Job Discussion Forums

[wannabexpat]

I will be finishing my year of teaching ESL in Korea soon and am completing my TEFL certification. That being said, what is a realistic salary expectation or type of employment in Japan?

Should I take the 250-280k Yen jobs or look for better paying positions? I appreciate the advice from you vets out there. I'm tired of feeling like an alien in Korea.

Also, Are you ESL teachers having a good time in Japan?

[Celeste]

With only one year of teaching experience and a TEFL certificate behind you, you will probably have to take one of the jobs that is offered at 250 000 yen per month, but try to find the best working conditions that you can for that money. You will want to look for a job that provides good assistance with housing, gives you a 5 day work week, and pays in full on time. Privates will probably be against your contract, but they are not against the law here the way they are in Korea, so you can expect to top up your income that way.

I worked in Korea for 2 years, and in an ESL school in Vanocuver, Canada for 3 years, and now I am in Japan. I am working on the JET programme, and I am having a great time. The pay is excellent (300 000yen per month) and the job is fulfilling. I am in a fairly big city, and I am able to lead a normal life and I don't feel at all like an alien here.

[Brooks]

oh, I guess when you are in Japan it is a trade off.
I have a good job with a good salary. I get three vacations a year.
On one of them I go to Europe.
Since it is my third year it is easier to teach here.

One friend of mine used to work here. In Poland she works a lot for less money. She went to Prague in December but it was expensive for her since she used her savings to do it.
She misses the salary and the vacations.

I had never made as much money as here.
But it isn`t as cool as it sounds because it went to pay off my student loans.

Socially, I prefer Europe. I miss friends and people to talk to.
I miss decent conversations.
Without my girlfriend, I probably would have left.
Sometimes I get bored and lonely here.

One guy I work with said that he is used to be being bored.
And it is true because where we work it can be a grind because I am at school six days a week. I learn Japanese in the evenings a couple times a week and it tires me out.

I guess it is good to come to Japan with goals in mind.
It has been a learning experience.

Brooks

[Brooks]

oh,
I have been stared at but I can`t remember any giggles.
Nobody has ever yelled at me, "gaijin da!"
But I live near Tokyo.

Brooks

[Sunpower]

Agree with the above poster - have some goal in mind. Wether it's saving for beating down your student debt, buying a new car or studying Judo - Have a goal before you come to Taiwan, Japan or Korea.

[wannabexpat]

Right now my goal is getting the F out of Korea. I might not be able to save as much monet in Japan, for my sanity's sake I think I'll head there.

Thanks for all the good advice y'all.

[MoggIntellect]

I don't want to pry into someone's personal business, but what is so horrible about Korea that you are ready to kill someone to get out? Well at least it sounds like you are one step away from going postal.

No matter where you go when you're a foreigner you have to deal with issues of boredom and loneliness. I think it is important to learn to be alone without being lonely or bored. For some it's impossible. I find it helps if you have a pre-existing hobby that can be facilitated in your host country. This will get you in touch with people and will give you something to do, and people to know.

I would like to know from those in Japan how comfortable the accomodations are. Do you get the bare minimum, or do you get a TV with Cable or something? I notice that a lot of jobs will not pay for your accomodations, nor will they pay for your plane ticket, those are definite downsides.

I would also like to know what income one should expect for someone without experience. I'm starting my CELTA now and will be looking for a job in a month or so, so what should be normal? I understand that a job in or near Tokyo would pay more, but that the expenses are much higher. Is 250,000 Y normal for entry level or is that way high?

I also want to know how expenses compare to here in North America... mostly like entertainment stuff... Computers, DVD players, etc. is it even possible to set yourself up or is it very expensive?

Sorry for all the questions but, well, I have a lot of questions yet to ask.

[Celeste]

Mogg- Ever been to Korea? Those of us who have lived there could tell you what would make someone near postal- check out the Korean board sometime...

Now, about your questions:

[Sunpower]