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TheMoon
Joined: 10 Feb 2005
Posts: 7
Location: New Orleans
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 Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 5:29 am Post subject: A newbie (carefully read many of your posts), but I have??? |
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First, let me thank anyone who is reviewing this post in advance. Dave has really put together an exceptional resource, but that exceptional resource is the collective wisdom or intelligence of the members. I have spent several days reviewing posts relating to my questions carefully, but the voice(s) of reason are too often overrun by the dissent and rancor of a �vocal� minority of members. I am hoping that by setting forth as much information (that is relevant to my questions) as possible, I may find those voices of reason � which are easily distinguished from the lament of the eternally wronged. Ironically, given the length of that intro, I therefore apologize if this post is too long. Please do not misunderstand the nature or intent of my post. I have accomplished some things, however provincial, in my life and I would just like to know whether they will be a benefit. Also, I have an [unusually] unique background � to the extent that anything can actually be �[unusually] unique.�
I�m 31. I did not go to high school. I did not go to junior high school. I started college (Top 50) when I was 17. I started law school (Top 30) when I was 19. I graduated at 22. So I�ve been a lawyer or a law clerk since I was a teenager, even though I have a BA in English and have acted as an instructor for intensive (e.g. a 100 hour program) continuing legal education courses. But after September 11, 2001, I began to re-consider my priorities � what could make anyone so angry that they would actually enjoy killing so many people? I have long been fascinated by humanity, but I wondered whether it was possible to find humanity on either side after ... Iraq. I resigned (after, literally, a year of resistance to my departure from the managing partner, who had taken me under his wing.
I opened my own practice, because I simply couldn�t deal with the 12 hours of billing, 2 hours of socializing, 2 hours of partner ego-inflation and ZERO hours of sleep. I thought it obvious that I was having some sort of breakdown because I�d left a job that was secure for life. I just couldn�t see that whatever I accomplished in the legal profession (which though allegedly designed to implement justice, is, at all levels, just a formal enforcement of the will of the ruling class) �was meant to protect a wealthy few. If it benefit a member of the non-ruling class, all the better to veil the truth. Whatever, when I left the firm I was simply resigned to the fact that I would probably have to declare bankruptcy. I did better than I thought I would. But I lived out embarrassing cliches (a train wreck I could see happening, but was too fascinated to stop); I bought a Ducati 999s even though I had never ridden a motorcycle before in my life, wrecked it 5000 miles later, etc., etc.
I don�t know whether these things are impressive or not, I think they may demonstrate at the very least that I am... capable. But I am a dark-skinned (well, medium, but same-difference) African-American male. Before anyone is offended let me state here that I am not very sensitive about racial issues. I identify with the African-American culture, but I have white and black families (one adopted) and a surprisingly diverse heritage, so I don�t follow any rote formula on cultural or, more plainly, ethnic values. It makes perfect sense that in other countries people are curious about African-Americans; I am sure they are curious about those who look more traditionally western as well. Some people will be simply curios about, some simply adverse to, any stranger. In the U.S. we are blessedly diverse, but in the absence of that diversity and things like Television, Internet Access or some other media of information about other ethnicities, we�d be fascinated by people who were different as well � in fact, we tend to say such people are �exotic� looking which also usually means beautiful (or handsome). I am simply not interested in making a value judgment about the merit or equity of �racism;� and I do not want to offend anyone � African-American or otherwise. I simply want to determine whether this path that I have now focused upon is plausible and to make that determination, I would like to consider the reasoned opinion of those members who fully �get� this post.
All of that to ask the following (and, again, I sincerely apologize to any who are annoyed, but some will be annoyed simply because I am frequently polite). Please assume that I have allowed for the obvious variations from any given human to any other human:
1. Can someone give me a reasonable and fair opinion on the ability of someone with my background to find a teaching position in Japan within the next 60 days (or even sooner if possible) without a TEFOL certificate?
2. I have gathered the impression that it is not always necessary to have a visa. Should I have a visa before I apply for positions?
3. Is it difficult to obtain a visa if you find an employer-sponsor?
4. What sort(s) of issues will delay or prevent the acquisition of a visa?
5. Are the apartments all tiny?
6. I have read that host countries often dissuade their guests from becoming too comfortable and actually do not encourage ESL teachers to learn the sponsoring nation�s language. Is it, in fact, difficult to learn Japanese, or Korean or (whatever, ad infinitum)?
7. I have read the prior posts regarding certification, but, I am just wondering if any of you have experience with Global TESOL�s actual placement record or are able to provide any information regarding the best placement agency for someone like myself?
Thank you, in advance, to any who respond. |
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marblez
Joined: 24 Oct 2004
Posts: 248
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Sorry for the confusion, but are you saying you went straight from elementary school to university? |
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TheMoon
Joined: 10 Feb 2005
Posts: 7
Location: New Orleans
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 8:30 pm Post subject: I dropped out -- but, basically yes. I'm not trying to prove |
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| how smart I am. I'm just trying to emphasize that I'm not stupid. |
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herman
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
Posts: 42
Location: City by the Bay (SF)
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| Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:06 am Post subject: |
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Assuming that you are enquiring about Japan alone, perhaps you should post in the Japan forum.
You should consider reposting there with just the questions and a short introduction. Your credentials are not bad and you don't need to write that much; people will ask you for details if they need it to give better advice.
Actually, if you search eslcafe.com for those issues you questioned about, you'll find plenty of information. I had once considered going to Japan myself and read much useful information stored on eslcafe.com. I don't remember the details anymore, though. However, I have noticed a number of African Americans/Canadians teaching all around Asia nowadays, including Japan. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:15 am Post subject: |
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At the risk of offending you, yes, you are long-winded, but I will try to come to the point and hope that you can answer a simple question in the meantime.
| Quote: |
| 1. Can someone give me a reasonable and fair opinion on the ability of someone with my background to find a teaching position in Japan within the next 60 days (or even sooner if possible) without a TEFOL certificate? |
You probably are not able to get HIRED, since it takes 4-7 weeks just to get the visa, and you are unlikely to be interviewed in just a couple of weeks. You might be able to FIND THE JOB itself within 60 days, though.
| Quote: |
| 2. I have gathered the impression that it is not always necessary to have a visa. Should I have a visa before I apply for positions? |
From your avatar, I gather you are American. That means you cannot get a working holiday visa, and you need a regular work visa, or a spouse visa, or a dependent visa, or a student visa to be able to work. Some employers want people to have already come here and gotten one of those visas before they hire them as teachers. Others don't care because they will sponsor you for the work visa. Some even come to your home country, recruit you, and after you are hired, they will arrange the visa.
| Quote: |
| 3. Is it difficult to obtain a visa if you find an employer-sponsor? |
Probably not. If the employer is, as you stated, willing to sponsor you, the process itself is straightforward. Assuming you have no criminal record, you should get the visa in 4-7 weeks. HOWEVER, since you have no HS diploma, that may actually pose a problem, despite the fact that you somehow managed to get a college degree. It will depend on the whims of the immigration office you deal with.
| Quote: |
| 4. What sort(s) of issues will delay or prevent the acquisition of a visa? |
Incomplete application.
Criminal record.
Falsified records.
Information that is hard to understand.
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| 5. Are the apartments all tiny? |
Look at pictures on these web sites for examples. Some are. Some aren't.
www.markinjapan.ca/features/apartment/index.htm
http://vocaro.com/trevor/japan/home/index.html
http://ekhardt.com/tokyo/myapartment/Iapartment.html
http://www.tiger-marmalade.com/gallery/apartment
http://www.collin.org/travel/japan/apartment/apartment.html
http://www.globalcompassion.com/home.htm
http://www.greggman.com/japan/apts/tokyo%20apts.htm
http://daveahlman.com/arch/arch_apt.htm
http://chaninjapan.utopiades.com/Information/Apartment.htm
| Quote: |
| 6. I have read that host countries often dissuade their guests from becoming too comfortable and actually do not encourage ESL teachers to learn the sponsoring nation�s language. Is it, in fact, difficult to learn Japanese, or Korean or (whatever, ad infinitum)? |
Never heard of the first point. If you are referring to USING the language in the classroom, that's a different story. Most schools will prohibit teachers from using Japanese in the class in order to more simulate an immersion environment.
As to your question itself, that is impossible to answer. Spoken or written Japanese? To what degree do you want to learn? How good are you at learning languages? How much time will/can you devote to studying? These are all questions that only you can answer for yourself. I would have to say that you won't have much time to study here while working, and that you should read a post by Zzonkmiles on the topic in the Japan forum.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=9207&start=0
Here is what he wrote after 11 months and 2 years of being in Japan:
I have been in Japan for a little less than 11 months. I am currently working at NOVA's Multimedia Center in Osaka.
Ｔhere are some things you should consider. I want to offer you my own perspective in addition to reiterating what has already been said by others.
When you get home from work, you will likely be quite tired and in the mood for a beer or for just going to bed. When you get into this routine, it is quite easy to put off studying until "tomorrow." When you work at an eikaiwa with a regular schedule, every day is essentially the same. The same number of classes, the same working hours, the same low-level English conversations, and the same tired or resigned demeanor when it's time for you to punch out and go home. "Tomorrow" will keep coming and going and before you know it, you will have been here for three or four months and will still be vowing to study "tomorrow" even though you're frustrated and disappointed. So if you really want to study Japanese, you have to break this inertia somehow and force yourself to study.
What does this mean?
This means you choose to study Japanese even though your friends are out boozing up and singing karaoke. I'm not saying don't have fun; I'm saying you have to prioritize.
This means you choose to study Japanese if you are lucky enough to get a free period at work. Most of the other teachers spend their 40-50 minutes of free time gossiping or cracking jokes about their students or what happened when they went to the bar the night before.
Prepare to be isolated from your coworkers and other foreign peers. They may ostracize you for being "high on Japan" or "hardcore" or "wannabe Japanese" or whatever. And because you're living in a foreign country, you're going to want to rely on the "support network" they provide, even if they are disingenuous, for the simple fact that they are foreigners too. So you may not devote as much time to studying as you would ideally like to or should simply because you're lonely and dealing with culture shock.
I came to Japan with only some basic knowledge of grammar (only the present and past tenses), all the hiragana/katakana, and about 75 kanji. Now I'm up to about 600-700 kanji and am able to hold a fairly interactive conversation in Japanese. I can do more than order food at a restaurant or ask when the last train leaves. I would estimate that my Japanese ability places me somewhere between 3-kyu and 2-kyu (I want to take 2-kyu of the JLPT this winter). But I didn't get there by hanging out with my friends after work four nights a week or watching the BBC or CNN in my room and renting English videos.
I got it by isolating myself and enduring occasional ridicule from other teachers whose Japanese ability is limited to "biiru kudasai." I got it by going to bars and restaurants that foreigners usually don't go to and striking up conversations with the bartenders and the regulars. I got it by taking the handbills people distribute on the street and trying to understand the kanji written on them even though I obviously could care less about the product they were advertising. I got it by watching Japanese television and only being able to pick up isolated words and phrases. I got it by riding the subway around Osaka just so I could get free listening practice as the subway approached each stop. I got it by striking up random conversations with the Japanese staff members at my job and asking them what various kanji mean.
Validation of your progress with the language comes in unexpected ways. I remember one time a few months when I decided to venture into a tiny izakaya by myself for the first time. The menu was entirely in Japanese, with the kanji written in cursive strokes, thus making them even more difficult to read. The waitress and the cook were obviously very shocked to see me, and I am confident their English ability was limited to "hello" and "thank you." But I looked at that menu and was able to recognize a few items, and I was even able to ask the waitress what various entrees contained. And I was able to successfully order something I liked, much to my relief as well as that of the waitress and the cook. To me, that was more than enough validation for me to realize that I am indeed progressing with this language and that the approach I have to it is working. Now I'm a regular customer at the izakaya and the cooks regularly talk with me about many different subjects.
I now consider myself to be fairly self-sufficient with this language. I can make out the gist of unfamiliar conversations, I can understand the most important points of any official correspondence I receive, I can tell when other customers in a restaurant are talking about me, and I am able to look up the meanings of various unfamiliar kanji without knowing their hiragana translations of them. And I've become friends with some Japanese who speak no English at all and am able to talk about enough things and understand them well enough for the friendship to survive in a meaningful capacity. But I won't lie--it hasn't been easy.
Japanese is not a language that you can approach in a lukewarm fashion. And you won't learn the language if you don't USE the language. You won't use Japanese if you're hanging out with your fellow English teachers after work. You won't use Japanese if you're reading an English newspaper and watching English movies. You won't use Japanese if you're drinking at the bar with your coworkers. You won't use it if your Japanese girlfriend only speaks to you in English. You really have to force yourself to stick with it.
If you have never undertaken foreign language study before, you may be unfamiliar with how languages are acquired. You may retain a lot of new information easily at first. But then there comes a time when your brain will feel "full" and your Japanese may actually regress a bit. But you have to be patient with yourself and keep trying before you're able to retain more information. And then you'll plateau again...So be prepared.
My goal is not to become a translator. I would, however, like to pass Level 2 of the JLPT this year. Your experience in Japan would be MUCH more rewarding if you have some language ability to assist you. The Japanese will treat you quite differently too. The whole country will open up to you in a way it can't for those who can't speak or understand the language.
Before you come to Japan, I would recommend that you at least learn the hiragana and katakana. They are fairly easy to pick up (I personally had more difficulty with the katakana, as several of the characters look alike) and will allow you to write down every word in Japanese. Romaji (that is, the letters you see in this post) is rarely used here except for a few street signs and maps in larger cities. So at least learn the hiragana/katakana scripts first. There are only about 45 of each. Mastering these will allow you to write down every word in Japanese. Then learn some of the most basic kanji (numbers, days of the week, basic verbs, etc.).
And lastly, if you're only going to stay in Japan for about a year, let me tell you something important. It's not necessary for you to endure the torture of trying to learn 1000 kanji if you will only be in Japan for a short period. I'm all for ambition and the desire to try and fit in with the locals. But you have to be practical. And realistic. I want to speak fluently too. But I'm patient. Walk before you can run. And don't be too hard on yourself when you find that this language just doesn't "click" with you sometimes. Even I have my "dekiru/dekinai" (can do/can't do) days. I'm not where I want to be just yet, but I'm much further down the road than when I first got here last summer.
(about a year later)
Simply put, Japanese is hard. Kanji is hard. So much can be omitted from both spoken and written communication. It's not like an Indo-European language where you get "free" words, such as "gasolina" and "secreto" and "Vater und Mutter." You really have to immerse yourself in this language if you want to break out of the robotic "genki desu ka? watashi ha Tomu desu" stage. And this immersion takes time. It has taken me almost two years of fairly serious study to get to the point where I can be reasonably self-sufficient. One year of college study is not going to prepare you for life here. Obviously it'll help. But there's a big difference between studying Japanese for 50 minutes three times a week at your university and actually LIVING in Japan, where "class" is always in session.
Japanese is EVERYWHERE, and it can take a toll on you if you're not disciplined.
1. Imagine buying a new electronic gadget and not knowing how to read the remote control, let alone the instruction manual.
2. Imagine wanting to use a copy machine to copy your passport but not knowing which button to push to start the machine or operate the machine in general.
3. Imagine going to a restaurant and the menu is written entirely in cursive kanji. So not only can you not read the menu, but even if you could, you still probably wouldn't know what you were ordering.
4. Imagine wanting to catch a city bus or a local train and the entire schedule and timetable is written in Japanese. Good luck getting where you want to go!
5. Imagine receiving a strange bill in the mail and not knowing what the bill is for or what you're supposed to do with it.
6. Imagine getting sick and having to call the operator so you can find an English-speaking doctor. What if the operator doesn't understand you? And vice versa?
7. Imagine going into a supermarket and not knowing how to cook any of the food there because you can't read the cooking instructions.
8. Imagine getting lost and having to ask for directions in a foreign language. Hope this doesn't happen to you after the last train!
9. Imagine trying to take care of official or serious business at a hospital, a bank, or the local ward office and you can't understand what the office worker is saying.
10. Imagine watching TV and not understanding the overwhelming majority of what you're watching.
For beginners and the undisciplined, Japan and the Japanese language are TOUGH.
| Quote: |
| 7. I have read the prior posts regarding certification, but, I am just wondering if any of you have experience with Global TESOL�s actual placement record or are able to provide any information regarding the best placement agency for someone like myself? |
No experience with them, but they sound more like a snake oil salesman than a reputable outfit. Tread with care.
So, here's my question for you...
How did you get into college without a high school education? Do you have a GED? (ok, 2 questions) |
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