Job Discussion Forums

[Shroob]

Hi all,

I'm currently thinking about where my next teaching position will be, I know it will be in Asia, I just don't know where.

From what I've learnt reading around these forums and others, Japan university jobs are quite competitive. I'd just like to see what you think my chances are of landing a university position.

I'm currently studying for an MA in Applied Linguistics, which will finish late summer 2014. I've 2 years of experience in China (university level) and am currently working part-time in an international college in the U.K. I have a CELTA.

So my questions are as follows:

1) What are my chances of finding work from the UK?

2) When / where do the jobs get advertised? I've been looking around but seen very few.

3) What sort of conditions would I be looking at e.g.salary/housing/airfare/hours per week?

4) Will the fact my MA isn't completed when I'm applying be a big problem - it has already caused a few issues but how big of a barrier will it be?

Thanks for your time.

[kah5217]

TBH, your chances aren't very high for the university level. They prefer publications, and there are plenty of candidates already here with finished degrees and domestic experience that they can choose.

Also, the airfare is a JET thing. They're not going to pay that.

[Shroob]

[rtm]

1) What are my chances of finding work from the UK?

It would be an advantage to be in Japan, but is not required. However, you will likely need to go to Japan for interviews. These expenses will not be covered by the university.

As far as chances, it's hard to tell as you haven't given much information. Your experience in Chinese universities probably won't count for much. The relevant MA is a basic requirement. Many/most universities will also want Japanese language ability and/or a number of academic publications. All you can do is apply and see what responses you get.


2) When / where do the jobs get advertised? I've been looking around but seen very few.

The academic year starts April 1 in Japan, so most of the hiring has already been done for this year. There are a few jobs that start in September, but not many. For job ads, check JREC-IN (the Japanese version has a LOT more listings than the English version), and JACET.


3) What sort of conditions would I be looking at e.g.salary/housing/airfare/hours per week?

Others can add more info on this, but I believe you can expect roughly between 4,000,000-7,000,000 yen/year. Of course, it depends on the university, location, your qualifications, etc. Some places will offer a certain amount to subsidize housing costs, but many (most?) places don't. Airfare usually isn't covered. As far as hours per week, I think you can expect about 8-12 ninety-minute classes ("koma") per week.

I'm sure you already know this from the other threads on university teaching in Japan, but the majority of openings will be fixed-term positions with a limited number of renewals (if any). A common limit is around 2-4 years (e.g., 1 year contract, renewable once; 2 year contract; 2 year contract renewable once), though there are some that offer longer contracts or more renewals. Longer than 5 years is unlikely nowadays, due to a new labor law that says that workers who are on a fixed-term contract for 5 years must be granted an open-ended (i.e., "permanent") contract. Some universities do offer permanent faculty positions for foreigners, though these are fewer and are increasingly asking for a PhD (though it's still worth applying, even if you only have an MA).

4) Will the fact my MA isn't completed when I'm applying be a big problem - it has already caused a few issues but how big of a barrier will it be?

It might cause a problem because there are other candidates who already have the degree in hand, so the university has no reason to go out on a limb with someone who will probably finish.

[mitsui]

Celta does not matter here.
For airfare, you would have to go to Korea for it to be paid for, or to be reimbursed.

At best you could get 4-5 million. Get your MA first.
Competition for part-time jobs is fierce too.
Too many teachers, not enough jobs.

Sometimes youth is valued over experience and sometimes being British can help. There is the British Council too, which is a good deal.
Knowing how to teach IELTS looks good.

[rtm]

[JoeKing]

[Shroob]

Just to clarify, when I asked about if it matters where an article is published, I know that some universities have institutional journals, so wondered if they would count.

[HLJHLJ]

A Japanese institutional journal would count, a foreign one may or may not.

With regards the comment about IELTS above. The universities I worked at didn't use IELTS, they only used TOEFL and TOEIC, and IELTS experience wouldn't help. The handful of IELTS prep classes they did offer for students planning to study abroad were taught in Japanese by local teachers.

Also the BC in Tokyo is pretty much a closed shop. It's heavily dominated by long stayers and it's very rare for a position to come up. When one does they usually want YL experience and Cambridge examiner ratings.

[mitsui]

The British teachers I knew used their IELTS training as a part-time job at the British Council.

IELTS sometimes is taught at expensive private schools, where students want to study abroad. Having a niche like that can get you a job.

[Solar Strength]

[RM1983]

Those Kanda places look ok, Id probably have a shot at them if I had a master's.

If they hire in 2 year rounds would that mean the best time to apply would actually be for 2016? A quick google showed they have finised hiring for this year 2014.

Does ANY university teaching count as experience? I mean for example, no offense meant to the OP but I actually had a look at the China job boards to see what they are getting paid and there seem to be plenty of uni positions available. Short stint in China then back to a uni here might be doable?

I tell you what though, I dont know how Id cope giving an hour lecture, hate the sound of my own voice

[mitsui]

Kanda is not bad if you can get it.
Not all teachers there are inexperienced.

Work in China sounds like a good idea. I know teachers who worked there and afterwards got work at a university in Tokyo.
Frankly it is getting tough in Japan and if you can find a decent job in China, you should consider it.

[Solar Strength]

[Shroob]