|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
 Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:59 am Post subject: |
 |
|
The big eikaiwas hire from abroad and pretty much smooth out things for people who are afraid or unable to do them by themselves (like find housing). AEON, GEOS, ECC are the current biggies.
JET Programme will likely put you in the countryside, but you'll be in a public school (or schools), so you'll see what education is really like and have more of a chance to practice/learn Japanese, plus get paid more than most eikaiwa jobs, plus have sensible work hours and get your airfare paid for. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Nephi
Joined: 20 Jun 2008
Posts: 6
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well, I'm feeling more confused these days to be honest, but I'm about to apply to Interac and/or Joytalk, just to be getting started finally.
I'm curious though... do you think it's common for people to take up ESL teaching positions with the real purpose of learning the native language? To be honest, that's my reason for going to Japan. I want to be a translator, and after taking the classes as an undergraduate, I think a couple of years in Japan is all I need to get started as an independent translator. Is this a crazy plan? I've looked into graduate programs in applied linguistics, but it doesn't seem worthwhile to give up what I'll learn in Japan while earning money for a masters which likely comes with debt... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Nephi wrote: |
Well, I'm feeling more confused these days to be honest, but I'm about to apply to Interac and/or Joytalk, just to be getting started finally.
I'm curious though... do you think it's common for people to take up ESL teaching positions with the real purpose of learning the native language? |
Sure, some people do. But you have to realize that you will be hired to do a job, and that means putting in 40 hours per week doing whatever it is the employer wants. Anything else -- culture fantasies, learning the language, sightseeing, making friends, etc. -- is your free-time venture. The employer won't care as long as it doesn't interfere with your job.
Most employers don't do much if anything to help out with language learning, either. That means you have to be disciplined enough to do what is needed in those off hours. It is not easy! People come here and are enticed by the new surroundings and culture. They want to do other things (or they soon find themselves drawn to that). Their only immediate friends are their work companions, and in cases where the Japanese staff is shy or weak in English, those companions happen to be other foreigners. Those people don't usually want to practice Japanese with you, and instead you will find they would rather use English, and you have to be disciplined (yes, there is that word again) to turn them down for nights or weekends out at times if you want to make the time to study.
| Quote: |
| To be honest, that's my reason for going to Japan. I want to be a translator, and after taking the classes as an undergraduate, I think a couple of years in Japan is all I need to get started as an independent translator. Is this a crazy plan? |
If you want my personal opinion, yes. A couple of years. What does that mean in terms of professional training? What is your JLPT level right now? Also, do you distinguish translating as changing written text vs. interpreting as explaining in spoken words what another person has said? If so, how much practice and in what genre have you translated with such minimal training? Professionals take longer, and the business is very competitive. Contact SWET www.swet.jp for more information from the horse's mouth.
| Quote: |
| I've looked into graduate programs in applied linguistics, but it doesn't seem worthwhile to give up what I'll learn in Japan while earning money for a masters which likely comes with debt... |
Just what do you feel you will learn here, especially given what I've just written? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nephi
Joined: 20 Jun 2008
Posts: 6
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
@ Glenski
Having taught in Taiwan for a year, I have a feel for the issues you mentioned. I didn't learn much Chinese and I didn't manage my time outside of class at all well.
However, Japan is a different matter for me. I've never taken a Mandarin class, but after taking seven semesters of Japanese in college, the Japanese langauge has become my primary hobby. (The only hobby that competes with it is my love for Japanese dramas, and I always have WWWJDIC open while watching them, making a list of new vocabulary) I really think that being in Japan again, it will drive me mad if I'm unable to read library books or understand everything I hear on the TV news... so I'll be driven to study even harder. Also, assuming I get a position in the Tokyo area, I already have friends there, and they are kind/cruel enough to speak with me in the native language.
I'm leaning toward translation of texts rather than being an interpreter. I understand that the industry is competitive, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. 
I'm coming to the conclusion that if I bother with grad school, I'll still end up going to Japan afterwards to achieve fluency, so why not just skip to that part now? (Besides, I might run into Ikuta Toma and marry him and then I'll be busy learning to cook instead, and all these worries would have been for nothing...haha...ha)
Thanks very much for the SWET link, and for the advice. More advice is definately welcome 
Laura |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
