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stubbletrouble
Joined: 31 Jan 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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 Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:48 am Post subject: Seeking some general advice |
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I'm considering moving to Japan (Tokyo, possibly Osaka) sometime this year to look for some kind of TESL-related work and I have a few questions I'd love to get some feedback on:
Given my qualifications, exactly what kind of work should I look for?
I have a CELTA (B), 18 months experience teaching English in Poland, and a BA and MA from US universities (if it matters, they're in theatre and math, respectively ... don't ask). I've read a little on this site suggesting you hardly need all that to get hired at an eikeiwa (sp?). Is there something better I could aim for?
Should I try to find a job online, or enter on a tourist visa?
First, is it really true that if you enter on a tourist visa you need to present a return ticket out of Japan?
I have a Japanese friend/girlfriend (it's complicated) living in Tokyo right now, whom I could stay with temporarily/permanently (I told you, it's complicated) when I move there. Given this, would it be better for me to move first and then look for a job? Or is it worth searching online before I go? Also, which are the best websites to look at?
When is the best time to apply for jobs?
The earliest I can be in Japan is mid-June this year. Would I be well-advised to start looking right then (or now, online) or can I afford to goof off for the summer? |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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Given my qualifications, exactly what kind of work should I look for?
I have a CELTA (B), 18 months experience teaching English in Poland, and a BA and MA from US universities (if it matters, they're in theatre and math, respectively ... don't ask). I've read a little on this site suggesting you hardly need all that to get hired at an eikeiwa (sp?). Is there something better I could aim for?
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You should look for eikaiwa or JET program work. You aren't qualified for much else. I don't recommend dispatch agency ALT work.
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| Should I try to find a job online, or enter on a tourist visa? |
Depends on you. The number of places that will interview you in your home country is about a dozen. If you can't afford US$4000-5000 to tide you over for a couple of months, depend on that dozen.
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| First, is it really true that if you enter on a tourist visa you need to present a return ticket out of Japan? |
Pretty much so. Otherwise, you don't appear to be a tourist.
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| I have a Japanese friend/girlfriend (it's complicated) living in Tokyo right now, whom I could stay with temporarily/permanently (I told you, it's complicated) when I move there. Given this, would it be better for me to move first and then look for a job? Or is it worth searching online before I go? |
See what I wrote above. Since you intend to stay with your gf, your expenses might be less. Depends on her.
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| Also, which are the best websites to look at? |
We gotta update that FAQ!
www.eslcafe.com
www.eltnews.com
www.gaijinpot.com
www.ohayosensei.com
There are others, of course, but these are the most often haunted. I'll let other people post more.
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When is the best time to apply for jobs?
The earliest I can be in Japan is mid-June this year. Would I be well-advised to start looking right then (or now, online) or can I afford to goof off for the summer? |
In your case, an American has until December to apply for the following year's JET ALT positions. For most other entry level jobs, March is peak season. |
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G Cthulhu
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 1373
Location: Way, way off course.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
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I have a CELTA (B), 18 months experience teaching English in Poland, and a BA and MA from US universities (if it matters, they're in theatre and math, respectively ... don't ask).
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You should look for eikaiwa or JET program work. You aren't qualified for much else. I don't recommend dispatch agency ALT work.
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JET's no use as they've missed this years dates. With a CELTA *and* an MA in Maths there is always the option of a university position teaching in that or a related (CompSci skills?) area. Thin on the ground overall, sure, but they're out there and when they come up they're oten hard to fill positions. I think most any international school in Japan would also take a second look at those qualifications too. In MEXT still running their 'super English' test schools? They were always looking for subject teachers. Sendai's "Hello World" (name?) program still run? Osaka and Kyoto have/had smaller versions of the same thing IIRC.
Quite a few options beyond eikaiwa and JET IMO. Obviously, YMMV and it'll depend on what happens to come up, but it's worth keeping an eye out for it IMO. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:49 pm Post subject: |
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| With a CELTA *and* an MA in Maths there is always the option of a university position teaching in that or a related (CompSci skills?) area. |
A rarity, IMO. Most uni positions require more than just the degrees. They want experience in Japan, some fluency in Japanese, plus publications. People run into 20-100 applicants for every position advertised.
SELHi's (super English language high schools) to my knowledge didn't really have non-English subject teachers. I know of one (chemistry), but that was taught by a Japanese person with less than perfect English skills and an Australian textbook. The SELHi program is a farce IMO because the vast majority of "programs" offered are lip service to get the funding. |
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wabisabi365
Joined: 04 Feb 2007
Posts: 111
Location: japan
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:14 am Post subject: |
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Don't take unis completely out of the equation. I was recently hired on at a reputable uni with the help of two solid references, one published article and only one year into my MA. There's no harm in sending out those resumes. I got in the door part-time (without an MA or a published article) and now have a full-time position beginning in April. I was discouraged by almost everyone I had mentioned my intentions to, but in the end, it all worked out. I know I'm the exception to the rule, but I must say, it was worth the gamble.
Here is a link for uni positions:
http://jrecin.jst.go.jp/index_e.html
Getting to know teachers at the unis in your town will get you in the loop the moment a position becomes available. I was recently approached by my former part-time uni employer asking me to take on 3 classes that just became available. As I'm all set for April, I passed on the name and number of one of my friends. He went for the interview, and now has his own foot in the door - he was given the classes. Again, he's only half-way through a Master's and has only one published article. Now he's in the loop. The jobs are out there. Having experience, three publications and an MA are the norm, but never discount the imortance of timing and contacts.
Good luck!  |
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johanne
Joined: 18 Apr 2003
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:32 am Post subject: |
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| I think most any international school in Japan would also take a second look at those qualifications too. In MEXT still running their 'super English' test schools? They were always looking for subject teachers. |
The most important qualification to teach at an international school is a teaching license. It's unlikely an MA in Math would get you a job teaching high school math at an international school if you don't have a teaching cerificate (not a CETLA) from your home country. If you are offered a position without a teaching license it is likely a substandard, non-accreditated school that will pay much less than a bonafide international school. I don't know about the "super English" test schools. |
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