Job Discussion Forums

rachelmarie86 · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Michigan

I have been researching and researching about ESL jobs. A little background about me is that I will be graduating from my university in about a week. My degree is in Business/Marketing/Management with emphasis on Fashion Merchandising and Management. I know, nothing to do with teaching but traveling and learning different cultures has becomes a passion of mine and while at college I also studied International business. I am currently working a lot to save up to go overseas.
I was looking to head out in or around September. In the current situation I will not be heading to South Korea or China but I am looking for everywhere else and especially Japan. My boyfriend is 100% Japanese and we have been researching schools and programs. Some of these include Gaba, Westgate, Aeon, and Teach Away. I am looking for a 3-7 month teaching position to start out. I don't have any certification and I know that most of these contracts are a year period.
I was just wondering if anyone had any advice, links, ways to get started or teaching suggestions. I am 110% open and I just want to learn. Any and all comments would be wonderful...
Hope everyone is having a great day!! Cool

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

Why haven't you posted in the Japan forum? Read the 4 FAQ stickies for starters.

If you want a job to start in September, you should start applying soon, since the visa process takes 4-8 weeks.

And, in case you hadn't heard (I doubt your boyfriend would know), the market here is very flooded right now with teachers. Lots of competition.

rachelmarie86 · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Michigan

I will post to the Japan one as well. Thank you... I just read some of the sticky's. I knew it would be expensive ..and hard to get into. I have a lot of friends that are in Busan, South Korea teaching and they love it..I just wasn't sure because of all the current happenings with North Korea.
I have been trying to apply but hard to find 3-6 month positions without being certified.
What are the thoughts on teaching in South Korea compared to anywhere else? Then moving to Japan.

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

Lots of xenophobia in Korea, they say. Plus a lot of managers there are rather unscrupulous. There were so many fights on the Korea forum that the Cafe created its own separate forum with a separate registration. That should give you some indication of who is there.