teaching english in japan
 

anyone here had experience teaching english in japan? what qualifications did u have when you were applying? in fact, anyone teaching at japan at the moment that wouldn't mind telling me a bit about what's happening over there atm?

http://www.gaijinpot.com/

this forum would help you out a lot as it's essentially a collective forum of foreignors that (im guessing) mostly teach english or are students in an exchange program.

the majority of what ive read on that forum dictates the sacrifice a foreignor has to pay to live in japan. not only is the cost of living high, but the livability is low (given there's barely any space to do anything, anywhere) and the pay sucks. in addition, if you're a visibile minority in japan (eg, you dont look oriental) then you're going to deal with racism. but hey, dont take my word, or any of these forum members word for it. go out there and experience it!

^
I think the biggest issue which you didn't mention is: WTF are you going to do after your little fling in Japan? Your work experience most likely does not apply to anything you'll be doing to build a career.

I actually have thought of this and also in Korea or particularly in Asia countries. The problem will always lie in if they can offer you enough pay for you to live there. Of course they most likely will pay you an average amount, low housing, low food (maybe not), low airfare, but you for sure need to fork out some of your own money. Worth it for the experience, not worth it if you really depended on it.

well obviously working in japan for me won't be something that will help me build a career. Its more of me going to japan to have fun and experience the culture, taking a time off from my normal life here in canada; and working there as an english teacher will give me an excuse to do so.

Visiting japan has always been one of my biggest passions. Its one of those things that you just have to accomplish at some point in your life.

I can tell you this much. If I don't live (not visit) in japan, meaning experiencing the culture from my own lens and feeling the satisfaction in doing so at some point in my life............I will not die a happy ghost.

Go for it. Once you start working for real, you'll never be able to go unless you quit your job or get laid off. By then you'll be older and have more commitments in life so you'll be less likely to leave everything behind for a year. Money is important, but experiencing life the way you want to is so much more important.

This is exactly how I feel. If I could thank you a million times I would but unfortunatrly I cant.

my buddy did and enjoyed it...check the video out..

prepare for culture shock of being in another world,everything is different then the western world here.
Japanese people are kind and loyal depending on you are.

im very interested in going now. I did some research a while back and there are programs here that send you overseas to japan and stuff but the catch is you need a post secondary degree or cert
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Spoon: I agree with you 10000%... However, I believe we are a tad older than the OP that's why it might not make sense.

For those of you who's 22-25, recent graduate and you want to see and check out the experience, DEFINITELY go for it. It'll be a great eye opener. The money you make means NOTHING because you'll really enjoy it and you'll never look back.

Now, if you're 25, and you're a guy with a decent career oriented mindset, it'll be highly unlikely you'll go and teach english (eg/ comp sci major, doctors etc...).

Spoon is right, for a lot of guys, who are really goal oriented, will grad from UBC and SFU and then quickly get a job, work a few years, earned a great reputation and this teaching english opportunity won't be so high on your list.

I know someone who went when he's 26 + for 3 years, he came back into the work force and it's was really hard to explain to the employer on teaching english bit.

id agree with 6793026 but... given the opportunity, if you aint hurting for money, or job experience. go for it man. regardless of age

Yeah ive thought of that, which is why intend to stay there for 4 months at first, if I decide to continue ill extend that time. I also plan to go as a university co op student so in a sense, ill be less on my own

If you're going to go, got for 1 year. 4 months will be NOTHING. You barely get settled in and you can be eating all ramen every day and not even have to buy furniture. It'll be like going on a 3 day vacation, it'll be a flash of an eye.

Don't let us old hags talk you out from not going. You're young and you have TIME to invest and try things out. Definitely go for the experience. No one really told me this but not until you're 30 you will then need to get your career all figured out. When you're in your 20s, go have fun, risk and little and during your search, you'll find your career.

one other thing that is of a big concern to me right now, is that, as a CBC (chinese born canadian), shouuld I expect to be discriminated against because of my race? considering most english teachers in japan are white canadians?

I don't see how going overseas to teach English and, presumably, being thrown out of your own comfort zone can hurt your work experience/resume. Everything is a learning experience and THAT can be relevant to any path you choose in regards to a career.

yep, i definetly agree to this as well. For many jobs, they require you to have a well-rounded background, where being able to look at things from many different perspectives. Especially since Vancouver is such a multi-cultured society, we can expect to deal with alot of different types of people. Being able to go into a different culture will definetly educate us in a different perspective and be able to apply it back in vancouver.

At the same time, english however won't be related to my field of interest. This is still too early to decide in my life however, but i plan on becoming a physiotherapist, and when i graduate, attend a physio school. altho working in japan will be a form of work experience, it will not be the type that physio schools are looking for.

With japan increasing in its aging population, you would expect to find numerous of physiotherapy jobs, but it would definetly be a challenging task, as i am not fluent in japanese. Communication with the old folks would be horrendous.

Depends how long you have been in Canada I believe, I think they prefer native speaker which mean you don't necessarily need to be white as long as you have been living here, educated here throughout elementary, secondary, post secondary etc...

it actually helps your experience bit because for some graduate faculties they like such diversified experiences

the program that sends ppl to japan is called JET (that was i know from Calgary). most ppl take Japanese as a minor at the university, and after they complete their bachelors they go through an interview process to be sent to Japan.

maybe there are other programs here ...

The JET programme is the one you want to look for
it is supported by the Japanese government's education ministry.

I applied for it, but because of the sheer amount of competition I didn't get in....

Here is a website for your reference
http://www.jetprogramme.org/

This sounds very discouraging.... Is it solely due to the fact that it is run by the japanese govt that there is so much competition? I would like to think that the smaller companies would give more opportunities?

Also, what qualifications did you have at the time you applied?

At LEAST a university degree (of any kind) from a English speaking institution.
Other than that - as long as you speak english like it's your mother tongue (ie: extremely fluent), you are eligable to apply.

If you apply straight out of University, they want reference letters from university professors in addiiton to other character references.
If you are currently working, they want references from your boss and I believe some references from volunteering experience with children.

wow never knew JET expected that much from applicants. i was planning to apply around fall once i finish my bachelors but this is kind of discouraging since i barely have bothered to get reference letters from professors nor any recent volunteering experience with children. I assume if you "wow" them in the interview, you could overcome some of those things? i assume if you have TESL, your chances of getting accepted into JET is higher?

so much competition but i want to go so bad. How are we supposed to make itPosted via RS Mobile

Yes, a TESL will certainly give a boost to your application.

Before you can even get an interview, your application needs to be approved by the Japanese Consulate in Ottawa. Applications are due in December each year for the Mid February interviews. Successful candidates will be in Japan at the end of July for exactly one year.

take your time filling out the application with well thought out answers.
write your essay, get several people to read it, edit, reflect upon yourself.

if you make it to the interview stage, you will be interviewed by a japanese national who is part of the jet program, a local who has been on jet, and generally one other person related to the jet program like a cir or jet recruitment staff.

i went straight out of university but i also had many years of work experience, unrelated to teaching or esl ( i was in ubc commerce). i went there without ever having been to japan once. my bestfriend had moved there a few years back so that took my anxiety away. i would highly suggest you begin taking japanese language lessons asap. anything u learn here will woefully unprepare you for the bombardment of another language. ie. grocery store... or a bank machine... or read a menu.

Jet is looking for people
1. genuinely interested in japan
2. who are interested in more than humping girls
3. interested in if you can handle the stress of living in a place where you can't really communicate with anyone, can't read nothing, can't communicate etc etc... it can be quite a shock in some areas
4. who they think are self sufficient, responsible
5. if you will not freak out or ditch your job and fulfill your contract

if you are outgoing, positive, professional, just like any job interview, you will be do well in an interview. there are many behavioral questions to weed out the people who freak out, can't handle stressful situations, as well questions which test your workplace relationships.

jet is more than teaching english, its breaking down stereotypes, creating interest, opening the eyes of kids and locals. i was very involved in more than school, i helped out after school with the kids sports clubs, english clubs. i also participated in my town events. if you are stuck in a small town like i was, you get to know so many people as they all know you are the gaijin alt. get the most out of your time there, experience everything. make some alt friends for those days when u need to speak to someone in english, but also make the majority of your friends locals. you will have the greatest experience in these cases.

over the years jet has moved out of the cities to more rural locations, so be ready to be in a city of millions to a town of a 1000 people. it is that wide of a range of placement. if you want to be in tokyo or surrounding, or osaka and surrounding, you wil likely have to work for a non jet program like interac or gaba.

there's so much to say.. you should really attend the info sessions, the apps are due in november, i began preparing mine in june/july time frame. look up jetaabc and attend some of the get togethers and ask questions.

sorry my thoughts are all out of order as im just pulling this off the top of my head.