Job Discussion Forums

welby · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 9

OK, I have seen so many mixed reviews of different jobs, Japan itself, living conditions, working conditions, pay, etc. I know that I have loved Japan for the combined month that I have spent there, but that's a lot different than working there. I'm moving there in June, so I'll form my own opinions soon enough.

What are the best jobs to have? The most rewarding? The highest paying? I have a master's in teaching, and two years classroom experience, but it's in math and science. I had heard that with some experience I could possibly get a university job, which would be much higher paying. Obviously, if I am a teacher here in the states, I'm not in it for the money. But, I'd love to come back after a few years and have some money saved.

What would I need to be able to get a university job?

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Contacts, publications and Japanese.

Best job = International School position in my opinion.

welby · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 9

There is that course offered through TEFL international that is a three week long course, offered in many exotic locations throughout the world. There is one beginning shortly after my planned arrival to Japan, taking place in China. It's $1500. Would this help towards my goal of a university job?

It seems that CELTA is more highly recommended than the TEFL course, but I have not found anywhere that this is offered in the general area. They all seem to be in Europe, or Middle East, US. Anyone know of one offered in Japan or east Asia?

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

johanne · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 189

I just finished a job search at international schools and the packages ranged from 4 million - 6 million yen for someone with a teaching certificate and at least two years experience, with an extra 10,000 - 15,000 yen per month for a Masters. Also included were airfare and some start up costs. Vacations were also good with about a total of 13 weeks. There seems to be quite a demand for math and science middle and high school teachers, especially if you are single since that makes you more attractive as there is less outlay for the school in the initial contract. However, most schools are now in the midst of their hiring season (I was offered my position two weeks ago), so you would need to move fast if you were looking to have something set up for this coming September.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Johanne, are those contracts offered as one year renewable or are they offered in three year blocks etc? Is there a maximum time on your stay? And is a housing allowance included in the 4-6million or is housing extra?

johanne · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 189

Canuck,

For the schools I spoke with the contract was for a year, renewable indefinately as long as both parties were satisfied. The school whose offer I accepted has teachers on staff who have been there for 25 years! Those are also starting salaries and I believe in some of the higher end school you can make up to 8,000,000 after a few years. Generally, the older and more established the school, the better the salary and benefits. If you teach summer school you can also make more money. The housing allowance is included in those salaries and some school also offer extra benefits such as contributing to the initial costs of renting an apartment and providing yearly air tickets home and/or contributing to retirement pensions. Of course, for this you work much harder than in a conversation school. Parents are sending their children there for a serious education, with most of the students leaving the school to go to university, in many cases a pretigious one. You are expected to give your time for extra curricular activites and teach the students seriously, meeting with their parents 3-4 times a year as well as writing formal report cards. It's not really a get out of bed with a hangover kind of job. I've taught ESL in Japan and I've been a classroom teacher for the Vancouver School Board for 4 years now and for me, I prefer the extra challenge and satisfaction of teaching elementary school - it never gets boring!

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

if the OP would be flexible, I would say that teaching math and science at a secondary school would be a possibility. Ritsumeikan`s secondary schools (in Kyoto) are looking for people to do just that, and there are other schools that look for math and science teachers to teach in English as well.

At my school, the plan is to have classes in math and science taught in English starting from 2007.

welby · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 9

Thanks for the continued information. I would indeed be up for the challenge of a school with very high expectations. I am coming from an extremely poor school district in Tucson, AZ, one of the lowest SES's in southern AZ. Don't get me wrong, it's a great school. They do an amazing job for what they have to work with, and the students are great. But, education is far from the first priority of most of the students, and most of their parents. A high standard school would be a nice change from my less-than-half homework completion rate students.