Job Discussion Forums

[MrCAPiTUL]

Do you think it is possible to earn enough yen, on a student VISA, to support my family (I have a 4 year old girl) at a level that is somewhat comparable to the levels we currently enjoy here in the States (I teach Geography, 7th grade)?

Thanks for all your help.

[abufletcher]

I'd say the answer is probably no. But then we don't really know much about your situation. Why would you be coming on a student visa? As a 7th grade teacher you're best bet for full-time employment would be with one of the International Schools. But unless you have a spouse who can be looking after your 4 year old, it's going to be very VERY hard.

[MrCAPiTUL]

Thank you for your honesty.

Originally, I wanted to get a job there. But then my friends mother, who lives in Nagoya, said I'd be better served coming on a student VISA to learn the language, rather than be thrown into the middle of the ocean. She keeps assuring me that I'll make enough money, but honestly - something just isn't gelling right. I make a fairly decent salary as a teacher now and have declared to her, on numerous counts, that I must make something comparable or else it isn't worth it. As much as I'd love to go to JP, I need to provide for my family first and foremost. So money has been a HUGE concern.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get any straight answers. The only thing I've been told is that the school I would be attending will also send me to various places to tutor. I haven't anything concrete on the subject - no guarantee of how much money I'd be making, where exactly I'd be working, etc. My friend keeps telling me to trust his mother, because she doesn't want to lose face. But that's pretty hard to do when I have to think about my little one.

Hence - my questions to try and receive some straight forward answer. . . much like the one you have given. Thank you Abu.

PS - if anybody has any information they could forward about Intl schools, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[abufletcher]

I'm sure this additional bit of information will yield a number of replies. First of all, though, I'd like to add a word of warning about this potential "student" situation of yours. Be aware that there are some unscrupulous people using such set-ups to get cheap gaijin labor. Unless you can really afford to take a year off to study the language I don't imagine that these sorts of arrangements would work for you.

I think you are right to doubt your friend's mom. Making a decent living teaching in Japan is damn hard work. With a small child (and spouse?) it's REALLY damn hard work. Even if you are eventually able to build up a lot of private lessons that will take anywhere from 6 months to a year and depend greatly on where you live. And of course who would be taking care of your 4 year old while you're off teaching private lessons (almost certainly in the evening).

Others can point you to information on teaching at an international school. But even there making appropriate arrangements for your child will be a major challenge.

[Glenski]

You are only permitted to work part-time (20 hours / week?) on a student visa. Even a single person with no kids would find that hard to live on. You are being misinformed by your friend's mother, whether intentionally or not.

If you have a teaching license for your home country, get into an international school. It will pay more than most other teaching jobs, and you can work FT. Here is a good link to international schools.
http://www.tokyowithkids.com/fyi/international_schools.html
Do a search for international schools here, and you'll find lots of good info. Here's a fairly recent thread with some particularly good tidbits.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=34811&highlight=international+school

abufletcher is right in saying that it's hard to support a family here on a teacher's wages. I have a child, so I can speak from experience. Most of my coworkers have kids, too. You're going to have to consider the high price of daycare if nothing else. Also, if you are enrolled as a student yourself, your available hours to teach are going to be limited, not just by the time you spend in the classroom, but by the hours after school that you spend studying. Mere tutoring on the side will not pay your bills.

[Doglover]

Both Glenski and I are raising children in Japan (I have 2) and I sent one of mine to international school for four years.

I cant speak for Glenski, but on one income I see little loose change out of 400,000 yen a month (thats for 4 people, wife doesnt work).

International schools are not cheap, and the one in Nagoya you are looking at least 100,000 yen a month in school fees. I would say on a student visa, working part time it would be impossible to cover school fees, your tuition fees, rent, food and living costs.

Anyway on a student visa you need to show immigration you have enough money in tuition fees for yourself and to support yourself before they issue a visa.. You are looking at upfront costs of 500-600,000 yen if you want to study Japanese, as well as key money etc.

I think bringing a child on a student visa and paying international school fees verges on the impossible.

[Doglover]

[shuize]

[Doglover]

[MrCAPiTUL]

So, it would appear as if I am not alone in my "not getting a good vibe" hunch. I do believe I will have to reconsider this, or at least inform them I can not come until I've received a solid job offer. I definitely welcome any additional comments. Thanks everybody!!!!

[Doglover]

[angrysoba]

I have to agree with the above posters that your child's welfare takes priority over your friend's mother's face.

[shuize]

[Doglover]

[abufletcher]

Definitely, don't make any moves of any kind unless you have a written contract and a proper visa in your passport. In fact, just forget entirely about this dodgy idea and look into the International School option if you're really interesting in teaching in Japan for a couple of years.