokyo, but have a few concerns. Is there any difficulty getting a job as a female? Especially from a non-native english speaking country like Singapore. I'm Chinese. I have just acquired my CELTA with no english teaching experience.

Your advise is very much appreciated

Lynn

[Lucy Snow]

Do you have a university degree? You cannot work legally in Japan without one.

[secretgarden]

I do have a BFA

[hagakuri]

Hi,

There is good news and bad news. You have 2 things going for you: you have a degree and CELTA. One thing maybe against you, this depends on the school, the lack of your experience. But, many schools and companies hire teachers without experience. Then you have 1 major thing against you: your race.

In Japan, people are generally hired on the physical traits. Sad to say, but very true. Most schools do not like the idea of hiring an Asian to teach English, and even more if it is not their native language. The thought is that the Japanese go to these schools to see a nice smiling Western face.

For example, I know very few Americans who are Asian that are teaching English in Japan.

Dont let me discourage you though. You really will not know until you try. Apply at some places and see what happens. If you do not have any luck in Japan, then turn your attention to S.E. Asia. Just be warned that your salary will not compare with those that are Western `looking` and are native English speakers.

Race aside, females do not have any major concerns to worry about. They are all pretty minor.

Good luck to you!

[G Cthulhu]

[Gouki]

You're an Asian girl. Unless you want to work as a bar hostess or somewhere along the line, perhaps there are a lot of opportunities. As a teacher, I think you would be somewhat taken less seriously. Japanese people do look down on other Asians unfortunately.

G Cthulhu, I think you're misleading everyone. The big schools do not hire just anybody. I've tried and I haven't got any answers from a couple of them. I'm more than qualified and have been working as a professional (in many lines) for a number of years already.

Some things that might set you back if you tried with the big schools :

- race (Asians not preferred, Romanians, Russians or other European natives may have trouble if they have broken English)
- qualifications/experiences (if you are an English major or someone with a diploma in Mechanics then forget it, you're overqualified or underqualified)
- age (though a friend of mine did get to the interview stage but he was rejected for the next reason)
- appearance, if you're ugly or extremely fat then forget it

Some of these schools already know that teachers are using them (for the visa), which is not fair for others who may actually want to work in such environments (meeting new people, conversing about anything).

Its best to try the smaller schools (from Singapore, not from here) and just try to sell youself as a serious teacher with good teaching foundations. Talk about extra-curriculum (sp) activities that you've been involved in and so on.

Good luck girl

[G Cthulhu]

[Gouki]

G Cthulhu,

Are you a recruiter or an AT?