Job Discussion Forums

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Good luck with the Unis. That seems like a Victorian Era like glass ceiling to break into. I guess it all depends on who you know.

Ever look into jobs outside of teaching? I saw some that looked tempting, and that I could do. They pay about what I make now.

Then again, I'd rather be an ALT, with tons of time off, and moonlight to make up the difference. Rather than be a grunt in some office

teacheratlarge · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 192 Location: Japan

The full time tenure jobs are slim on the ground. Often you need a PhD and experience as well as decent Japanese skills. Many offers are contract term full time, which do include some benefits, but near the end of every contract you must scramble to find another job at a new Ｕｎｉ. I work part-time myself at a few places with benefits that include: more vacation time (about 4.5 months a year), few meetings, no proctoring other exams, no campus tours, etc. I miss some of the bonuses, such as an office, and lower health care premiums, and higher summer and winter bonuses( I get some, but not much to write about).

I suppose if you graduated from a name value school with a Master's and have a good contact at the school, you might still 'luck into a tenured job. But generally you will need both Japanese speaking/listening and reading skills to deal with office memos and endless meetings.

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

I know a few who got tenure with Japanese worse than mine.
Either you get lucky or you are liked.
Or you publish a lot.

Research trumps teaching ability in Japan.
Sad but true.

For tenure mostly you need 1kyu in Japanese but maybe 2kyu is enough.
15 publications or more should suffice.

Part-time university work is worse these days. Getting enough koma takes time.
Many schools just give two classes.

I will go back to high school teaching since I got tired of "research".
But I will try to get more stuff published.

nicenicegaijin · Joined: 27 Feb 2015 Posts: 157

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

No I wish it was more like the US where both have priority although this happens more at colleges.

Too much research is garbage but gets published.
Teachers are forced to do this.

nicenicegaijin · Joined: 27 Feb 2015 Posts: 157

Yes this is true as well. Does an MA really need 3 publications to teach part-time at a university? No, that is just stupid.
But as a full timer, I do believe you should have a good publication record, and you should focus more on your research than teaching.

Maitoshi · Joined: 04 May 2014 Posts: 718 Location: 何処でも

Maitoshi · Joined: 04 May 2014 Posts: 718 Location: 何処でも

While a lot of research is complete drivel, some can be quite useful for the classroom.

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

nicenicegaijin · Joined: 27 Feb 2015 Posts: 157

What do you mean I can't believe I am going to agree with nicenicegajin, have I done or said something wrong? I don't get it.
Let me get back on topic. I totally agree that would be the best step. Have two tracks one for the MAs teaching 10 koma or so and calling them instructors and the other for PhDs with 6 koma and research and eliminating research budgets for the instructors. The PhDs should be paid more, but not drastically different maybe 1 mil difference. Both full time instructors and MAs could be on committees and do service. I have tried to implement this at my university, but have been shot down a few times.

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

I heard of a school where teachers could stay longer than five years,
but that would mean teachers could file a suit with the university.

No Japanese got a full-time job this April at this place.

I think the university would limit teachers to 6 or 7 years with no tenure, but that goes against the law.