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dzolkind
Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 2
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Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 6:55 pm Post subject: Average age of teachers, plus other questions |
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Hi all. I am graduating from college this Spring, and am thinking about applying to either AEON, NOVUS or GEOS to spend a year teaching in Japan. I am wondering what the average age of English language teachers is on these programs. Will I be the youngest person by far? Do people of my age get easily hired?
Also, can anyone recommend which of these 3 programs is best suited for someone like me who is in their early 20's, has no experience teaching anything, and knows no Japanese?
And finally, if I would like to depart for Japan around July or August, when should I apply to these programs? Thanks for the help! |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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I would guess the average age of teachers at those places is in the upper 20s, but there are plenty of people your age there. My guess is that your biggest problem would be culture shock unless you have traveled a lot to foreign lands.
NOVUS? Do you mean NOVA?
If you want to apply to those places, check their web sites for the recruiting schedules. They don't visit all countries, but they do have select times to interview in large numbers. |
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Gordon

Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:59 am Post subject: |
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If you want to come this summer, I would apply now. Being in your early 20s, you won't feel out of place in most eikaiwas. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 1:25 am Post subject: Re: Average age of teachers, plus other questions |
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dzolkind wrote: |
Also, can anyone recommend which of these 3 programs is best suited for someone like me who is in their early 20's, has no experience teaching anything, and knows no Japanese?
And finally, if I would like to depart for Japan around July or August, when should I apply to these programs? Thanks for the help! |
The big language schools are full of people who are young, speak no Japanese and have little teaching experience when they arrive here.
Knowing Japanese is not a job requirement and they will train you in how to manage a lesson, teach a class and show you the use of the text book in the first few days after you arrive. Its not really teaching like you find back home with you standing in front of a blackboard leading the action professor-style, but being a paid conversation partner and getting your students to speak English in small groups, using the text book to guide you. Teach by numbers with a captive audience, essentially. You just need an engaging and outgoing, pleasant personality, be able to make small talk with strangers and be interested in your students.
The big language language schools such as NOVA and GEOS are pretty much similar in style with small differences in what they offer e.g. salary vacation, insurance etc, but if you are a new person they are an ideal place to get your feet wet, learn the ropes while you get settled here. They will provide you with a full schedule of lessons as well while you learn how to come to grips with your job.
A work visa takes about 2 months to process after a successful interview so 8-12 weeks before you want to leave is a good time frame, as you can not leave for Japan until you get your work visa in your passport. |
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yeka
Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Japan
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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Hey there, I departed from the U.S. for Japan in late August to work for AEON*Amity, and I applied during February of last year and had my interview around March 4th or so. I liked having that amount of time as I also had graduation coming up so I had a lot of things to take care of in general. It won't hurt to start the process now.  |
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