Job Discussion Forums

[Timberdan]

Hello, I've been teaching in Taiwan for a few years and feel like i'm ready for a change. I've been interested in going to Japan, but I've always been put off by high living costs.

I've heard through the grapevine that due to the earthquake and nuclear situation, many teachers have been put off going to Japan causing a shortage. Therefore cram schools are willing to pay higher wages for English teachers.

Is this true? Any advice that can be given will be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Glenski]

I do not have the info you want, but I think it is important to clear up a couple of things.

"Cram school" = juku
Not a lot of foreigners teach at jukus. Were you thinking of conversation schools (eikaiwa)?

Why would you limit yourself to one small area, let alone one that has been so devastated that there are no buildings around, or one that has such serious radiation problems?
http://underthehollywoodsign.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tohoku-earthquake.jpg

[seklarwia]

I think he means that he believes that foreigners have left or have chosen to not come to Japan so there might be a foreigner shortage and hence better pay across the whole of Japan.

He doesn't say anything about actually wanting to work in or near the affected areas.

@ the OP: Have you looked at any job adverts recently? Have you seen anything advertising higher pay? If not, there's you answer.

Sure some people chose not to come, but there hasn't been such a mass exodus that employers are being forced to raise pay just to lure in employees. There are still plenty of foreigners here and people still coming in (if at a reduced rate).
If employers are and continue to have trouble getting employees, I'd imagine they would just employ more people who would accept current pay rates (or less) from poorer English speaking countries such as India or the Phillipines.

[Denizen]

Interac is looking for qualified teachers for the general vicinity, well away from the devastation, and is willing to add some perks as motivation. Check their site (www.interacnetwork.com) and see if this is something you'd consider.

[gwynnie86]

I was going to say the same thing... Interac seem to be offering to pay for flights and give a "starting bonus", which pre-existing employees aren't all too thrilled about! I think they'd place those people in Miyagi, Ibaraki, Fukushima or Iwate prefectures. A friend of mine was very fortunate with job offers recently, although she's already here and a qualified teacher with a year's experience of teaching in Japan, too. She said she was receiving two to four job offers a day! You can but search, apply and wait and see. Remember that the cost of living is much higher here compared to Taiwan.

[Timberdan]

Thanks for the advice and links.

Yes, it is the living cost that is putting me off Japan. I will continue to do some research and see what i find.