Job Discussion Forums

Sherri · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:35 am Post subject:

Hi Yvonne Craig

Like Quibby84, I try to be positive but in your case, it is really tough. I am a mom with 2 young kids both born in Japan. I left partly because I did not want them to go through the Japanese school system. Your kids would be in for some tough, lonely times ahead if you sent them to Japanese public schools. I would not wish that on any kid. Also, I am assuming that you don't speak Japanese, you will also be in for a tough time communicating with the school officials and your kids' teachers. They will come home with notes asking you to prepare something or buy something and you won't be able to read it. You won't be able to read anything in fact from the school rules to the lunch menus.

I also agree with others, you need at least an MA in TESL to get a foot in the door of a university and other schools just don't pay enough.

How big is your house now? About 2,000 sq feet? In Tokyo, many families of 4 are living in 700 or 800 sq feet and no back yard to play in.

I can't see your husband's native language being in much demand and he may even face some discrimination.

Why do you want to come to Japan? Maybe there is something else you can do which could be better for your family?

It is a good thing you are doing your homework before coming.
Best
Sherri

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

I'm currently supporting a wife and kid on an eikaiwa salary (>Y300,000/month w/ overtime), and we get by, but it isn't very good for the long term. We have a small (by US standards) apartment, with one bedroom we share, and my wife works part-time, temporary jobs to supplement the income.
My wife is Japanese, and it is nice to have her parents nearby to help out.
Like I said, we get by, but our present situation is not viable for the long run, so I will return to the US in a couple of weeks (I've been here since 2002), and as soon as I have a job and apartment, my wife and kid will follow. My wife and I also prefer to raise our son in the US, and send him to American schools.

Yvonne Craig · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

Yes. I see what you are all getting at. Thank you for your bald honesty. Better I hear about the harsh realities from you than, along with my husband and children, experience it for myself firsthand. When I was there before I was single and lived far enough outside of Tokyo to have a decent-sized apartment. So much has changed since then in my life as well as Japan. Neutral

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I am glad you see the reality of it all. Unfortunately, there are few places, even with the best qualifications, where you can teach English overseas and support a family. I have 3 little ones so I can understand you.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

jademonkey · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 180

Japan has gotten cheaper, but it's just the economics of any job you may be able to land. As it has been said, you're unlikely to get more than about 300,000yen a month, though this could be supplemented with private students. Still, that's not incredibly reliable income. It can be done, in that anything can be done, but I think the results would not be optimal.