Job Discussion Forums

[Zabac]

Hello,

I'm trying to get a head start on my Japan job search now by searching for English schools in Hokkaido, but I'm finding that they're not advertised much.

(Glenski, this is really directed at you, since I noticed that you live in Hokkaido, but I couldn't send you a PM since I haven't posted five times yet. )

My question is, does anyone know whether there just aren't any teaching jobs up there, or whether for some reason I just haven't found the ads?

Thanks very much for any help,

Elizabeth

[Glenski]

There are just as many teaching jobs in Hokkaido as elsewhere proportional to the populations. Many/Most jobs in Hokkaido don't get posted often on the usual web sites. You have to scour quite a few to pick up on these opportunities. There are no English newspapers specific to Hokkaido.

I recommend shelling out 5000 yen for a year's subscription to Ken Hartmann's Hokkaido Insider for such information. You can access all other info that site has for free, but the job postings will cost. IMO, that saves a lot of hassles of checking many sites by yourself.

You may want to check them anyway, but Ken sends updates the moment he gets the info.

Now, what kind of opportunities are you interested in and qualified for, and when are you hoping to start work?

[Zabac]

Thank you so much for the tip! I will definitely check that out.

I'm honestly not sure what I'm qualified for, because I don't have a TESL certification. What I do have is a master's degree in English and experience teaching and tutoring writing at the college level. I've worked with second language learners a little bit, but I've never done what I think would be the difficult work of teaching the language on a word level (in my head are nightmare scenarios where students ask fine semantic questions I have no good answer to).

However, that doesn't mean I'm not interested in learning how to teach it! And getting experience teaching ESL internationally is my primary motive (good career move). I'm serious about teaching, which is why it's disturbing to find out how shady a lot of these places are.

I'm visiting Japan in July/August, and I'm hoping to be able to forgo the return trip.

Thanks again for the info.

Elizabeth

[flyer]

I live and work in Hokkaido too and I agree with Glenski. But I am not sure if Hokkaido insider will help you much, as from my experience most of the work on that site is for experiencd teachers (but maybe I am wrong?)
Yes, the Hokkaido population is small and spread out, so less jobs. Should try interac

[Glenski]

[flyer]

[Zabac]

[Glenski]

[Zabac]

Glenski,

I'm not sure why, but we seem to be having some miscommunications.

When I said I taught college writing, I assumed other people would assume I meant in the US.

Also, I was a tutor, and then a professor (unless you don't count adjuncts as *real* professors?). What I mean by "adjunct professor" is someone who does the same duties as any other professor, but is employed on a temporary (term-by-term) basis by the school to teach. It's considered part time, but most adjuncts work enough in one semester to qualify, number of classes-wise, for two full-time semesters (three classes, nine to twelve credits, is considered full time).

Here are my duties: design a class, write a syllabus, write assignments, design lesson plans, grade papers and other assignments, and anything else that has to do with teaching the class. Nobody has any part of the class design or the running of it but me.

Right: I realize I'm not an idea candidate. That's why I said earlier that I'm not sure how qualified I am. With limited ESL teaching experience, the only thing I have going for me is that I have teaching experience in general.

Anyway, thanks again for the help. Sorry about the confusion if for some reason I'm not communicating very well.

Elizabeth

[Glenski]

[Zabac]

Glenski, I think I realized what part of the miscommunication was: I'm not interested in a university job in Japan - I'm just looking to get some ESL experience in whatever capacity.

Thanks again for the help. It will be tough to find a job, I'm sure, and any information is helpful.

Elizabeth

[Glenski]

No problem, Elizabeth. General TEFL job, then. What is your timeline for coming?

Sapporo is Hokkaido's biggest city of about 1.8 million people, so most of the jobs are there, but there are others scattered across the island. I can tell you to avoid CIE in Kitami like the plague, but otherwise, just look at whatever is out there. Sapporo has most of the bigger eikaiwa chains and lots of small places, but it also has its share of bankruptcies (like NCB and Trendy House).

Looking at Hokkaido jobs from afar may not be the best way to approach things. You have far more experience than most newcomers, which is good, but very few employers recruit from abroad.

[Zabac]

I arrive in Tokyo on July 20, and if I don't find a job by August 9 (my return flight), I'll have to decide whether to chance it or return to my jobs here in the US. I'm planning to take a side trip to Sapporo at some point to look for jobs up there.

Thanks so much for the info on CIE etc.

I have an interview with the James English School coming up, and if that works out I'll have a job before I leave (they only hire out of the country). Someone else advised me to apply to Interac also.

Thanks!

[Glenski]

That's not really a lot of time (July 20 - Aug 9, less than 3 weeks) to cover both Tokyo and Sapporo. Hardly enough time for Tokyo alone, IMO!

I expect you will scour the ads online and contact potential employers before you land, to inform them when you will be here so that they will feel more inclined to schedule an interview. Otherwise, you may waste time on the ground here. Look at it from their standpoint.

[flyer]

Yes, I would second that. Not enough time