Job Discussion Forums

[kajigoddess]

Seriously, is it possible? I have Asperger's Syndrome, and while I'm one of the more normal people with this disability, I am concerned that it would affect my ability to teach in an place I've always wanted to go to. I'm a 24-year-old Caucasian female from the U.S. who is considering getting one of the 120-hour teaching certifications this spring or summer. What I am concerned about is if there are any intrusive or expensive medical examinations that I would have to go through before being approved for a position. I am not currently on any medications, but might be on some within a month pending the results of a certain doctor's appointment. Would being on some kind of medication affect the selection process in any way? I have also heard that there are certain negative attitudes towards people with mental health problems in Japan. Do these attitudes have a large effect on the selection process? I am in good physical shape. Is it possible to just hide the fact that I have a mental condition, or would medical records have to be requested? Any experience you may have with any psychological condition would be greatly appreciated. [/quote]

[ultraman111]

For an eikaiwa job (conversation school) it might not be a problem. However you must realise that these businesses are run to make a profit, and as such they like their gaijin teachers to be very handsome or pretty. The reality is that its a popularity contest. Its like a salesmans job where you have to win everyone over.

In the end life is short so go for it and have the time of your life.

[Glenski]

[Cool Teacher]

It is diffciult to say for two reasons:

1) I am ignorant about Aspregers so I dont know what problems you may have. I read somewhere that for most people Aspergers is no problem in most day to day life but only you can know more about it from your end.

2) I dont know what employers think about it.

I wish I could say more to help or give advice but I think many people don't know about it enough.

BTW I do teach some students with Aspergers and I think the condition is known in Japan so maybe it is a case of trying to find the people who know these things in Japan.

[timothypfox]

When I worked at a special ed high school in New York, I remember great colleagues - some of whom had disabilities themselves.

One teacher who had ADHD did a great job with the kids, and compensated by getting the kids up and moving a lot role-playing discussions and giving them a lot of energy.

Another teacher (when I visited her class) who had OCD yelled at one student for not putting books back properly in the classroom library because, "I am extremely OCD!"

But, these teachers were great because students need lots of energy and a teacher who is organized and tidy.

I am sure that whatever the nature of your disability, you may be able to turn it around and offer something very special to the kids in Japan!

For those teachers who wanted to learn more about Asperger's Syndrome, I found an interesting video of a 16 year old talking about his experience with Asperger's. Of course not all cases of Asperger's are the same, but I think this teenager gives some very important insights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbgUjmeC-4o

[Pitarou]

Last week you were geeky and socially inept. This week you have a syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is just a label, and you can choose to wear it or not as it suits you. If you intend to teach English in Japan, I advise you not to wear it.

You certainly don't need to inform the recruiter. The recruiter's job is to meet you and assess your ability to perform as an English teacher. Let him form his own professional judgment by interviewing you and observing how you work and interact. Don't confuse and frighten him with medical labels he knows nothing about.

You might be medically assessed, but the details of any discussion with your medical assessor are kept confidential. All the assessor can tell the recruiter is "Yes, she is fit to work." or "No, she isn't."

Two points to consider:

1. As you know, people with AS often become depressed when they leave their parental home for the first time. Moving to a new culture greatly increases this risk. If you haven't left home before, or if you have any issues with depression, I would advise you against coming to Japan.

2. You'll probably do much better in situations where your social role is well-defined: i.e. kids classes. Adults classes can be much harder: you are expected to somehow divine what the students desires and expectations. You are as much hostess and entertainer as you are teacher. So I recommend that you try for jobs working with kids as much as possible. ALT is probably best, because the kids have already been socialized.

[marley'sghost]

Seriously? It's possible. Why not? If you can walk, talk, act "normal" you are normal as far as any employer needs to know. Just don't let them know. It sucks, but if you tell them you have a mental disability, most any employer will write you off as a bad risk.
And given the collection of freaks, geeks and oddballs that seem to find themselves in this business, you really might not have anything to worry about.
I would not expect any intrusive or expensive medical examinations. Maybe a pre-employment drug screening. The JET program required a doctor's check-up I remember. Nothing unreasonable.
Adjusting to life in a foreign country is challenging, but then what good is life without a challenge? You'll be the best judge of whether or not you can handle it.

[Rooster_2006]

[ExpatLuke]

I'd agree the people saying that you probably don't need to disclose the information about it, unless you're specifically asked. The most common question that I've seen on job applications usually goes along the lines of "Do you have any medical conditions that could interfere with your teaching duties?" If you don't believe Asperger's would cause any problems, why say anything?

Personally, I feel someone with Asperger's might have some advantages in teaching a classroom of children. You might find you relate to them more easily.

[TokyoLiz]

What you call a disability may actually be a valuable asset in some public elementary and junior high school situations. These schools include "different" learners. You may be the only English teacher they meet who has a similar or the same psychological makeup.

My brother, a former high school special ed teacher, said the best Teaching Assistants were those who shared something in common with their charges - autistic TAs with autistic kids, for example.

As long as you know your own limits, and take care of yourself, I think you'll do fine.

[kajigoddess]

Wow, I did not expect the large response this got! I'll do my best to address certain comments and concerns here.

ultraman111: Not exactly a salesperson type, but I know I have the looks...

Glensky: I'm uncertain about my teaching skills. I have done a little one-on-one tutoring with both university students (correcting English papers, but mostly sitting there waiting for customers to come) and ESL learners at an adult school. The ESL teaching involved a lot of repetition of certain sounds and sentences, as well as attempting to get the students to make sentences that fit a certain pattern. I wasn't even sure if my students really understood me sometimes. But I was patient, and I never took my frustration out on them. Sometimes I would point to things or give examples of certain things. I hope that the situation would be easier for me in some instances in Japan, as the students would probably know more English. But I have also never worked in a classroom setting or had to write my own lesson plans (the teaching materials were given to me by the teacher, and the teacher told me to use specific parts of it). Those things are what intimidate me about teaching.

timothypfox: Enthusiasm and organization are two things that I seriously need to work on, but your words are still encouraging. Maybe once I find a job, the enthusiasm will come? I will admit that I have not watched the video yet and cannot say how this teenager is similar or dissimilar from me. :/

Pitarou: Thanks for the info on the medical assessment. I'm more concerned about the cost of the medical assessment, because I do not have much money to work with. The advice not to disclose is similar to what I have received during some job readiness classes. Okay, so I do have some type of issue with depression, but this issue stems from not having a job and feeling that I'm completely stuck in my life because I still live with my mom and I'm not out there doing something with my life. I honestly really want to leave home and become more independent-- staying here without a job seems to be making me more depressed. Of course, I don't know everything about what "independence" entails yet, but I really want to find out. No, I haven't left home yet. As for children, I honestly don't think I can handle them. I'm not sure whether they would be well-disciplined, disruptive, or just plain annoying. I have a little experience working with adults, so I thought I might be better with them or high school students. But you've made me consider the impact of cultural differences on how adults and children would react to teachers, i.e. adult learners in the U.S. might have less preconceptions than adult learners in Japan, and that children would have more respect for teachers in Japan than in the U.S. I feel that I know a sufficient amount about the Japanese language and culture that the transition might be easier. I would prefer to be in an ALT position, although I'm not sure where I would find such positions. Like I've said earlier, not sure how I can entertain, but I'm sure I'll figure out something.

ExpatLuke: I'm wondering how I would relate to them easier. Would it be just the generally inquisitive nature? I am admittedly not a fan of kids.

[Glenski]

[Pitarou]

[HLJHLJ]

[kajigoddess]