Job Discussion Forums

[postboy29]

I�m interested in teaching English in Japan and have been trying to get an accurate idea of people�s experiences. I�ve spent many hours reading websites, forum posts, and blog�s but it seems the only consistent thing I see is that everyone disagrees about everything. I have several questions I�d like to ask, some of which have been asked by other people in this forum but the responses they got were not as specific as I would like or the responses pertained to someone who was in a different situation than me. (A married woman with children from Australia has different concerns than a single guy from America. Although we might have some of the same questions the answers were more geared to the person asking the question.)
In order to help you know how to direct your answers allow me to give you some information about myself. I�m a 26 year old white male who currently lives in Los Angeles CA (USA). I speak no Japanese and have never visited Japan. I am single, and don�t know anyone in Japan. I am currently working a job in a completely unrelated field on a project that ends in February. (Although depending on the outcome of several work related and family related events I may not want to leave for Japan for as long as a year. That said I do plan on leaving for Japan in the next year, I�m just trying to plan in advance.)

#1. Since I may not leave for as long as a year can anyone suggest the best way to learn some Japanese before I leave? (Audio CD�s, videos, specific learning packages, etc. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Unfortunately taking classes isn�t an option since I am on call 24/7 and my schedule may change at a moments notice.)

Other than knowing the names for a few pieces of sushi I don�t know any Japanese at all. I understand this poses a challenge, which I�ll gladly accept, but if it�s the equivalent of signing myself up for cultural solitary confinement I might re-examine my plans to allow longer to study the Japanese language before I leave. #3. How difficult is day to day life in Japan if you don�t speak any Japanese?

I�ve read a lot about NOVA, JET, AEON, GEOS, and other programs. Other than the occasional bitter person saying one is hell or the occasional post in broken English saying how great another program is, they all seem fairly similar. #2. What in your opinions are the big differences between the programs? Which would you suggest for me?

I personally feel more comfortable living in or extremely near a large city. I also know from reading the various sites that no school really gives you any choice in this matter but almost all state you are with in an easily commutable distance of a large city. #4. Is there any way I can make sure I�m near a large city? Is there a particular program that is better or worse at placing you near a city?

I have read blogs by people who have said they are in a mountain village cut off to the outside world and surrounded by racist Japanese who hate white people. I�ve also read blogs where people say they�re living in a building with twenty people from America, Canada, Australia, and the UK in a 24/7 party where being white alone brings celebrity status. I understand the experience is what you make of it and you bring yourself wherever you go but I�m looking to see what people�s experiences have been. (Keep in mind I have never been to Japan so answers that deal with a first timer to Japan are appreciated.)

#5. How much of an English speaking or foreigner support network is there? (Is it hard to find other native English speakers?)

#6. How do Japanese people treat you (as a foreigner)?

#7. Is it difficult to be single in Japan? How do Japanese women see foreign (White American) men?

Everyone says they loved their experience in Japan whether they�re still doing it or not. I want to know how you viewed the experience while it was happening. #8 What did you think and feel about living and teaching in Japan after the first month? 6 months? Year?

#9. What was the most surprising part of your initial experience after moving to Japan?

#10. What do you wish you knew before leaving to teach in Japan?

OK that's it for now. The more responses the better since everyone seems to have completely different views and experiences.

[Glenski]

postboy,
Yours is a TALL order, and I can understand how you might have become rather confused with all of the information floating around. However, I don't see it as muddled as you make it. You have to sift out what fits YOUR situation.

That said, here goes. Don't be too surprised at some answers.

#1. Since I may not leave for as long as a year can anyone suggest the best way to learn some Japanese before I leave?
Assuming that the spoken language is preferred over the written, you need to learn some grammar. Tapes will help a little with pronunciation and some grammar. Two books which may help are Systematic Japanese. A Simple, Effective Method for Self-study. by Gene Nishi, Shufunotomo Co., Ltd., (255 pages), 2000, 2500 yen, and Japanese for Everyone. A Functional Approach to Daily Communication by Susumu Nagara, 1990, Gakken Co., Ltd., (383 pages), 2900 yen. I'm sure other people will recommend other books, too.

For written language, you face 3 alphabets: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. The first two are relatively easy to pick up, and for kanji (a daunting hurdle if there ever was one), I'd recommend Basic Kanji Book, Volume 1 and 2 by Chieko Kano, Yuri Shimizu, Hiroko Takenaka, & Eriko Ishii; 1989, Bonjinsha Co., Ltd., (228 & 262 pages), 2400 yen and 2500 yen.

#3. How difficult is day to day life in Japan if you don�t speak any Japanese?
In bigger cities, pretty easy. Many things are written in English. Supermarkets and bus stops might pose the biggest problems. Depends on where you live. Learning the basic stuff will go a LONG way, though, so don't get too worried.

#2. What in your opinions are the big differences between the programs? Which would you suggest for me?
Probably the best bet depends on how well you figure you can fare in a small town vs. larger one. If you feel ok and are willing to accept the challenges of language barriers, go with JET. Otherwise, I'd say try the bigger eikaiwas that you listed.

Differences are not always easy to pin down. Email me for an Excel file that compares the Big Four eikaiwa and JET (it's just info I stripped from their FAQs).

People usually consider ECC and AEON the top of the Big Four. AEON subsidizes housing over about 40,000 yen. GEOS has a fair amount of paperwork to handle. NOVA is usually rated at the bottom of the Big Four, but it is still a fair place for most to work if you have the right attitude. See this for more. http://vocaro.com/trevor/japan/nova/level_up.html

#4. Is there any way I can make sure I�m near a large city? Is there a particular program that is better or worse at placing you near a city?
For JET, probably not. For the Big Four, maybe. They all have huge numbers of sites, and they would prefer to fill the slots where people don't want to go, usually rural ones. But, in the end you go where they send you. Some people have written that their employer was quite willing to send them close to their desired places; I don't know the circumstances. Just remember that for the thousands of people applying to these jobs, more people have images of wondrous neon-lit Tokyo and Kyoto than anywhere else and would prefer those places.

#5. How much of an English speaking or foreigner support network is there? (Is it hard to find other native English speakers?)
You have already answered your own question. It depends on where you go. Japan has about a million foreigners (mostly Chinese and Koreans and Brazilians). But it's not hard to spot another white face (like yours) in a crowd. Unless you are on JET, your home office will be the first place to start.

#6. How do Japanese people treat you (as a foreigner)?
Me, personally? Just fine. I married a Japanese woman, and her friends and family treat me very well. My Japanese co-workers do, too. Management is management, wherever you go, however. Generally speaking, I'm quite satisfied. You will always find something to complain about, though, so don't think life as a foreigner here is perfect, no matter what your circumstances. You have to develop a thick skin for some irritations.

#7. Is it difficult to be single in Japan? How do Japanese women see foreign (White American) men?

This is something you should have already read in your research. Not all Japanese women are the same, much like saying that not all British, American, Australian, etc. women are the same. Some J women adore foreigners, some want to have nothing to do with them. Some only want to have them as trinkets on their charm bracelets to show off to friends. Some just want free English practice. Being single here is what you make of it. Want lots of high-pitched cuddly women hanging on your arm and willing to date/sleep with any other foreigner (red flag!!)? Then go to gaijin bars. Want someone serious? Do what you would normally do with women from your own country. Chivalry goes over bigger here, though.

#8 What did you think and feel about living and teaching in Japan after the first month? 6 months? Year?
VERY difficult question to answer because of my situation and the enormous generality involved. I had been to Japan twice before my current stay, so I had some experience under my belt before striking out as a teacher. Write me personally if you want more intimate details, because this answer will take a long time to describe.

#9. What was the most surprising part of your initial experience after moving to Japan?
My first experience was not in teaching (see above). Very hard to answer, and I'm not really sure if any answer at all would mean much to you at this point. Certainly without more background on me and my experiences.

#10. What do you wish you knew before leaving to teach in Japan?
More about the business operations/culture. More Japanese (although it's not needed that much for work). Not much else.

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

Have a read of this link on culture shock

every one who comes to Japan goes through at least one or several of these stages during their time here.

http://www.thejapanfaq.com/FAQ-Primer.html