Job Discussion Forums

[timothypfox]

Hi! This is a question on behalf of friend because I'm no longer sure what the entry qualifications for work and visas in Japan are anymore...

My friend is a girl in her mid-20's from Singapore who has a post-high school college Diploma in Business, and 4 years of mid-management work at a marketing firm.

She plans to get a TESL certificate with supervised teaching hours very soon.

With these qualification can she: 1) get a work visa in Japan? If so, which one(s)? and 2) get a a job in Japan teaching? I was thinking possibly a private Kindergarten may hire her (because - as many employers don't realize - Singaporeans are native English speakers - but most employers in Japan are biased against other Englishes - Singlish is only used between Singaporeans and all Singaporeans also speak standard English).

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Rooster.]

So she has a college degree? Then yes.

Good luck getting a private kindergarten job right away, they are hard to come by, especially with no experience.

[surendra]

Just as a mention, just because the country is an ESL country doesn't mean they are on the same level as those of the Western world. For example, her pronunciation and intonations could be strange and there is no market for Singaporean English.

[nightsintodreams]

I knew someone from Singapore who worked for Berlitz, I also know many Philippinos who work directly for a BOE and receive a high salary, so it is possible.

[Pitarou]

Her teaching qualifications will not be taken into consideration, but if she's educated in English, has a full degree (not just a two-year college diploma) and a job offer then she should get the visa.

The hard part is getting that first job offer without a visa. If the reports we're getting on the forums are anything to go by, the market is very tight at the moment. Schools that recruit from overseas usually have a clear idea of what they're looking for, and they can afford to be choosy. Unfortunately, a Singaporean is unlikely to fit the profile.

But your idea about kindergartens is a good one. Japan has strong ideas about gender roles, and they prefer women for working with young kids.

[Pitarou]

[Pitarou]

[mitsui]

I heard of a lady from Singapore who taught at a YMCA in Kanagawa.

I doubt the pay was good.
She did help my student improve.

People from Singapore speak English as a second language. The majority of people there speak Chinese, followed by Malay and Indian languages.

Considering that amount of teachers from the Philippines, I can`t see why someone from Singapore could not teach here. JET is also a possibility, but a university diploma is required.

[Pitarou]

[mitsui]

That is an advantage.

[Pitarou]

[mitsui]

Lots of Philippinos here.
They are active in ETJ and have their own chapters.
I would not say a person from Singapore is less qualified than them.
Probably better.

[Pitarou]

[nightsintodreams]

The person I knew from Singapore had no previous teaching experience or a VISA. Berlitz was his first job in Japan and he was hired from Singapore. His English was of native level as was his pronunciation. If you met him, you wouldn't be able to tell that he wasn't a real native speaker. For the record, he came about two years ago, I'm not sure how much more difficult things have gotten since then.

I'm not saying it's easy but it is possible. Whatever people say, I think most employers of 'newbies' care most about whether the potential employee will be able to fit into their company over anything else. Although yes, native level Engliah is usually a requirement.

If your friend is really keen on Japan, I'd advise her to take any job she can get, then move onto something better once she has a year experience behind her.

[Pitarou]