Job Discussion Forums

maryknight · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 83

My husband is retired and is especially concerned about the climate. We live in Washington state where, in my opinion, the climate is perfect. I've heard Sappora (i realize i didn't spell that right) has a similar climate--more snow rather than rain, but very pleasant summers like what we are used to. So i think that's where i want to teach.
My husband also has tenitus (ringing in the ears) so loud noises bother him. We could live in a small apartment as long as it is quiet.
I have a Master's Degree in Social Work, was a social worker 20 years, have a TEFL certificate. I'm 50. My husband is 54 and is on disability from tenitus. He has a M.B.A. and he might like to tutor but he couldn't officially teach because he'd lose his disability. We checked it out and he would still get his disability payments if we live overseas.
I'm open to any advice.
We plan to take a trip to Japan in February or March.
I've been looking on the job board but haven't found listing in northern Japan. I want to be proactive and send out resumes. Any ideas on how I get addresses of schools and universities there?
THANKS!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I don't think Hokkaido has the same climate as Washington state. It gets much colder than in Seattle or other coastal cities in Washington in the winter, much like northern Canada/prairies.

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

I lived in Seattle for 7 years, and I've been in Sapporo for more than that. The summers are about the same, but winters are totally different. While Seattle gets 5 months of drizzly rain and near freezing temps, Sapporo gets -15 degrees C temps for a while, and 5 months of snow amounting to about 6 meters. Average winter temp is -5C.

You can look at jobs up here at the Hokkaido Insider newsletter, which is the only exclusive Hokkaido job site, or get a few straggling job ads from the other main web sites. I recommend paying for HI (tell Ken Hartmann that Glenski sent you). How far north were you considering in Japan? James English School has a few branches in northern Honshu.

Cdaniels · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:20 pm Post subject: Re: Jobs while on Disability

maryknight · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 83

i had heard it is much colder in the winter than in seattle.
how long do the winters last? is there anywhere in
japan that is similar to seattle/portland?

regarding my husband's disability, its the disability insurance
company he's concerned about and he gets more from them
than from social security.

i am interested in contacting the recruiter someone mentioned.
do you have the email address?

i really enjoyed the tefl training. i liked doing the practice teaching.
everyone i've talked to who has taught in japan has loved it there.
i'm kind of nervous about it.

i posted my resume last night.

i thought about emailing all the universities in the sappora area.
have any of you done that?

thanks so much for the info!

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

maryknight · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 83

Glenski,
I printed the replies after posting mine. I had just skimmed them. I really appreciate what you wrote. You were very clear.
My husband is hesitant to leave our home, but he loves to travel, so I think we'll end up coming.
Do you know of any 3 month contract positions? Maybe that would be a good way for us to begin----and we could start with just an easy weather summertime before committing. Is this ever done? I would just need to make enough to cover our living expenses and maybe a little extra for part of the plane fare.
Could you give me contact information for HI?
Thanks for your help.
Mary Knight

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

well, there is Westgate.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Mary,
I think you can forget about university work. People practically kill here for those kinds of jobs. With no teaching experience and an unrelated masters degree, there is almost no chance. Westgate is a company that farms teachers out to universities, but that is miles different than working for a university. Westgate does do 3 month contracts, so you may want to start there. They work you hard, from what I have heard, so it will not be a picnic.

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

To add to what Gordon and Brooks have written about Westgate, look at their web site for info on qualifications and salaries.
http://www.westgate.co.jp

Bear in mind, too, that Westgate does not allow consecutive 3-month contracts, so you will have to find something else for a couple of months or more from the time your first contract with them ends to the time when they allow you to resume working there.

Also, Westgate does phone interviews, so you don't have to come to Japan for the interview, and they reimburse you over a couple of paychecks for your airfare. Quite a rare thing here to get that money.

And, Westgate sponsors a full visa, so if you get one for a year or for 3 years, it's all yours.

I also agree with Gordon about university work. I'm in the process of looking for such work myself. It's highly competitive, and you are very unlikely to land a job with your current qualifications, and because you are not here for an interview. Many, if not most, universities have stopped interviewing for the 2006 school term already (which begins in April, in case you didn't know).

Hokkaido Insider
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hokkaido/kenhartmann/