Job Discussion Forums

[Moto Sensei]

I was an English teacher at Japanese Jr High. I'm originally from Japan, and it's been a year since I moved to Twin Cities area because of our marriage. It's a little bit challenging to commute every day to the city from where we live, and currently I'm working for a local factory as a contracted clerical.
I always hope I could do more "lively" job--especially my boss treats me as if I'm retarded for sometime language misunderstanding.. Unlike big cities, I don't see any Japanese people around this area either.
I'm trying to ask for any suggstions, or even to share my feelings. If there is anything I can help you from my experience as a teacher (working with ELT's etc) over there or working as a volunteer in my hometown's international association etc, I'm happy to do that!

[Sherri]

Hi Moto Sensei
Sounds lonely where you are. Isn't it possible for you to become certified to teach in the school system there? There are a couple of big universities and colleges too. You might also be able to teach Japanese. Private schools do not require certification, so it may be a good place to start. There must be other Japanese people there--Minneapolis? Try the university and see if they are running Japanese language courses and ESL courses, you may find other Japanese people there or people interested in Japanese culture. How good is your English? You might consider taking some classes. That is also a good way to meet people and you can upgrade your skills.

We moved to Hawaii from Japan 3 years ago, but I think it is easier for my husband since there is a large Japanese community here.
Best
Sherri

[Moto Sensei]

Dear Sherri,
I'm so happy to hear such replies as yours. I know I've started to feel lonely, and after I posted, I realized I'm looking for somebody who could picture out my situation.
Yes, I'm in outskirt of Minneapolis/ St. Paul, which has a number of good universities and are international. I tried to apply for law school this time last year--at least I took a course for LSAT, but found my English--should be good enough to enroll-- is such an obstacle. While working, I'm taking online classes of accounting right now, as my husband wasn't sure if he had to move soon till recently. Seems we'll be settled here for a while at least. Anyhow, this online course set me some goal and achievement.
I didn't know I don't need certificate for private schools. I'll keep that in mind.
I love Hawaii. I'm sure it'd be a comfortable society for me. Someday I wish I could move there.. Most of all, thank you for writing back so quicly. You cheered me up!

[Sherri]

Hi
Glad I cheered you up! Seriously, think about taking some English classes, even if they are a little easy for you. It is a really good way to meet people. In the program here, we sometimes get Japanese students who really don't need our classes, but they want to meet other people in the community.

I am pretty sure you can find a local community college with ESL classes, see if you can be part time. Also think about volunteering in a local school, its a good way to meet other people in the education system and you will learn more about how schools work in the US. Some of our students volunteer to help ESL elementary school students and they love it.

Sherri

[JimDunlop2]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum. It's really a refreshing change to see someone who's Japanese come and throw their ideas onto the forum which is primarily dominated by native English-speakers.

As to your situation, I'm afraid I won't be too much help but I will throw a few comments your way. My own parents emigrated to Canada in 1969 and they too found themselves in a strange situation where they were qualified to do absolutely NOTHING even though they were both highly educated. My mother was a certified schoolteacher in the former Czechoslovakia (actually, she taught EFL, Russian and Czech) and my father was an agricultural engineer.

When they first arrived, their English was insufficient (even though my mother was a teacher of English in her home country) and their university degrees were not recognized by anyone in Canada. They had to study (hard) and write a TOEFL exam in order to be accepted into a Canadian university where they both received Masters' degrees (from the University of Alberta -- Engineering and Linguistics, respectively). Only then were they able to get employment in their fields of specialty (and pay off their student loans)...

It was a long, hard road -- but they did it! Don't give up hope! It is definitely possible and quite realistic.

Also, echoing Sherri's comments, she had some good suggestions for you. If I can think of anything else, I'll post it up on this thread. But thanks for sharing, and keep your chin up!

[markle]

Hey Moto sensei

I really don't have any specific advice since I'm not from the US but my wife (not Japansese) did have a similar experience when we moved to my home country. She couldn't even get a clerical job at first. Anyhow some tips that might work.
1. Online communities of Japanese Living abroad will be a good source of info about the more everyday sort of things (and a good place to swap ideas etc)
2. Cultural exchange programs, AFS, Rotary, Lions etc this might be a good place to find returnees who want to keep up their Japanese also you might help give advice to people preparing to come over here.

That's all at the moment, don't forget that things do get better, eventually.

[Revenant]

Several posts have been deleted since they were derailing the discussion.

Let's keep this on topic.

[Moto Sensei]

I'm so happy and sure that I visited this cafe. Originally I meant to help anybody who needs help before/ regarding teaching English to Japanese, but you guys are so nice to think being "in my shoe."

Also, if my topic led you to off-topics which resulted to be deleted, I apologize.

Sherri,
You are right. Attending easy classes just to introduce myself and feel the community would be a great idea too.--especially after I got disappointed 2nd generation Asians in my law school prep class did far better than I did..

Hi JimDunlop2,
Thank you for your comments. I know so well how your parents went through the time and I'm impressed with their effort! Especially thinking that they are highly educated and treated like elementary school kids--this happened at my work too. It's frustrating when we miscommunicate because of work per-se, not of my language. Also I realized the degree talks much more than I thought here in the US, maybe in Canada too. So earning more degree or certificate may prove that I am somebody, as well as it would give me some confidence & identity.

Markle,
I appreciate your suggestions too, which are new to me. Seeing people in person would be great but I will try to find a good website, hopefully based on somewhere close to my home I also register as a supplementary teacher in Japanese school in Twin Cities. This is only for Saturdays and it takes an hour to get there, so I wouldn't do full time, but getting more such opportunities, I hope I would be linked to the wider society..

Again, minasan domo arigatou, and most of all thank you for letting me in the English-speaking community. And remember I will be happy to help you in return!