I have a few questions.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

Alright...Im moving to Japan soon to become an English teacher.Do i need to go to college HERE first or do I have to go THERE?I love the culture,I dont like the US very much so I want to start a new life there.What do I have to do to move and live there?I speak some Japanese,but is there anyone nice enough to tutor me?If your Japanese and you need English help,I'll help you with English if you help me with Nihongo(Japanese).My AIM name is Bikasaw if you want to tutor me or if you want me to help you with English.

Mars Man · 27 Jul 2007

Greetings and Welcome to JREF !! I have moved this thread here to better fit the topic; thanks for your understanding.

I would say that it would be much better to go to college in the US first, and at least try to get your regular bachelors before coming here if you would like to teach English.

Now, seeing your post there, though, it kind of looks as though you have already made plans to come here? Is that true? Do you happen to have had any connections here or something, or, are you simply coming here blind? If so, it can be very hard.

Back some 25 years ago or so, a native English speaker could just kind of pop up at any English School of small or medium size, and get a job is there were an opening...no big questions asked. Now, however, it is simply not that way much at all. (I'm not going to say it's impossible, no...it can happen I'm sure, but the likelihood is so much less nowadays.)

What are your immmediate plans? MM

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

Well,I obviously dont plan moving there without Japanese knowledge as I dont want the Japanese to say"Anata wa baka desu."to me.haha.But anyway,Im working on learning about your culture and language before I go off and move to Japan.My plans are to become an English teacher and just live off that I guess.

Half-n-Half · 27 Jul 2007

Bikaben said:
Alright...Im moving to Japan soon to become an English teacher.Do i need to go to college HERE first or do I have to go THERE?

How soon is "soon"? Because if you haven't graduated from college yet, you probably still have four years ahead of you. From what I've read on this forum, a bachelor's degree is almost mandatory in any field, including teaching english. I would recommend going to college in your home country first so you can get a better grasp on the language while making your plans more concrete.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

Well right now im a Senior so soon is a few months.

Half-n-Half · 27 Jul 2007

A senior in high school? If you are planning on going to college in Japan, then yes that is soon. I doubt you could go the entire four years, unless you have a very good grasp of the language. You could get a one-year overseas program and go to a Japanese college for a year. I would recommend that because it lets you experience Japan without being stuck there long-term in case you find you do not like Japan. I have no personal experience in this, though, so I would talk to professors.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

I've taken a trip to Tokyo last year and I loved it.Do I have to attend college in Japan as well if I wish to become a English teacher?Also,how do I become a permanent resident in Japan?

And no,a Senior in College.

ET_Fukuoka · 27 Jul 2007

All you need is a 4 year degree (in anything) to work in Japan. The way I did it was to get a job with one of the big Eikaiwa's (NOVA in my case). They take care of all the VISA crap and initial housing and place you close to where you want to be. Once you get in the country you will figure the rest out, but here is some advice.

*Pick a good city (I recommend Fukuoka)
*Bring as much money as possible to make things easier. ($1000-ish or more)
*Look for a job that has better hours (less) and higher or similar pay
*Find a cheaper apartment (Find some cool roommates)
*Study Japanese
*Make lots of friends
*Have fun

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

So what kind of job should I look for?And thats how I can get a permanent visa?Fukuoka is a good place to start?I was thinking Osaka.

Half-n-Half · 27 Jul 2007

As far as I know, you wouldn't have to attend a college. A degree is all you need. You can go through programs such as JET and NOVA JET vs. Private Companies (English Teaching)
to get a job teaching english in Japan.
As for becoming a permanent resident, I have read that it is a pretty difficult task, usually requiring 5-10 years of residency prior to applying.
"Permanent Residency
The main benefit of this status is not having to apply for visas every time you want to live in Japan—but keep in mind that half the ﾂ"registered foreignersﾂ" in Japan are second- or third-generation permanent residents (usually Korean or Chinese). It's not impossible to obtain eijuken (permanent residency), but it takes connections, money, a good guarantor, and up to about ten years. If you marry a Japanese person, the time can be as short as five years. I also know a number of internationals in Japan who got permanent residency after living in the country for five years—without being married to a Japanese. So, it's possible, albeit difficult, to move the process along more quickly."
That's a quote from this website: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/living/livingabroadin/living_abroad_in_japan_moving.shtml
has some useful information on visas, permanent residencies, naturalization, etc.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

I only need my High School Diploma?And they would let me settle there without a Permanent Visa?

Half-n-Half · 27 Jul 2007

A degree, not diploma. You don't need a permanent visa, but you do need a visa of some sort (most likely work visa for you). Please visit the website I linked as it explains a lot of this. Programs like NOVA and JET provide your work visa for you, like Fukuoka said.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

That's convenient.My college ends this month.Should i apply for the program NOW or then?

ashleybb · 27 Jul 2007

since you only have one month left for ur college, why not starting applying now?

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

Yeah.I might as well start applying now.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

So how much money should I bring along?How much money should I make?And where is a good place to settle?

ashleybb · 27 Jul 2007

if you company can assist you with your housing, that would be a lot easier, otherwise i would say you need around 4000$ to get started. (the security deposit for apartment in japan is sooooo expensive, in my case i paid like 2300$, which also wont be refunded to me when i move to other places.)

i am not an english teacher so i dont have much idea about how eikaiwa schools provide their teachers with housing ... but you do need to make sure with your employer with that first. i think they would help you cover some.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

Alright i'll save up $4,000.Does anyone know if the schools help with the housing?

Glenski · 27 Jul 2007

You should really read the FAQ here, especially the one I contributed to. Lots of helpful info.
Also go to www.eslcafe.com/discussion and the Japan forum, then at the top read the 4 sticky FAQs there.
Also read these: ELT Books offers English teaching books in Japan at 20% off for all Western books.
ELT Books offers English teaching books in Japan at 20% off for all Western books.
GaijinPot

You need a bachelor's degree in any subject to be eligible for a work visa, unless you can prove 3 years of FT employment experience. The degree is better in the long run, though.

You want to settle down here? Get used to it first before making such a long-range goal. Try to get on the JET programme www.jetprogramme.org for starters, simply because it pays more, provides airfare (few places do), and puts you in public schools, not conversation schools, and the hours are better. To come here fresh out of college thinking you can find a job here is one thing (you can, but it will be mindless grunt work), but to prepare yourself for the long haul is totally different. People see TEFL NOT as a long-term thing. You can't teach conversation school forever. Tenure in mainstream schools and universities are rare. Salaries are falling. Universities here are closing or merging due to the declining birthrate. The government just did a 180 on putting English in elementary schools. It's not all a bed of roses. Trust me. I've been teaching here almost 9 years, including conversation school, private lessons, private HS, and university.

Read what general education and English education are like in Japan. It's likely not what you think. I'm currently giving advice to a couple of foreign exchange students who have been here for almost a year, and they have dreams of being English teachers here, but they are totally clueless about what really happens.

Most eikaiwas provide housing of some sort (secondhand furnishings and usually no key money to be paid). Some places are ok, others are dumps. Case by case.

Good place to settle? Depends on you. Think about climate first.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

Oh so I need my bachelors degee?Alright thats fine.I was thinking Tokyo,but I heard thats the most expensive place in Japan?Should I go to Tokyo with a teaching job?

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

Also,how much Yen would i make a year?How much a month/week?Wheres a good place to start my life in Japan?

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

Also,do I need my Bachelors degree or do i just need to finish High School?

undrentide · 27 Jul 2007

Bikaben said:
Also,do I need my Bachelors degree or do i just need to finish High School?

Bikaben,

People posted to this thread are really kind and helpful.
You should read what they wrote through before asking the same question.
Glenski already answered your question.

Glenski said:
You need a bachelor's degree in any subject to be eligible for a work visa, unless you can prove 3 years of FT employment experience. The degree is better in the long run, though.

He also gave you a very good advice here;

Glenski said:
You want to settle down here? Get used to it first before making such a long-range goal. Try to get on the JET programme www.jetprogramme.org for starters, simply because it pays more, provides airfare (few places do), and puts you in public schools, not conversation schools, and the hours are better. To come here fresh out of college thinking you can find a job here is one thing (you can, but it will be mindless grunt work), but to prepare yourself for the long haul is totally different. People see TEFL NOT as a long-term thing. You can't teach conversation school forever. Tenure in mainstream schools and universities are rare. Salaries are falling. Universities here are closing or merging due to the declining birthrate. The government just did a 180 on putting English in elementary schools. It's not all a bed of roses. Trust me. I've been teaching here almost 9 years, including conversation school, private lessons, private HS, and university.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

I'm sorry.Im pretty excited and I read it too quickly.

Shinsan · 27 Jul 2007

So do I have a choice on which kind of school and which area i teach in?And what about the Salaries?Are they good enough to settle in Tokyo?If not,where is a good place to settle?

I have a few questions.

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Just me

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Japa'n vagyok

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