Job Discussion Forums

[hartikainen]

I recently turned down some offers to work in Korean hagwons because of the really weak vacation (ie: 10 days based on school's schedule). I am interested in finding a job in Japan at a private school (ie: 1-12 students/class) with decent vacation each year. By decent vacation I mean about 3-5 weeks total per year. It can be in a smaller city or bigger city, I don't really have a preference.

I have a BA and do not have TESL certification, I speak basic Japanese, and have previously studied there. How difficult will it be to get a job in Japan? It seems to be getting tougher and tougher, but I am a newbie to the forum so maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. I will need visa sponsorship from the school.

Any suggestions of schools or programs that may meet my criteria would be greatly appreciated. Has anyone previously had jobs that sound like what I am looking for? Are there certain areas of the country that would be easier to secure a job?

Thanks in advance.

[fluffyhamster]

Probably the best job pay and benefits-wise is still the JET Program, or the M-ALT/TEIJ Program, but some Boards of Education require AETs who haven't booked leave to be at the office during school breaks (but travel is at an expensive peak at such times anyway), so it can be easy to use up that leave (something like 20 days per year for a JET, very good compared to say 10 more tightly-specified days at an eikaiwa - chain or private language school - about the same number and conditions-wise as the hogwons, then! and potentially none as a dispatch/non-direct hire AET).

[Glenski]