Job Discussion Forums

[Sashadroogie]

Hic!

We weren't talking about the students, but the teachers, as evinced by the quality of the previous post.

[gaijinalways]

sashadroogie posted

[Sashadroogie]

Hic!

Rightly or wrongly, lots of newbies get into teaching abroad not just to satisfy wanderlust, but basic lust too. Women would not be very far down the priority list for lots of males, and I'd say that women teachers also hope for some romance. The first post didn't seem to include many other considerations beyond money and other material motivation. You did ask if you had missed anything...

The lesbian reference still just comes across as very strange, to me and also to female co-workers.

Have no doubts that salary ranges are higher in Japan. But by your own link, which compares costs of living, you'd need them to be. 60% higher costs than Moscow, it says, so your salaries should be at least that much higher too. But are they? Not always, so your gloating over how much you make is not on as strong a foundation as you may think, even if money is all you care about.

Grammar boring? Plenty of other posters wouldn't agree. Strange thing to say for a language teacher. But then, if you see yourself as a therapist or facilitator, why should one be surprised? Not infatuated by it, though. Where ever did you get that?

I make regular references to vodka and drinking, and being under the influence, true. Why not? Many other posters write here as though they are off their faces, so why not parody that? I also make references to many other subjects, for that matter. But it is only in your mind that all this is the same thing as being drunk while in a classroom, hic! Strange, these assumptions...

Glad you have so much time off. You are truly lucky. Hope your batteries are fully re-charged now. I missed our little t�te-�-t�te. Ready again? How many weeks of paid vacation would you get back home, by the way? Just curious.

And I'm an equal opportunity employer. All 'personality teachers', 'role models', those who don't know how to write a covering letter, those who don't know what a verb is or how to teach, say, a vocabulary item, will be given the same reply. No bias there. Or do you think there is an internal contradiction lurking somewhere there?

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Oh, man, I totally thought you were sauced this whole time, Sasha

[Sashadroogie]

Oh Jeff, how could I be so ideological correct this whole time if I were?

[Sashadroogie]

Or maybe, it's all part of an elaborate plan, hic!

[spiral78]

Hmm. Analysis: Sasha's forum persona is a construct designed to convey .... exactly what? Clearly a sly communist plot.

As for the 'looking for love' issue - well, maybe it's not the case in Japan (never been there) but I worked in teacher training for some time and newbies very often do put relationships pretty high on the 'hopes' list. I think it's probably universal.

On the grammar point: I've taught Russian (and other slavic) students for years. Stereotypically (meaning somewhat true) they do appreciate a grammatical framework to work from. Perhaps a parallel to the ways they have studied other subjects in school - it's a familiar approach.

Overall, c'mon esteemed Japan expert. Relax. Enjoy. You've clearly got quite a nice situation from your point of view. Other people - different priorities. No conflict or controversy in that.

[denise]

Yes, the potential for romance is an issue, and not just for the boys!! I was engaged when I came to Oman--otherwise, I never would have come, based on what I had read about the dating scene. Luckily, the myth is just a myth, and there is more going on here than one might think... Really, a good salary, benefits, and all those other things are important, but are they really all that great if you're alone? Of course, saying that you want to find a guy/gal during an interview (e.g., in answer to the standard "Why do you want to come here?" question) is a stupid thing to do, but it really is a very valid concern.

Sasha, you're not alone. I've had a nice glass (or two) of something pretty much every night this week. Hic!

d

[Sashadroogie]

Denise, here's to you! Budem zdorovy, hic! But don't let some other posters know you have a tipple or they'll think you're a West Virginian subversive lesbian bent on world domination.


Hic!

I know I am...

[gaijinalways]

[gaijinalways]

stonecold posted

[Sashadroogie]

Desperate to try out my comedy routine? I sure am! A ha hah hah! I was inspired by your masterful foray into the art, your telephone interview sketch from a few weeks back. Here's my sketch. Any similarities to living people are purely coincidental.


GA: So yeah, thanks for coming to the interview. Now first question, if you saw a little Japanese girl crying in the corridor, what would you do?

Newbie: I don't really know how to answer that.

GA: Wouldn't you try to comfort her?

Newbie: Erm.. I'm not sure...

GA: But it's really easy, you know? Just put your arm around her and ask her what's wrong. Really helps the classroom dynamic, you know? You aren't a lesbian are you?

Newbie: But wouldn't that be going beyond my role as a teacher?

GA: No way, man. Our students need our full support. That is your role - you're a role model for these people. Heck, half of them can't think for themselves. They need us to help them get beyond the mental limits imposed on them by their own language. They need us to entertain them too. Don't let's forget that...

Newbie: But what about teaching them English?

GA: Aw don't tell me you're one of those 'let's focus on grammar' teachers, dude? That won't fit in with our operation. We prefer to facilitate the learning process in an organic way, you know? You just gotta feel for it. Don't do anything boring like that. Organise debates, they can't do that too well in their culture. And watch sit-coms with them too. We got a huge range of DVDs for that.

Newbie: Erm ,OK. Can I ask about terms and conditions?

GA: Sure, we got lots and lots of free time. And we need it, you know, because it can really drain you, all this dealing with students personal problems. Teaching 15 hours a week may sound light, but all the work that goes into that is quite intensive, like setting up my podcast for use in the classroom. And more money than you can shake a large stick at.

Newbie: Erm, why are you moving so close to me?

GA: Relax. Just a friendly hug so we can really understand each other. Hey? That tastes funny. What's that smell on your breath? Ah go to Russia!

[jpvanderwerf2001]

It's possible to make a decent salary in Russia with some hard work and patience. However, I can't say it's the best place in the world to live, and it can be hard to "break into" the Russian market (I'll say it again for the millionth time: Get to a smaller city and establish yourself; the money will follow).
Argentina, where I spent some time, is a tough place to find well-paid work, but a wonderful place to live (especially BA).
Ukraine is has its good points, but the pay there tends to be quite low (especially if one has students loans back home, for example).
I lived in Monterrey, Mexico, and can say that I didn't much care for the city. In terms of teaching, the pay was relatively all right. However, DF or another city might be a better place to check out.
Call center work in India is well-paid, but India can be a tough place to live for an extended period of time. My one year was enough, though I'd still like to go back and visit.
So, as you see, no place is "perfect". My advice, if you can call it that, is to get to a place you love, "settle in" for a while, get to know locals, be professional, be sociable, and the money will eventually come.
Good luck

[Sashadroogie]

Best place to live, or best place to teach? According to the OP, having lots of time off and making lots of money when teaching and not teaching are the only real things of importance. I wonder where the learners fit into all that. Barely a mention of them, poor souls.

[jpvanderwerf2001]