Job Discussion Forums

purple_piano · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 1:53 pm Post subject: Life after eikaiwa

I will be leaving my eikaiwa job in the next few months after two years.
I'm going to apply for other (better/more serious) EFL jobs and wanted some advice from anyone who has made the switch in the past. I'm nothing special qualifications-wise, just BA and CELTA and now 2 years in Japan.

What skills did you focus on in you applications? What were your major personal selling points?
Any other advice?

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Where do you want to teach? What level? Now isn't a great time to look for a job other than eikaiwa...

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

I started out with eikaiwa. After 3.5 years I went on to a private HS job, first PT and then FT.

What you embellish on a resume about eikaiwa work experience depends on what you actually did beyond the norm.

Did you make any administrative changes in the job or your position? I'm thinking about things like creating a new course, or bringing in new textbooks (or at least talking directly to salesmen about them), or improving/creating a paperwork system? If not, then just list the usual duties, because you aren't going to sell eikaiwa to anyone much further than what it really is.

What kind of "better" EFL jobs are you considering?

purple_piano · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 12:15 pm Post subject:

Thank you for your replies TokyoLiz and Glenski.

I probably should have made it clear that I wasn't looking for jobs just within Japan but worldwide.

TokyoLiz- There is never a good time to look for jobs I suppose.

Glenski- thank you for the advice. Sadly, working for a chain eikaiwa meant that I couldn't claim any administration changes or textbook selections.

However, I was able to present my teaching experience in a positive light and I'm actually starting a new job with the British Council soon. (Not in Japan, but maybe it was time to move on anyway)

So I suppose there is life after big Japanese chain eikaiwas. At least within EFL. Very Happy