Job Discussion Forums

kcw · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 8

Hi there, I am an ESL teacher with two years of experience, a BA and a CELTA. I am presently looking for work outside of Canada for this coming September but I'm at a loss as to how to secure or even find prospects for ESL jobs in Japan. Could someone point me in the right direction or give me any tips you might have, etc. Many Thanks.

kcw

ssjup81 · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject:

You could always try a site like Gaijinpot. It has a list of jobs, Teaching and ALT, in certain areas for one to apply to.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

FAQ 3 for thee

seklarwia · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:58 pm Post subject:

Plus, if your looking for school work as opposed to Eikawa work, you've left it too late to find a job and get a visa sorted in time for the start of the second term. Work visa paperwork alone takes about 2 months to process. Besides schools around here actually start again in August.

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

Working holiday visa takes about 2 weeks to process, I hear, though.

seklarwia · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:41 pm Post subject:

Still too late to really find much school work though. Most school ALT positions have likely been filled by now, especially for schools starting in August. Employers know that it takes about 2 months to apply for a work visa, so they aim to finish employing with this in mind.

kcw · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 8

Thanks for all the replies.

So what are my prospects if I just show up there and try to solicit work in Japan instead?

kcw

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

Very, very poor.

seklarwia · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject:

Are looking for ALT or eikawa work?

If you want ALT: It is kinda the wrong time of year for good pickings in all honesty. The school year starts in April.

At this time of year, most of the ALT positions avaliable are those that were previously occupied by a JET or those that another ALT has abandoned or been fired from. But former JET positions tend to get snatched up by dispatch companies who have likely all pretty much finished hiring now.

If you were able to apply for a WHV now and get here soon after, you might be able to find an ALT spot, but it is likely to open due to a bailing or firing. The question is: why did the previous ALT bail or get sacked?... bad ALT? ... or nightmare school?

If you came after the school term started then your chances would be even slimer (possibly next to none).

If you got a WHV and came in search of Eikawa work though, the story could probably be different. If you looked hard enough you could probably find work in an Eikawa at anytime of the year. Problem is Japan is flooded with ESL job seekers, so you can expect a lot of competition for anything avaliable.

But coming here on such short notice brings the issue of money. Even if you found a job immediately on landing here (which is highly unlikely), you should still aim to bring about 500,000 yen to cover start up costs and living expenses until you receive your first pay cheque (which may come up to 2 months aftet you start).

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