Job Discussion Forums

Paris teacher · Joined: 17 Jun 2016 Posts: 38

Hello! I am currently teaching English in Paris. Even though I love the city, it is very difficult to make ends meet here. I am considering more lucrative options. Here is some basic information about me:

Age: 42

Status: single; no children

Nationality: dual citizen of USA and Ireland

Education: BA in English literature (1996); M.Ed. in teaching EFL to adults (2001); second B.A. in Spanish, with a minor in French (2005); M.A. in Spanish, with a concentration in Latin American literature (2012).

Experience: 7 months in South Korea in 1997 teaching at a hagwon; four months of volunteer work as an ESL instructor in NYC (1998); taught EFL in Paris from 2000 to 2003; taught Spanish at university level from 2008 to 2012; taught ESL and English composition at a community college from 2011 to 2013; taught English and cinema studies at a university from 2012 to 2013; currently teaching English in Paris (2013 - present).

Are there any good options for me? I understand that Japan is very reluctant to hire people over the age of 35.

taikibansei · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 811 Location: Japan

If I were you, I would try to find university work, and only come to Japan if hired from overseas. For these jobs, I think far more than your age, the lack of Japanese ability, Japanese university teaching experience and publications (assuming you have less than three) will be bigger issues. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

Lacking Japanese ability, you will need to focus on the English-language adverts (which typically offer less enticing salaries and conditions). The two best sites for such jobs:

JRECIN:
https://jrecin.jst.go.jp/seek/SeekTop?ln=1

Chronicle of Higher Education:
https://chroniclevitae.com/job_search/new

Typically, the (very few) Japanese universities advertising through the Chronicle will be the most open to making overseas hires.

Good luck!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

For Spanish work is part-time. Expect to have a long commute.
I know of a Costa Rican who has to go to Saitama from Kawasaki,
and another who must mostly teach English.

Part-time teaching means age is not a problem until you hit the mandatory retirement age, which varies (about 65 or a little before).

TokyoTEFL · Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 2

Lamarr · Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 190

Universities are definitely worth a shot. You could also try international schools. Doing a Google search will throw up a list of them and you can contact them directly or check/bookmark their job vacancies page.

Also, you want to be looking and applying for these jobs RIGHT NOW, as they'll be hiring well in advance for April starts (the beginning of the academic year in Japan).

TokyoTEFL · Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 2

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

You need to be certified and need the experience in your own country.

Lamarr · Joined: 27 Sep 2010 Posts: 190

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

Yeah,
well two years ago I got rejected from a part-time position since I was not certified. This was for work at a girl's high school.
Now I am certified in a couple states.
Thing is, if you want to work on a base teaching Americans, those teachers tend to come from the US as they have experience.

Thing is, there are a variety of international schools, some more demanding than others. These positions are competitive, to say the least.