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Is Japan worth it anymore for the TESOL crowd?
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Vince



Joined: 05 May 2003
Posts: 559
Location: U.S.
PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 2:49 am    Post subject: Is Japan worth it anymore for the TESOL crowd? Reply with quote
I left Japan and TESOL six years ago, so the only exposure I have with TESOL in Japan these days is what I read online. In my last couple of years there, the decline in Japanese TESOL was already evident. As I check in every so often, things seem to be continuing in that direction. Based on that, I'm inclined to tell TESOL hopefuls (especially young ones who are just beginning to build their adult lives) that Japan isn't a very good choice anymore. Would you agree with that? Why or why not?

Of course, I'm not talking about people who have other reasons for being in Japan (e.g. they want to study aikido or learn Japanese), or those who are already established in Japan. I'm talking about sojourners who have a general desire to experience another culture and maybe build their finances, as well as aspiring TESOL professionals who want to start developing their resume.
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 4:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
It shouldn't take much searching here to find answers you seek.

Competition is very steep right now in Japan, for newcomers and veterans alike. If one gets a job, the money may not be as much as it used to be (250K vs. 180-220K per month). ALT dispatch agencies will typically not provide the benefits they should, and eikaiwas are doing the same.

Fewer jobs are being offered, yet it seems that the same or more people keep coming, whether they are qualified/trained, whether they want to teach or just fund an existence.
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GambateBingBangBOOM



Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan
PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:16 am    Post subject: Re: Is Japan worth it anymore for the TESOL crowd? Reply with quote
Vince wrote:
I'm inclined to tell TESOL hopefuls (especially young ones who are just beginning to build their adult lives) that Japan isn't a very good choice anymore. Would you agree with that? Why or why not?

Of course, I'm not talking about people who have other reasons for being in Japan (e.g. they want to study aikido or learn Japanese), or those who are already established in Japan. I'm talking about sojourners who have a general desire to experience another culture and maybe build their finances, as well as aspiring TESOL professionals who want to start developing their resume.


I would generally agree. With the exception of the JET program. For the reasons that Glenski just pointed out.

Japan is a country where people who have been here for years often ask themselves if its worth it any more.
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Sadebugo



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 524
PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:43 pm    Post subject: Re: Is Japan worth it anymore for the TESOL crowd? Reply with quote
Vince wrote:
I left Japan and TESOL six years ago, so the only exposure I have with TESOL in Japan these days is what I read online. In my last couple of years there, the decline in Japanese TESOL was already evident. As I check in every so often, things seem to be continuing in that direction. Based on that, I'm inclined to tell TESOL hopefuls (especially young ones who are just beginning to build their adult lives) that Japan isn't a very good choice anymore. Would you agree with that? Why or why not?

Of course, I'm not talking about people who have other reasons for being in Japan (e.g. they want to study aikido or learn Japanese), or those who are already established in Japan. I'm talking about sojourners who have a general desire to experience another culture and maybe build their finances, as well as aspiring TESOL professionals who want to start developing their resume.


Hmm, even if the industry is slumping, I would be reluctant to discourage anyone from going there. I have worked in three locations in Asia and Japan, by far, offered the most fulfilling experience in terms of its culture and the teaching experience. I wish I could have stayed there longer.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/
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steki47



Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka
PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:54 pm    Post subject: Re: Is Japan worth it anymore for the TESOL crowd? Reply with quote
GambateBingBangBOOM wrote:

Japan is a country where people who have been here for years often ask themselves if its worth it any more.


I'm hearing that. And feeling it a bit myself. Been here 7 years and have invested a lot in this country and have some doubts about my future here.

Next question: where do I go from here?
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GambateBingBangBOOM



Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan
PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 2:32 pm    Post subject: Re: Is Japan worth it anymore for the TESOL crowd? Reply with quote
steki47 wrote:

Next question: where do I go from here?


Depends on a lot of things. The same things that coming here depended on: your financial situation (savings versus student debt), your qualifications (do you have a masters in TESOL or Applied Linguistics or no? And if it's 'no', then why not? Maybe this isn't something you want to do long term). All sorts of other things. I know many people leave to go do graduate degrees in areas outside of language teaching.
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ghostrider



Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 147
PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 4:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Same here. Looking at going back to graduate school and continuing in a field related to what I majored in, but not in my home country. I imagine I'd feel similar or worse back in the US right now given the state it's in. Aiming for somewhere closer to home that seems pretty safe, politically and financially stable, and easier to integrate into.
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robertokun



Joined: 27 May 2008
Posts: 199
PostPosted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:09 am    Post subject: Is Japan worth it anymore for the TESOL crowd?