Job Discussion Forums

[kiwiduncan]

I'm in New Zealand at the moment but I'm considering going to Japan or perhaps returning to Korea after a few more months at home.

Over the years I've spent about 6 years in Korea on and off and also taught English in Oxford in the UK for a few summers. I've got a univeristy degree, a CELTA and a decent amount of experience. For more than 3 years I've been teaching at Korean universities, but my tendency to move around between Korea, the UK and NZ a bit combined with lacking an MA means I've never had one of the super plush uni jobs.

I can't speak any Japanese but speak high-intermediate Korean and I'm confident that I could learn Japanese faster than I learned Korean (well, kanji's going to be horrible but the grammar's similar, some of the vocab is similar and I now know what I need to learn).

How many people have moved from teaching in Korea to teaching in Japan? How has it gone? I'd really appreciate any thoughts about the differences and similarities in daily living between Japan and Korea.

Already I know Japanese have more bikes, smaller cars and love cats, so that's a good start .

My time in Korea was generally good. I might just go back to Korea as it might be better for me to continue studying Korean than pick up a new language. I also know all the financial costs of setting up in Korea, whereas Japan could be very pricy.

On the other hand, it could be nice to have a change of scene. The Japanese students I taught in the UK were very nice (but then, so were the Koreans).

So, how have the ex-Korean teachers fared in Japan?

Thanks for any input.

Cheers,

Duncan

[GreenEyes]

I lasted four months in Korea. It was not a pleasant experience for me, but despite the numerous warnings I went there anyway. Suffice it to say, I had a crude awakening and moved to Japan. Japan was just incredible. The students can be much more quiet than Korean students, but I appreciated the respect. As a woman I also appreciated not being openly criticized or judged and feeling safe walking at night. The standards of hygiene and clean streets were also appreciated. About cats, none of my Korean students liked them, but not all of my Japanese students liked them. (Did I word that correctly?) Some liked cats, but most preferred dogs . . . although you'll find bowls of food and water scattered around the cities in Japan. People tend to be very respectful of animals there, which I appreciated since I ended up adopting a cat and bringing her home to the States with me.

About university jobs, they're scarce in Japan. Some universities are really struggling financially and are cutting back and even closing down. With your CELTA you'll be a good candidate for Berlitz, Dave's English House and some of the better known schools, and you can also try developing a side business with private students. Financially you'll probably make less in Japan, and you have to pay your own rent (unlike most jobs in Korea).

If you've enjoyed a fairly decent experience in Korea and are focused on developing a teaching career, then you might want to consider continuing in Korea. Depending on where you live, you can work on your masters right there. Some schools look down on distance degrees, but there are plenty of distance programs available for your masters. You'll definitely want your masters if you want to work at a nicer university and build a career. Starting over in Japan . . . it's a gorgeous and friendly country, and the language is a joy to learn. But you would be doing just that . . . starting over.

I think you might not have received any responses to your post right away because people tire of the Korea vs. Japan discussion. It comes up a lot. But I respect your need to personalize things and ask questions specific to your experiences and needs. Good luck with your decision. It sounds like you have a great resume.

GreenEyes

[kiwiduncan]

Hi GreenEyes.

Thanks very much for your informative post. I guess the best approach would be to go for a short-term position in Japan then return to Korea if things don't work out. Perhaps I could make it my goal to learn more Japanese in three years in Japan than I learned Korean in 6 years in Korea .

Apologies to all the viewers here who are tired of seeing the Korea/Japan comparisons. I've done the research but sometimes the best approach is to spell out one's own personal circumstances in a new post.

[kawasaki]

which place is more expensive to live in Korea or Japan?

Do you earn more in Japan or about the same?

[Brooks]

I have been in Japan for 8 years and I can't get a full-time university job.
I have resigned myself to just getting two part-time university jobs. That is my goal now. It is getting so competitive here. 2-3 years ago the competition wasn't so tough but now it really is.
Basically the pie is shrinking. Most university jobs are for part-time teachers.
You don't have a MA so you will be limited.
I think the advice from Green Eyes is good. But I don't think learning Japanese is fun. It is more like work.

To get a university job in Japan you need to know Japanese, need a MA at least, and need publications.
It is hard to get a university job without university experience in Japan.
Once you do, the job search gets easier.

[Brooks]

the cost of living in Korea is less.
You get a free apartment. The taxes are less.

But the won has tanked against the dollar. So if you want to send money home, you will send less than before.

[GreenEyes]

No worries at all about creating this thread. I always feel the need to ask my own questions specific to my needs and definitely appreciate your questions. About financial differences between the two countries, I guess that depends on how the dollar/yen/won is doing. I've never quite been able to wrap my brain around all that stuff, though, and can only suggest that you compare rent for similar apartments and locations. Honestly, if you're feeling little tugs to jump into a new life in Japan, then I encourage you to go for it. It might be a nice contrast to your years in Korea. Definitely apply to Berlitz and some of the other well known and more academics-based companies that carry a certain amount of prestige. There are always complaints to be found about any company, but identify the best and start from there.

About learning Japanese, I personally love the language and think you will, too. But don't let go of your Korean. Find someone to practice with or Skype with your Korean friends on a weekly basis. By the end of your three years in Japan, you'll have another language to add to your resume. And who knows, maybe someday you'll be teaching on the corporate scene. Just get that graduate degree. You can pluck away at it one class at a time. Time flies as we get older. In a blink of the eye you'll have that degree behind you and a brilliant career ahead of you!

Best wishes!

[Sadebugo]

I concur with several of the posters. If you liked Korea, you'll love Japan. What may be lost in benefits is more than made up for in quality of life and a fulfilling cultural experience


Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[may be going]

i agree with the above poster. lived in korea 2.5 years working at a good uni. now been in japan 4 years at a good uni starting at a new uni this year.

the biggest difference for me is quality of life. i do all the things in japan that i love to do in oz. surfing, cruising round on my bicycle, mountain treks, swimming etc etc. i couldn't do any of those things in korea bar the mountain stuff. i have a car here too and it's so easy to drive in japan.

living in korea just wasn't fun for me. outside of the drinking culture that was at times fun, there wasn't much to do there that i enjoyed.

the thing i like the most here is that everyone leaves me to myself. noone really stares at me, says anything to me, bothers me or pays much attention to me. i'm just outside tokyo so it might be a bit different in smaller cities. i just do what i enjoy doing and get on with my life.

saving is way more here especially coz of the yen at the moment. however i work in a uni so that helps. of course you have to pay for an apartment but even so. plus the apartments i got in korea weren't what i'd really like to live in at my age (35).

anyway, all things told i think the unis and the students are pretty similar. working conditions are decent at unis in both places but quality of life just doesn't compare for me.