Job Discussion Forums

vin1127 · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 28 Location: EEUU

I am IT computer devloper looking to take some time off, and possibly teach EFL in Japan. I have a bachelors degree, but no experience or certification. I'm single and in my early 30's, and looking to get away and experience a little of what life has to offer. I think living and working in Japan maybe just what I'm looking for. After reading through many posts on this forum, I would just like to get grasp of reality here and ask you folks that are there in Japan how difficult would it be for someone in my position to find work as an English teacher. Would it better to get there and look for work, or start looking for here. I really don;t know where to start. I have money saved up just in case I don't find work quickly.
Any suggestions would be helpful
Thanks!!

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

What is your time frame for coming here?
If you can wait until next year, think about the JET Programme. It is probably the safest bet for "teaching" as an ALT.

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

vin1127 · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 28 Location: EEUU

I am sort of stuck in my current job until mid April, so I would unfortunately miss the hiring for April. I was hoping to just pack my bags and head there and hit the pavement. I really wouldn't want to wait another year. But thank you for your help.

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

Start appying at some of the bigger schools now. It is a good way to get eased into the country. After a year you can move onto something better. Most people work there way up to better and better schools rather than landing a good one right away. It is who you know.

vin1127 · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 28 Location: EEUU

Thanks guys, Yes I will start looking in to applying now,, and hopefully when It's time to actually go there, I'll have something lined up. Would you recommend Tokyo as having more opportunities than say a smaller city. Although I wouldn't mind living in a small to mid sized city.

hivans · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 51 Location: fukuoka

It might be that I was in a similar situation seeing as I quit a career in IT network management to come here.

In my case I spent some time (about a year) planning my trip- and I think it paid off well. The main thing was that I was able to study some Japanese before I came and I am sure that you will get more out of living here if you start with some level of Japanese ability. Working in an eikaiwa it can be hard to find the time or energy to study much Japanese.

I do agree with a previous poster that having worked in a demanding environement you will find the stresses and strains easier than some. I suspect that the best approach is to use the eikaiwa as a one year experince to get your foot in the door over, and network a bit and try to move onto something better at the end of your year's contract. However, to do that I think again some Japanese speaking is going to be very important. Maybe if you are in a rush - but you have some savings then you could look at doing an intensive Japanese course? I have not been but I have met three people who spoke highly of http://yamasa.org/index.html

If you are interested in the English teaching angle, I think doing a one month CELTA course before you come would be very useful. I did an excellent course at International House in London (I dont know where you are living sorry) and I think it made a huge difference to my teaching ability. Not that I was a great teacher but I did at least know some of the asics before I started. Some such training before you come would make a big difference I think. The big eikaiwa chains of course have their own methods of course, but in my experience I found there was some scope for using my own ideas (or rather the ideas I plagarised from my CELTA course) so long as they did not conflict over much with the structure of lessons the company wanted me to teach.

As reagards, your last question, I think there is life out in the provinces in Japan. It may well be that if you have become a bit jaded with the rat race then a smaller city would be better for you. I now live in Kagoshima in Kyushu, which I think a wonderful place. I have been very lucky in finding a good job and making many friends and I have come to share the local prejudice that Kyushu people are much more friendly and easy-going than Tokyo-ites (I am sure that is not true but if you live somewhere long enough these things do tend to rub off on you).

I am sorry if all this appears to be preaching, because after all any two people's goals etc are bound to differ. I hope things go well for you and I hope you will be able to post (or PM) more specific questions that will help you decide what you will do.