Job Discussion Forums

[echoesonice]

Hello everyone. Im new to the boards and I have just a few questions. Right now im in college, going for a BA in japaneese studies. I'm also learning the language and sometime next year I will be studying abroad there. Once I'm done with school, I would love to go over and teach english in asia (preferably japan of course) and I was wondering, if knowing the language would give me an edge to landing a job over there. I lived in japan when I was younger for about three and a half years and earlier this year I was in korea for two and a half months. If anyone has any insight into what I should do and prepare for to be able to teach in japan it would be of great help to me. Thank you everyone.

[furiousmilksheikali]

It won't give you a head start in the majority of jobs here because most eikaiwa jobs and JET try to discourage Japanese use in the classroom. I the medium to long-term Japanese-language ability could help you find better work later on

[ripslyme]

Heck, it may even work against you if your Japanese ability is too high, or you happen to over-promote this ability. You'll either come across as a huge Japan nerd, too arrogant, or overqualified. ymmv

Just don't do this: I saw one guy debating the use of "wa" vs "ga" with one of the interviewers - in the group interview! He wasn't given a call back for the one to one interview.

[kdynamic]

I don't know about jobs, but knowing Japanese will certainly make your whole life in Japan exponentially better.

[Quibby84]

ALOT of the jobs that i found on gaijin pot required at least some japanese ability. So maybe with you knowing how to speak japanese you could get a better job. Maybe not even teaching...unless of course teaching is what you want to do. Check out gaijinpot.com (I think that is spelled right)