Job Discussion Forums

[Sonic]

Hello.
My name is Jasper and I have a few questions. I have been browsing this and similar sites for several days before making this post, so as to hopefully not ask the wrong things and waste your time!

I am currently a self-employed musician and DJ, age 27, with a degree, but no TEFL training or teaching experience. I currently live in Manchester, UK. I have decided I am no longer happy in my (quite well earning) job, and to relocate to Asia, in search of a new career in teaching. In my research online, I have narrowed it down to two rough options.

My first is to try for Tokyo, to start from the bottom in a 'conversational language school'. This is in the hope that the modern city would provide eventual opportunities to continue work as a DJ (I have played most places internationally, from Brazil to Australia, the US & Canada).

My questions are -

Is this realistic? Or will I not have time or energy from being overworked to DJ late nights (I am pretty sure I could find work, thus avoiding the need for 'private teaching' to supplement my income)? I have a certain amount of money put away, and a regular income from royalties, which should provide halfway into next year, should I stop releasing music tomorrow.

Should I take the risk of coming to Japan without a work visa? Would I be advised to take a TEFL course (my English and language skills are good, and I am confident with them)? Or should I take the equal risk of applying to one of the 'big four' (the so-called main hirers, standard salary, roughly 26 hour weeks)? My priority I think is not my salary, but getting enough time to enjoy the country I am in. My worry is that I will not have this time. I am in for the long-haul if needs be, I have no problems with the idea of being away for three years or so. Also, has anyone had experience with Shane Language schools (part of the Saxoncourt group)? They seem keen to hand out jobs, have a similar kind of set-up to the 'big 4', but are orientated around British English, don't require a TEFL, and are almost exclusively in Tokyo, which is definitely what I want.

My second idea is China. Shanghai, I have narrowed it down to. I like the idea that the place is also known for good nightlife, but hopefully without quite as bad pollution as Beijing, and warmer. If I were to take this route, my approach would be slightly different. I would consider doing a TEFL course in SE Asia (are these worth the paper they're written on?), then travelling overland and staying somewhere cheap (much more feasible, presumably, than expensive Tokyo) in the search for work.

How likely is it I can pick up work there, in Shanghai? If I did find it, how would it pay? Would I have more free time than in Tokyo? Would I get more opportunity to travel around the country than Japan?

Hopefully you can guess from what I've written is that I am serious about this, but I like places that are lively, with good nightlife (cities), and perhaps from what you've experienced personally you could suggest which route I should take, and any tips you might have. I know this is a lot to ask, but if anyone replies, I will be indebted to him or her for helping me through this life changing experience. Thanks!

[Glenski]

[Wolf]

If you have a degree then you should be able to get hired from one of the "Big Four" from the UK. A TEFL will help you in the classroom, I daresay, but you won't need to have one to get a job with the Big 4 (I didn't.)

The really big cities in China (esp Shanghai) might fit your bill, but I do know there's a DJ scene in Japan (knew someone who DJed).

Your evening work schedule could be a problem. You could try to arrange to have the nights you DJ off (this is hit and miss. Do note that if you ask for something this from your employer, nothing stops them from denying your request out of spite. I speak from experience.)

You know more about DJing than I. But if you go to Japan via the Big Four, at worst you'll teach English for a few months or a year. It will be an experience either way.

[Ted]

The harsh reality is: in Japan you will be nothing more than a talking/dancing bear/parrot. In China you can develop your own lesson plans and teach in your own style.

Why do people keep praising being a JET or an ALT??? Do newbies really know what this means? You stand in front of the class while the Japanese teacher who barely speaks English leads the class. You, the dummy, respond when told to, ask questions when told to and run around the class when told to. It's brutal and mind-numbing. And insulting.

And working at the "big 4" means you will be at the bottom rung of J society ($ wise) and stuck doing SALES.

Japan is overdeveloped. There's no room for any originality. You go, they tell you what to do, you obey or get fired.

[lajzar]

Thats a bit harsh. I happen to be in an ALT-type job where I am responsible for presenting the lessons. No human tape recorder here, unlike when I was in Korea. Sure, my employer has given me several hundred pages worth of high quality lesson materials, but I am under no obligation to use it.

Why, only last week, I didn't even teach English in class at all (I taught Maltese). That's more freedom than I bet you have

[voodoochild]

I think Ted has hit the nail on the head there...there is no freedom to do any teaching in your own style in Japan , it sucks.

[Roger]

...but I wondern why the original poster wants to relocate since he is after a lifestyle that he says is no longer datiosfactory for him in his native UK. What is he expecting from it in a different country? To DJ in Manchester is the same as to DJ in Tokyo except that he may have to moonlight in Tokyo, or juggle a day-time job with his nocturnal hobby.
What I am trying to say is that while teaching can be an alternative to being a DJ, a different locality does not offer a lot of differences in the same profession. TEFling in SHanghai might be more challenging and more fulfilling for some time than teaching in the UK (where high rents eat a sizeable part out of your income).

[Glenski]

[denise]

I too have plenty of freedom. Provided that I stay within the overall curriculum, I can do just about anything in my classes. I plan the syllabi & daily lessons, and choose the books (although being new here I still tend to go with what the other teachers recommend).

d

[Gordon]

I'll also refute that claim. I choose my own textbooks and the teachers choose and divide up the classes at the beginning of the school year. So we are essentially writing our own schedules, without any outside interference. The one class I do teach with a pre-determined text, I can supplement with anything I want.

[Buttercup]

Hey Jasper,

I haven't been to Japan, but I'm in Shanghai and loving it! You should ask people on the China forum what they think. I think Tokyo and Shanghai are very different (in terms of pollution, for example, but also the people and the general feel of the place), and I personally believe Shanghai to be more interesting, but that's up to you to see and decide... Can you afford to visit both places (like with a flight to Shanghai via Tokyo, and back to Tokyo if that's your choice) before you make up your mind?

I think it would be very easy to find work here in Shanghai, even without certification. Many schools seem desperate for teachers, and it seems they would hire anyone who walks through the door. Well, that's the impression I got, anyway. Most places that I went to for interviews didn't really seem to care about my experience at all... I think as long as the students like you, you're ok.

I'm not much into the bar and nightlife scene, but you can check out this online expat magazine:
http://www.thatsmagazines.com/home/index.asp?location=sh

If you need more info about Shanghai, ask and I'll help if I can!

[shmooj]

I think the reason that people tout the ALT and JET routes into Japan are that they come with fairly decent pay and much longer holidays than basic eikaiwa work will give you here.

I'll also add my name to the petition: there is plenty of freedom to do what you want. It depends on who you work for and their are plenty of eikaiwa owners out there who are looking for people who are creative. The thing is, most people in eikaiwas are there for other reasons than to be professionally creative. Vicious circle.

[Sonic]

Thanks for all your replies. I've been taking a couple of months to prepare myself, doing more research and winding down my commitments in England. I am set on China now, my main reason (and this may sound weak to other people) is that I believe I will have more free time, in order to pursue my other interests. I probably didn't make it too clear in my original post, and someone questioned why I would want to have a day job just to DJ abroad, but the most important thing for me, and the reason I would trade my DJ life, is the fact that I desperately want to live in another country. More than anything, this is my calling. Asia particularly, as I have sampled to varying degrees most corners of the world. The other thing I perhaps didn't make clear is that in am most definately in for the long haul. I want to start a new life outside of England, not only that but I am looking forward to teaching, and feel that I could be good at it.
China seems like the right balance for me, of being modern enough to potentially give me musical opportunities, while still giving them the time to pursue these interests. I have discovered I have several contacts in the industry out in Shanghai, who tell me my sort of music is a burgeoning scene. This should make it more likely, too. In Japan I just don't think it would be feasible, especially with a 9 'till 9 schedule (as I have seen mentioned in many of the job descriptions.) I am also a keen writer, and I would like to find time for this. I am in the process of sending off my first novel to an agent.

This leads me onto my next question, and perhaps it should be another thread...

I plan to enter Shanghai with just money in my pocket and no job. What is your advice for getting accomodation and work quickly and with the minimum of cost?

I probably mentioned I have a degree, and I am still toying with the idea of a TEFL course, but I am still undecided if it is money well spent.

Thanks everyone for your posts, Buttercup - it's nice when someone tells you your gut feeling is right!

Jasper

[shmooj]

Okay, this is not a flame at a newbie so back off everyone. This is how I feel and how I reckon a lot of people feel on this forum and how anyone involved in TESOL should feel anyway so...

Sonic... please do not bother doing a TEFL course. In fact, don't bother working in TESOL at all. Teaching is not something you should do because you think "I'd be good at it" as you say. You can greatly influence people's lives in teaching.

To be very honest, the industry does not need people in it who are using the industry for their own personal gain as a stop-gap until they can fulfil their dream of either living in another country as their calling or whatever.

If your calling is to live in another country and not to teach then I'd request you, nay beg you to leave our profession alone and stick to your music. Otherwise, you will be another brick in the wall of disrepute that surrounds our profession.

Bear that in mind and meditate on it as you make your final decisions. I sincerely and honestly hope the music works out for you. I really do. Conversely, I seriously hope the teaching doesn't.

Over and out...

[dmb]

Smooj, Why did you enter teaching? I'll be honest and admit that I entered EFL as a ticket to travel the world. But I soon learned that I enjoyed it. That was 12 years ago. I haven't really travelled the world teaching. I'm only in my second country and will return next year to the original country where i started! Sould I have stayed out of teaching?