Job Discussion Forums

[candykisk]

I interviewed at Westgate and I think that I will receive an offer. The pay is only 2,750,000 yen/year, so of course I would seek another position after working there because I have heavy student loan debt.

Do you think while I'm out there, I could apply for university positions beginning in April 2016 (e.g., from JACET). And if hired at one of those institutions then I would make a real salary in the 5 million yen area. Does this seem far-fetched or something that could actually happen? Basically, I go to Westgate to get my foot in the door, then apply for real teaching positions afterwards.

[Yokaides]

I don't understand the premise of these questions, ''Can I...'' fly to the moon, ''Can I...'' become a janitor, ''Can I...'' work a lowly job with a dispatch company. All of these questions depend on you as a person.

I've always wanted to marry Claudia Schiffer, but I haven't made any progress on that, mostly because I haven't even pursued it seriously.

If you want something, you have to work towards it.

University jobs need at least 3 publications, it doesn't matter if you have a 4-year degree, masters, or PhD.

Unless you want to work as a proctor, they will give you that experience for free.

[currentaffairs]

Westgate contracts are only for three months. The work visa is for a year. This allows you time to make contacts and find work during that first year. It is a good way into Japan..

As for salary, I worked in language schools for a year after Westgate and got into the university work year by year. In my second year, I had two days of university work. After the third year, I had a full teaching load working at three universities as a part-time lecturer. My salary was just under 5 million yen a year.

Typically, you need a MA in TESOL, three publications, some luck, and 3-4 years of teaching experience at a university to nab a full-time job.

[candykisk]

Yokaides and currentaffairs, could you elaborate on publications? What are your publications, currentaffairs?

What languages schools did you work at?

[kpjf]

[currentaffairs]

Publications means peer reviewed articles in journals. JALT has two very well known journals:

http://jalt-publications.org/

Some universities also offer in-house opportunities for getting articles published, but often they are limited to full-timers.

I worked at a local language school in Saitama and at Linguaphone Academy in my first year.

[candykisk]

Okay, thanks y'all. This all really helps. Most of the time publications come with an PhD degree, but I have seen some positions hiring and they only ask for teaching experience and an MA.

[Yokaides]

[nightsintodreams]

Not at all, most of the journals on JALT are poorly written pieces written for purpose of ticking a box on your CV.

[currentaffairs]

[kpjf]

[candykisk]

Great, thanks everyone. This is all very helpful. I will take everything you guys are saying into consideration! But you're right about how Japan is probably not the best place to get loans paid off... it's surprising because it's such an advanced country. Also, it seems many teachers work two or more jobs there which I also find unbelievable. That two and three jobs thing I thought was just an American thing, but it's an Asian thing, too.

[mitsui]

The yen is at a 12 year low.
In the past I did pay off my loans, but with the yen at 124 or falling, it gets tough.
I can make more in the US as a teacher than here.

Back in 1998, when it was over 140 to the dollar, teachers took on second jobs.

[rtm]

[RM1983]