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Shiggy
Joined: 27 Jan 2004
Posts: 86
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 Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:20 am Post subject: Difficulty Choosing Program/School |
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Despite the enormous amount of information on this site, I often get confused as I read through the vast array of job postings from various schools and programs.
My confusion stems, primarily, from my ignorance in not knowing which schools/programs provide the best jobs and opportunities.
For instance, if I wanted to pursue a teaching position in Japan, do the majority of individuals on this site have a preference?
Being my first overseas teaching experience, I obviously want it to be a memorable one, rather than regretful. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:25 am Post subject: |
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I think you're better off trying to go to the country where you want to teach and asking specific questions about the job.
Or do a search about the schools
BUT, overall, be wary of places that promise competitive wages.
Want you to sign ASAP
Want you to pay.
Won't put you in touch with current teachers
Insist you work on a tourist visa "while papers are being processed" especially for Europe and Asia, but for Latin America, it's often done.
Are looking for 99 teachers.
DOn't require teaching experience or a degree.
See my PM |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 6:55 am Post subject: |
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| if I wanted to pursue a teaching position in Japan, do the majority of individuals on this site have a preference? |
Allow me to answer for those of us working in Japan.
I'm going to assume you have no teaching experience and probably a degree unrelated to teaching. Please let us know otherwise. It can make a difference in the answers.
I am also going to assume you actually have at least a bachelor's degree, because without it, you will not be able to get a work visa here (unless you can prove at least 3 years of teaching experience).
That said, you are probably eligible for entry level work (ALT or conversation school [eikaiwa]).
The Big 3 or 4 hire several thousand eikaiwa teachers.
JET Programme hires 6000 ALTs, and Interac is the biggest dispatch agency for ALTs.
These 5 or 6 places hire the most people, but they are not the only employers, obviously.
Entry level work as defined above pretty much differs as follows:
conversation school (eikaiwa) -- hours are noonish to 9pm, any day of the week, you are the only teacher in the room, salaries 220,000-270,000 starting off, classes are kids or adults 2-10 in number.
ALT -- public school work usually, hours are 9 to 5ish, you are not the main teacher (a Japanese is), salaries are about the same (but you can expect dispatch agencies to cut wages on breaks) with the exception that JET pays a bit more and you might even get free rent with JET, classes are kids from elementary school age to high school, and classes are 30-45 in number.
People are more desperate than ever these days, it seems. By that, I mean dispatch agencies operate illegally and are offering lower wages and crappy conditions, yet people take the jobs. The market is pretty flooded, too, so it is often the case that you don't have as easy a choice of employers as you used to.
Bottom line, you can see the 2 major types of employers, but the choice depends on whether you can come here and look around or not. If you can't, you severely limit your range of opportunities. If you DO come, you'll have to bring US$4000-5000 to tide you over for 2-4 months until that first paycheck comes in.
So, what are your qualifications, aspirations (short- and long-term), and timeline for starting work? |
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Shiggy
Joined: 27 Jan 2004
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and after graduating worked as a sub for a few years, including a small amount of experience as an ESL teacher; my mom is an ESL teacher and I substituted for her a few times. I have also been a high school coach for the last 4-5yrs.
Aspirations...well, I need a job and have always been interested in teaching overseas, specifically, Japan. I find their culture very interesting and intriguing.
I originally applied to the JET program about five years ago, but was not accepted. In short, I'm not in any hurry and am able to wait for the right job to come around. |
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natsume
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Posts: 409
Location: Chongqing, China
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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| You can reapply to JET, I did, and am here now, and quite happy with my position, although I recognize both that it is a crapshoot and that I got lucky. I think your experience between your initial application and now would help quite a bit with your application for JET if you were to reapply. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, you can reapply for JET, or you can apply to other employers. It's up to you.
Just a word of advice. When the employer asks you (and he will) why you want to come to work in Japan, have a better answer than just "I need a job and have always been interested in teaching overseas, specifically, Japan. I find their culture very interesting and intriguing". The market here is flooded. |
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Shiggy
Joined: 27 Jan 2004
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:55 am Post subject: |
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| Hehe. Yes, I've never had much luck with the "I just need a job" speach. |
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