Job Discussion Forums

Kionon · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:04 pm Post subject: On my way back in three weeks

Already doing my homework, already applying for positions, already submitted resumes. That being said, just wanted to toss this on given the off chance someone might know of a good fit. It's happened before. I wish I could go back to my previous area, but my own previous position was filled in April. I'd like a job in Hyogo, Kyoto, or Osaka, so I could keep within distance of my frends and contacts.

Glenski knows much of this, but just to throw it out there:

MA, Government major, history minor, emphasis on Japanese Culture and Politics (degree will actually be conferred in August, but I am finished with my coursework, graduate next week).
BA, English (planned to teach in Texas, one offer at graduation for $18k a year, did not take it)
American
28
One academic journal publication so far
Specialist in Humanities visa until August of 2013
Drivers License until October of 2014
Japanese level at JLPT 3, or therabouts.
Three years experience in Japan, additional experience with high schoolers and undergraduate students in the US
Preferred level, JHS or HS, but have experience with ES

Amarok · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 10:49 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, right now it's about a month into the new school year in Japan, so I don't think you'll find a lot of positions opening up. By this point most people who are gonna ditch have ditched and all the lingering openings have been filled, so there's hardly any opportunity as far as jobs in public schools go. If you're dead set on an age range, maybe you'd be better off looking into juku positions right now?

Also, I don't mean to be rude by asking this, but why are you coming back to Japan to have an entry level job teaching English after earning a Masters in government? It seems like a waste of knowledge and money to get a Masters degree only to want to come back to Japan to have a bottom of the barrel English teaching job again. Or were you hoping to use a teaching job as a stepping stone to something else now that you have a higher degree?

Kionon · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 11:45 pm Post subject:

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

The last issue of Ohayo Sensei still has jobs available. They may not be the best choices, but there are some jobs.

I shouldn't really post this here, but I disagree with your idea Kionon that there are no jobs in America. I know this should really be posted in the NA forum - but I will put it here to get this out... If you are stuck with teaching jobs that pay as low as that offer in Texas, you need to seriously consider relocating. Alaska always needs people, and most major cities have public school teaching fellowships. Also, there are charter schools and such.

Now back to Japan... You might also check Tieonline. Some international schools are on a North American schedule and will look to hire now. It looks like you may not have teaching certification - so I would gear your search to work at private Japanese school with a strong English program. Likely in your case - Junior High. You can try directly writing to these schools for ALT or in some rare cases an actual job as an actual teacher.

Kionon · Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 12:28 am Post subject:

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

Private schools can issue you a special teaching license that will only work at their school. (you only need to get hired by a school as teacher - not ALT to qualify - no prior teaching cert required!) I believe there are certain cases where a public school can do this, but not as easily.

Tsian · Joined: 10 Jan 2012 Posts: 85

Yes, the special teacher's license is available as long as your school and BoE apply to the prefectural BoE and they approve it. It's designed to recognize important field experience in various categories, and so the requirements for having it issued may vary based on the prefecture you are in.

Also, while it is a teaching license, the duties you are able to undertake are limited somewhat.

Kionon · Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 4:55 am Post subject:

You're talking about the 臨時免許, I assume, and yes. That's usually the first step to the 教員免許 and is, I think, what Glenski had/has.

I'd like to point out that two of the big dispatch companies are already in contact with me and setting up phone interviews, so this bodes well I think... Much faster response time than when I first came to Japan, but then, when I first came, I didn't already have my documentation... We shall see.

Ideally, yeah, I'd love to teach for a private school with a 臨時免許, I was just under the impression that those positions are hard to find and are listed in strange ways. I am on a few mailing lists for private school positions, and I was even sent a position today for a position in Osaka--which required two years experience in home country, so I didn't bother applying.

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

I had (past tense) the temporary teaching license. It expired after the contract was up in 3 years and was valid for only that one school.

Heads up on teaching for any private JHS or HS. It's a HECKUVA lot of work as a full-timer! You'd better be prepared to work half your Saturdays per month, and not leave the building until 7-8pm at the earliest on Mon-Fri.

Club activities, committee meetings, meetings for each grade, all-staff meetings, department meetings (see a pattern here?), and possibly late-night dormitory duty will all suck away your valuable time to do any homework, lesson prep (with co-teachers, especially), and research.

Let's not forget school festival, koshien, and overseas study trips which decimate any motivation to study.

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

I'm curious about the subject of teaching licenses and private schools.

I now work at a private J/SHS. I'm full-time, but it's through a dispatch company. I teach alone in the classroom, aside from first-grade JH where there's a Japanese teacher in there too, mainly to help with any translations.

I am responsible for all curriculum in my classes, including creating and marking tests.

I don't have a teaching license. I haven't applied for one. If my school or company has applied on my behalf, I haven't received anything yet and I've been here a month.

Thoughts?

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

Joel,
Your employer is the dispatch agency, not the school. Seems very weird for a school to go that route, and all I can figure is that they are cheapskates. So, since you don't work FOR the school, you are probably not eligible for a teaching license like I got. I cannot say for sure. Maybe the labor standard office can explain.

I know ALTs get dispatched, but not FT solo teachers. Strange.

Kionon · Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 1:17 pm Post subject:

Cool Teacher · Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 1:20 pm Post subject:

Kionon · Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 4:10 pm Post subject:

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

I think it depends on where you work as a full-time HS or JHS teacher. If you get such a position, it may or may not be hard work.

My teaching duties are about 16 hours spread over a week with a half day Saturday. The kids are pretty busy, so I try to do the more ALT type of thing (walking around and talking to kids) during the afternoon Souji (cleaning) time. I have homeroom responsibilities 2 times a week. Also from time to time I am required to go to promotional events for prospective families. I go home at 5:30 on weekdays and 1:30 on Saturdays.