English teaching jobs for Non-Native English Speakers.

Mike Cash wrote:
In the case of finding non-English-teaching work in Japan I am of the opinion it is more of a math problem: is your desire to come here greater than your reluctance to kiss enough frogs to find a prince? If you have solid journeyman skills in your craft and you are willing to put yourself through enough hassle, disappointment, and rejection to find it, I have no doubt whatsoever that somewhere in Japan is a company that would sponsor you and be glad of the chance.
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For someone with virtually no Japanese skill that he admits to, I'd say Mike's number game is far more difficult than you might imagine. Yes, there is possibly someone who might hire you for non-teaching positions, but you're going to have to show solid skills in an area that is needed and that few others have. Otherwise, a local Japanese could get the job. The very low-probability chance of success, IMO, is not something I'd count on. Not saying it's 100% impossible, but why not improve your chances first (language skills)? You're not here yet, burning money and watching your tourist visa clock tick down. Use the time wisely.
 
I don't disagree, but any non-zero probability that comes from actively looking beats the guaranteed zero that accompanies not looking. I don't use use the "frog kissing" metaphor lightly; I've done my share of frog kissing while job hunting in Japan while suffering under....let's call them "disadvantages"....and know very well how unpleasant it can be.

I heartily second the advice about serious building of Japanese language skills. In the event you find yourself having to go outside the English teaching route then Japanese skills (or the lack thereof) can sometimes make or break your chances.
 
Mike Cash said:
I heartily second the advice about serious building of Japanese language skills. In the event you find yourself having to go outside the English teaching route then Japanese skills (or the lack thereof) can sometimes make or break your chances.
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Okay, I'll work on this.

Glenski said:
but you're going to have to show solid skills in an area that is needed and that few others have. Otherwise, a local Japanese could get the job.
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Exactly. This is a problem I've faced strongly in the States as well.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm going to work on my Japanese.
 
Now that I mentioned Gaba, I was thinking, since its apparently a really crappy company and all. Hope some of you can shed some light on this. How easy is it, to change sponsors while you are in Japan? I heard of people ditching their original sponsor companies because they had problems with them and stuff. They found a job at another place, and I guess they change their visa sponsorship. But how smooth of a process is this? I mean, I aren't you breaking a contract when you do that? Doesn't that have repercussions? How about visa issues when attempting this?
 
I've read of a handful of cases over the last 15 years where people complained that their employer wouldn't help (and would sometimes hinder) a person who wanted to change visa sponsors. It was always an illegal thing and due to the bad employer. So, just relax. The actual process is very straightforward and part of immigration's work load.

Breaking contracts to leave one employer for another is something to take seriously, and I would hope that you'd have the good moral sense to stay with one before moving on. There aren't always "greener pastures" over here. If you're in a bad situation, get out, of course. If you want to leave a contract early for just a timing issue between your contract ending and the new one beginning, just do it openly and honestly and on good terms with the old employer. Most will oblige, but read up on the ESL Cafe about situations where some don't. In some cases it depends on how long you've worked for them, too,
 
Glenski, thanks for the response, that'll come in handy.

Hey guys, so as my research continues, I've come across a school named Heart English School. It seems to be one of the worst schools as far as what people are saying. Its also one of the lowest paying. But, Its the one that I have heard the most, that they do hire non native English speakers, and get you sponsored. If I worked there, my worry would be the low pay. So here is my question, is there potential to become a private English teacher on the side enough so that you are able to make a decent chunk of money to support your income in a tangible way?
 
Your main worry is far worse than the pay. Avoid Heart.

As for teaching privately, you can. Some employers try to forbid it, but what you do privately is your own business. Living in a small town might be difficult due to lack of customers as well as everyone knowing what you are doing, including your boss. Heads up.
 
You know Glenski, after reading the reviews on Heart, I really felt uneasy about it. It was just too many negatives. I'm young, and I can take a beating but, in some cases It might not be worth it. I figured, since I heard you get a lot of days off in that company I'd get a part time job to survive. Teach on the side, something.

But it was my belief that pay was gonna be the deal breaker for me. Is there worse stuff that happens at Heart? This could be my only option as far as teaching in Japan goes. Probably would hop on to another company once the year is up, or maybe even earlier if things really are as ugly as tales tell.

By the way, it says on their site that they are fine with their teacher's doing work somewhere else.
 
Glenski said:
One review.
Heart English School Reviews

Another lovely one.
Heart Corporation/Heart English School [Archive] - ITIL JET Programme / Japan Forum

Go to ESL Discussion Center and ask for more details.
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Hey thanks for the links Glenski. I had read the glassdoor ones, on the second link I found some good info, albeit outdated. There was something that ringed true to me, somebody said that if you go into Heart with managed expectations, you'd be fine.

Anyways, I decided to go for it, and sent an application 2 days ago since their website says they need ALT's now. This is the first application I've sent for these kind of jobs. How long does it usually take to hear back from ALT/Eikawa schools after you send in your application? I ask because I read that some people got an email to set up an interview a day after they sent the application. Just wondering how the time line looks like, so I know when I should stop expecting to hear from them.
 
It takes as long as it takes. Only Heart knows. My advice is that if you don't get word about an appointment to interview after 3 weeks, forget it. Keep in mind that this is December 19th, and Heart will probably be closing its doors for the holidays shortly. Giving interviews is probably not high on their list to do before January.
 
Right, all of that makes sense. I should probably focus on completing my TEFL first. Thanks for the reply.
 
Hey guys, It's been a while. Wanted to update this thread. Out of the couple dozen companies that I applied for in Japan, only GABA answered, initially. I went through the whole interview process with GABA, both Skype interviews, sadly wasn't hired. For a while I even thought of going to China to teach English to get some experience and then try again in Japan. Then decided that I was just gonna go to Japan as a Language student, and then find jobs from within the country instead of from abroad. You know, get some part time teaching gigs which are much easier to get, cause I would've been already on a valid visa, boost my resume yara yara. One day though, I get an email from Peppy Kids Club, like 3 months after I've sent my application, and they wanted to start the interview process with me. So, that's what's up, I've passed the preliminary phone interview, and moving forward with it, have a good feeling about this one.
Hopefully I can share the success story with you all in a couple weeks. Give some hope to my fellow non-natives. Fingers crossed.
 
Thanks for the update. Best of luck to you and keep us informed how things go for you.
 
You're lucky GABA didn't hire you. Peppy has a far better reputation. Good luck.
 
>>>>>>>>>>>UPDATE !!<<<<<<

OKAY! I'm here to inform you lovely people, that I got offered the Job, and I'm going to japan this summer!!!! IT'S POSSIBLE. Sorry, I am too excited to be coherent right now. ALRIGHT! Now I'm so, oh so glad, that GABA rejected me, cause now I get to work for Peppy Kids Club, the company that was at the very top, of the list of the companies I wanted to work for back when I started applying.

NOW! Helpful information= Peppy kids club, is doing something new with their recruiting. And that is skype interviews. They used to only do in person interviews, in their branch offices at selected countries. That's why they contacted me suddenly 3 months later, cause they have just started getting into this new process for them. This is great for you all that may not reside in English speaking countries. I live in the states right now, but, still applies for everyone out there I suppose.
What I did though, and I recommend anybody to do this, if you are applying for a company like Peppy Kids Club, I made a demo lesson, before my interview. I recorded a demo lesson in my living room, with my mom and brother as students. Had a 5 minute lesson teaching colors and animals, in an interactive Genki way. Which they ABSOLUTELY loved apparently.

And so here I am. Super excited, getting pumped. Gonna study Japanese like crazy from now on. Cause they probably gonna send me to the middle of nowhere haha. But that's fine, cause I DID IT !! I'M GOING! Tears were shed in the process, disappointments, and hardships too, but I did it.
Fellow non-native English speakers, see you on the other side, never give up.
 
Congratulations. I'm glad things worked out in a way you're happy with.
 
Jeso said:
cause I DID IT !! I'M GOING!
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Very happy for you. Congratulations. Great idea & initiative taking a video of your sample lesson.

Looking forward to seeing you back here when you start posting your questions about how to survive in inaka.
 
Now join the ESL Cafe web site to get more advice. Or look up ETJ groups.
 
congratulations and thank you for keeping us updated; oftentimes we never find out what happens to people, this is a very welcome exception. Keep up the energy and enthusiasm and you'll do just fine!
 
Alright! got my visa ready, leaving this week. So uhmm... anybody been to Tokushima city? :p Cause apparently that's where I'm gonna be teaching.
 

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