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Valaki
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Japan
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 Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 1:38 pm Post subject: non-native with credentials job hunting on tourist visa |
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Is this a very bad idea considering the state of the market in Japan currently? Do I have a chance at all? Any tips/suggestions etc. greatly appreciated.
Me: white European non-native speaker with native like fluency, BA/MA "English"/CELTA.
Thanks. |
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aynnej
Joined: 03 May 2008
Posts: 53
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A.
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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Honestly, I think it's going to be tough, even with the CELTA. I say that for two reasons -- 1) I've only met English teachers who were either Japanese or from North America/U.K./Ireland/Australia/NZ, and 2) I had to show that I completed both my primary and secondary education in English in order to obtain my current job. Maybe you could try to get a job teaching your native language, and point out that you can also teach English? Berlitz might be an option -- http://teach.berlitz.co.jp/.
Good luck! |
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Valaki
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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Tough? I like tough. I just want to know if it's impossible right now.
I completed my primary and secondary education in English, although not in anglophonia. |
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Mr_Monkey
Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 661
Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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You should be OK then - the visa requirements are for 12 years of English-medium education.
The only problem you have now is the "native speaker knows best; non-natives aren't as desirable/not as good" attitude. There's not much that can be done about that, and it's a very widespread belief in Japan. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject: Re: non-native with credentials job hunting on tourist visa |
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| Valaki wrote: |
| Me: white European non-native speaker with native like fluency, BA/MA "English"/CELTA. |
What nationality? Some qualify for working holiday visas and those don't need employers to sponsor them. |
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tokyo10
Joined: 13 Apr 2010
Posts: 27
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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| If you want it enough, it can happen...just bring more money than you believe you will need. Also, I wouldnt personally put "non-native speaker" on the application. Dont put anything that might work against you. |
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Valaki
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Thank you so much everyone for the replies. Please allow one last question.
I am planning to land in a month or two.
I am willing to take ANY job that will give me a visa and am willing to work ANYWHERE. Even a small fishing village where I am the only gaijin.
Now my question is this: is that an advantage? Or is less competition offset by the lack of opportunities.
Also, if anyone has any tips on a good location where I could base myself (based on the above), I would really really appreciate it. Feel free to PM.
Thank you again. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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You don't seem to be here in a very timely manner.
At least do me the courtesy of answering what your nationality is. It may mean a lot towards/against your chances. If you are not from a country recognized by employers or immigration as native English speaking, you may have to prove that you had 12 years of your education completely in English, in order to qualify for a work visa.
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| I am willing to take ANY job |
Please don't. Some employers prey on people with such an attitude, and pay far less than they should for more work than you deserve. Don't be so desperate.
No, it is not an advantage, IMO. You will only be exploited.
Base yourself wherever. Japan is satiated with teachers and wannabes. Go where the jobs are more likely.
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| I am planning to land in a month or two. |
That means middle of June or July. Very poor timing. Most jobs will already be underway. |
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Valaki
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Glenski, and apologies for not answering. I am a citizen of Hungary. We are the President of the EU now so that should count for something in the eyes of immigration (just kidding).
As I'd said, I am not sure I satisfy the 12 years requirement. I think I might though.
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Go where the jobs are more likely.
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Where is that? Considering I'm willing to go anywhere (fishing village, etc)
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That means middle of June or July. Very poor timing. Most jobs will already be underway.
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I thought eikaiwas hire all year round. |
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GambateBingBangBOOM
Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| You could find yourself offered jobs, only to lose them when you show the employer your passport, because it isn't from an English speaking country (especially an inner circle nation [the UK, Australia, New Zealand, The US, Canada, Ireland]). I used to know someone that that happened to a few times. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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Hungary, as I'm sure you must realize, is not considered a native English speaking country. So, as I mentioned earlier, you may have to show immigration 12 years of English education, even if you are already a licensed or certified teacher.
I could suggest GABA because they tend to hire a fair amount of non-native speakers (somehow), but I do not think highly of them. Classes are one on one, if I'm not mistaken, and that can be very tiring on student and teacher. Moreover, you teach only when they have students interested. On top of that, the lessons (45-50 minutes long) are paid pretty low wages. You might also see if Berlitz is interested, maybe even GEOS, simply because they might see some value in you teaching a language other than English, but I wouldn't have high hopes for that.
To go where the jobs are more likely, I meant bigger cities with denser populations, just to shoot for a better chance at percentages.
Best of luck. |
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Valaki
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 8:34 am Post subject: |
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Thank you for your help again Glenski. I appreciate it.
Well, I can show immigration this:
(All of these were in NON-English speaking countries.)
- Half (4 years) of my primary education took place at an international school.
- Went to a bilingual high school (4 years).
- Did an English degree (took 6 years - don't ask me why).
- CELTA |
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seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
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| Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 8:54 am Post subject: |
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| Valaki wrote: |
| - Did an English degree (took 6 years - don't ask me why). |
You did an English degree or a degree in English?
There's a big difference.
You need to prove 12 years of education taught through an English medium (i.e. the teachers of different subjects were delivering the lessons in English rather than in Hungarian or any other language)... interestingly enough never seen anything that says that during those 12 years you actually had to be studying English language  |
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Valaki
Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 9:18 am Post subject: |
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You did an English degree or a degree in English?
There's a big difference.
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The content of the degree was Chomsky and Shakespeare if that's what you're asking. It was taught completely in English. I couldn't imagine an English degree not being taught in English. It wouldn't be accredited. Mine is (by UK NARIC !!!!).
So yeah, the teachers of different subjects were delivering the lessons in English. Am I cool with immigration then? |
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seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
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| Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 10:26 am Post subject: |
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| Valaki wrote: |
| It was taught completely in English. I couldn't imagine an English degree not being taught in English. It wouldn't be accredited. Mine is. |
Really?! I've sat through American lit and translation theory classes being delivered in German in Austria, Japanese and Spanish lit classes being delivered in English in the UK and German and Chinese classes being taught in Spanish when I was at uni in Spain. That's how it often works and that's why I asked.
I think you should contact your local Japanese embassy to check your claim with them first.
If you've got your 12 years and can get the schools to confirm that for immigration then that is great but they are the least of your worries.
Before you can even start thinking visa applications you will need to find an employer willing to accept that your English is better than that 19 year old secondary school drop out with a British passport and a WHV and convince them that not only are you eligible for a visa to teach English but that their customers/schools will be happy with a non-native speaker of English as their teacher.
I'm not trying to be negative. I just hope you truely understand just how tough a challenge you are facing.
If you have 500,000yen to burn (excluding flights) and are confident in you job hunting and interview skills then by all means come out here during the hiring season - don't shoot your self in the foot by coming over here at the wrong time... as a person from a non-English speaking country, you only have one leg to start off with.
| Glenski wrote: |
| I could suggest GABA because they tend to hire a fair amount of non-native speakers (somehow) |
Perhaps many of them are working under spouse, dependant's, student, etc visas rather than actually having instructor/specialist visas to teach English specifically or they got a work visa to teach their native language but also teach English. |
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