Permanent Teaching Position in Japan

[Hayate94]

It seems the best chance at a permanent teaching position is post JET or other ALT programs is to teach at an International school. I've been reading through this forum and that seems to be the general consensus. (Also on various blogs.)

I'm going to be graduating with a linguistics degree centered on TESOL in a year (certified for TESOL too) and actually want to teach for a career/living, whether I'm in the states or Japan. I'm wondering the following:

A. What would the exact requirements be? I found a few schools but it was vague and I didn't evenr eally gain much information on what the position fully even meant. (Actually the majority even seemed part-time)

B. If I should go for my Masters in Education like I originally planned, or would that not even make a difference in finding a stable job in Japan as a teacher.

C. Any advice or articles on this is appreciated.

 

[johnnyG]

An M.A. has been the new B.A. for quite a while. And a Ph.D. is the new M.A.

 

[Glenski]

A. Japan With Kids - International Schools In Japan

B. You usually need a master's degree, teaching license from your home country, PLUS 2-5 years of teaching experience there, too.

C. Go to the ESL Cafe discussion group for nothing but teachers to give you advice.

Why do you want to teach in Japan for a living? Do you even know what sort of English education we have here?

 

[Hayate94]

Ah, I did see that page. And ooh, I apologize for not noticing that.

I was thinking of attending Temple [MENTION=19057]osaka[/MENTION] or staying state-side and keeping up on my Master's Ed. If I can get into Jet that will be after I've spent a year or two paying off what little student loans I have state-side. ESL is a big job where I live due to an influx of Mexican immigrants, so I'm not -that- worried about getting experience. I shall consult the ESL cafe, however.


I'm aware. I'm a tough person though and it won't get to me- if I'm lucky enough to somehow land a position or actually get a job in that atmosphere. I'd like an opportunity to do something and quite frankly I'm interested in seeing the lands but I'm also hyper-aware that Japan isn't a magical sugar-coated sunshine Island like many of my classmates seem to think.

I'm also a tad bit afraid I'll receive racism for being Viet, I know there wouldn't be much reason for the Japanese to hate viets but I've heard they can be racist against other asians that aren't Japanese.

(Then again all my family and even my asian friends hate other asians. E.X. Chinese/Japanese, Korea/Japanese. It's actually somewhat depressing but at least we all seem to get along in the U.S. out of practicality and necessity as minorities.)

 

[Glenski]

Are you a Vietnamese-American, or a naturalized American from Vietnam? If it's the former, stop calling yourself any hyphenated names or considering yourself that way, especially when dealing with Japanese. You are American. Period. If it's the latter, you are still American, but you will simply have to explain where you were born.

As for racism against Asians, what I just suggested will take care of a lot of it. Tell people you're American. The only real Asian racism going on here is against the Chinese or Koreans (largely). As for your other friends and family and their hates, I can only guess at why. Many have feelings against whole countries or nationalities, when they really only (unknowingly) just hate their governments or a select group that wronged them. Leave those feelings behind when you come here, of course.

 

[Hayate94]

Ah, figured as much about just being 'American.' Which is fine for me, especially if it's better off that way.

And yeah, they're harboring ill feelings towards what happened with Japan in the wars. To me it's silly because that was years ago but I understand the situation. There's very bad blood between the Japan of old and now.

Either way thank you for your help. I've read a lot of your posts here and I like how level-headed and realistic. Too many people sugar-coat Japan and don't even think of think of a the issues with living there long-term. I think it's cause they all view Japan as tourists rather than people who would be living there.

 

[Glenski]

There's very bad blood between the Japan of old and now.

I'm not sure I know what you mean.

 

[Hayate94]

Oops, I meant between some of the older Japanese and Chinese.