Job Discussion Forums

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hello all,
I want to teach in Japan. I was wondering how much money should I bring to Japan? Does anyone have specific,detailed information on gaijin accomodations (youth hostels,guesthouses,etc.) in Osaka and Fukuoka? The cheaper the better..I know it's Japan..everything's expensive but you know what I mean.

Many thanks! ^^

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

psychedelic,

"Teach" covers a broad area. Are you considering a university position? An eikaiwa? Corporate classes? Private lessons? Kindergarten? High school?

Do you plan to come and look for work, or are you going to line up a job before you come? It makes a huge difference. Basically, plan on bringing US$4000. You never know how long it'll take for that first paycheck. Six weeks? Eight?

Your *beeped* city name was probably F u k u o k a. The auto-censor here thought it was a curse word.

For Osaka, take a look at Kansai Time Out section under classifieds.
http://www.kto.co.jp/

For F-town, the best I can do is this link. Not much on Kyushu online.
http://www.fukuoka-now.com/forums/forum.php?forum=tech

Best of luck.

Ange · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 23 Location: F U K U O K A

There are no youth hostels in F U K OKA but there is a cheap business hotel near Hakata station for only 2300 a night. I think its the cheapest place to stay. The name is Hotel New Simple.

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

In and around F U K U O K A city there are a handful of youth hostels, according to the JAPAN YOUTH HOSTELS, INC. brochure and web site.

http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/index.html

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hi Glenski,
Thank you for your 3-5 message. ** What's an eikaiwa? Yes, I'm considering private lessons and corporate classes. I'm really tired of the hogwans and academies here in Korea. I'm an experienced teacher. I haven't really thought much about teaching at a university in Japan. I'm planning to come and look for work. I'm concerned about age..I'm 43.

psychedelic

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

psychedelic,

An eikaiwa is a conversation school, sometimes called a language school.

Don't worry about being 43, as long as you show energy and enthusiasm and a decently written resume/cover letter. I'm 46.

Corporate classes are hard to find. Many companies hire out to certain agencies (sometimes eikaiwas) for this.

Private lessons won't pay your rent until you've lived in Japan for a year or more, and even then, that's pushing it. They take a long time to accrue, and most teachers start them by mining their eikaiwa classes.

What's your educational background? Universities require a minimum of a master's degree plus publications. If you're tired of hogwans, you won't want an eikaiwa, so about all you have left is the high schools, kindergartens, elementary schools, junior colleges, and universities. Yeah, that was in jest by saying "all". What are your qualifications?

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Glenski,

FYI the Kansai Time Out does not really have much in the way of accomodation listings. Last time I checked there were a few gaijin houses (foreigner hostels) in Osaka and kyoto and one in Shodoshima

A better place to look for current listings of apartments etc is Kansai Flea Market, a free magazine which comes out weekly, while KTO only comes out once a month, and is a little more high-brow than KFM, which has ONLY classifieds.

Go to http://www.kfm.to

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Glenski,
Thank you for the reply. I really appreciate all the info. on Japan that you've provided to so many people. Quite kind. I've been living in Seoul since last Spring, and am tired of the INCREDIBLY picky,ill-mannered Koreans here..employers,adults,kids etc.."bali bali (hurry hurry) syndrome." I don't know if you've taught Koreans, but some of them are the biggest complainers. There are nice,well-mannered Koreans. I have prior teaching experience in Korea and Taiwan, before coming to Seoul. The age discrimination has gotten discouraging,so I appreciate your words of encouragement. ** Are the Japanese employers and students really picky? Yes, I figured that an eikaiwa was a language school. ** I wouldn't mind teaching at a eikaiwa if I'm just teaching adults..some younger students might be okay. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. "Plan on bringing $ 4000.00." Oh my gosh. Is there a cheaper way? I've thought about lining up a job. I contacted one employer awhile ago, and didn't get invited. I've contacted some other employers, and haven't heard from them. ** Can you send me your Japan budget information?

** THE GOOD NEWS: I met a really nice Aussie here in Seoul not long ago. He was on vacation. Toby has been teaching in Japan for awhile,used to run a bar etc. He said that he's really done well financially. Basically, he's had students coming to his flat for lessons..said to me he wonders why don't more gaijins do this. To my pleasant surprise, he said that I could come to Osaka..stay at his flat for two weeks and look for a teaching gig. He speaks Japanese. This is his way of repaying the kindness that has been shown to him. I'm still amazed that the guy has offered this. I really want to teach in Fukuoka, but this might be a good first entry to working in Japan. My Japanese visa will be mine. I won't be a slave like I and others are here. He said that I should bring a million won..which is about $800.00 U.S. That's waaaay different than the 4 grand that you mentioned. ** What do you think?

Regards,
psychedelic
[email protected]
Seoul,South Korea

Felix · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 34

Ange,

I did a search for Hotel New Simple, but couldn't find it. Do you have any contact info by chance?

Ange · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 23 Location: F U K U O K A

Felix

I am not entirely sure but I have this number in my notebook without a heading and I think it is the number for them. Try 092 411 4311. They dont speak very much English. If the number's not correct let me know and I will ask at the information centre at Hakata Station this weekend.

Glenski - when I arrived in F ukuoka nobody had any information about hostels and I couldn't find anything on the net or travel books either. There is one in Daziafu and I believe that it is the only and closest one to F ukuoka city. I know nothing about gaijin accommodation here.

Ange · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 23 Location: F U K U O K A

Glenski - sorry just checked your link and you are right. I wonder if it is new... Still more expensive than New Simple though.

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

psychedelic,

To answer some of your questions...

Rob_75 · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 1

I understand that if you come to Japan without a job you should bring at least $4000 US with you. Approximately how much should I bring if I already have a job lined up? thanks

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

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan