Job Discussion Forums

[uruguay1]

I have taught privately in Vietnam for almost two years and may be looking for a change soon. Does anyone know if it is legal to teach privately in Japan? I am qualified to teach in a school but private teaching is more suitable because I'm paraplegic and use a wheelchair. Also, i would like anyone's opinion on how the Japanese view disabled people and even more specifically, are disabled people welcomed to be in the work force. I'm sure most of you have never considered these types of issues, so I'm not really expecting seriously detailed responses.
Thanks,
kirk

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[Apsara]

There is a wheelchair user living in the same apartment complex as me here in Tokyo. I see him going to work in a shirt and tie at the same time every morning and I quite often see people in wheelchairs in work clothes being assisted onto the trains at the stations that I use, although not usually at rush hour, which would be pretty much impossible in a wheelchair.

It is quite legal to teach private lessons, however are you planning for that to be your sole source of income? If so, what visa are you planning to come to Japan on? If you are eligible for a working holiday visa or are married to a Japanese national then you can do whatever kind of work you like, however if you will need visa sponsorship then you will need a fulltime job offer with a guaranteed salary- teaching private students does not qualify you for a working visa here.

As for the "barrier-free" issue, there has been an explosion in the number of elevators in stations and disabled toilets in buildings in Tokyo in the last few years- totally different situation from when I first arrived in 1995- they are really making an effort, although there is a way to go. I would say that the majority of JR stations in Tokyo are now wheelchair acessible. I have noticed though that on non-JR train lines and in smaller cities this is not always the case.

[uruguay1]

Thanks for a very detailed response. I would definitely not have any reservations about moving there, other than the cost of living! hopefully, the willingness of the VNese to accept and assist in small matters will be found in Japan also. Yeah, things are more accessible in the States, but people in general are not helpful. So the kindness more than compensates for the lack of accommodations.
Before I get too far off the topic, I still need to know about the legality of teaching privately. I have a BA in Spanish and a 120hr TESL.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[uruguay1]

I can definitely work full time if I must in order to get a sponsor. Private teaching is just a strong preference. When applying for a position, should I inform them of my disability? I want to be honest with people, but i don't want to shoot myself in the foot. I NEVER saw anyone in suits going to work in Saigon, so that in itself is encouragement.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[uruguay1]

Your answers are very helpful indeed. Yes, I do expect discrimination, it's right here at home too. But you are right, I don't want to work for those kind of people anyway. Take care.

[Glenski]

You will need an employer to sponsor you for the first job, and it'll have to be FT. Once gotten, you apply for the work visa if the employer is willing to sponsor you. If not, move on to the next employer.

Get the job and visa, and then think about whether you have the time and energy to do private lessons. I'd strongly suggest waiting at least 4-6 months, though, so you would be used to everything here well enough. Private lessons are technically NOT legal, but everyone has them and nobody is on your case about it, not even for tax purposes. Private lessons are also very fickle here, and you can expect people to stop taking them at the drop of a hat (usually their last lesson is when you know, not any time in advance).

If you plan on doing private work, have a serious business plan. Too many fly-by-nighters here take 1500-2000 yen/hour, when it should be far higher (and used to be), plus I've seen too many not even teaching but instead just spending most of the hour doing all the talking.

Employers may tell you you can't even do private lessons, but they really can't stop you. They just don't want you poaching your current job for students or becoming part of the competition. Be discreet.

Get that first FT job, and then see whether you are even up for doing more work. Many of us are dog-tired at the end of the day. Eikaiwa work can be tiresome, and it usually finished around 9pm, so your private lesson time will suck away your morning hours or any spare time in your (non-consecutive) days off.