Job Discussion Forums

tjflad · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 2

Hello. A friend and I are applying to programs in the Chiba prefecture and have run into a problem. One of us found a job and the other one has not so far. If we both go there, how difficult is it to find and get a job once you are in the country? Also, if housing is set up for one of us by our job, can the other one stay there without getting into trouble. I am not sure about the legal issues with housing.

Any help or contacts for teaching opportunities in chiba would be much appreciated.

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

You have to give us more to go on.

Credentials?
Age?
Nationality?
When are you coming?
What kind of teaching are you interested/not interested in?

As for housing, it might depend on the employer.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Is it your boyfriend/girlfriend? Some employers have a problem with unwed couples living together. I know it is a bigger issue in Korea though.

tjflad · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 2

Thanks for the replies..

Yes, we are a couple..

We are both american, she is 23, has a pr degree with a travel writing minor, very proficient in english and is teaching in an esl class right now part time. We are both very open to the ages and teaching settings, we are just hoping to find something reasonably close together in Chiba. I have been offered a job and would be coming at the end of July. I am working in the public schools and she is open to the various private or public school settings. We are familiar with the aeon-type schools in Japan as well, and that type of school would also be fine.

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

Perhaps someone can help you specifically with the Chiba area. I can't, but I will offer these words.

As an unmarried couple, you will both have to get work visas in order to work here. Dependent visa and working holiday visas are not for you.

So, if you both come, and one of you has a job, you will have to feel out your employer to see if he allows you two to live together. They provide apartments, usually for one person, but liveable for 2 if you don't mind really cramped quarters. While the unemployed person is here, he has (obviously) more opportunity to look for work than merely by doing so from the USA.

However, if you want something in the formal school system (public or private), you have missed pretty much all of the hiring times, since classes begin in April. There might be an exception or two, but you will have to be here NOW in order to find them. Otherwise, about all you can get will be the "AEON-type" (eikaiwa) jobs. They hire practically anytime. You can also look into whatever private classes you can muster, but they will take contacts and leg work to accrue.

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

In regard to sharing an apartment in an `aeon-type` job may I offer the following:-
I attended an aeon interview here in Japan. Any positions there seem to be linked to taking an apartment. When asked if this would be a problem for me, I said it might not, if i could also take my Japanese WIFE (I am on a spouse visa here). I was basically `shot down in flames` and told it would be unacceptable to allow me to share one of their apartments with my wife. (Yes, what would the neighbours say about someone co-habiting with their wife, it is a bloody disgrace, how bohemian and sinful .......)
That may give you some useful information (which you probably didn`t want to hear!!)
Good Luck
(oh, and suprise, suprise, I don`t, er, work for aeon..........)

kiracle · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 65 Location: Gifu, Japan

same thing with "aeon type" job. Had to sign a document saying my husband WOULD not live with me or no job. Er..I didn't take the job.

But talk to your employer. I think many wouldn't agree because it's usually a small apartment for one and they are providing it as part of your salary and they usually have a cetain investment in it. They may not want to extend that to someone not in their employ but you could get lucky and have a sympathetic boss and a big apartment...

I hope that you do get lucky..

joncharles · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Beijing

I should say that when I was at Nova, we had many partners, Married, bf/gf, gay.. and were able to share an apt as a couple.. Also while at WinBe for a brief time I had a training mate who's bf was a Nova teacher. She managed to get a visa and is teaching at WinBe... Check WinBe.. their HQ for the Kanto region in in Kaihin Makuhari, Chiba. Their web site is at : http://www.winbenet.com/index.htm However, WinBe has a handful of company owned schools and the rest are franchised. Unless you work for a WinBe owned school, you are at the whim of the franchise owner.