Job Discussion Forums

Glenn · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

Currently teaching in Daejeon, S.Korea but was in Fukuoka Japan recently and loved it even though my time there was limited.

Just wondering what the general consensus is on teaching in Japan. Obviously it's more expensive and the ability to save is no where as lucrative as it's here in Korea, but I found the people much more friendly in Japan among other things that has me thinking.

Any advice on some good companies, recruiters, schools etc. I have 6 months exp. in Bangkok, will have a yr here in Korea with an English major B.A.A. and two TESOL certificates. The other in Business English.

thanks

b

flyingkiwi · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:47 am Post subject:

So you have the ability to think? Then why the f**k don't you just look around the forums????

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You may want to read this.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=52970

Not sure how relevant this is anymore but here goes.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/

Shimmeringstar · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Kagoshima, Japan

nonsmoker · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:52 pm Post subject:

Eva Pilot · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject:

Glenn · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 7

Thanks for the replies people.

glenn

Maaku · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Tokyo, Japan

From my short visit to Seoul, I actually found Koreans to be more friendly and outgoing. However, from what I have read, this can work against you or for you. Japanese are much more reserved and polite. They seem much more reserved in Tokyo for the most part, compared to Kanagawa, Chiba, etc. I guess because there are so many gaijin in Tokyo and because of the bad reputation of gaijin who go to Roppongi. In Kanagawa, Chiba, etc. they seem generally surprised and happy to see a foreigner. (At least from my experiences)

However, living in Japan is so easy. Time seems to fly by so fast. Trains run on time, everything is clean. People never harass you. They don't say or do anything if you have a Japanese girlfriend, etc. My only advice would be is to watch your spending habits. Many teachers I know, live month to month as far as salary goes. Or save very little. Once you make a couple of friends or girlfriends which can take awhile. You will get constant invites to dinner, izakayas, movies. Also, study Japanese, so you can have at least a basic conversation. Many Japanese want to make friends with foreigners, but cannot speak any English. Also, if you can speak a little or read and write, it seems to relay their fears about your personality and they are more open to befriending you.

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

I taught in Korea! Completely different culture. Most of the koreans I met like to view themselves as victims to justify hating just about every other culture, race and religion.
Most of the children I taugh were spoiled rotten. When I first returned to Japan after teaching in Korea, no matter how bad of a day I had, I would sigh in relief with the thought of not being in Korea.

However people are different! Maybe you end up not liking life in Japan. Life is so different here. Even for me saving money was a lot easier in Korea than in Japan!