Job Discussion Forums

worldwide_soul · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 16

I'm posting for my father who wishes to move with my mom to Japan for about six months next late fall or early winter (or thereabouts).
He is a qualified teacher and is 55 years old. The type of job he is looking for, from what I understand, is one which has a fairly light workload, as he has been teaching for thirty years and isn't looking for a "real" teaching position. So possibly an eikaiwa with pre-prepared materials or something like that. Him and my mother would like to be somewhere in the Kansai area, not necessarily a big city, but they would like to be close enough to Kyoto that they can easily and quickly travel there.
So, my question is, can anyone suggest any companies or schools which sound similar to what he's looking for (and that will hire a 55 year old man who isn't necessarily going to stay a year)?
Thanks for any suggestions.

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

Since 99.99% of jobs offer 12-month contracts, he's either going to have to reconcile himself to breaking a contract or seeing if Westgate Corporation is interested.

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

Does your dad have enough money of his own to have an easy job?

worldwide_soul · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 16

To Glenski: I think he'd be okay with breaking a contract. It's obviously not the thing of choice to accept a year-long position knowing you're not planning on fulfilling it. That being said, he's not here looking for a reference of any sort. Also, maybe he'll change his mind and stay a year. In all honesty, it's my mom who only wants to stay 6-months so maybe they'll be able to work something out. Saying that, do you have any other suggestions? I'll let him know to look more into Westgate in any case.

To Quibby: I think this is an experience only about the experience. He's not going to be here to attempt to pay back loans or to make any money, really. Probably the most important point is that he doesn't lose money. So as long as he's making enough to break even and make it back to Canada at the same point he was when he left, it's okay.

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

worldwide_soul · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 16

I totally agree Glenski about the breaking contract part. I am teaching in Japan right now and fully understand the implications of breaking your contract on other foreigners, both present and future. That's why he is trying to find a position for 6 months as opposed to a year-long position that he may have to break.
He has been online researching for.. well probably a year or so, he just seems incapable of making any sort of decision or progress and also claims most jobs are looking for younger, often female, people. (Of this, I have no idea - this is just what I've been told). So I told him I'd post a question for him as I'm on holidays right now and he's quite busy.
Thanks for your input so far anyways - it's much appreciated. It will give him some stuff to think about anyways.
(Oh and about my mom - she's pretty worried about exactly what you said. She's not thrilled about the entire idea, really, but is willing to try, and is trying to come up with somethign to keep herself busy.)

stevenbhow · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 58

One thing he might consider is coming to Japan on a tourist visa in late July or August and see if he can get a ALT position. Most of the dispatch companies loose teachers around the summer months and need to replace them quickly for the remainder of the year. Being an ALT isn't a great job, but he and your mother probably wouldn't starve or go broke either.

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

worldwide_soul · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 16

All good points, Glenski. Thanks for the input. It definitely gives him more to think about. I have forwarded all this on to him, and he may have to rethink his plan. It's good for him to think about this stuff now, in March, as opposed to later. Thanks for you help!

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

Anything's possible, I guess. But I think your dad is going to have a hard time finding an employer in Japan who will meet the requirements you posted , i.e. low work hours, short term contract, and a willingness to hire someone considerably older than average.

The fact is, despite his experience teaching, unless he's willing to do some sort of volunteer work or has exceptional Japanese ability, I expect he'll still have to compete for an entry level teaching position.

If he is not firm about coming to Japan, if I were in your shoes I think I might try to steer him to China. From what I hear, he might have better luck with some of the points noted above.