Job Discussion Forums

[bluesman66]

Hi everyone.

I must begin by saying that having spent the last couple of months trawling this forum, I have been kind of overwhelmed by the wall of negativity which jumps out and grabs me by the throat anytime I log on here. Now...I hasten to add this is not directed at, nor is it attributable to any particular individual. It just seems that there are horror stories a-plenty, coupled with the fact that getting to teach in Japan seems to be something of a nightmare scenario shrouded in red tape and bureaucracy, and i have enough of that MOD EDIT

It's putting me off the idea a tad. Well, for Japan anyway. I'm still keen to do this, so maybe one (or more) of you guys can advise of other routes, and recount more positive avenues and/or experiences. Thanks!!!

[kenishi86]

The problem with first hand or second hand feedback on experiences in Japan is simply that more times than naught it is going to be bad feedback. Or if you look online, what you will see is usually the bad. This is because people are more likely to make a big fuss over something when it bad. They are unlikely to get on forums, make websites, etc. and tell the world how awesome of a time they had teaching in Japan with X company. There are also a lot of factors that go into whether you'll enjoy Japan too. If you have been there before you'll know what to expect and won't get broadsided by the culture plus the work aspect. Sometimes you'll find the odd blog with someone actually giving a good telling of their time teaching, but these are far and few between in what I have seen. That aside, I know how you feel and basically decided to focus on ALT over eikaiwa since the latter seems to have more bad experiences.

If you want to talk about hearing negative info though. Go over to the Teach in Korea forum. I had considered doing that for awhile but after hearing how they do English teachers there and they MOUNTAIN of horrible experiences I was reading. I decided not to bother.

[Glenski]

[M_Almeida]

[sabina]

The Japanese visa process is the easiest thing EVER. Your employer really does most of the work. If you want a nightmare & a lot of red tape try getting a teaching visa for Korea.
People rarely go out of their way to post about their positive experiences and that's why you're left with a bunch of negativity and bad vibes on message boards. You really shouldn't base a major life decision (like coming to teach in Japan) off of what you read on message boards.

[ghostrider]

Yeah. I agree with Sabina. I applied for jobs in so many cities after I graduated and I then applied at 3 big eikaiwa places and was accepted by 1 (I was a nervous, shy newbie with no teaching experience). After that, I hardly had to worry about anything and was over within 3 months.

The negativity you'll read is about the working conditions, conditions of the contract, various aspects of life while in Japan, not getting hired and getting over.

[mstoffer]

I'm having a blast teaching in Japan so far. Very happy with my decision. Even the bad times are part of the adventure.

[Mr_Monkey]

Gimme some positives?

I love living in Japan.

How's that?

[wiganer]

I'll give you some good advice OP - stick to Europe and if it all goes Pete Tong then Easyjet will fly you back to mummy for 40 quid. If what gets said on an internet forum is putting you off from going to Japan then you are not ready for anywhere in Asia yet. Come back in a few years but until then, look for a nice job in Spain.

[dmocha]

Japan was a blast!

I made a ton of money!

It took a while to make connections but once I did my network kept me in work.

My gaijin network was mostly NON-teachers. This meant I didn't have to listen to a lot of whining and whinging.
(that's a hint )

When, after nearly two decades, it started to get sour, I left. Japan didn't go sour, I did. Too long in one place...same old same old

After I got back to Canada, and only then, did I fully realize just how good Japan had been to me.

You can't step in the same river twice.

[Great Teacher Umikun]

It�s just human nature, bluesman.

Most people only feel a need to vent when things go wrong. When things go right, they become more relaxed about it and feel no need to vent, and so you�re nowhere near as likely to hear about the good times. Best to take all the negativity with a grain � no, a kilogram � of salt. ^_^

[cvmurrieta]

Some positives? The cherry blossoms in Chiyoda-ku near the Imperial Gardens were nice on Thursday. A young Japanese man was playing the koto in a park in Chiyoda-ku on Thursday. I like Tokyo's subway system. People in Tokyo seem more willing to go out of their way to help you than they do in Sendai.

[bradley]

It's easier to get a visa in Japan than Thailand.

I spent four years in Japan. There are many happy teachers there.

[cvmurrieta]

Another positive from today is that I had a tasty Ueno Burger in a restaurant in-where else?-Ueno

[Shimokitazawa]