Job Discussion Forums

Samurai Blur · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 19

First I want to clarify that I'm not here to sound arrogant or insulting, and I appreciate your answers.

I have heard that in Japan (and many other Asian countries) it is possible to get hired with any bachelor degree as an English teacher. My degree plan however, is a Bachelor of Education in English (Language Arts, grades 8-12). My question is, will most Japanese employers look at my degree and choose me over someone with say, a degree in philosophy, business, or anything unrelated to English or teaching?

I understand that in as a new teacher, fresh out of school, I will be limited on the jobs I can get compared to those of you who are living in Japan currently, but I am interested to know if my degree will give me an upper hand being a new teacher, and once I gain the experience to land jobs requiring the applicant be in Japan with a work visa.

Also, as a side note I want to study for a master degree with a uni back home, online. Will working in Japan leave me with enough time to further my education if I take 6 credit hours per semester?

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

They might hire you over the geography majors. Then, again, they might do what they usually do and go on the basis of personality and how well they perceive you to resist culture shock.

In these days of a flooded market, employers may scrutinize credentials more carefully, or not.

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

Bachelor's Degrees are the new High School. No employer cares what courses you did best in in High School, nor would they care what you majored in for a BA. If you really want to distinguish yourself, I think, some experience and a TEFL/CELTA certification wouldn't hurt.

seklarwia · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:44 pm Post subject:

And its having teaching licenses and Masters in teaching related subject that will really start openning doors for you once you are here.

Samurai Blur · Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Posts: 19

robertokun · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 199

Majoring in ESL and teaching for two years in your home country while saving up some money (and possibly getting a master's paid for by your school) would put you in the best position to teach English in Japan or anywhere abroad. Depends where you're at in college, what your commitment and level of patience is, and if that interests you or not.

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

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

You want to know what will give you the upper hand?

#1 Be in Japan.
#2 Don't be a freak/provide a nice photo. That means shirt/tie, nice outfit.
#3 Have a little experience
#4 Let employers know that you can adapt to any situation.
#5 Don't make demands in a cover letter/initial contact.

You have the job.

It sounds simple yet so many people are incapable of pulling those five things off.

Since I have started my new position I have had to look at hundreds and hundreds of resumes. Some of the pictures attached to job applications would blow your mind. Giant dude slam dunking a basketball over his 9 year old student. Guy wearing 1970's tennis shorts riding a mule in the grand canyon. Guys pulling off 1970's Sears catalouge poses.

Simply unbelievable.

For anyone looking for work in Japan from overseas I have to say one thing. Get your butt over here. It is very hard to judge a person's character even after a face to face interview. Even after meeting someone 3 or 4 times it is possible to make a wrong call. Hiring someone from overseas simply based on a phone interview is risky in my opinion and I avoid it at all costs if possible. The big schools have to do it because of the sheer number of positions they need to fill.