Job Discussion Forums

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

My Japanese wife and I have been living in the USA for the last year. I spent the prior seven years teaching (primarily Business English) in Tokyo, and while I enjoyed it, decided to give work back in the USA a shot again. My wife has been enjoying life here on the east coast and has been fortunate enough to find a Japanese speaking customer service job. I have been working in sales, which has been lucrative enough, but thoroughly unfulfilling. The time I spent in Japan teaching was great, but I felt at 42, if I wanted to go back to the USA, I had better do it. And before someone mentions, "Why not just go back to Japan?� we are both keen on trying something new to both of us.

We both love travel, and as my wife has thus far demonstrated, we both enjoy living and working abroad. My questions are: What opportunities are there for Japanese to teach abroad? Has anyone relocated (Latin America, Asia, Middle East) their Japanese spouse for an ESL position? Money is not critical for us as we both saved a fair bit in Japan, so lifestyle and a decent living wage are factors for a desired location.

Alternatively, my wife could also use her business skills as a bilingual office worker. I thought this might be problematic though, since she would need to have an understanding of the host country's language. FYI, I am 42 she's 34 and we plan to have children in the next couple of years.

Thanks in advance!

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

I know a Japanese woman who taught Japanese in Canada, when back to Japan for less than six months, and then moved to Taiwan where AFAIK she's still teaching Japanese.

It tends to not be full time, though- and she had contacts in both of those countries so it smoothed things along for her somewhat.

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

Thanks for the info on your friend! The more I have read up on things, the more Taiwan sounds like it would be a good fit for both of us to be able to teach (me/English her/Japanese). Korea would be an option, but I suspect there would be a warmer reception for a Japanese person in Taiwan than Korea or, for that matter, China. Taiwan sounds like ti would be financially a pretty decent option as well.

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

Following up on my post from last year on the Japan forum, I was wondering if anyone might have any experience with moving abroad to a country other than your home country or your spouse's country (Japan). In general did you find it easy enough for a wife and possibly kid (we are now expecting) to settle in?
We have been looking at east Asia, possibly Taiwan, Vietnam, or Korea. I would like to be able to have a decent enough lifestyle and save a bit too. We are both frugal and are content to take a holiday once a year or so and not spend money on drinking and dining out.
Incidentally I have a state of Virginia teacher's license with an endorsement in ESL and teach public high school.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

with a license, you culd teach in intl schools, look at www.ibo.org and www.tes.co.uk

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

Not much call for Japanese these days. Brazil?

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

Good idea Glenski! I have a student from Brazil in one of my high school ESL classes here in Virginia who is crazy about all things Japan. A former co-worker in Tokyo had taught in Brazil and was also pretty high on the place. He said the money wasn't too bad either.
Could present some opportunities for my wife either through teaching or business.
I think I'll check their forum too. I know I'll be back in Japan at some point again, but I would like to experience some other parts of the world first. And with the news of Japan's GDP shrinking at an anualized rate of more than 12% last quarter, it might be good to wait just a bit.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Honestly, I think couples where the man is the native speaker have it easier than when the woman is the native speaker. It's easier for a woman to stay at home.

As bad as it sounds, you should try to find a good paying job, so that if your wife doesn't find work, you'll be ok. We were thinking about doing that with the Czech Rep or Korea, but since I'm the native speaker, things get more complicated.

She might be able to find work online, such as translating. If not, head for the big cities and cater to business people who need to learn Japanese. Or open a business, such as a resturante, import/export, etc.

If you're thinking about kids, find a country where you want to be for a while. She should try to get her foot in the door in a Japanese in the host country.

If I were you, I'd head to the ME, lots of benefits, plus they might help your wife find a PT job as well.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:14 pm Post subject:

Dear naturegirl321,

"f I were you, I'd head to the ME, lots of benefits, plus they might help your wife find a PT job as well."

Good advice - with this caution. In many Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, in particular), a Japanese lady might be likely to encounter some, shall we say, "discrimination difficulties."

Regards,
John

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Hm, never thought about that. But are ALL ME places like that? I mean what about Oman? surely can't be like KSA.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:29 pm Post subject:

Dear naturegirl321,
Oman would be much better - but then, the salary scales there aren't nearly as good as, say, Saudi or the UAE.
Regards,
John

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

Thanks for the input! Yes, I have been considering the Middle East for exactly the financial reasons you mentioned. I had posted on the Saudi forum and had heard back from some saying just what you mentioned John. Some had said that many would assume my wife to be a Filipino house maid or worse. I had figured that Japanese what with their economic power and associated prestige would be seen more favorably in the ME. My wife is very fair-skinned so most would realize right off the bat that she wasn't from S.E. Asia. But then again she gets some pretty dumb questions here in the USA too! Okay, I know there are plenty of less than bright fellow countrymen here Smile

Would the pay scale be appreciably different in Oman than S.A.?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I've heard, so this is hearsay, that in Oman, you'll probably get around 30K to start. In KSA, it'd probably be around 45K

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

That is a pretty big spread in pay. I suppose with most employers in both countries subsidizing housing Saudi would have an edge on take home. I can't imagine that food would make that much difference.

Hmm.. both places being pretty conservative and neither being UAE, I would imagine the lifestyle would pretty much the same at the end of the day. As far as the friendliness (or lack of) of the locals, the average expat probably isn't hanging out and trying to go local anyway.

I would be just wanting to hunker down, work, and spend time with my family while there. That being the case would you say that KSA would be the better pick for me?

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Have you looked at Brunei? In your position that would probably be my first choice. The money is pretty good, it's safe, top notch housing is usually provided and there's a lively expat community. Most important IMO you won't be stuck in a concrete ghetto - which is what you might end up with in KSA. UAE is a building site. Oman, from what I can gather, certainly has it's plus points but you'd be more marginalised than in Brunei.