Job Discussion Forums

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

Hello,

I'd love to get a job in japan teaching English. Ideally to teenagers / young adults.

I'm currently in China working 22.5 hours a week teaching IELTS preparation to teens. I'm not overly happy here and would love a change.

I'm 20 with a few months teaching experience and a TESOL cert.

Please help!

chollimaspeed · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 120

What a lovely mail.

Straight to the point and with apparently zero research.

How can we be of assistance?

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

Have you read the 4 stickies above called FAQs? Please take the time to do so.

Basically, though, unless you have a bachelor's degree or 3 years of teaching experience, you won't qualify for a work visa. Depending on your nationality, you might be eligible for a working holiday visa, good for 12 or 18 months.

Do you have such a degree? (doubtful at your age, but who knows?)
What is your nationality?
What is your time frame for coming here?

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

I'd simply like help FINDING a job in Japan.

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

I'd simply like help FINDING a job in Japan.

chollimaspeed · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 120

You're 20 years old so I am guessing that unless you were some kind of child prodigy then you won't have a degree. If not this will limit your chances of getting job. You don't have enough experience to qualify for a specialist in humanities visa. What nationality are you? If you are Australian or Canadian then you could qualify for a working holiday visa but if you are American then you can forget about it. If you are British then it is possible. If you're thinking of getting married to a Japanese woman then you could qualify for a spouse visa. A drastic option but there you go.

Oh, and don't apply for NOVA under any circumstances.

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

Thanks a lot for the quick replies.

I have no degree, I'm Australian.

Working on a 6-12 month contract is exactly what I'm looking for. =)

bornslippy1981 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 271

chollimaspeed · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 120

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

Well, after 4 posts you finally gave us enough info to tell you that the only option, aside from getting a student visa or cultural visa, is the working holiday visa. Aussies can get it for 18 months. Even NOVA requires a year or two of college from WHV holders, by the way.

I ask again, what is your time frame for coming here?

Go to those web sites (and the ones mentioned in the FAQs) to see where jobs are advertised.

You want help in FINDING a job, but I don't think you fully realize that getting a visa is the most important thing. Even if an employer wants you, you still have to be eligible for a proper visa.

I urge you again to check out the FAQs which have a boatload of web sites for advertisements. Other than that, your qualifications are pretty skimpy (no offense), and that includes your age:
No degree
Only 20 years old
Practically no teaching experience
(I assume) no Japanese language skills
All of these translate in to not just "limits" on getting a job as someone pointed out, but severe restrictions. After your WHV is up, you have to go home unless you can get a student or cultural visa (and those will only permit you to work part-time with special permission).

The best help I can give you, aside from those web sites and FAQs, is to advise you to get a bachelor's degree, then see if the JET programme is willing to hire you.

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

I am currently on contract for the next 4.5 months.

Ideally, I'd love to leave after that.

I recently did my TESOL course and I vividly recall the teacher explaining that even without a degree (and if your 18-30) you CAN get a visa + find work teaching in Japan.

So I do feel confident about finding work + succeeding in my visa application.

Yes! I know you can/have listed reasons as to why I may not be successful, but I would like to try all the same.

You mention the FAQ's.... where abouts are they? Which FAQ's?

Thanks for your help. Very Happy

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The FAQs- above where your post is on the front page of the Japan forum, you will see "Sticky: FAQs about teaching in Japan"- those FAQs. There is also a part 2, 3 and even part 4- loads of information just waiting for you to read it.

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

G Cthulhu · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:53 am Post subject:

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

Thanks for your input G Cthulhu.

Anyways,

Can someone suggest how I can be successful in my visa application for a japanese working holiday visa? It may be difficult as I'm in China.