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Che Carlitos
Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:53 am Post subject: Another newbie, looking for help getting started |
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Dear friends,
I've been accepted to do a Fulbright ETA grant in Argentina starting next March, and I'm looking for an international teaching adventure in the meantime.
I have a B.A. in International Relations and Modern Languages, I don't have TESOL or CELTA certification but I have experience teaching English in the US and abroad for all ages (as a volunteer), and I'm looking for a TESOL adventure for about 4 to 6 months. I don't need to make loads of money, but I'd like to more or less break even.
I'd like to teach somewhere in Latin America (I'm also open to admin jobs with TESOL schools and I am bilingual) and/or Shingu, Japan (where my partner's starting her adventure with JET in August).
So here comes the question: some people have told me that my best bet is to just kind of show up where I want to teach and try to strike up something informal, since I'll be working short term. How much financial wiggle room do I need to allow for in order to give it a try?
Is it worth trying to find work via the internet, given my job search?
Any advice is appreciated! I'm really glad that this forum exists.
Thank you! |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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| I'd like to teach somewhere in Latin America (I'm also open to admin jobs with TESOL schools and I am bilingual) and/or Shingu, Japan (where my partner's starting her adventure with JET in August). |
As far as Japan goes, you are going to face 12-month contracts, so unless you lie about how long you intend to stay and then cut out early, that's pretty much all that's left for you. One exception would be Westgate Corporation, a dispatch agency that farms out people to universities (among other places) for 3-7 month contracts. I believe the 3-month contracts are non-consecutive.
| Quote: |
| So here comes the question: some people have told me that my best bet is to just kind of show up where I want to teach and try to strike up something informal, since I'll be working short term. How much financial wiggle room do I need to allow for in order to give it a try? |
In my opinion, forget the "wiggle room". If you intend to work without a work visa, you are taking a big risk: 3 million yen fine, 23 days imprisionment without a lawyer, deportation, and blacklisting from Japan for 5-10 years. That "informal" stuff won't work in Japan. Tourist visas are good for only 90 days. The government has a snitch site on the Internet, too, and if your GF is in a small town/city, people will know her and you very well.
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| Is it worth trying to find work via the internet, given my job search? |
Considering the situation you have laid out, I'd suggest just coming to visit for 90 days. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject: |
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| If you're interested in LA, a good place to start would be the LA job list. |
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Che Carlitos
Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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Glenski, thanks for your insight. It seems like Asia is quite different from LA in a lot of ways. I had heard that some people go there on a tourist visa initially and if they can find an employer to sponsor them, they can go to Korea (or wherever), change their visa and come back. As you pointed out, though, this seems to be more long-term. Maybe my best bet is to just volunteer in Japan.
I guess my question (re: showing up in personal in informally -- in the sense of interviewing for the job) was more geared toward LA. I guess I'll bring it to that board, as naturegirl suggested.
Thank you for your replies! |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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| I had heard that some people go there on a tourist visa initially and if they can find an employer to sponsor them, they can go to Korea (or wherever), change their visa and come back. As you pointed out, though, this seems to be more long-term. |
People don't have to make that visa run anymore. Haven't had to for a couple of years, so your information (as is the case with many people on these forums) is outdated.
As for seeming to be "long-term", a year is nothing. It goes by so fast you wouldn't believe it, and most people would probably say that a lot (most?) of teachers stay here 1-3 years and then leave. That's short-term!
To expect to make any money by traveling thousands of miles, shopping for an employer (and spending money to do that, as it will take 1-3 months to get your first paycheck here), and making up your setup costs all within less than 6 months is dreaming. Consider that many people come here right after college and still have student loans to pay off. That only makes things worse for saving money.
Volunteer? Yeah, you could go that route, but what would it gain you? What are you in this for? Experience? Money? Just something to pass the time while your partner works? You might want to read the thread in this forum about "dipping one's toes" into TEFL by volunteering without having any training. I don't hear of much, if any, volunteer teaching going on in Japan, but maybe others have. |
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