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vallillo1983
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 194
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 Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject: Teaching in High schools and Elementary schools! |
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| I know that to work in a Universiuty you need a masters and to have some works published but what do you need to work (qualifaction and experince wise!) in Elementary and High schools?? Do you need to be fluent in Japanese?? |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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Qualifications will vary depending on what type of position you want.
JET ALT (public schools): bachelor's degree, any subject. Not much else, but I have posted before on what they look for in the interview, so do a search.
dispatch company ALT (mostly public schools, but perhaps some private ones, too): These places are getting a lot of bad press on the forums, but they are another option. You probably don't need more than a JET ALT or eikaiwa teacher.
Private schools: bachelor's degree, any subject, plus some teaching experience in Japan.
International schools: degree in teaching plus a license for teaching in your home country (and a year or two of teaching experience there).
You'll notice that fluency in Japanese is hardly needed. Of course, if you want a FT position in a private school, I'd suggest learning as much as you can because you'll be attending lots of meetings conducted only in Japanese. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| You'll notice that fluency in Japanese is hardly needed. Of course, if you want a FT position in a private school, I'd suggest learning as much as you can because you'll be attending lots of meetings conducted only in Japanese. |
Fluency in Japanese is not really required for part timers at universities as they have minimal contact with university administration and office staff. they usually migrate between teachers lounge and classroom and there is someone on hand in the teachers lounge if they have a problem requiring Japanese skills or borrowing equipment etc .
I am full time at my job and attend meetings once a month conducted in japanese. I attend to all my own needs with office staff re grading, equipment or requests from students etc.
Most FT teachers at my school are bilingual though at some schools the Japanese office staff speak English, especially Foreign Language universities. Office staff generally appreciate it more when foreign teachers can speak Japanese (many times you will teach students who are not English majors and you have to deal with staff in the economics or business departments.
If you want to play in the major leagues you have to come with the right equipment and training, and not just hope to squeak through with minimal qualifications and dodgy language skills. there are literally hundreds of people who have the necessary skills to get hired for any of these jobs. |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 1:18 am Post subject: Re: Teaching in High schools and Elementary schools! |
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| vallillo1983 wrote: |
| Private schools: bachelor's degree, any subject, plus some teaching experience in Japan. ? |
I scored a job in a private school with absolutely no teaching experience in Japan. I only have a BA. I consider myself extremely lucky.
Paul is right about Japanese. You don't need it, but it is much better for staff relations to know it. As for classes, it's not necessary. It's good to understand it though, so you know what the students say when they are struggling with the English and just fill in with Japanese. Then you know how to better help them out.
I've been attending a ton of meetings, where there isn't an English word spoken (and why would there be)? They are EXTREMELY BORING with you don't understand what is being talked about (and even when you do!). At least if you understand, you won't have to prolong the agony by asking someone what just happened when it's all over. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 4:24 am Post subject: Re: Teaching in High schools and Elementary schools! |
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| Khyron wrote: |
| I've been attending a ton of meetings, where there isn't an English word spoken (and why would there be)? They are EXTREMELY BORING with you don't understand what is being talked about (and even when you do!). At least if you understand, you won't have to prolong the agony by asking someone what just happened when it's all over. |
It hasnt happened to me yet, but i have heard of meetings where the Japanese faculty is discussing in Japanese whether or not to renew the foreign teacher's contract for the next year, even while the object of their discussion is sitting in the room in front of them.
A lot of meetings are irrelevant chit-chat, tooing and fro-ing and the topic goes around in circles. there is a VERY loose agenda if any and staff can take an hour discussing what is really a trivial matter. At some schools meetings are required in order for the committee to get subsidies and grants. They have to LOOK busy.
Foreign teachers are usually seen and not heard at monthly staff faculty meetings unless your Japanese is pretty hot and your opinion is valued as an English speaker. I've been in meetings where we are discussing the wording of test questions in English on an entrance exam, have been over-ruled by the higher-up professors, so I have just learned to shut-up unless asked. Bring your crossword and a newspaper.
Dont think that because you are a Japanese speaker of questionable proficiency, the permanent faculty will actually pay attention to you, for there is a pecking order in meetings, and contract foreign teachers rank near the bottom of the list, just above the tea-lady. |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 8:32 am Post subject: Re: Teaching in High schools and Elementary schools! |
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| PAULH wrote: |
| Khyron wrote: |
| I've been attending a ton of meetings, where there isn't an English word spoken (and why would there be)? They are EXTREMELY BORING with you don't understand what is being talked about (and even when you do!). At least if you understand, you won't have to prolong the agony by asking someone what just happened when it's all over. |
It hasnt happened to me yet, but i have heard of meetings where the Japanese faculty is discussing in Japanese whether or not to renew the foreign teacher's contract for the next year, even while the object of their discussion is sitting in the room in front of them.
A lot of meetings are irrelevant chit-chat, tooing and fro-ing and the topic goes around in circles. there is a VERY loose agenda if any and staff can take an hour discussing what is really a trivial matter. At some schools meetings are required in order for the committee to get subsidies and grants. They have to LOOK busy.
Foreign teachers are usually seen and not heard at monthly staff faculty meetings unless your Japanese is pretty hot and your opinion is valued as an English speaker. I've been in meetings where we are discussing the wording of test questions in English on an entrance exam, have been over-ruled by the higher-up professors, so I have just learned to shut-up unless asked. Bring your crossword and a newspaper.
Dont think that because you are a Japanese speaker of questionable proficiency, the permanent faculty will actually pay attention to you, for there is a pecking order in meetings, and contract foreign teachers rank near the bottom of the list, just above the tea-lady. |
I've been studying Japanese in the meetings. 
BTW, was that last paragraph directed at me, or was it general? In general, I trust that you are correct. In my case, they seem to value my, and my foreign co-worker's, opinion so far, as they did with the teachers we replaced. I still have 59 months left on my re-newable contract as a full-time teacher. For many meetings, I have to give an oral report on what I've been up to, and on what I've been planning. I give it in English, and it's translated into Japanese. Everyone of the higher ups actually understands the English. It's nice. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 10:54 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
It hasnt happened to me yet, but i have heard of meetings where the Japanese faculty is discussing in Japanese whether or not to renew the foreign teacher's contract for the next year, even while the object of their discussion is sitting in the room in front of them.
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In my old private HS, the English department meetings were held totally in Japanese, despite the fact that half of the native speakers couldn't follow it well enough.
And, on countless occasions, there were discussions about classes that only I taught, yet nobody bothered to direct any of the flow of conversation toward me, in either language. Very irritating! |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 11:29 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Quote: |
It hasnt happened to me yet, but i have heard of meetings where the Japanese faculty is discussing in Japanese whether or not to renew the foreign teacher's contract for the next year, even while the object of their discussion is sitting in the room in front of them.
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In my old private HS, the English department meetings were held totally in Japanese, despite the fact that half of the native speakers couldn't follow it well enough.
And, on countless occasions, there were discussions about classes that only I taught, yet nobody bothered to direct any of the flow of conversation toward me, in either language. Very irritating! |
I can imagine!
It's blatant racism, yet I'm sure they didn't give it a second thought... |
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angrysoba
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 446
Location: Kansai, Japan
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| Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Khyron wrote: |
| Glenski wrote: |
| Quote: |
It hasnt happened to me yet, but i have heard of meetings where the Japanese faculty is discussing in Japanese whether or not to renew the foreign teacher's contract for the next year, even while the object of their discussion is sitting in the room in front of them.
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In my old private HS, the English department meetings were held totally in Japanese, despite the fact that half of the native speakers couldn't follow it well enough.
And, on countless occasions, there were discussions about classes that only I taught, yet nobody bothered to direct any of the flow of conversation toward me, in either language. Very irritating! |
I can imagine!
It's blatant racism, yet I'm sure they didn't give it a second thought... |
It is not "blatant racism"! In the University I went to we had Greek, Finnish, Japanese, Belgian and French faculty members. Yet all meetings were held purely in English. Obviously the blatantly racist assumption was that all faculty members could understand the language of the nation they were teaching in. |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| angrysoba wrote: |
| Khyron wrote: |
| Glenski wrote: |
| Quote: |
It hasnt happened to me yet, but i have heard of meetings where the Japanese faculty is discussing in Japanese whether or not to renew the foreign teacher's contract for the next year, even while the object of their discussion is sitting in the room in front of them.
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In my old private HS, the English department meetings were held totally in Japanese, despite the fact that half of the native speakers couldn't follow it well enough.
And, on countless occasions, there were discussions about classes that only I taught, yet nobody bothered to direct any of the flow of conversation toward me, in either language. Very irritating! |
I can imagine!
It's blatant racism, yet I'm sure they didn't give it a second thought... |
It is not "blatant racism"! In the University I went to we had Greek, Finnish, Japanese, Belgian and French faculty members. Yet all meetings were held purely in English. Obviously the blatantly racist assumption was that all faculty members could understand the language of the nation they were teaching in. |
It sure is blatant racism. Did you not read what Glenski wrote? I'm not looking at your situation. I commented directly about Glenski's. You took what I wrote out of context, and applied what I said to a completely different situation. Why would you do that??? |
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shuize
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 1270
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| Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 3:46 am Post subject: |
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If you aspire to a full-time faculty position it really isn't too much to ask that you acquire enough language skill to follow meetings in the language of the home institution. Most people expect foreign staff to operate in English back home. That's not 'racist.' It's common sense.
Talking about someone in any language while they are present may be rude, but it's not 'racist.'
It's no wonder they don't offer more full-time positions to foreigners. Having to listen to people call everything they don't like 'racism' gets pretty damn annoying. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 9:20 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| If you aspire to a full-time faculty position it really isn't too much to ask that you acquire enough language skill to follow meetings in the language of the home institution. |
I can understand this to a certain level, however...
1. Many (most?) foreigners in Japan are hired despite their obviously poor language abilities and will full knowledge by both parties that they will be attending such meetings.
2. It takes more than a short time to acquire such level of language, and many people are hired after working in Japan for only a year or so. The level I'm speaking of is that of one which requires reading and speaking knowledge with highly technical school jargon. Even my Japanese wife has found it impossible at times to decipher school memos.
3. In Japanese, there is the everyday folksy level of speaking, followed by the more polite level (using "masu" and "desu" forms of verbs, for example), and then the type that uses higher level honorifics. I have found that meetings use a mix of the latter two forms, and moreover, they use words that are not found in the everyday use. Even simple things such as "sakunen" instead of "kyonen" for last year can be baffling if one does not realize such level of language exists. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 11:58 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| 3. In Japanese, there is the everyday folksy level of speaking, followed by the more polite level (using "masu" and "desu" forms of verbs, for example), and then the type that uses higher level honorifics. I have found that meetings use a mix of the latter two forms, and moreover, they use words that are not found in the everyday use. Even simple things such as "sakunen" instead of "kyonen" for last year can be baffling if one does not realize such level of language exists. |
Glenski
I do seem to remember there was an article in Language Teacher by someone about deciphering meetings held in Japanese. I will see if I can dig it up.
Yes there are honorifics involved but the majority of meetings are also conducted by middle-age or eldely Japanese men. There is a gender and generation issue as well. Sometimes meetings are chatty while other times the person speaking is talking to the department head or dean.
"sakunen" is another reading of the kanji for Kyonen. Kyou (today) can also be read as 'konnichi/this day). May pay to get a little notebook and start learning some of the terminology. |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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| shuize wrote: |
If you aspire to a full-time faculty position it really isn't too much to ask that you acquire enough language skill to follow meetings in the language of the home institution. Most people expect foreign staff to operate in English back home. That's not 'racist.' It's common sense.
Talking about someone in any language while they are present may be rude, but it's not 'racist.'
It's no wonder they don't offer more full-time positions to foreigners. Having to listen to people call everything they don't like 'racism' gets pretty damn annoying. |
 Wow, man. Go and read the paragraph that Glenski highlighted in different colours for everyone to read. |
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shuize
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 1270
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| Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 2:48 am Post subject: |
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| Khyron wrote: |
| Wow, man. Go and read the paragraph that Glenski highlighted in different colours for everyone to read. |
Like, wow, man. I did.
Thus my statement:
| Quote: |
| Talking about someone in any language while they are present may be rude, but it's not 'racist.' |
But I suppose in the "everything is racism" PC world we live in, if two black guys are talking about a third black guy sitting right in front of them, that's not rude, man, it's racist. :rolls eyes right back: |
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