Job Discussion Forums

[anthony.aldi]

Hi Everyone, first timer here.

For everyone's sake, I'll be brief:

1. I'm Indonesian citizen, live in Indonesia.
2. I hold B.E. degree from an Indonesian university.
3. I have good command of English.
4. I don't have any teaching certificate and formal teaching experience.
5. Asian-looking-face.

I'm very interested to teach English in Japan via ALT-dispatch companies (e.g., Interac and its friend) or eikawa, though I prefer the former. Why? Because I THOUGHT that I met the requirements.

I've read many forums about non-EFL background or non-native teacher successfully landed a job in Japan. Thus I know it's possible.

I know that it means that I will compete "ideal" English teacher. (i.e., Caucasian-looking-people-with teaching certificate and already in Japan)
I know that it will be an uphill battle for me. I know that teaching in Japan can be sucks from economic POV.

I have some questions, though:

1. Have you met any Indonesian teaching English in Japan? Either as an ALT or at Eikawa?

2. I know that it is NECESSARY for me to proof that I have 12 years education taught in English. So, how can I proof it?
Ask my university to issued a certificate? maybe it's possible.
Ask my elementary school? I doubt my ES still exist.

3. What do you guys think about my chances?

Thanks before.

[timothypfox]

I'd like to give you my encouragement on your idea, but I'm afraid your post has numerous grammar errors and some expressions that don't come across as native or natural.

Is there any way you can do something rigorous like a CELTA course so that you can improve your grammar and understanding of English nuance?

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I HAVE HIGHLIGHTED CORRECTIONS TO YOUR POST BELOW IN BOLD:

[anthony.aldi]

hiya timothypfox, thanks for replying.

Thanks for taking precious time to check my grammatical error. I admit, as a non-native English speaker, it takes considerable efforts and time for me to write with flawless grammar. Thanks for your suggestion, I will definitely improve my English.

Regarding my post, can you help with my former questions about teaching in Japan?

Thanks before.

[nomad soul]

Ditto timothypfox's points. In addition to pursuing a CELTA, check with the British Council in Indonesia to first see which English language assessments they offer, which will give you a snapshot of where you most need improvement. This should be your priority before even considering jobs in Japan or elsewhere. Otherwise, you'll be spinning your wheels trying to find work with your present English skills.

Again, "thanks before" should be "thanks in advance." (It's best not to rely on translation software.)

[timothypfox]

[anthony.aldi]

hi nomad soul, thanks for replying. Forgive me to not proofread my writing before I post into the forum. I should have thought of that. Thanks anyway.

[Maitoshi]

These errors do not seem authentic. FWIW.

[Andre 3000]

Anthony, don't be discouraged by everyone picking you up on your English mistakes.

In fact, I'd like to congratulate you on your idiomatic use of expressions such as for everyone's sake, uphill battle, formal teaching experience, flawless grammar etc.

With such idiomacy, people will be confusing you with a native speaker in no time!

[D. Amokachi]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=112777

This poster managed to land a job in Japan even though English is not his first language. Perhaps you could drop him a message for some advice on how he went about it.

[jesso92]

Hey Anthony,

I am a non-native English speaker, a Mexican citizen to be specific, and I recently got hired to work as an English teacher in Japan. I have a thread in this forum about that where you can read in detail about what I went through and the advice I got.

But I can tell you in short. It's very very hard to get work in Japan as a non-native speaker. I have been living in the United States for 8 Years, I have a TEFEL certificate, and I am a white male. As you might be able to tell, my English level is pretty decent. I mean, it should be, I went through high school and college in this country.

Still, despite all these things in my favor, only 2 companies ever replied to my applications. Out of around 25 that I applied to. One of them rejected me after the interview, and 3 months later the other one contacted me. I prepared like a madman for the interview and demonstration and was able to knock it out of the park. Thus I got hired.

For what I can tell so far, I think it will be near impossible for you to get a job at this point, hell, I thought it was near impossible for me. That's what everybody kept telling me.

How old are you? Is there still a chance for you to do an English course abroad? Maybe a year or two of intensive English learning done in an English speaking country will help you out if this is really a serious goal for you. Get a certificate, get any official documents that can attest to your English abilities. Your English doesn't have to be perfect, mine isn't, but I do believe that you need to work on it a bit more.

Edit: See there it is, somebody just linked my thread up there, check that out.

[nomad soul]

[anthony.aldi]

Hi everyone, thank you for replying.

Yea, I think my English is the least problem I have now. Sure, my English is not good enough for applying a job, but there are many ways to improve it: take english course, get certification, conversing with you guys, etc.

My asian face and passport color, now that's a problem. Unless I do plastic surgery or make a fake passport, that is.lol

ow yea, jesso's thread, eh. Yeah, I've read it before I make this thread. Really helpful. Congratulations for your job at Peppy Kids! ☺

I have another question:
Is there any different requirements for "Specialist in Humanities" and "Instructor" visa?
Do the "12 years" rule apply for both visa?

[taikibansei]

[anthony.aldi]

Hi guys, just want to give an update. I've decided to postpone my Japan plan and go to Australia for one year instead.

Totally unrelated, I know, but I don't want to leave this thread hanging.lol

So, thank you for your input guys!

[rtm]

Thanks for letting us know! It's always good to know what people end up doing.

Best of luck in Australia!