Job Discussion Forums

[BrendanCampbell]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the boards, but researched here a lot before I went to China last year with my girlfriend. We returned home and are looking to go and teach again next year (maybe near the end of summer/September) and I was interested in Japan.

I know Japan is a lot different than China, but I was curious about something I heard while in China. My girlfriend and I both graduated from college here in Canada, for Journalism, and received diplomas. I've read that Japan needs a BA in anything, but they say nothing about diplomas. (Personally I think this is stupid, as a BA in anything doesn't automatically make you a more qualified teacher, but hey...not my rules).

While in China, someone who worked with my girlfriend told her that he was in Japan teaching, but left because he couldn�t find work. He also told her that you can get jobs in Japan without a BA, but there will be a penalty that the government takes out of your monthly earnings. Is this true? I can�t remember what the exact number was, but in the end it wound up that we�d still be making more in Japan even WITH the penalty.

I have checked these boards and can�t find anything about this. Sorry if I missed it, as it is late, but I thought this may be the best way to find some answers. So basically, my questions are as follows�

1) Is there some sort of penalty placed on those who don�t have a BA, that allows them to get a working visa, but takes away a certain amount of their monthly earnings? And if so, how severe is the penalty?

2) Is the Working Holiday Visa just as good as a working visa? We�re Canadian, so we�re eligible. The FAQ above say that you don�t require a degree to get this, but are there any catches? Like it�s not as well regarded?

3) What are the odds of us getting hired on in the same area? Obviously we�d prefer to share accommodations, and I know that hurts us right off the get go. So what are the odds that some place would want to bring us both on, or that we�d be able to both find jobs in the same area so we could share a place?

Hopefully this all came out right, as I�m behind on sleep, so I�m kind of out of it! I was just hoping for some answers, and that�d be great.

Thanks in advance,
Brendan

[Gordon]

1) never heard of a penalty for not having a working visa. It is called teaching illegally and you get deported with a big, fat fine. Not to be taken lightly here at all. Cdn citizenship will not protect you.

2) NO catch on the WHV. You get taxed at 20% instead of the usual 5%. It is also for p/t work, not f/t, but people have found a way around that it seems, like 2 p/t jobs possibly. IMO a WHV is not as good as a working visa.

3) Tough to answer, I don't much about you or when you plan to come.

Yes, I agree that a degree does not make one a teacher, but how does a 2 yr diploma make you a better one? Japan has to set a requirement somewhere and there is no shortage of teachers here that is for sure. China pays so poorly and therefore will take anyone with a pulse to teach there in order to attract teachers.

[BrendanCampbell]

Hey Gordon,

Thanks for the response. Maybe it was the working holiday visa he was talking about, with the 20% tax...that was probably it. As far as when we'd be aiming to go and teach, it'd be next year, probably around September (at the latest).

As far as the 2-year diploma making me a better teacher, it doesn't, and I didn't mean it that way. I know they have to draw the line somewhere, I just find it frustrating at times when all I can find are offers where "A B.A. in any field will do" but there's no mention of anything else even being considered. I'm sure plenty of people with BAs are great teachers, and I'm sure plenty of people with diplomas or TESOL alone are great teachers as well.

On the other hand, there are bound to be various people from both groups that are bad eggs, and turn out to be lousy teachers.

All I meant was it would just be nice to be considered instead of having the door automatically slammed in my face because I have a diploma instead of a B.A.

[Gordon]

Brendan,
I understand your frustration. Many of the decent paying career teaching jobs require a Masters degree, that is one reason why I am doing a Masters now. Never too late to go back to school for you either. Don't just do it for a conversation school in Japan, but it opens up doors to other places too.

[PAULH]

[quote="BrendanCampbell"]As far as the 2-year diploma making me a better teacher, it doesn't, and I didn't mean it that way. I know they have to draw the line somewhere, I just find it frustrating at times when all I can find are offers where "A B.A. in any field will do" but there's no mention of anything else even being considered. I'm sure plenty of people with BAs are great teachers, and I'm sure plenty of people with diplomas or TESOL alone are great teachers as well.
/quote]


Brendan,

the degree requirement has nothing to do with your ability to teach or your aptitude for teaching. Its an immigration requirement. There are plenty of people on working holiday, spouse, visa, student visas, who dont have degrees but work in Japan as they have valid visas.

You don't, in the eyes of immigration. If I went to work in the US I need to jump through immigration hoops and if i dont qualify, I can't, simple as that. I have masses of experience and a graduate degree, but probabbly couldnt work in the US.

You have to get past immigration and satisfy their rules, before crying in your beer about how unfair it is. In a sense you disqualify yourself for getting work here by not doing what immigration here requires.