Job Discussion Forums

[Chrissemac]

Hey I know this has probably been asked a few times. I have had a look through a few threads but none seem to be the exact same situation as mine. Well here goes, Me and my boyfriend are dying to teach English in Japan we're both booked into sit the next 120hr TEFL course, he has a degree and neither of us have ANY teaching experience. I on the other hand don't have a degree, I do however qualify for a Work/Holiday visa which I have already emailed the Embassy about and have been informed I will be issued with a 12month visa. I am just wondering if there is a chance in hell I'll even be considered for a teaching job under these circumstances? I am very determined, I also am in the process of learning Japanese with Rosetta stone. At the moment we're looking at Aug 2011 due to financial reasons but could possibly be due some extra cash for March in time for the start of the semester. I have heard of a few people managing it but its not been confirmed how likely it would be, I am willing to go to interview after interview. If it helps(which I doubt it) I have been a manager for 7years. Also better add neither of us drive, I know the odds are stacked against us and probably regardless of advice I'll still give it a good shot, But I would be most appreciative of any tips and creditable advice.
Thank you
Chrisse

[G Cthulhu]

It's possible, but unlikely given the amount of competition you'll have. While the boyfriend is as good as anyone else with zero experience, you're in a more interesting position. Given the lack of driving you're probably looking at major city locations only. For that, you should be able to find something part time under a WHV, especially if your Jpns is functional enough to follow basic instructions. Good luck with Rosetta Stone; I though it was garbage for the price paid.

Oh, and save your money for the 120hr course: that really is a waste of money for Japan. They won't care if you have it or not.

[Chrissemac]

Cheers for you advice, I am worried......I love Japan. My brother is there at moment he owns a Japanese restaurant (he's half asian/also techincally my half brother) So I have been brought up dreaming of this and I am under no illusion its going to be easy. I am maybe going to try see about another asian country 1st even though my boyfriend see's that as failing, but I love Japan/Japanese culture and really want this...........Hoping that some how I am one of the lucky one's. I am guessing you have done teaching in Japan, is it as harsh as I have read? I got to admit can't be worse than my job at moment.

[Glenski]

I agree with G Cthulhu's assessment. Your boyfriend is among the thousands of hopefuls that simply has to deal with the competition of similar "qualifications". Bottom rung jobs are his best shot (ALT through JET or a dispatch company, instructor at an eikaiwa).

Your WHV will only be good for a year, so bear in mind the consequences once it's up. If you want to stay longer you won't be able to unless you marry him (and he still has a visa). Or you could change to a student visa or cultural activities visa. Regardless, WHV holders have a couple of advantages over other people who need visa sponsorship:

they can start immediately
they can take on PT work as their primary source of income
they can do more than just teaching jobs

That doesn't mean you'll do any of the above, just that they are possible. Competition in Japan is pretty high right now.

August start dates are pretty spotty, IMO. JET sends its ALTs then, but otherwise, it's the beginning of a quiet time for other ALTs.
Best of luck.

[Chrissemac]

Hey thanks again, I was actually guided to this forum because of you (Glenski). I was told you're the Yoda of Japanese teaching. I originally posted on another forum and was told you where best person to ask, I seriously need to have a think about it I am 27 so only got 3yrs to get a Japanese WHV so I don't want to waste a chance, I speak basic mandarin so maybe I have a better chance in China, although I have heard they are making it mandatory to have a native English speaking teacher in every elementary school and above as of April 2011 in Japan so whether this helps I dunno.......Hmmmm maybe I should go with Yahoo answers and wear a tight suit and high heals to my interviews
Thank you anyway, I have at least a few months to work out what I really want a long term career or another year working abroad!

[pnksweater]

Actually, there�s no official requirement for every elementary school to have a native English speaker by 2011. I think someone has gotten this confused with the requirement for all elementary schools to teach a foreign language to 5th and 6th graders. Yes, the language is usually English. And yes, schools are beginning to demand ALTs in the elementary classroom. But it is in no way a requirement. In fact, some of my schools have responded to this foreign language requirement by taking on local volunteers with high English levels to help out in the classrooms. Personally I think it�s a great solution.

Do you want to teach English or do you simply want to live in Japan? If you want to live in Japan, don�t limit yourself to English teaching work. There are other kinds of work out there if you�re lucky enough to have a working holiday visa. What work experience do you have (managing what)? What are your long term goals?

[Chrissemac]

My managing experience is in retail. Unfortunately I dropped out of uni 8 years ago so I have no real skills. At the moment I am a manager in a bookmakers so I doubt I will get a job in Japan in that field. I am optomistic I had a WHV in Australia and managed to get a job in one of the biggest smoothie bar chains and my employer was willing to sponsor me to stay so he could take a back seat and start a family and I could manage his business(I decided against it) I know I can prove I am hard working. I have a lot of experience in Food service management too. But I have to admit my Japanese is basic and chances are it won't get above that level unless I am surrounded by native speakers or a proper teacher so far I am using many sources but neither of these. My boyfriend and I want to try make Japan a home. I am completely aware that we maybe have a different idea of Japanese life compared to what its actually like (something I am trying to explain to him) we might end up hating it, which I am prepared for. As of a career, long term goals I want to become a freelance artist eventually which is prob even more difficult than getting a teaching job. I do specialise in Asian art and comtempary. I have previously been commissioned for a few pieces for chinese restaurants. But as I go through several stages of productivity I doubt I could make a living off it!

[Glenski]

The requirements for a basic English teacher are easier to fulfill than most other work visas. Look here and see what you might have to shoot for in terms of visa requirements once your WHV is up. Aside from a dependent visa (married to your bf), of course.
http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law/detail/?id=1927&vm=04&re=01

[Bread]

My Korean friends on WHV have all been able to get jobs in Tokyo at McDonald's and izakaya and a sushiya. Study Japanese until you can do restaurant work and you should be able to get something.

[Amarok]

Speaking bluntly, I'd seriously recommend that with your unfortunate English skills you try to pursue work that's actually related to skills you *do* have, since you have years of managing under your belt. English obviously isn't your strong point, so why are you expecting to be able to get a job teaching it, especially with the current levels of competition?

[Chrissemac]

I am a native English speaker, its my Japanese I am worried about in order to get a retail job. I doubt considering I have been speaking English for 27yrs I would have difficulty, my accent on the other hand might be a hinderance

[Glenski]

[Apsara]

[pnksweater]

We all know that Japan is full of unqualified English teachers. It�s full of unqualified teachers because the only real requirement for a visa to teach English is a BA. As others have pointed out, it�s really hard to get a visa to do other kinds of work. A lot of those doing non-English teaching work started out teaching English to get their foot in the door, so to speak. But if you have no BA and no future interests in Education or EFL/ESL why waste your time? You have a WHV which according to the MOFA is part or full time awesome, but only for a maximum of one year.