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Non-native English teachers in Japan?
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Nemu_Yoake



Joined: 02 Aug 2015
Posts: 47
Location: Iwate

PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 9:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, Jesso, Dettark is right. It can happen. It happened to one of my friends (she is German and it was for teaching English at an eikawa). Her boss had to go to the immigration to explain that he really wanted her and she finally got her visa.
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TokyoLiz



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan

PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 10:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I met a woman through martial arts training who taught French, and she's a near-native speaker of English. I don't know how she acquired a visa, but she was independent, i.e. not on a spousal or student visa.

Interac has posted job ads in the past for other language teachers.

Do you have a teaching credential? Certification of language proficiency? Those might boost your resume.
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Dettark



Joined: 27 Jan 2016
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 8:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

TokyoLiz wrote:
I met a woman through martial arts training who taught French, and she's a near-native speaker of English. I don't know in the ow she acquired a visa, but she was independent, i.e. not on a spousal or student visa.

Interac has posted job ads in the past for other language teachers.

Do you have a teaching credential? Certification of language proficiency? Those might boost your resume.


I think it's funny how they often say that you only have to be of native like fluency and not actually be a native speaker of English and then in the next sentence say you have to have recieved 12 years of schooling primarily in English. I can understand their thinking but it's also frustrating.
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TokyoLiz



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 9:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Who's telling you that, Dettark?

I've coached students through the Eiken 1kyu test and interview. My students were near-native, and they passed because they had more than just spoken fluency - they could apply academic and cognitive skills in English. They achieved this level of proficiency with much less than 12 years of English education due to having studied in the UK or US for a few years.

How about a TOEFL score? Would that satisfy the potential employers?
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Dettark



Joined: 27 Jan 2016
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TokyoLiz wrote:
Who's telling you that, Dettark?

I've coached students through the Eiken 1kyu test and interview. My students were near-native, and they passed because they had more than just spoken fluency - they could apply academic and cognitive skills in English. They achieved this level of proficiency with much less than 12 years of English education due to having studied in the UK or US for a few years.

How about a TOEFL score? Would that satisfy the potential employers?


Just check out Gaijinpot's job section! Most if not all companies are looking for native speakers/native fluent speakers with a valid visa already residing in Japan, and getting that first visa is difficult if you are a non native.

Most companies don't want to deal with non native speakers. Some would consider interviewing you if you recieved 12 years of schooling in English though. I can understand why they have that requirement but it's also kind of ignorant.
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jesso92



Joined: 05 Dec 2015
Posts: 60

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 5:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, I have been studying here in the States since High school, graduated from college here too, then even got a TEFL certificate to increase my odds... but, nothing.

You know whats funny though? GABA keeps posting the they need people, almost daily... so why would they reject me. I mean, I know my interview probably wasn't perfect, they did throw me a curve ball, and stumbled on it.
But I was personable, I wore a suit, I was more than competent, and I'm a decent looking white guy. I realize how arrogant that sounds, but know that that's most definitely not my intention when I say that last thing. It's just that I imagine looks matter in this kind of business, and specially in Japan.

I dont know man, just doesn't add up. Unless the couple people that interviewed me just were abnormally strict. Anyways, we'll see what happens.
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Dettark



Joined: 27 Jan 2016
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 7:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jesso92 wrote:
Well, I have been studying here in the States since High school, graduated from college here too, then even got a TEFL certificate to increase my odds... but, nothing.

You know whats funny though? GABA keeps posting the they need people, almost daily... so why would they reject me. I mean, I know my interview probably wasn't perfect, they did throw me a curve ball, and stumbled on it.
But I was personable, I wore a suit, I was more than competent, and I'm a decent looking white guy. I realize how arrogant that sounds, but know that that's most definitely not my intention when I say that last thing. It's just that I imagine looks matter in this kind of business, and specially in Japan.

I dont know man, just doesn't add up. Unless the couple people that interviewed me just were abnormally strict. Anyways, we'll see what happens.


You said your accent is pretty thick? Maybe that could be the issue they're having?

Maybe you have to get some real teaching experience? Head to China for a year or two, and then reapply? Or go to Japan directly.

By the way, you B.A was not related to teaching in any way right?
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 10:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
jesso92 wrote:
Well, I have been studying here in the States since High school, graduated from college here too, then even got a TEFL certificate to increase my odds... but, nothing.

You know whats funny though? GABA keeps posting the they need people, almost daily... so why would they reject me. I mean, I know my interview probably wasn't perfect, they did throw me a curve ball, and stumbled on it.

But I was personable, I wore a suit, I was more than competent, and I'm a decent looking white guy. I realize how arrogant that sounds, but know that that's most definitely not my intention when I say that last thing. It's just that I imagine looks matter in this kind of business, and specially in Japan.

I dont know man, just doesn't add up. Unless the couple people that interviewed me just were abnormally strict. Anyways, we'll see what happens.

You said your accent is pretty thick? Maybe that could be the issue they're having?

Maybe you have to get some real teaching experience? Head to China for a year or two, and then reapply? Or go to Japan directly.

By the way, you B.A was not related to teaching in any way right?

For now, consider volunteering as a classroom assistant for a couple of months or more at one of your local refugee/ESL literacy non-profits. It would give you the opportunity to work alongside an experienced ESL teacher. Plus, it will make you more cognizant of your heavy accent as you help the students with their pronunciation. Do an Internet search on volunteer adult esl literacy [your state] for programs in your area. Volunteering is how many prospective teachers (myself included) get their first taste of teaching.
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marley'sghost



Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 255

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

2nd that on volunteering. I did some at the local literacy council and it was not only a good way to get a feel for teaching, it was personally very rewarding. The guys I was tutoring were really inspiring people and I felt lucky to have the opportunity to help them out.
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jesso92



Joined: 05 Dec 2015
Posts: 60

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey guys, yea that volunteering teaching thing sounds like a great idea. I did a little bit of teaching though, I had an English teaching job Online with a Vietnamese company. But it was just like 3 classes. Payed nothing, it was all micromanaged, I quit it, but hey, looked pretty on my resume, and they did ask me about it. But no, yea, I'll look into that. But still. I think my best bet is to go to Japan on a student Visa this Fall, and, just apply. I'm sure I'll get a job during the hiring season once I'm there.

In the meantime... those floors ain't gonna mop themselves.
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TokyoLiz



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I was finishing my TESOL diploma, I had the chance to volunteer with new Canadians. It was the most interesting and valuable experience I had before I got a job.

I was lucky to teach as a substitute in Canada's LINC Language Instruction for New Comers. Those were my favorite students ever - highly motivated people who were very demanding and serious about learning.

Look in your community for volunteering to assist an English language teacher. You get to work with students while watching a pro.
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Dettark



Joined: 27 Jan 2016
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you think recruiters care whether your degree is from an English speaking country or a non native speaking country but with the degree taught in English (In the case of a non native speaker) Ex: The UK vs Germany with both degrees being taught in English.
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mitsui



Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 1562
Location: Kawasaki

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think it does make a difference. They want it from the US, UK, Canada, etc.
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jesso92



Joined: 05 Dec 2015
Posts: 60

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It does make a difference. Right now I got Peppy Kids Club interested in an interview with me, and I know for a fact, they care about the degree being acquired from a University in an English speaking country.

So I guess as an update to my case, yea, I will probably have an interview with Peppy Kids Club very soon. Fingers crossed. It's either this, or I'm going to Japan as a language student this fall and try to get hired from within.

#NotGivingUp
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Dettark



Joined: 27 Jan 2016
Posts: 13

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jesso92 wrote:
It does make a difference. Right now I got Peppy Kids Club interested in an interview with me, and I know for a fact, they care about the degree being acquired from a University in an English speaking country.

So I guess as an update to my case, yea, I will probably have an interview with Peppy Kids Club very soon. Fingers crossed. It's either this, or I'm going to Japan as a language student this fall and try to get hired from within.

#NotGivingUp


Did they tell you that? Cause I got a friend who wants to teach abroad after finishing her degree (English Lit), and she is looking into studying here or in Scotland.
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