Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

A couple questions for all you wonderful people
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Japan
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
polaris



Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 5
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 2:44 am    Post subject: A couple questions for all you wonderful people Reply with quote
This is my first post, so please, help me out if you can!
Let me start by introducing myself, So let me start by introducing myself. I am a 3rd year Econ major at the University of Alberta in Canada, and I would like to teach English in Japan this summer.

Now, I have seen and read about a lot of companies that does this already, companies such as GlobalTESOL, Nova, Westgate, and the JET program. And then I stumbled on to this forum and figured what better than to ask the people that is doing or have done this already. So I was just wondering, if I apply now, which company would I have the best chance of getting a job come May, when this semester ends and I can head over there? I also see that a lot of the xxxTESOL companies offer guaranteed jobs after completing their course, but the course itself costs a varying amount of money, without prospects of a salary that will cover all the living costs, travel costs, etc.

I also have another problem, my family is from Hong Kong, and even though I have been educated here(since Gr.3) and I speak/write perfect English, the sticky post on this forum says that my Asian origin would pose a problem, how true is that? Thanks!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
spidey



Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 382
Location: Web-slinging over Japan...
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 2:53 am    Post subject: Re: A couple questions for all you wonderful people Reply with quote
polaris wrote:


I also have another problem, my family is from Hong Kong, and even though I have been educated here(since Gr.3) and I speak/write perfect English, the sticky post on this forum says that my Asian origin would pose a problem, how true is that? Thanks!!


Depends on what kind of job you are looking for. For example: Private conversation schools tend to be more concerned with their image of having only native english speakers on staff. (In other words...What the customer wants, the customer gets.) On the other hand, the public school system tends to look at experience more so than appearance. Of course, this is only a generalization.

Just to clarify...Are you planning on only teaching for the summer? Confused

S
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Brooks



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1369
Location: Sagamihara
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 2:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
do you have a Canadian passport? If so, no problem.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
PAULH



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 3:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Language schools here hire native speakers with a degree and non-natives with 12 years education taught in English. Tell employers you are a Canadian resident with a Canadian passport. No need to make things difficult by saying you were born in Hong Kong and are not a native speaker.

Language schools do not require a TESL certificate and thousands get hired here with no certification whatsoever except a degree. Some of these TESL companies in US and Canada make money by telling people they wont get a job with no TESL and they will introduce companies overseas once you graduate, but its basically a big scam, with the cert providers and employers in Korea etc living off each other. Schools need warm bodies that providers get for them in the US and they get people signing up for their courses which provides them with a profit. Some are good courses and worth doing but you have to shop around. You get what you pay for IMO. You pay peanuts and you get monkeys.



Doing a TESL cert is a good idea if you want to consider teaching as a career or stay more than a year. They will give you some basic theory and teaching tricks you can use but only recommended if you are serious and plan to be here for the long haul. Employers here ask for a degree as you need it for the visa. TESL certs are icing on the cake here as far as employers go, and in some cases can make you over-qualified
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 3:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
I am a 3rd year Econ major at the University of Alberta in Canada, and I would like to teach English in Japan this summer.


Well, there is your first problem. You have to have a 3- or 4-year bachelors degree to get a work visa. You don't.

However, if you are Canadian, you are eligible for a working holiday visa, which requires no degree, but you must still prove certain financial support on your own.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html

Your second problem lies in that you only want to work for the summer. Such short-term jobs really don't exist in Japan. Come over, get hired, quit when you are ready to leave, but you face huge setup costs, an indefinite period of time in which to get hired, and I suspect you won't even break even in the summer. On top of that, people with working holiday visas get taxed 20%.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
polaris



Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 5
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 3:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for all the replies guys!

I see...so working there over the summer this year seems to be out of the question then. But I am Canadian, with a Canadian passport, schooled here for more than 12years, taught in English.

So what are some reputable companies that recuit in Canada and pay a decent wage so I don't get scammed? Do all companies offer housing and travel costs? What are some companies have you guys worked for or am working for (other than JET)?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
spidey



Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 382
Location: Web-slinging over Japan...
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 3:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
If I may...

I would suggest that you do a search on this website. There have been countless posts commenting on the good and bad schools here in Japan.

I little legwork required on your part. Sorry. Sad Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
PAULH



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 4:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
polaris wrote:
So what are some reputable companies that recuit in Canada and pay a decent wage so I don't get scammed? Do all companies offer housing and travel costs? What are some companies have you guys worked for or am working for (other than JET)?


Looking for a job from Canada you have no choice except the big schools, (NOVA, AEON GEOS) that hire there. being reputable has nothing to do with it as you go with whoever agrees to hire you. Beggars looking for a job with no experience dont get to be choosers. NOVA has been in business since 1981, longer than you have been alive and more or less abides by Japanese labor laws. The biggest companies here are well-known, not necessarily reputable (but OK to work for as long as you do your job), but for the newbie that has no experience or a foot in Japan, they are all they can apply for in the beginning. You have to pay your dues here first.


You only get scammed if you dont read your contract, dont know what you are signing nor know what your rights are, or continue to insist that Japanese companies should behave like they do in Canada. This is NOT Canada. Companies have to abide by Japan's labor laws in their contracts but that doesnt mean schools dont try to rip you off, as they take advantage of your lack of experience, lack of Japanese ability and lack of knowledge about Japanese work culture. They will do what is legally permissible and no more and its up to you to tell the difference.


You pay for your own airfare to get here but some provide subsidised accomodation for employees. JET is not a private company but a government sponsored exchange program which puts foreigners to work in Japanese high schools as assistant teachers. Your salary is paid by the local Board of education, not a particular company.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
polaris



Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 5
PostPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 8:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I see, I guess I should spend some time tomorrow looking over this board. But a couple more questions, is a even a chance that I can land a job if I apply now for the summer? And how do taxes work when you are working aboard, another member mentioned a 20% income tax, that is collected by who? The Canadian gov't or Japanese? Do I get any rebates