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I'm With You
Joined: 01 Sep 2011
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 Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 9:15 pm Post subject: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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I saw this a few days ago and finally got around to posting it. For anyone unsuccessful getting into the SMOE, EPIK or GEPIK programs, there's always the JET Program in Japan. I personally don't have any experiences with them but since Korea has become so saturated with EFL teachers I'm starting to wonder now if Japan has become less competitive than Korea for getting TEFL teaching jobs.
The Japanese government wants to double the number of native English speaking EFL teachers in the JET program within the next few years.
Article here:
JET Program to Double Its Ranks in Next 3 Years |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 9:28 pm Post subject: Re: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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| I'm With You wrote: |
I saw this a few days ago and finally got around to posting it. For anyone unsuccessful getting into the SMOE, EPIK or GEPIK programs, there's always the JET Program in Japan. I personally don't have any experiences with them but since Korea has become so saturated with EFL teachers I'm starting to wonder now if Japan has become less competitive than Korea for getting TEFL teaching jobs.
The Japanese government wants to double the number of native English speaking EFL teachers in the JET program within the next few years.
Article here:
JET Program to Double Its Ranks in Next 3 Years |
The problem with JET is the onerous application process (it is LONG); applications in Oct/Nov for jobs starting in August of the following year. EPIK/GEPIK applications are a breeze in comparison (90-120 days).
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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| If I remember correctly JET pays a lot more, of course Japan is more expensive to live in. Also the Japanese are more professional. I would apply to both programs and see what bites back first. Another way of putting it is don't put all your eggs into one basket. |
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mayorhaggar
Joined: 01 Jan 2013
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah I thought about it, I'd love to live in Japan, but that application progress is just so damn long. Applying EPIK was nerve-wracking enough and it "only" took a few months. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 11:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Yep, I remember applying to a recuiter speaking on the phone for 5 minutes and being in Korea 3 and a half weeks later. Only deal was my regional city offer got turned into a semi rural area a week before arrival. POE's decision, not recruiters. So, this EPIK job compared to JET was relatively easy to get, even though I had to go rural to get it. I couldn't imagine such an onerous process that inexperienced applicants have to go through now. But bad as it is, seems JET is still worse. |
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Waygeek
Joined: 27 Feb 2013
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 2:58 am Post subject: Re: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| I'm With You wrote: |
I saw this a few days ago and finally got around to posting it. For anyone unsuccessful getting into the SMOE, EPIK or GEPIK programs, there's always the JET Program in Japan. I personally don't have any experiences with them but since Korea has become so saturated with EFL teachers I'm starting to wonder now if Japan has become less competitive than Korea for getting TEFL teaching jobs.
The Japanese government wants to double the number of native English speaking EFL teachers in the JET program within the next few years.
Article here:
JET Program to Double Its Ranks in Next 3 Years |
The problem with JET is the onerous application process (it is LONG); applications in Oct/Nov for jobs starting in August of the following year. EPIK/GEPIK applications are a breeze in comparison (90-120 days).
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Plus they dump you god knows where.
| young_clinton wrote: |
| Also the Japanese are more professional. |
Care to elaborate? |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 11:59 am Post subject: Re: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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| Waygeek wrote: |
| young_clinton wrote: |
| Also the Japanese are more professional. |
Care to elaborate? |
My opinion comes specifically from the way they handled the NOVA collapse crisis back in 2007. Also when you talk with other people you get a good impression. The only complaint I hear is that even with the good pay, you have to watch your money in Japan because of the high cost. If I remember correctly though from checking out the website, the pay in the JET program is quite significant and worth thinking about in addition to having a government that responds to the problems that ESL teachers are presented with. I would actually rather throw my eggs into the Japanese basket than any Western countries basket, but Japan is competitive obviously. |
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I'm With You
Joined: 01 Sep 2011
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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| young_clinton wrote: |
| ....Japan is competitive obviously. |
Or has Korea become more competitive?
TEFL'ing in Korea is no secret these days in the western English speaking world. The word is out, and has been for the last 10 years or so, that untrained university graduates can come over and make money teaching EFL. And, until recently, they've pretty much been guaranteed a job. The Korean EFL scene has become saturated with Canadians, South Africans, Americans, British and Australians looking for English teaching jobs.
The process may be slow in Japan but, because everyone comes to Korea, maybe getting an EFL teaching position has become less competitive in Japan these days.
That Japan is an expensive place to live is a myth. |
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Guajiro
Joined: 04 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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| I'm With You wrote: |
| young_clinton wrote: |
| ....Japan is competitive obviously. |
Or has Korea become more competitive?
TEFL'ing in Korea is no secret these days in the western English speaking world. The word is out, and has been for the last 10 years or so, that untrained university graduates can come over and make money teaching EFL. And, until recently, they've pretty much been guaranteed a job. The Korean EFL scene has become saturated with Canadians, South Africans, Americans, British and Australians looking for English teaching jobs.
The process may be slow in Japan but, because everyone comes to Korea, maybe getting an EFL teaching position has become less competitive in Japan these days.
That Japan is an expensive place to live is a myth. |
Japan is an expensive place to live (according to friends who have taught there), but you also get paid more. From what I've heard those living a reasonable lifestyle can save a comparable amount of money in Japan as compared to Korea.
That said, Japan is still more competitive. From what I've been told (for the big chain schools or ALT positions anyways) teachers still have to apply about 5-6 months before they want to go (longer for JET) and give a flawless interview/demo lesson. |
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No_hite_pls
Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Location: Don't hate me because I'm right
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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| I'm With You wrote: |
| That Japan is an expensive place to live is a myth. |
Food and clothing are cheaper in Japan but transportation is not. Korea is much cheaper for subways, buses and trains. |
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rococobean
Joined: 08 May 2013
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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| No_hite_pls wrote: |
| I'm With You wrote: |
| That Japan is an expensive place to live is a myth. |
Food and clothing are cheaper in Japan but transportation is not. Korea is much cheaper for subways, buses and trains. |
Sorry nothing about JET but, clothing is cheaper in Japan? I found it quite the opposite. I'm a woman and you could buy a whole outfit at Dongdaemun in Seoul for the same price as 1 item at the Shibuya 109 building in Tokyo. |
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No_hite_pls
Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Location: Don't hate me because I'm right
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| I found some great outlet stores in Japan (not in Tokyo) selling name brands (Nike, Adidas, etc) for prices cheaper than in America. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 9:15 pm Post subject: Re: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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| I'm With You wrote: |
| young_clinton wrote: |
| ....Japan is competitive obviously. |
Or has Korea become more competitive?
TEFL'ing in Korea is no secret these days in the western English speaking world. The word is out, and has been for the last 10 years or so, that untrained university graduates can come over and make money teaching EFL. And, until recently, they've pretty much been guaranteed a job. The Korean EFL scene has become saturated with Canadians, South Africans, Americans, British and Australians looking for English teaching jobs.
The process may be slow in Japan but, because everyone comes to Korea, maybe getting an EFL teaching position has become less competitive in Japan these days.
That Japan is an expensive place to live is a myth. |
Back when Japan was the cat's meow, I suspect most of the western world didn't go there to escape because the economy was good in those days. In a booming 3 to 4% unemployment rate economy even stupid people get jobs. In a high unemployment rate economy, intelligent people often do not. As for what's coming to Korea, probably a mix of folks. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 9:18 pm Post subject: Re: SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK vs. JET |
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| rococobean wrote: |
| No_hite_pls wrote: |
| I'm With You wrote: |
| That Japan is an expensive place to live is a myth. |
Food and clothing are cheaper in Japan but transportation is not. Korea is much cheaper for subways, buses and trains. |
Sorry nothing about JET but, clothing is cheaper in Japan? I found it quite the opposite. I'm a woman and you could buy a whole outfit at Dongdaemun in Seoul for the same price as 1 item at the Shibuya 109 building in Tokyo. |
That is true. I have spoken to Japanese women walking through Myeongdong. They told me cosmetics are cheaper here than over there. (But, what do I know about that stuff not being a girlie man or anything like that? Doh!) |
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Charlie Bourque
Joined: 27 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 6:31 am Post subject: |
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| In practical terms, JET does not pay more. The average salary is 285k�, but housing is not paid for and you don't get a bonus. Minus the bonus (~150k�/mo) and the apartment (~500k� gets you a shithole), you're effectively making the same as in Korea, except you live in the middle nowhere. |
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