How should I move to Japan?

[Glenski]

I'm not experienced enough yet for staying in Japan for a long amount of time.

I don't understand this. What does a student exchange program have to do with being "experienced"?

Yeah, I understand. I apologize for making that comment, but I do understand what you mean. Nonetheless you shouldn't scold people for that; as I said, if they don't have enough motive, they'll find out themselves that they won't get where theyre going.

Here's where you still don't see my altruistic point. I came to Japan when the Internet barely had any help to provide for job seekers. I spent 6 months collecting information and haunting forums which were in their infancy. From all that I had enough to make a stab at what sort of things to expect before I applied for a job. (I'd been in Tokyo for 5 months previously setting up a branch office for the company in the U.S. where I worked, but the jobs I was applying for were totally different, so I felt I needed foundation info.

Result?
I got a rent-free, airfare-paid job with lots of flexibility, quite a better deal than most others in eikaiwa.

Since then, I have been on a few discussion forums for teachers & wannabes where I provided tons of information to ease people into the job market as a teacher. My main point is to provide info that disproves a lot of the misinformation out there, and to give people a better chance of success. "Finding out for themselves" is not a philosophy I adhere to.

Just so you know, I've been at this since you were 1-2 years old.

 

[soopadook]

I don't understand this. What does a student exchange program have to do with being "experienced"?



Here's where you still don't see my altruistic point. I came to Japan when the Internet barely had any help to provide for job seekers. I spent 6 months collecting information and haunting forums which were in their infancy. From all that I had enough to make a stab at what sort of things to expect before I applied for a job. (I'd been in Tokyo for 5 months previously setting up a branch office for the company in the U.S. where I worked, but the jobs I was applying for were totally different, so I felt I needed foundation info.

Result?
I got a rent-free, airfare-paid job with lots of flexibility, quite a better deal than most others in eikaiwa.

Since then, I have been on a few discussion forums for teachers & wannabes where I provided tons of information to ease people into the job market as a teacher. My main point is to provide info that disproves a lot of the misinformation out there, and to give people a better chance of success. "Finding out for themselves" is not a philosophy I adhere to.

Just so you know, I've been at this since you were 1-2 years old.

Ahh, I see. I'm sorry if I came across as rude as well, I just felt kind of threatened is all.

So, say I would like to be an English teacher in Japan; what do I need to do? Right now, I am submitting applications to colleges as early as possible. If my hard work ends up paying off, I'll get accepted into UT and major in Asian studies with a specialization in Japanese (I'm gonna aim for an M.A.). Then, I plan to get a work visa and start out in Japan as an English teacher, hopefully at a high school. I understand that teachers don't make that much money at all, with a general starting salary of around 3,000,000 円, but if the pay turns out not to be all that bad or I'm okay with the money I make, I guess I'll keep going at it.

Since you're so altruistic (I know that sounds sarcastic but I'm really being sincere), what do you think of my plan? Is it something that is done thousands of times and mostly failed, or is it a well-thought, reasonable approach to becoming an English teacher? Is there any advice that you might have on how to get involved with becoming a teacher, what connections to make, what kind of schools to teach at, etc.?

P.S. I apologize for the late reply, I thought I didn't have any responses but I didn't see page 2 (๑￣(ｴ)￣๑)

 

[Glenski]

Becoming an English teacher is easy in Japan. Any bachelor's degree will satisfy the immigration requirements for a work visa. If you want to be a SERIOUS one, you should obviously study the proper courses, such as linguistics and TEFL/TESL.

Then, I plan to get a work visa and start out in Japan as an English teacher, hopefully at a high school.

You don't get a work visa first. You get hired first, and if they sponsor work visas (many don't), you apply together to get one. HS jobs are usually ALT work, so you're looking at some ALT agency (not good reputations) or the JET program (3-5 years max). Realize that the A in ALT means you are an assistant to a Japanese, not a solo teacher. You can't be in public schools.

what do you think of my plan? Is it something that is done thousands of times and mostly failed, or is it a well-thought, reasonable approach to becoming an English teacher?

The MA you describe will not get you a university job teaching, and it will still be only good enough for entry level teaching jobs elsewhere. It certainly won't prepare you for teaching because it doesn't provide the right coursework, nor any practicum.

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