Job Discussion Forums

badgerwizard · Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 1

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are both keen on teaching English in Japan but would ideally like to be placed together. I am aware of a few programmes which offer such an opportunity but I wondered if there is anyone here who has gone through a similar scenario?

If you have any advice or websites / programmes I could have a look at, I would be very grateful indeed.

Thanks!

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

Just apply to all the same companies, find one that you both get accepted to and mention to them that you'd work for them if they placed you together...

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

This gets asked a lot. Have you done a search here?

Be careful how you word things when you talk about yourselves. I see the word "couple", and I think of a married couple. You are not, and that may make a difference to some employers, too.

A few places I have known that cater to couples (no promises about the quality of the employer):
MIL
ECC
Fifth Wings
Peppy Kids Club
Unitas Language Academy

I wouldn't look for just one employer to hire the two of you. Many will balk at that because of certain risks. Go on vacation, and they have to find someone to fill slots for two, not one, for example. Have a bad relationship at home, and you might bring it to work, for another. Just try to find work in the same city.

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

benshi · Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 48

Getting hired as a couple can be tricky. From the employer's perspective, there are positives and negatives, but often the downside outweighs the upside. On the plus side, couples in general tend to be more stable and less likely to get themselves in trouble, either with their students or the Authorities. On the downside, they often want to work in the same location; have the same hours or days off, take vacation days together, etc., which causes scheduling hassles for the company. Plus, if one of them gets upset and decides to leave, they both do. Then there's the issue of what happens when they decide to break up mid-contract, and refuse to work in the same location, or require separate housing.(Here married couples are vastly preferable to unmarried couples.) And, the company has to have 2 positions opening up simultaneously, which is not always the case.

I speak from experience, having hired and worked with both married and unmarried couples over the years.

Best of luck!