Job Discussion Forums

torentosan · Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 54

Hello all,
I have five years of ESL experience and have just got my state teaching license. I am ready to make the transition to better things.

I will make a grand stab at getting into a good international school, however the competition will be keen.
Therefore, my backup plan is to get into a public elementary school.

My question is for those who know, those who are there and who have knowledge of the way things go.

Do public schools there hire full-time foreign teachers and if so, are they paid more or the same as local school teachers?

I ask this question because it seems some countries do, some don't, and some have a system where foreigners just show up to teach a class or two. Also, it is hard to find the information quickly...

I appreciate any information you may have.. Thanks!

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

There are some public schools that will directly hire Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs). Most teachers I think work for a company called a dispatch agency which will put you in about 2 or 3 schools which you will work at on different days throughout a week.

If you worked as a direct hire at public school as an ALT, you would not be paid as much as a regular teacher.

With you qualifications, you might find a better pay at a private junior high or high school. These occasionally do hire foreign teachers full time. Not too many of these jobs out there, but you can always try! Never say never...

marley'sghost · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 255

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

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

Actually, I got hired from overseas at a private school. It can happen, but it was the result of a very copious 4-year job search while I sat on a public school job in NYC and my willingness to locate to a less populated part of Japan. But, connections would be a much easier way.

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

In Tokyo you could work at a private elementary school,
but it would be for a limited contract.

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

Tim, I was wondering, was your public school teaching experience (and certification) essential for getting your private HS job in Japan? Did they require that you had home-country certification and experience? Was it an advantage, but not necessary?

torentosan · Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 54

Thanks for the great comments....

I'm certified in elementary education with a reading endorsement and a middle grades math endorsement.
I worked in Japan as a TEFL teacher back in the heyday of NOVA and I really liked Japanese culture.
I will have a lot of competition for a real international school.. which is why I wanted to know more about the current status of jobs there..
I know about the ALTs, but I don't consider that kind of experience to be very valuable to my career...I need to be in charge of my own classroom.

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

rtm,
Getting my job was a combination of things - but as I explain below a very enthusiastic cover letter and willingness to work in a smaller town could help your odds considerably.

I think they wanted someone who had experience in a public high school (junior high or senior high) - either in Japan or overseas or both.

But, they said that one of the biggest factors in choosing my resume over the literally 300-odd other resumes was because they were pleased that I sounded very enthusiastic in my cover letter (via email) about living in a small town. They said that was rare.

I did also look into work at International Schools in Japan. ESL teaching positions do crop up from time to time, but other endorsements or licenses such as math or social studies are much more common. The student body in these places looks to be made up of mostly expats' children and wealthier Japanese families' children. So, the actual need for ESL is limited - but still does exist.

I used a site called tieonline.com although I never went as far as applying for a position. There are other websites I think. I understand you can also apply to some of these schools (most of which are based in Tokyo with a smattering across the country) directly too.

Work at the international schools I believe is more intense that at a Japanese public school for reasons previous posters mentioned. Even for me, I am spared several committee meetings and work only as an assistant homeroom teacher largely because of language difficulties (but perhaps also cultural reasons!).

Sorry for the long post here. I can give more details if you want over PM with more specifics.

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

IB teachers can get jobs too, but that is for secondary school.

Solar Strength · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

I talked to a guy in Tokyo when I was visiting last week and he said that he was just hired a few weeks ago at an international school there. He applied from outside of the country - from Mumbia, in fact.

He was Canadian, if that means anything. I think he was certified back home, if I remember correctly.

so it is possible and being done by some qualified and lucky people.