Job Discussion Forums

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

Specifically Busan to Tokyo. I have a BA and 2.5 years ( or I'll have this when my current contract ends in early March ) of experience. One year with adults and a year and a half with kids and junior high.

My current savings are about $7000.

I am considering Westgate but have heard some negatives about taxes, working hours, curriculum, etc.

I'd like to work with adults again if possible, that's the appeal of Westgate. But I definitely don't want them to plug me for all that rent money and then stick me in a shared accommodation where I cannot have overnight guests... that's dumb as hell.

I can handle a long commute, small apartment and long days. Also I haven't had a sick day in the entire time I've taught ( knock on wood ).

Anyway, please advise.

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

Westgate will get your foot in the door with a fully sponsored work visa, but they only offer short-term contracts. So, if you take the job, you'll have to look for a replacement very soon. Your choice.

Otherwise, there are few places that will interview you where you are now -- only through a phone interview at that. So, your only other option (unless you want to go back home and apply from there, just so you have a chance at about a dozen jobs that might come to you for interviews) is to come to Japan, base yourself in a guest house, and apply for work here. Figure 1-3 months before a paychecks rolls in. Your experience and degree makes you eligible for entry level work (conversation schools and dispatch ALT).

When were you thinking of coming? Dead time for hiring is right around the corner.

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

Probably arriving in March or April. April is best isn't it?

I really want to live in a culture that doesn't prevent me from pursuing side work. I have an arts degree and want to build my portfolio while I am in Asia, in Korea that might just get me deported.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Given your plans it would be a good idea to keep in mind that you are looking for a fairly flexible schedule. It might also be worth considering a trip over here to come job hunting, line up a few job interviews beforehand and check out things in person.

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

The academic school year begins in April, so coming in March would probably be better. Otherwise, you would have missed out on most interviews, and who knows what emergency ones would be given in early April? Could be for legitimate reasons, or it might signify a problem employer.

If you are looking at a specific employer (like Westgate), see if they have a schedule for interviewing or application deadlines.

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

cafebleu · Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 404

from those in Korea. For a start you own your own visa and you are allowed to teach whomever you want, wherever you want, at whatever time you want.

Theoretically that should involve paying taxes but then again the Japanese authorities have a much softer approach than the somewhat nasty Korean one. Many foreigners in Japan do not declare their earnings from teaching private students and the tax office does not go out of its way to chase them down and hound them.

It will most likely come to light only if your official earnings are suspiciously low which means you are deriving a significant amount of income from private students whom you have not been declaring. Even then the Japanese authorities are open to your making restitution without being threatening and nasty or saying they will deport you. You will have to pay back taxes but being a foreigner gives you some leeway if you can find a good excuse and a Japanese person to vouch for your good character.

I no longer live in Japan but I also lived and worked in Korea, and despite Japan's faults the authorities are much easier to get along with and the people less openly xenophobic and discriminatory. When living in Korea I was constantly mystified by declarations that Koreans like foreigners yet all around me seemed to be this seething hatred for foreigner men (I am a female) and some incredibly nasty attitudes towards non Koreans generally.

My students were good and their voicing of their society's weird ways was more naive than nasty but I found a lot of the adults taking for granted that foreigners were to be harassed and hounded for the 'crime' of having a friendship with a Korean person whether that was a love relationship or a friendship that was misconstrued as private teaching, very disturbing.

I presume that is why you are leaving? As for Korea, it will keep getting the low end of foreigner teacher 'talent' mostly because it can be a nasty place to work in despite some positive aspects such as its cheapness and convenience.

KWhitehead · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:15 am Post subject:

i'm also considering the Korea --> Japan move. are there hirings outside of the March/April time?

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

Your options will be more limited, but you are apt to find at least a few eikaiwas with openings at any given time of the year. After the March/April hiring season, the best time to get a job is August/September and January.
When I left Korea for Japan, it was in December, and started working in January.