Job Discussion Forums

esl4everever · Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Posts: 38 Location: US

Hi Everyone -

I'm new to the ESL teaching thing...

Me:

- I just finished my CTESOL certificate.
- I have a permit for early childhood development in the state of California which includes an FBI background clearance.
- I have a BA in studio art (painting).
- I've done professional photography for 15 + years.
- Right now I do professional web design on the side.
- And I've been volunteer teaching ESL for about 6 months a couple times a week.

I would love to get a job in Japan.
In the past 6 months I've been offered an ESL job in China & Mexico.
But, none in Japan - not even an interview.
Few months ago I got turned down by the JET program which really hurts my little feelings.

Anyway - Japan!

Schools:

What schools should I be sending my resumes to regardless if they advertise for positions open or not?

I"m willing to go.
I'm willing to live in the ghetto.
I'm willing to be open with pay rates.
I'm willing to work with adults or children or both.
I'm willing to do community service many job ads talk about.
I'm willing to throw myself into it.
I"m willing to live & breathe Japan.

Second question...

recruitment agencies:

Are there any good recruitment agencies I can check into for Japan.
When I was getting my ESL certificate they kept saying there was all kinds of recruiters out there for Japan.
Now that I'm looking I can't find any.
Where are they?
I only found "teach away" and "interac".
And they take so long to get back to me it stresses me out.
Sometimes months go by and no e-mail response from them.
So I'm sending e-mails out & I don't even know if they are reading them.
Any Japan recruitment agencies that I"m missing?
I don't care where they are located at in the world if they deal with US citizens.

thank you!

Rob1209 · Joined: 15 Jan 2012 Posts: 36

Maybe you could try Peppy Kids Club http://www.ittti.com/pkc if you're happy working with kids. I'm sure they recruit in the US. They have classrooms all over Japan and hire all year round. The hours and pay are pretty favourable too for entry-level eikawa (or even ALT) work. They seem like a pretty decent company, although you'll find a few gripes on the internet amongst the generally positive feedback.
I applied to Interac and PKC in Feb 2012. In the space of 3 weeks I managed to interview, be accepted and get all the COE/paperwork sent off with PKC. The first contact I had from Interac was an e-mail 2 days ago informing me that they'll be starting telephone screening in May.
I believe AEON/Amity also hire in the US, but I know little about them. Others will be able to help you more.

Dissolution · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:40 am Post subject: Hiring

My wife's place of work is hiring, but I cannot send PMs until I have 5 posts. PM me and I'll send you a link to the job post.
-T

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

G Cthulhu · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:23 pm Post subject:

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

If you have a background in early childhood development, consider focusing your search on �international� kindergartens. Unlike kindergartens through large, recognized international schools, the students here are almost entirely Japanese. Still, class isn�t really geared towards direct language instruction. It�s more like a kindergarten classroom with a lot of ESL kids. There are a number of these private kindergartens in the Tokyo area. I got my first teaching job with one years ago. Pay is often a little better than usual because the better ones require an education/ early childhood development background. However, you�ll probably have private or small kids� conversation classes after the regular school hours. You may also spend a lot of hours developing curriculum or preparing the next lessons materials.