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ironclad80
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 53
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 Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:26 am Post subject: |
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| But even if you manage to get to the head of the queue, if they offer you less than 250,000 Yen a month, you might want to think twice about taking that job! |
i would never settle for anything less than that. |
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Ryu Hayabusa
Joined: 08 Jan 2008
Posts: 182
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| Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:55 am Post subject: |
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i understand the new tests have changed. if i got JLPT 3 when it was 1-4 how can i make the distinction? JLPT 3/4 ?
you're right, i'm going to take the new 3 which would have been the old 2. so if i pass would i say i have JLPT N3? is that the proper name now? |
Off-topic, but the new N3 is in between the old JLPT 2 and 3. So the JLPT 3 qualification that you (and I) have is roughly equivalent to the new N4. |
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kotoko
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Posts: 109
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| Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 5:01 am Post subject: |
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| ironclad80 wrote: |
i might just leave language ability off my resume altogether, unless i apply to JET.
i understand the new tests have changed. if i got JLPT 3 when it was 1-4 how can i make the distinction? JLPT 3/4 ?
you're right, i'm going to take the new 3 which would have been the old 2. so if i pass would i say i have JLPT N3? is that the proper name now? |
New N3 is not old 2kyuu. N3 is in between 3kyuu and 2kyuu. New N2 is pretty much the same as old 2kyuu but slightly different question style. N1 is more difficult than old 1kyuu. |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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I admit, I have not taught in Japan.
However, I agree with the OP, I find it very hard to believe that a year of experience, a TEFL certificate, and JLPT Level 3 count for absolutely nothing.
Now, don't get me wrong -- I believe that it's a cutthroat market in Japan right now. And I acknowledge that the OP probably won't just step off the plane and find a job immediately. However, I absolutely refuse to believe that the combination of the three things the OP has are absolutely useless, nothing, null.
That just sounds like cynicism to me.
I guess you just need an MA TESOL or PhD these days to stand a chance at breaking into the Japanese EFL industry as a newcomer, even at the lowliest neighborhood 180K eikaiwa, right?  |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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Rooster,
Then call me a cynic.
A year outside Japan is pretty pointless to many/most employers here.
A TEFL certificate means nothing to most, and is not required by most. Also, some employers are afraid of people who have them because they think the teacher might try to change the school's teaching format.
JLPT3 is bare minimal conversation level.
Does the combo mean zero? In some cases, I would have to say yes. In most cases, it might mean a hair more than that, but not much more. Lots of employers want green fresh-faced naive-to-the-laws-and-situations foreigners, and about the only thing they look for in many cases is personality or a certain chemistry. This might show in a demo lesson or just in the interview.
A hint that one might not suffer culture shock is also fairly high on some employers' lists. |
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Rooster_2006
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 984
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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Glenski,
Thanks for clarifying.
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| A hint that one might not suffer culture shock is also fairly high on some employers' lists. |
That's good news. I've lived in Asia for over nine years. I guess I should keep that on my resume when job-hunting in Japan next year. |
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seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Rooster_2006 wrote: |
I admit, I have not taught in Japan.
However, I agree with the OP, I find it very hard to believe that a year of experience, a TEFL certificate, and JLPT Level 3 count for absolutely nothing. |
I think the OP has a better understanding of what was meant after reading our posts. Perhaps you should, too.
It can when there are a million and one average Joe's with exactly the same qualifications as you. And as I explained before, these qualifications can even count against you in some cases.
| Quote: |
| Now, don't get me wrong -- I believe that it's a cutthroat market in Japan right now. And I acknowledge that the OP probably won't just step off the plane and find a job immediately. However, I absolutely refuse to believe that the combination of the three things the OP has are absolutely useless, nothing, null. |
Didn't say that. Said it depends on on the employer. It can mean zero, it can mean a slight edge, but it could also mean starting off on minus points.
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| I guess you just need an MA TESOL or PhD these days to stand a chance at breaking into the Japanese EFL industry as a newcomer, even at the lowliest neighborhood eikaiwa, right? |
No one said that either.
Simply highlighting that the golden years are long gone over here. A random BA in an unrelated field, a pulse and blue eyes won't score you job by default any more.
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| That just sounds like cynicism to me. |
And this sounds like head in the clouds and rose tinted glasses to me. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 1:50 am Post subject: |
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| Rooster_2006 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| A hint that one might not suffer culture shock is also fairly high on some employers' lists. |
That's good news. I've lived in Asia for over nine years. I guess I should keep that on my resume when job-hunting in Japan next year. |
Not necessarily on the resume unless those 9 years were work. I assume they were, but who knows? 
At least mention it in the cover letter. |
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TokyoLiz
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 4:37 am Post subject: |
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Glenski wrote
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| A year outside Japan is pretty pointless to many/most employers here. |
Few employers, either those who hire ALTs or eikaiwa droids, or school boards that hire privately for ALT work, care if you have experience outside Japan. Most that I've talked to are interested in people who have experience in Japan.
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| A TEFL certificate means nothing to most, and is not required by most. |
I had to educate my employers about the world of TEFL/TESOL/ELT certifications and diplomas. One thing that eased the way for me is that the reverse side of my TESOL certificate indicates what courses and the number of hours I took, and the duration of my practicum. The administrators at the teachers college anticipated the fact that employers will not know what they're getting when they hire a TESOL certified teacher.
| Quote: |
Also, some employers are afraid of people who have them because they think the teacher might try to change the school's teaching format.
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Perhaps that is true of eikaiwas.
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| JLPT3 is bare minimal conversation level. |
Think of the JLPT 3 as a start in learning Japanese. I never bothered to try 4 or 3. I'll finally attempt the N2 test this winter. |
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