Job Discussion Forums

classically_casual · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Japan

Hi!

Some advice please.

I am 28 and thinking about working for an international school in Japan. I am currently living in Japan and married to a Japanese. My experience is as follows:

- 3 years JET (High School ALT)
- 1 year teaching kids at a juku in Japan
- a B.A in History from Canada
- M.Ed in TESL from Canada
- Japanese Level 2 JLPT

I do not have a B.Ed. Does anyone without a B.Ed land a position??

Thank you! Any advice would be helpful. I am also interested in working for a university but trying to weigh my options.

MrCAPiTUL · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 232 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

Generally speaking, if you want to teach at an international school then you must be a certified teacher in your home country or the schools curriculum country.

classically_casual · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Japan

Yeah, I figured as much. Thank you for the quick reply. I guess it's just the universities for me then. I'm not sure what else I can do....Don't get me wrong, I would love a uni position. Unfortunately, tenure seems to be hard to get based on what I have read in other posts.

Perhaps, I could work as an international student coordinator at a university? Also, I would like to get into translation/interpretation once my Japanese is good enough.

Anyone have an idea on what my job options are in Japan beyond teaching as an instructor at a Uni?

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

International schools (the real ones, not just the ones that have those words in their name) also usually want 2 years of work experience.

Look them up and see if any strike your fancy, or if any seem to disregard the experience requirement.
http://www.tokyowithkids.com/fyi/international_schools.html

Do you have any publications? Universities usually want 3-5 before they will hire, even for PT work these days. Competition is very stiff, with 20-100 people applying for practically every job.

Unis also prefer more than JET experience, so yours is fairly marginal for most unis. Your JLPT and spouse visa will be pluses, though.

When do you want to start work?

classically_casual · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Japan

Thanks for the info!

Yes, I am aware of the fact that publications are needed even for instructor positions and that competition is fierce. That is why I am looking at other options. I have no publications as of yet. I am looking to start about a year from now. I have found international school faculty members with only M.Ed's, but it is rare. The vibe I am getting is that despite having an M.Ed and good Japanese, finding a good job in this country is a big challenge. I guess I should start working on those publications.