Job Discussion Forums

[kittyfye]

Greetings, ALL.

I have two and half years' experience in Korea, a little over a year of which is with a couple of Korean universities, and one year's experience teaching Eng lang in an American university. In Dec I will have completed an American MA course in Eng Lit, and then Aug '08 I start the PhD course in Eng Lit--which I expect to take a few more years.

But I just want to know: Those of you with similar degrees, what does the degree, MA or PhD, get you in JP? I am curious about salary, working conditions, vacation time, any perks, etc.

Thanks!

[flyingkiwi]

An MA or PhD in Education will get you a look in at some University gigs.

An MA or PhD in anything else, I'm not so sure about.

[Glenski]

Either degree might get you into a university job. Most seem to want people with experience teaching in Japan first. And, usually you need to have some Japanese proficiency and publications.

The above is intended for people who are interested in (or only eligible for) full-time jobs. There is a slight difference for PT work, but I don't mention it right away because when people aren't even in Japan, it isn't fair to talk about PT work because you don't get a work visa sponsored by PT work (initially).

A degree in literature is not exactly the strongest candidate for an EFL job in Japanese universities. (Taikibansei can relate more.) Moreover, unless you can teach in Japanese, I don't think there is really much call for teaching American literature.

Look here for more info on job hunting at universities.
http://www.jalt-publications.org/tlt/articles/2002/08/glick
http://www.jalt-publications.org/tlt/articles/2002/09/glick
http://www.jalt-publications.org/tlt/articles/2004/10/stapleton
http://www.jalt-publications.org/tlt/articles/2004/10/mccasland

And, from the first FAQ:

[taikibansei]

[kittyfye]

Thanks for input, folks. I'll browse your links.