Job Discussion Forums

bg430 · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25

I have a BA, one years teaching experience in a primary school that is 99% english language learners.
I would like to work in Tokyo and wanted to know what my chances are by just going to Tokyo and finding a job. I have a friend in Tokyo that I could stay with while looking for a job. I am available for one year and can leave as soon as possible. How feasible is this? I was slated to go to South Korea but recieived a heap of warnings from former teachers at the school I had been offered a contract.

Can anyone offer any insights on what the best way for me get a job in Tokyo would be?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

This is prime hiring season, up to early April. If you can really come here, it would be the best moment to do it.

Your degree automatically makes you eligible for working in eikaiwas (conversation schools), and despite having a year of experience, that's about all you are really eligible for at the moment.

bg430 · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25

Thanks for the info Glenski... very much appreciated. What did you mean by all you're qualified for... are talking about primary and public schools?
Thanks again.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I meant you are only qualified for eikaiwas. Unless you get a job as an ALT, you can't work FT in a public school. ALTs can be hired directly by the BOE, by dispatch companies, or through the JET programme. Private HS's won't hire FT workers unless they have at least a year's experience in Japan.

bg430 · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25

Sorry for the dumb question... what does ALT stand for?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

ALT = assistant language teacher

bg430 · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25

So going to Japan at this time with a minium of let's say $3000, and trying to land a job is not a complete impossibility? On my end, the only thing that would stink is leaning on my friend for that long. I suppose I could go to India while the visa is clearing.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

In my opinion, that should be ok. You won't really need to leave Japan during the weeks that your visa is being processed. It may be necessary for the final step, when you have to go to a Japanese embassy (usually Seoul), but even so, you may not even have to leave the country. At present, there is no standard rule on that sort of thing. It may be possible to stay in the country the whole time.

One thing may happen, though. Your employer might ask you to work before you actually receive the visa. He may offer full pay or partial pay, and it will likely be in cash because you are not legal at that time. It will be up to you to decide whether he is a reputable employer. There have been some cases where a disreputable one strings along its teachers with false claims that the visa process is "still pending" or has run into "delays", or that he forgot to submit the right paperwork, etc. Then, the teacher finds himself here overstaying his visa, and then the employer fires him without a final paycheck, leaving the ILLEGAL overstayer to fend for himself with no legal recourse to get that last paycheck.

bg430 · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25

Is that something that could happen with a company like Gaba? Or, can you recommend any companies that can be trusted in Tokyo.
Regardless, will there be informal opps to work while the visa is clearing?

Additionally, my friend has told me that $2000 would be fine, being that I don't eat or drink all that much. Last time I went to Tokyo (2001), I managed pretty frugal, rice and tea, occasional splurge on a movie or shabu-shabu.

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527