Job Discussion Forums

[silver_butterfly]

Hello all,

just a general enquiry before I transition from Korea to Japan (not until next summer but I figure there's no harm in starting early!).

I have worked for the same public middle school in Korea for over 3 years and I have a CELTA. I will also finish an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL this June. By the time I head to Japan I will have 4 years ESL teaching experience.

Once I head over to Japan I plan to have a job set up already or just go over on a tourist visa and see what I can find in country (I can easily fly from Korea before for interviews etc and have a friend already there who can help with my job search).

Initially, I plan to work for one of the big company chain schools (or whatever) for six months until April the following year when I can apply for an ALT position with my friend who is already there.

Before I do all this - just wanted to ask those already out there and with experience - do I have any other options, such as working for universities etc? After working at a public school in Korea for over 3 years I think I should try something different - but as I am new to Japan I figure I may have to start from the bottom and work my way up again?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Glenski]

The MA is a bare minimum requirement for the vast majority of universities, but they also usually require publications, work experience in Japan, and some Japanese language ability. I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. Besides, hiring for a summer start is not exactly done. Now to early December is when you will see the very last ads posted for next April starts, with a few (very few) rare exceptions.

You are qualified for eikaiwa, ALT work, and perhaps some business English.