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Wim
Joined: 25 Dec 2015
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 6:52 am Post subject: Questions regarding my situation |
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Hi everyone
I’m a newbie here. I’ve done a bit of reading (and watching YouTube) and I've noticed there's a recent topic about applying as a non native, but I still think my situation is peculiar enough to warrant my own questions. I hope that's all right.
So I’m a 29 year old male from Belgium. I’m from the Northern part (Flanders, native language is Dutch). I have a BA in Multimedia and Communication Technology, a general teacher’s degree (accredited by the Flemish government, 60 study points for those who know about that system, basically 1 year full time) and some 5 years teaching Computer systems and Networking in high school part time. Since teaching ‘CSN’ is quite different from teaching a language, I did a 120 hour online TEFL course (it was helpful for me but I’ve read it won’t matter for getting a job, whatever the case that’s water under the bridge).
I’ve done some classes at the Ghent Uni here in Belgium studying Modern Japanese, History of Japan, History of China and Cultural history, found out that I liked Japan so I went there this summer for 5 weeks (2 weeks tourist, 3 weeks with worldcampus.org) and so finally I’m getting to the point where I have to make the decision if I’ll quit my job here and go teach in Japan.
Sorry for the length of the intro, here’s the actual questions:
• How about the starting cash? Do I really need to save up 5k for the start? I lived on less than 100 000 yen for the two weeks I was there .. actually doing things and visiting places every day (although I did have the JR Pass for transportation). How much do you think I need to save up?
• What do I have to look for to be sure I have job security when I get there. I heard about people going there and once they’re there, they find out they’re actually only in the final stage of recruitment. I don’t want to go there and have to come back straight away…
• I’m a non-native and do not have the TESOL qualification. I do have the experience and the Belgian degree. I’m quite concerned that even if I do get offers, it will be from low quality schools that would hire just about anyone.
• As an add on to the previous question, would doing IELTS help me enough to warrant the cost and time? If it would just be ignored by future employers (native or not being the only criterium) I don’t see the point to bother. Would you recommend I just state my willingness to do it, or do it straight away (which woud mean I'd have to wait applying for a bit more).
• Is ALT work only available starting in april or can I do that all year round? Since I’m a teacher now I’d like to finish my year here in Belgium, which ends on the 30th of june. Will there still be ALT work, only eikaiwa or none at all even?
Thank you in advance for your contributions. You can tell it to me straight, I’d rather be disappointed now than when I’m 100% invested in it already. |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Questions regarding my situation |
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| Wim wrote: |
| • How about the starting cash? Do I really need to save up 5k for the start? I lived on less than 100 000 yen for the two weeks I was there .. actually doing things and visiting places every day (although I did have the JR Pass for transportation). How much do you think I need to save up? |
Yes, you will likely need the USD$5000. You may not need all of it in the end, but it's better to have it and not need it than vice-versa. Some apartments require 'key money' (a 'gift' to the landlord of 1-2 months rent which you will never get back), deposit (again, 1-2 months rent paid up-front, but you will hopefully get much of this back when you finish your contract and move out). You'll also have to pay at least the first month's rent itself. So, if your apartment is 70,000 yen/mo, you might need to pay 210,000 up-front in order to get the keys. Japanese apartments generally come unfurnished and without any appliances, so you'd need to buy those (futon, sofa, TV, refrigerator, stove, hot water heater, light fixtures, etc.) Also, it might not be until the end of your second month working when you finally get paid. That means that if you take, say, 1 month to apply, interview, and get hired, then 2 months to get your first paycheck, you'd need to have enough cash with you to support yourself for 3 months.
Of course, you might get an apartment that doesn't require key money or costs only 50,000 yen/mo, and you might get a job after only a couple weeks, and your job might pay you at the end of the first month, but none of that is guaranteed.
| Quote: |
| • What do I have to look for to be sure I have job security when I get there. I heard about people going there and once they’re there, they find out they’re actually only in the final stage of recruitment. I don’t want to go there and have to come back straight away… |
I have never heard of teachers signing a contract before coming to Japan, and then getting there only to find out they don't actually have a job. Maybe others can chime in on this.
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| • I’m a non-native and do not have the TESOL qualification. I do have the experience and the Belgian degree. I’m quite concerned that even if I do get offers, it will be from low quality schools that would hire just about anyone. |
I'm assuming you read this thread by GTZetton. You might want to send GTZetton a private message as it seems he has done quite a bit of research and has learned a lot about applying for EFL jobs in Japan as a native Dutch speaker.
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| • Is ALT work only available starting in april or can I do that all year round? Since I’m a teacher now I’d like to finish my year here in Belgium, which ends on the 30th of june. Will there still be ALT work, only eikaiwa or none at all even? |
Most ALT work starts April 1, since that's when the school year starts in Japan. There are some ALT positions that start in the second term in September, but these are fewer. Outside of those times, ALT jobs are scarce. Eikaiwa hire year round, though they also have an uptick for April and September starts. |
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Wim
Joined: 25 Dec 2015
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:51 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the information and pointing me to that thread, I'll make sure to check that out.
To clarify, I'm planning on finding a job while here, not going there without one, so I should have the job when I get there (in regards to having to sustain myself for the time I don't have one). |
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currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 828
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| Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 9:00 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| As an add on to the previous question, would doing IELTS help me enough to warrant the cost and time? If it would just be ignored by future employers (native or not being the only criterium) I don’t see the point to bother. Would you recommend I just state my willingness to do it, or do it straight away (which woud mean I'd have to wait applying for a bit more). |
For a non-native speaker, I would recommend doing the Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE). It is the highest level exam in the Cambridge roster. It would prove to employers that your English is at an exceptional level. It is more highly regarded than IELTS (though that is still good to have) and it is a permanent qualification that you have for life - the IELTS score is only valid for two years:
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/proficiency |
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Wim
Joined: 25 Dec 2015
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 9:11 am Post subject: |
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| Allright thank you! |
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jesso92
Joined: 05 Dec 2015
Posts: 60
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| Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| For a non-native speaker, I would recommend doing the Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE). It is the highest level exam in the Cambridge roster. It would prove to employers that your English is at an exceptional level. It is more highly regarded than IELTS (though that is still good to have) and it is a permanent qualification that you have for life - the IELTS score is only valid for two years: |
Woah Woah... Is this a thing? Do Japanese employers actually take those into consideration? I'm also a non native English speaker trying to get a ESL job in Japan.
Currentaffairs Have you heard or know of somebody who had it easier by having those tests on their resume? |
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currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 828
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| Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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Overall, it would be a good thing to have. The CPE is recognised around the world. Of course, you could get a job in a language school without it but passing the test would be a plus on your CV and open more doors..
If your English is good enough to be able to teach the language then just go to the nearest test centre and do the test. Time, effort and cash would be minimal if you can pass it in one go.. |
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