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Nicholas B.
Joined: 11 Mar 2005
Posts: 1
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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 Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:21 pm Post subject: Just a few questions about getting started with TEFL/TESL... |
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Hi everyone. First-time poster here. My wife and I strongly considering teaching English in Japan (and to some extent in Thailand, as well). I am an American with a B.S. in English/Education and an M.A. in Literature; I currently teach writing at a small college in California and have two years experience teaching writing at the university level. I do NOT hold a certificate in either TEFL or TESL.
My wife is originally South African, but has recently been granted U.S. citizenship. Her first language is Zulu, but the entirety of her education came by way of American and British schools. She is a fluent speaker of English and her grammar rivals my own. She has a B.S. in Psychology and works as an assistant instructor at a school for disabled children. She also does not hold a certificate.
We have targeted late summer-early fall of 2005 as a probable period of departure, but have some questions before we get started:
1. I would like to teach at a university, but also want to teach near my wife. I realize that it would probably work best if we were to seek employment together. If we were hired together, would it be out of the question for me to break my conract (after several months) in order to accept a university position elsewhere?
2. Because my wife is black, she has very real concerns regarding race-relations in Japan. It's important that she be comfortable. We were told that Kyoto is a tolerant environment (we live in the Bay Area) similar to San Francisco insomuch that the people are more apt to embrace ethnic differences. Any thoughts on location?
3. I also understand that agencies are want to request photos of applicants. Is this a subversive measure of discrimination or have I been led astray by paranoid applicants? Will she have a problem finding work?
4. If I have an M.A. and 3 years experience teaching adults, do I need a certificate? If so, should we take an online course or should we try to get one through whichever agency hires us?
There are some knowledgeable folks who post here and I've enjoyed reading the discussions. I should be grateful for any feedback the lot of you are willing to take the time to share.
Many thanks,
Nicholas B. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| 1. I would like to teach at a university, but also want to teach near my wife. I realize that it would probably work best if we were to seek employment together. If we were hired together, would it be out of the question for me to break my conract (after several months) in order to accept a university position elsewhere? |
You probably cannot teach at a Japanese university. Even though you have a master's degree, do you have publications? Those are the bare bones minimum requirements for FT jobs at universities, and even so, many prefer people who have taught in Japan, too. How is your Japanese? You will likely need a fair amount to deal with administration. And, the both of you are unlikely to be hired together at a university.
As for breaking a contract in order to take another job (ANY other job), yes, you can do that. The work visa remains with you.
| Quote: |
| 2. Because my wife is black, she has very real concerns regarding race-relations in Japan. It's important that she be comfortable. We were told that Kyoto is a tolerant environment (we live in the Bay Area) similar to San Francisco insomuch that the people are more apt to embrace ethnic differences. Any thoughts on location? |
Can't really help you on location, but she should be prepared to be stared at quite a bit. I work with a very nice Black American who has lived in Japan over 10 years. He is married to a Japanese woman. Other than being stared at in his early years, he tells me that he has really had no problems living here. I'm sure experiences vary, especially when you consider the many other blacks that are here from other countries and are posing as Americans just to get women.
| Quote: |
| 3. I also understand that agencies are want to request photos of applicants. Is this a subversive measure of discrimination or have I been led astray by paranoid applicants? Will she have a problem finding work? |
Agencies? You mean recruiters? My first tip is to avoid them. There is really no benefit in using them, IMO. Second, you shouldn't be afraid of putting your photo in a resume. It is standard practice here. Whether your wife will have a problem finding work depends on where she looks, but expect some resistance just because of her birthplace.
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| 4. If I have an M.A. and 3 years experience teaching adults, do I need a certificate? If so, should we take an online course or should we try to get one through whichever agency hires us? |
To teach English at conversation schools (eikaiwas), you only need to meet immigration's requirements for a work visa (bachelor's degree in any subject). No TESL/TEFL certification is needed. It might help you to prepare for EFL teaching situations, but that's about all. It certainly won't get your foot in the door much more than any other person, and it certainly won't ensure you a higher salary. In some cases, you may even be seen as OVERqualified with your MA and any TEFL certification.
I'm sorry to say, but even though you have a degree in English/Education, your lack of experience in Japan will probably mean taking eikaiwa work in the beginning. Your wife, too. (Or you could go the route of dispatch ALT, but I think that would really feel substandard compared to what you have been doing in the States.) After a year of that, you might pick up a FT job at a high school. Do you have certification to work in schools in the US? If so, you could consider applying to international schools here.
One last thing...you mentioned thinking of coming here in summer or late fall. Summer is one of the worst times to look for work here. The school terms begin in April. |
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