How to teach in Japan?

[maxiewawa]

I just came back from a trip in Southern Japan and I loved it. Can't wait to go back.

I've been teaching English in China to ﾂ渉ｬﾅ?wﾂ青ｶfor a year and a half now, so that's obviously what I hope to do in Japan. I'd also like to teach Chinese, which I speak fluently. I don't speak Japanese (yet).

I've read the article on this site about Nova, and they kinda seem like a last resort. After all, I'm not a beginner at teaching.

Has anyone come to Japan from a similar background? Any advice?

Do any schools offer short term contracts? Two/three months?

 

[senseiman]

Most schools only hire for one year contracts, unless you are already in the country and have a valid work visa.

What school you work for really depends on where you'll get hired. If you are applying from overseas you are pretty much stuck with the NOVA, AEON, GEOS big schools or possibly JET. If you have a visa and are in Japan your opportunities for short term employment expand greatly.

For more general info on teaching in Japan and jobs check:

www.eslcafe.com

www.letsjapan.org

www.gaijinpot.com

good luck

 

[Mandylion]

If you have to make a longer commitment, really think about JET. They pay better, you get more vacation, and work for much more reputable people. It takes awhile to go through the application process, but if you choices are a year or nothing, and you really want to get to Japan, think about it.

JETプログラム

 

[maxiewawa]

Thanks a million!

I'm actually hoping to just visit in the summer, which of course is quite a way off. Has anyone reading had a short trip to Japan and financed it through teaching?

Also, many ads specify 'basic' Japanese. How 'basic' are their requirements?

And, on the off chance that someone is looking for a teacher for the Summer of '06, keep me in mind!

 

[NovaTeacher]

Keep your options open.

Getting a job (with a working visa) before you arrive, seems to be the most important thing for most. Big companies can do this.
It's easier get interviews and offers from smaller schools once you're in teh country with a visa.
After you arrive you can find out for yourself whether you like your first company or not.

 

[Iron Chef]

"Has anyone reading had a short trip to Japan and financed it through teaching?"

If you're suggesting is it possible to finance a short stay in Japan for yourself while teaching temporarily... my only advice would be to seriously consider your motivations for wanting to do so. Why not just continue working at your current job to save up enough money to front the trip plus cover expenses and then go? Most schools regardless of size will not hire someone full-time for anything less than a year commitment. More and more, schools are getting wary of native-speakers looking for a quick buck who may break their contract at any minute and are only teaching to support their club/party/drinking habits but have no real desire to teach.

PT work is a different matter entirely but between what you would make doing that even in multiples, I doubt would be enough to cover your basic living expenses. Housing is not an option for part-timers so unless you have some pre-existing contacts who can hook you up or you get extremely lucky finding some accomodations at an affordable price, your options are limited. Do yourself a favor and commit to at least a year while in country if you're serious about pursuing an opportunity to teach. Your students will be better off for it as well...

 

[kimi_ni_aitakute]

student teachers in japan

im not a teacher but i want to teach english in japan. i know there r programs u can apply for in university where u go and teach english for 2 months or so. im hoping to get in next year but now im trying to look for an exchange program to go to japan the up coming summer does anyone know any such programs in canada?

 

[plastic]

If you have ANY university degree, you can get hired by the big firms quite easilly. If not, you have to try your chance at smaller schools. Good luck1

 

[Hakuen]

I just recieved a degree in teaching BEd....Secondary Education speciality. So I missed the deadline for JETT programme...not really thrilled about NOVA or AEON... humm, got to be something better than this.

 

[Ewok85]

Unless you have something else to offer really thats all your options would be