Teaching in Japan isn't practical...is it?

soopadook · 8 Oct 2013

Hello all. Sorry for my wall of text that I'm about to post, but I have a lot of questions that I've been wanting answered.
I have been planning to go to school in order to teach English in Japan. My plan was to major in East Asian Studies with an excellence in Japanese (get fluent in Japanese) and then move to Japan to teach there once I graduated. However, after months of research, I'm not so sure about this, and here's why:
1) I'm pretty sure that I want to live in Japan permanently. I don't want to major in a language and teach in its respective country for only 2 years then move back to America with a useless degree and no job (an MA in East Asian Studies being pretty useless itself). It seems that most people who teach English in Japan do it for a max of maybe 5 years, then move right back to America or go somewhere else. I heard that the only way to live in Japan permanently is to marry a citizen of Japan and get a marriage visa.
However, I do have a question about this particular type of visa: if a person has roots in Japan (i.e. a purely Japanese grandmother and ancestors), could they get a visa to live in Japan permanently and then could one marry that person and work their way towards permanent residency? The reason I ask is because my girlfriend (implying we'd still be together, hopefully) is half Japanese, with her dad's side being of pure Japanese descent.
2) It's relatively too easy to get a job as an English teacher. It seems way overdone and kind of like a joke to most people; anyone can make a last minute decision and teach in Japan for a couple years. However, I want to take teaching English seriously. I want to become fluent in Japanese and make a career out of teaching English, but I've seen from (most) other stories and accounts that teaching English is more of a job rather than a career (unless you get super lucky). There's virtually no job advancement, the pay is tiny, and you have little to no freedom to teach what you'd like. Is it possible to make a career out of these conditions? I heard that teaching at a uni has far better conditions and the pay is higher; is this true? How much harder is it to teach at a uni rather than at a public school? I also enjoy math and excel at it, so would teaching university-level calculus or physics at a university be easier?
3) The pay is tiny. I wouldn't really care about how much money I make as a teacher unless I'm dirt-poor at the end. I understand that it's enough to pay for rent and food, but as I said earlier, I'd like to live permanently in Japan and hopefully one day support a child and a wife. Would 3,000,000 en be enough to support 3 individuals, or is raising a family an unrealistic goal for a job such as teaching?
There is also the option of majoring in business; but I just simply don't want to work an upwards of 15 hrs. a day. I understand that Japan's business force has an extremely high work ethic. I'm sorry if that's poor work ethic or if that's lazy, but I just don't want to work that much, especially if I end up actually having a family. Some people are willing to sacrifice their body and seeing their family for work, but that lifestyle just isn't for me. I'd rather not major in something such as business or advertising.
I understand that these are a lot of things to take into account at an early age, just before college, but I want to plan early so that I'm not #!@$ed in the end. I know that I want to live in Japan, but I'm thinking that a major in Japanese would just put me at a skill level less than most of the Japanese (I'll be able to speak the language; that's it). Are there any other types of jobs that are in high demand that I could make a permanent living out of in Japan? As I said, I excel at math, but I don't want to burden myself with loads of work. That's not a fulfilling life to me.
Thanks guys, I appreciate your time

Glenski · 8 Oct 2013

soopadook said:
Hello all. Sorry for my wall of text that I'm about to post, but I have a lot of questions that I've been wanting answered.
I have been planning to go to school in order to teach English in Japan. My plan was to major in East Asian Studies with an excellence in Japanese (get fluent in Japanese)

I'm American and have not heard of this term "excellence in". What does it mean?

You won't need to be fluent in Japanese just to get a teaching job here, by the way.

1) I'm pretty sure that I want to live in Japan permanently.

Interesting. Why? Have you ever even visited?

I don't want to major in a language and teach in its respective country for only 2 years then move back to America with a useless degree and no job (an MA in East Asian Studies being pretty useless itself). It seems that most people who teach English in Japan do it for a max of maybe 5 years, then move right back to America or go somewhere else. I heard that the only way to live in Japan permanently is to marry a citizen of Japan and get a marriage visa.

There are plenty of foreigners in Japan who have not married a Japanese. Why do you think it's so necessary to get hitched to one?

As for degree, any one will do. But I'm confused about your desire to come here permanently and then immediately say you want a backup plan in the way of a degree that will be useful when you leave. On the fence about something?

Want a degree that's useful? Get one in education or linguistics.

However, I do have a question about this particular type of visa:

There's more than one type that permits teaching.

if a person has roots in Japan (i.e. a purely Japanese grandmother and ancestors), could they get a visa to live in Japan permanently and then could one marry that person and work their way towards permanent residency? The reason I ask is because my girlfriend (implying we'd still be together, hopefully) is half Japanese, with her dad's side being of pure Japanese descent.

Your girlfriend's situation is totally different from yours. In your case, you can stay 10 years and get PR if you are single, or you can marry a Japanese and hasten the process by 5 years.

Does your gf even have a Japanese passport? Has her family kept a family register (koseki) that allows her to maintain dual citizenship? If the answer to both of these is no, then she is just as American as you. If she has dual citizenship, she will technically have to declare Japanese citizenship in order for you to marry her and get a spousal visa, shortening the PR process as I mentioned.

2) It's relatively too easy to get a job as an English teacher. It seems way overdone and kind of like a joke to most people; anyone can make a last minute decision and teach in Japan for a couple years. However, I want to take teaching English seriously. I want to become fluent in Japanese and make a career out of teaching English, but I've seen from (most) other stories and accounts that teaching English is more of a job rather than a career (unless you get super lucky). There's virtually no job advancement, the pay is tiny, and you have little to no freedom to teach what you'd like. Is it possible to make a career out of these conditions?

Simple short answer, yes.

The long answer is complicated, and you have learned a lot already (low pay, e.g.) as the norm here. Want more pay? Get higher degrees, training, and J fluency, plus publish. That and taking on supplemental jobs or forming your own company, etc. will also get you more income. It all depends on you.

I heard that teaching at a uni has far better conditions and the pay is higher; is this true?

Generally, yes.

How much harder is it to teach at a uni rather than at a public school?

Public school jobs are limited to ALTs, not FT teachers. Big difference right there. ALTs get jobs at several schools, too. However, you are probably assuming that a uni job is FT, but the majority are PT nowadays, and with the recent change in law, contract term limits will probably be even more prevalent, so that you will have to move on to a new FT job in 3-5 years if you can even get one.

But were you talking about something else when you said "harder to teach"?

I also enjoy math and excel at it, so would teaching university-level calculus or physics at a university be easier?

Not unless you have strong Japanese ability and (probably) a related degree.

3) The pay is tiny. I wouldn't really care about how much money I make as a teacher unless I'm dirt-poor at the end. I understand that it's enough to pay for rent and food, but as I said earlier, I'd like to live permanently in Japan and hopefully one day support a child and a wife. Would 3,000,000 en be enough to support 3 individuals,

Barely, IMO. Depends on location, lifestyle, and age of the child, plus whether both parents are working.

or is raising a family an unrealistic goal for a job such as teaching?

That is just silly. Plenty of us teachers have families here.

I understand that these are a lot of things to take into account at an early age, just before college, but I want to plan early so that I'm not #!@$ed in the end. I know that I want to live in Japan,

Again, HOW do you know?

but I'm thinking that a major in Japanese would just put me at a skill level less than most of the Japanese (I'll be able to speak the language; that's it).

They also know how to READ, WRITE, and USE it in various cultural/social situations. Just speaking it won't get you very far at all.

Are there any other types of jobs that are in high demand that I could make a permanent living out of in Japan? As I said, I excel at math, but I don't want to burden myself with loads of work. That's not a fulfilling life to me.
Thanks guys, I appreciate your time

If you have high fluency in the language, any job is open to you here. It all depends on your degree, training, experience, etc. as with any other place, plus the special situation that you might find where a company might actually prefer a bilingual foreigner. Go to Daijob.com or Career Cross web site to see what is available.

soopadook · 8 Oct 2013

I'm American and have not heard of this term "excellence in". What does it mean?
You won't need to be fluent in Japanese just to get a teaching job here, by the way.

It's a UT program. They have an East Asian studies program with a broad selection of countries to study (Taiwan, Korea, Japan, etc.) and the "excellence in" part just means what language you choose to study and become fluent in. I understand that I won't need Japanese, but I WANT Japanese. I want to be fluent in it so I can find a job(s) easier and make a career out of it.

Interesting. Why? Have you ever even visited?

Yes, I have.

There are plenty of foreigners in Japan who have not married a Japanese. Why do you think it's so necessary to get hitched to one?
As for degree, any one will do. But I'm confused about your desire to come here permanently and then immediately say you want a backup plan in the way of a degree that will be useful when you leave. On the fence about something?

I understand that there are foreigners, but I'd like to stay in Japan, not just stay for a couple of years. I'm kind of confused as to how people can gain permanent residence (be there for more than 5 years without moving back to America); the reason I ask this is because many people say that the main way people get to teach English in Japan is through JET, NOVA, or a similar program, which only allows for a max of 5 years. Yes, you could get a job that hires you directly, but the research that I've done suggests that it's near impossible.
I want to go there permanently; but everything I read suggests that you can only teach there for a few years before you get 'bored' or your career doesn't advance (what I've read tells me that most English teaching jobs have more emphasis on 'job' rather than 'career').

Want a degree that's useful? Get one in education or linguistics.

Could you explain to me how these are useful? I'm not saying that they aren't useful, nor am i being sarcastic or anything; I simply don't know how they work. What about TESL?

There's more than one type that permits teaching.

What kind?

Does your gf even have a Japanese passport? Has her family kept a family register (koseki) that allows her to maintain dual citizenship? If the answer to both of these is no, then she is just as American as you. If she has dual citizenship, she will technically have to declare Japanese citizenship in order for you to marry her and get a spousal visa, shortening the PR process as I mentioned.

No idea on any of this. She will ask her dad's side soon. I was just wondering if her Japanese side of the family would give her any kind of Japanese citizenship at all - now I know.

The long answer is complicated, and you have learned a lot already (low pay, e.g.) as the norm here. Want more pay? Get higher degrees, training, and J fluency, plus publish. That and taking on supplemental jobs or forming your own company, etc. will also get you more income. It all depends on you.

Will an MA in Japanese get me better pay? Or would it be more beneficial to get an MA in, say, TESL or Linguistics? What is publish? I understand. What do you work as in Japan?

Public school jobs are limited to ALTs, not FT teachers. Big difference right there. ALTs get jobs at several schools, too. However, you are probably assuming that a uni job is FT, but the majority are PT nowadays, and with the recent change in law, contract term limits will probably be even more prevalent, so that you will have to move on to a new FT job in 3-5 years if you can even get one.

Do you mind explaining what FT and PT are?

But were you talking about something else when you said "harder to teach"?

No, I meant harder to get.

Barely, IMO. Depends on location, lifestyle, and age of the child, plus whether both parents are working.

Say I live on the outskirts of Osaka. You seem to know a lot more about Japan, so do you know what a living cost would be for a family of 3?I don't really care for going out to clubs and stuff, but I'd like to make maybe a nice, once-per-2-months trip to Tokyo or something, maybe a trip to see my family in America every couple of years. I went on a website that displayed the living cost for places like this (Cost of Living in Japan. Prices in Japan.) but it didn't seem thorough enough.

That is just silly. Plenty of us teachers have families here.

Awesome, thank you.

Again, HOW do you know?

I visited Japan and I enjoy the attitude and lifestyle that the Japanese possess. I love the culture, the food, the weather (even the 38c, humid summers), the tightness, the architecture, the humbleness, the humor, the entertainment; the atmosphere of Japan.

They also know how to READ, WRITE, and USE it in various cultural/social situations. Just speaking it won't get you very far at all.

Woops, I meant to imply all of these ^^;

If you have high fluency in the language, any job is open to you here. It all depends on your degree, training, experience, etc. as with any other place, plus the special situation that you might find where a company might actually prefer a bilingual foreigner. Go to Daijob.com or Career Cross web site to see what is available.

Alright. I was just wondering if there were any jobs that were in particularly high demand as an english-teaching job.Thank you for the resources, I'll use them.
I really appreciate your advice and time, Glenski.

Glenski · 8 Oct 2013

#1 , please explain your experience living in Japan. Your profile says you were here less than a month.

I understand that there are foreigners, but I'd like to stay in Japan, not just stay for a couple of years.

Fine. Be qualified for jobs and land them. Of course, that's the simplistic answer. Read on.

I'm kind of confused as to how people can gain permanent residence (be there for more than 5 years without moving back to America); the reason I ask this is because many people say that the main way people get to teach English in Japan is through JET, NOVA, or a similar program, which only allows for a max of 5 years. Yes, you could get a job that hires you directly, but the research that I've done suggests that it's near impossible.

The law says single people are eligible for PR after more than 10 years, and those married to Japanese are eligible in 5.
Immigration Procedures Guidebook
People have worked for places like NOVA for more than 5 years, and so do many other eikaiwa situations. JET has a cap of 5 years.
Your research seems a bit iffy. Companies like eikaiwas hire people on year to year bases. It's up to them and the teacher to decide whether to stay on. Many people stay in teaching for more than 5 years simply by moving from one eikaiwa to another.

I want to go there permanently; but everything I read suggests that you can only teach there for a few years before you get 'bored' or your career doesn't advance

Then you have not read enough. There are plenty of people who have stayed far longer.

Could you explain to me how these are useful? I'm not saying that they aren't useful, nor am i being sarcastic or anything; I simply don't know how they work. What about TESL?

Degrees like those in education or linguistics are obviously useful to anyone who wants to teach. Either will provide theoretical and practical and academic training/knowledge for the field. You should really look up what courses each degree entails.
TESL is more of a certificate than a college major.

What kind?

Visas can be found on that link above, or additional info here:
Guide to Japanese Visas ﾂ｜ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Bottom line:
The Specialist in Humanities/International Relations visa is for people who want to teach in eikaiwas.
The Instructor visa is for people who want to be ALTs and work in public schools.
The Professor visa is for people who want to work in universities.
You can also work in any of those places if you have a spousal visa (married to a Japanese), or in some situations a dependent visa (married to a foreigner with a visa).

Will an MA in Japanese get me better pay? Or would it be more beneficial to get an MA in, say, TESL or Linguistics? What is publish? I understand. What do you work as in Japan?

Usually, yes, a master's will get you more pay, simply because you can work in universities. I wouldn't expect more pay in an eikaiwa or public school just because one has a master's degree. If you get a teacher's license to go along with that degree, you are also eligible for work at an international school but will need 2-5 years of experience back home first.
Publish means you do research and write up your findings in scientific journals.
Look up the web site JRECIN to see listings of jobs and their requirements. That will show you what sort of degrees are being required. Which one you choose is often decided by your teaching interests.
I teach FT at a university. I started in eikaiwa, went to PT then FT at a private HS, then got my current job.

Do you mind explaining what FT and PT are?

I'm surprised you don't recognize Full-time and Part-time.

You:How much harder is it to teach at a uni rather than at a public school?
Me: were you talking about something else when you said "harder to teach"?
You:No, I meant harder to get.

Yes, getting a job in uni is harder than getting a job in public school.

Say I live on the outskirts of Osaka. You seem to know a lot more about Japan, so do you know what a living cost would be for a family of 3?I don't really care for going out to clubs and stuff, but I'd like to make maybe a nice, once-per-2-months trip to Tokyo or something, maybe a trip to see my family in America every couple of years.

All that is easily doable if one is moderately thrifty.

I went on a website that displayed the living cost for places like this (Cost of Living in Japan. Prices in Japan.) but it didn't seem thorough enough.

Figure roughly like this. ON AVERAGE, if you make 250,000 yen/month before deductions, a single person will use up about half of that on basic necessities. So, you would have 125,000 to play around with on ANYTHING ELSE. Factor in higher expenses to feed a family, use utilities, have a larger home, etc.

I visited Japan and I enjoy the attitude and lifestyle that the Japanese possess. I love the culture, the food, the weather (even the 38c, humid summers), the tightness, the architecture, the humbleness, the humor, the entertainment; the atmosphere of Japan.

Like I wrote above, this tells me nothing. Were you on vacation, an exchange student, what? In any case, such a short stay can't possibly give you enough experience to know you want to be here the rest of your life. Not at your age (which is...what?). You sound merely infatuated after one visit. No offense. At least you're trying to plan ahead, and that is good.

nice gaijin · 8 Oct 2013

Sorry this was mostly TL/DR and I'm not as patient as Glenski (maybe if you asked a few years ago!) but I skimmed through and it occurred to me to point out that there are MANY people who are absolutely sure they want to spend the rest of their lives in Japan. Of the few who even go to Japan, MOST of them turn out to be those people who end up leaving after 1-5 years.

I applaud you for not wanting to go through all that trouble for a (relatively) useless degree... so I wonder, why not pursue a more practical one? You know, because it's practical? If you really dig languages, Glenski's suggestions of a degree in linguistics (or phonology, perhaps) would be both practical and helpful both as a learner and teacher of language... but it kind of sounds like you're deciding to mold your education around the perception that you need to be an English teacher to make your way in Japan... And yet, you don't want to do JET because it cuts off after 5 years? Do you intend to have the same job for the rest of your life? Just how old are you?

By all means, pursue fluency in Japanese, and work towards your dreams to experience life in Japan... but maybe it's overreaching to plan the rest of your life based on the brief glimpse of Japan you've had. Why not get your degree (in something that genuinely interests you), then go get a year-long contract with JET or an Eikaiwa (it's really not that hard, I had some friends who literally fell back on Japan at the last minute because a job in Korea fell through). If you really like it enough after a year, you can re-sign or get a new job to keep yourself there, or maybe look for work in another part of the country so you can get a varied experience.

I could go on and on, but I just lost patience with myself

Petaris · 8 Oct 2013

Soopadook,

How long did you spend in Japan? And were you on vacation or an exchange student?

I have never lived in Japan, so take that into account, but I have visited quite a few times now and after a while its just another place. I may yet move to Japan with my family in the future but it won't be for the novelty as that has mostly worn off. If you talk with people like Glenski, Mike Cash, Nice Gaijin and others here that have lived in Japan for longer then the average Westerner (I'm not really sure what word to use here so I'm using this one) you will find out that its just another place to live and work.

I applaud your preparations for this future plan and I don't wish to discourage you at all. I just want to make sure that you realize the fascination and wow factor can fade pretty quickly. On top of that if you went there on Vacation that really doesn't tell you anything about what its like to live there. This applies to vacations anywhere, not just Japan.

This community will be a good resource for you if you continue down this path. Also, don't forget about the search feature on the forums, a lot of information can be found that will help you out. For example, this post of mine about the cost of living in the Kansai region (Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kyoto) in Japan. Cost of living for a family in Kansai region

Good luck!

nekojita · 8 Oct 2013

If you enjoy math, why not go into a scientific or engineering subject? Or, combine this with the earlier suggestion and go into computational linguistics.

nahadef · 8 Oct 2013

On the topic of living in Japan, I was one of those who just "decided to live in Japan," and I can't help but think that a lot of the foreboding members, like Glenski, were of that sort before they came too.

I made a very confident plan to live here five years, and now it's been ten. As fair as it is to say it's just a place to work, it is and it isn't. Daily life is normal, it's not wacky game shows and panty vending machines. But it is peaceful and slight in a way that my home, Toronto, isn't. Whenever I go back, I have culture shock at the loudness of things everywhere. From the size of the shopping carts to the size of the cars to the size of the people... To the slobby clothes which have become acceptable or the gaudy tattoos. And Canada is not as 'out there' as much of the States. Japan is so much of what people like about Western living, without the social decay of the last few decades. There are social problems in Japan, of course, but most of it is not in any way related to my life here.

The statistic that people who plan to relocate here forever go home within five years? Utter bull, pulled out of their @$$. I've only met in person one person who said such a thing, and he's still here, married, two kids, became a soulless salary-man. Few people make such a statement, and usually just on the Internet. Do you pay attention to everybody you ever encountered on an Internet forum for years after they make such a statement?

Do what you like. Nice gaijin had solid advice. You can live in Japan, and if you like it, you can stay. Visas are from one to three years. If you live here a year, you'll be able to find out about alternative employment. It's easier than some might say (if you're in the cities), but you need to be active to see those options.

Cheers!

Glenski · 9 Oct 2013

nahadef said:
On the topic of living in Japan, I was one of those who just "decided to live in Japan," and I can't help but think that a lot of the foreboding members, like Glenski, were of that sort before they came too.

Well, in my case, you'd be wrong.

You can live in Japan, and if you like it, you can stay.

Yes, as long as you maintain a visa status.

Visas are from one to three years.

Now they are 3 months to 5 years, depending on your visa.
To all foreign nationals residing in Japanﾂ Beginning on Monday, July 9, 2012,ﾂ Start of a new residency management system!

nahadef · 9 Oct 2013

Glenski said:
Well, in my case, you'd be wrong.

So you didn't decide to live in Japan without numerous trips or research. Sorry. I forget who you are.

All the same, the important point, that you can just do things in your life, remains. Many many happy people don't anally research things before making life decisions. And there's another, more important fact: regardless of how much you research you do beforehand, nothing compares with actually just doing it. And humans are allowed to make mistakes in their lives. The pious attitude you take to moving to Japan is really a turn off for so many people. Does it occur that not everyone wants to take your approach, and they can still be happy, successful people? A little research is helpful, but nothing compares to moving to Japan, and getting to know people. Nothing.

Yes, as long as you maintain a visa status.

Seriously? People need visas to live in Japan? Wow. Mind-blowing. I've been working here without a visa for 10 years! I simply never knew, and I kept telling everyone they don't need one. Thanks for letting me know.

Now they are 3 months to 5 years, depending on your visa.
To all foreign nationals residing in Japan Beginning on Monday, July 9, 2012, Start of a new residency management system!

Sorry Soopadook, 3 months to 5 years. Anyway, it's not all that hard to get visas if you have a job, or you end up getting married. If you live in a big city, it's not so hard to get a job. Getting married is up to you, but if you do get married, there's a 99% chance it'll be to a Japanese national, since they are more than 99% of the women you meet are Japanese (outside of Tokyo or Osaka, that is).

Glenski · 9 Oct 2013

nahadef said:
So you didn't decide to live in Japan without numerous trips or research. Sorry. I forget who you are.

I lived here on my first trip, when I was sent to set up a branch office in Tokyo. Five months. I wanted to stay longer, but the company needed me back in the U.S. I had no plans to live here, just see more of the country. I was working 12-14 hours a day six days a week and couldn't see much.

My second trip was a 3-week vacation. Zero plans to live or work here.

My third trip came about when my U.S. company relocated and dumped 300 of us on the streets. I lamely thought I could get a similar type of job here without much Japanese language ability, so I came to job hunt and used English teaching to support myself in the process. After 3 years, I not only grew to like the country well enough to settle down, but I married a Japanese. I still didn't have intentions of staying here, and my wife and I talked about relocating to the U.S. That never happened, though, and I've been here 15 years. Never did get that job I was originally looking for. No matter.

All the same, the important point, that you can just do things in your life, remains. Many many happy people don't anally research things before making life decisions.

Yes, but if they do, they stand a better chance of succeeding.

And there's another, more important fact: regardless of how much you research you do beforehand, nothing compares with actually just doing it. And humans are allowed to make mistakes in their lives. The pious attitude you take to moving to Japan is really a turn off for so many people.

Pious? I don't think it means what you think it does.

Seriously? People need visas to live in Japan? Wow. Mind-blowing. I've been working here without a visa for 10 years! I simply never knew, and I kept telling everyone they don't need one. Thanks for letting me know.

I really hope you were being sarcastic there.

Sorry Soopadook, 3 months to 5 years. Anyway, it's not all that hard to get visas if you have a job, or you end up getting married.

Depends on the job and the person's qualifications. Most non-teaching jobs require fairly high level of Japanese language (speaking, reading, writing). Look at Career Cross and Daijob if you disagree. Even with the right qualifications, it's not as easy as you make it out.

That's the attitude that I hate.

nice gaijin · 10 Oct 2013

nahadef said:
The statistic that people who plan to relocate here forever go home within five years? Utter bull, pulled out of their @$$. I've only met in person one person who said such a thing, and he's still here, married, two kids, became a soulless salary-man. Few people make such a statement, and usually just on the Internet. Do you pay attention to everybody you ever encountered on an Internet forum for years after they make such a statement?

Well, I have my own anecdotal evidence to the contrary, but it was still a generalization. The expats who do end up establishing themselves permanently in Japan are already a tiny minority of the number of people who come to work and live in Japan, and in my own experience, few long-term expats I know originally had the intention to set down roots when they first arrived. Furthermore, the people I've known (and many that I've encountered on this forum) who fell in love with Japan from afar and dreamed of living there forever rarely made it out there at all, even to visit, and many who did became disenchanted after the first year or two when the reality of life in Japan didn't live up to their fantasies.

nahadef · 10 Oct 2013

nice gaijin said:
Well, I have my own anecdotal evidence to the contrary, but it was still a generalization. The expats who do end up establishing themselves permanently in Japan are already a tiny minority of the number of people who come to work and live in Japan, and in my own experience, few long-term expats I know originally had the intention to set down roots when they first arrived. Furthermore, the people I've known (and many that I've encountered on this forum) who fell in love with Japan from afar and dreamed of living there forever rarely made it out there at all, even to visit, and many who did became disenchanted after the first year or two when the reality of life in Japan didn't live up to their fantasies.

Fair enough. I've read this here and elsewhere, and I find it really baffling. I've met lots of foreigners, and the only ones who sound like they're staying are the married ones, and often the wife is the deciding factor. You're right though, it is anecdotal.

Glenski · 10 Oct 2013

My experience (anecdotal and something I read from the Ministry of Justice) is very much like what nice gaijin wrote.

I don't know why you find it baffling, nahadef. Lots of people rant and rave on this and other forums about how enamored they are with Japan in one way or another, despite never paying a visit or maybe having a short experience vacationing, and they tell the forums they want to live here forever based only on that. When the pundits and veterans show them that it takes more than just desire, and that they need some solid basis (starting with a college degree, which many of the enamored don't seem to have), arguments ensue about how the enamored are bound and determined to come anyway and that nothing will stand in their way. I find it very telling that in 15 years or more on these forums, not one person has ever returned to claim such a victory.

On the other hand, I have rarely if ever met anyone on forums or face to face who had a seriously researched goal of coming here for a long-term experience. Most wanted a short-term job and left in 2-5 years. The vast majority who stayed got married here, and it was the fact that they were married and set down roots that kept them here, often against their initial wishes to return to their home countries. Many who have been here a few years as a change in career find it hard to return to their homeland, too, because of the gap in their careers that they might have originally felt they could return to.

soopadook · 10 Oct 2013

Sorry about another wall of text >.<
Also, I apologize for my late response. I've been really busy busy with school
Reply to Glenski #4

#1 , please explain your experience living in Japan. Your profile says you were here less than a month.

I participated in an exchange program for 2 weeks. I stayed with a host family in Japan. I plan to return and visit sometime soon.
I do want to re-state a previous thought I had in this thread, however. When I said that I'm "pretty sure I want to live in Japan permanently", I don't mean that that's what I think right now; I worded my thought process badly. I meant that I am pretty sure that after I have lived there a few years, I will have found out that I want to live there permanently. Of course, I suppose I'm guilty of predicting my thoughts and experiences of actually living in Japan as opposed to just visiting, but I guess we'll see how I feel. I'm sure it won't be negative. I was simply wondering if I wanted to live permanently in Japan, I could.

Immigration Procedures Guidebook

Hey, this is a great resource. Thank you so much

People have worked for places like NOVA for more than 5 years, and so do many other eikaiwa situations. JET has a cap of 5 years.

Oh, I see. So it is possible to actually stay in Japan for more than 5 or 10 years.

Many people stay in teaching for more than 5 years simply by moving from one eikaiwa to another.

Alright, I understand. Does this often involve moving to different cities?

Then you have not read enough.

That's why I'm here

Degrees like those in education or linguistics are obviously useful to anyone who wants to teach. Either will provide theoretical and practical and academic training/knowledge for the field. You should really look up what courses each degree entails.

Linguistics is a wonderful idea. I've had it suggested it to me before, but I never truly thought about the applications of majoring in Linguistics until now. Could I use Linguistics for anything other than teaching? UT Austin (which is the school I want to go to) has a thorough Linguistics program. I could try to double-major in Japanese and Linguistics.

Guide to Japanese Visas ﾂ｜ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

This is very helpful, actually. It's a more in-depth look of what I've already known about visas; I didn't know they had specific categorizations of lines of work.

or in some situations a dependent visa (married to a foreigner with a visa).

This is interesting. Is this type of visa used a lot?

Usually, yes, a master's will get you more pay, simply because you can work in universities. I wouldn't expect more pay in an eikaiwa or public school just because one has a master's degree. If you get a teacher's license to go along with that degree, you are also eligible for work at an international school but will need 2-5 years of experience back home first.

By "international school", do you mean university?

I'm surprised you don't recognize Full-time and Part-time.

I thought the abbreviations stood for something else :x

All that is easily doable if one is moderately thrifty.

Good to hear. Thanks!

Figure roughly like this. ON AVERAGE, if you make 250,000 yen/month before deductions, a single person will use up about half of that on basic necessities. So, you would have 125,000 to play around with on ANYTHING ELSE. Factor in higher expenses to feed a family, use utilities, have a larger home, etc.

Do you include savings for retirement in that equation?

Like I wrote above, this tells me nothing. Were you on vacation, an exchange student, what? In any case, such a short stay can't possibly give you enough experience to know you want to be here the rest of your life. Not at your age (which is...what?). You sound merely infatuated after one visit. No offense. At least you're trying to plan ahead, and that is good.

Look at above . And thanks for your thoughts.
Reply to nice gaijin #5

Of the few who even go to Japan, MOST of them turn out to be those people who end up leaving after 1-5 years.

This is what i've heard most.

If you really dig languages, Glenski's suggestions of a degree in linguistics (or phonology, perhaps) would be both practical and helpful both as a learner and teacher of language... but it kind of sounds like you're deciding to mold your education around the perception that you need to be an English teacher to make your way in Japan

Exactly. I've thought it through more, and it seems that molding my entire education around that is a bit silly. Linguistics is a great idea IMO

By all means, pursue fluency in Japanese, and work towards your dreams to experience life in Japan... but maybe it's overreaching to plan the rest of your life based on the brief glimpse of Japan you've had. Why not get your degree (in something that genuinely interests you), then go get a year-long contract with JET or an Eikaiwa (it's really not that hard, I had some friends who literally fell back on Japan at the last minute because a job in Korea fell through). If you really like it enough after a year, you can re-sign or get a new job to keep yourself there, or maybe look for work in another part of the country so you can get a varied experience.

As you and Glenski have said, this is a better idea than my previous thoughts of wanting to live in Japan permanently. Thanks for this to you both, I really needed that drilled in my head (I'm not being sarcastic, really, thank you haha)
Reply to Petaris #6

How long did you spend in Japan? And were you on vacation or an exchange student?

Exchange student for 2 weeks.

I have visited quite a few times now and after a while its just another place. I may yet move to Japan with my family in the future but it won't be for the novelty as that has mostly worn off. If you talk with people like Glenski, Mike Cash, Nice Gaijin and others here that have lived in Japan for longer then the average Westerner (I'm not really sure what word to use here so I'm using this one) you will find out that its just another place to live and work.

I guess this view varies from person to person. I think a large reason that Glenski and nice gaijin live there is because they'd rather live there than some other place (apologies if I'm wrong guys)

I applaud your preparations for this future plan and I don't wish to discourage you at all. I just want to make sure that you realize the fascination and wow factor can fade pretty quickly. On top of that if you went there on Vacation that really doesn't tell you anything about what its like to live there. This applies to vacations anywhere, not just Japan.

Of course man, thank you! Just because I had some really good steak doesn't necessarily mean I should devote my entire life to making and perfecting that one, awesome steak (unless it was a REALLY GOOD MOTHER#$%@IN STEAK). But I could be a chef and explore different ways to make that steak, or dive into something wildly different than the steak...who knows )

Cost of living for a family in Kansai region

Awesome forum references. I'll keep the search function in mind
Reply to nekojita #7

If you enjoy math, why not go into a scientific or engineering subject? Or, combine this with the earlier suggestion and go into computational linguistics.

This is actually a really, really good idea. I never thought about this; I'm definitely going to look into it.
Reply to nahadef #8

I made a very confident plan to live here five years, and now it's been ten. As fair as it is to say it's just a place to work, it is and it isn't. Daily life is normal, it's not wacky game shows and panty vending machines. But it is peaceful and slight in a way that my home, Toronto, isn't. Whenever I go back, I have culture shock at the loudness of things everywhere. From the size of the shopping carts to the size of the cars to the size of the people... To the slobby clothes which have become acceptable or the gaudy tattoos. And Canada is not as 'out there' as much of the States. Japan is so much of what people like about Western living, without the social decay of the last few decades. There are social problems in Japan, of course, but most of it is not in any way related to my life here.

nahadef, thank you! This is exactly what I love about Japan. From what I've seen and experienced, it's just a much closer, personal, quieter experience than most other places. Of course maybe not so quiet in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, but certainly way more close. I guess I'm not old enough or haven't stayed long enough to say, but while no culture is "better" than another, I enjoy the uniqueness of the Japanese culture (plus the language is just really fun to speak ^^).

The statistic that people who plan to relocate here forever go home within five years? Utter bull, pulled out of their @$$. I've only met in person one person who said such a thing, and he's still here, married, two kids, became a soulless salary-man. Few people make such a statement, and usually just on the Internet. Do you pay attention to everybody you ever encountered on an Internet forum for years after they make such a statement?

I suppose this varies from region to region. I only made this assumption from what I've read, but you're the one who lives there, not me ^^;

Do what you like. Nice gaijin had solid advice. You can live in Japan, and if you like it, you can stay. Visas are from one to three years. If you live here a year, you'll be able to find out about alternative employment. It's easier than some might say (if you're in the cities), but you need to be active to see those options.

Thank you so much.
Reply to nice gaijin #12

Furthermore, the people I've known (and many that I've encountered on this forum) who fell in love with Japan from afar and dreamed of living there forever rarely made it out there at all, even to visit, and many who did became disenchanted after the first year or two when the reality of life in Japan didn't live up to their fantasies.

W-wait...y-you mean..there won't be battle-mechs that I can pilot and harems of schoolgirls that'll fight over me??!?!?! YOU MEAN ANIME'S NOT REAL?!

nice gaijin · 10 Oct 2013

soopadook said:
Reply to nice gaijin #12

W-wait...y-you mean..there won't be battle-mechs that I can pilot and harems of schoolgirls that'll fight over me??!?!?! YOU MEAN ANIME'S NOT REAL?!

'fraid not, young padawan

It's good that you seem to be taking our advice to heart, it already shows that you have a lot more sense than many who have come before you with stars in their eyes. It's easy to project into the future the kind of life you want to lead, but remember that you don't live in the future (or the past), and you have to take it one step at a time. Going to live in Japan is a very attainable goal, and you don't have to shape your entire life around this decision... although some hard work and preparation do go a long way. And of course, the biggest key to finding happiness in Japan (that everyone seems to forget) is to let go of your preconceptions and expectations; it'll make the journey way more enjoyable.

And full disclosure, although I consider Japan to be my second home, I do not live there permanently. I travelled there for 2 months and then spent a year in Tokyo in college, and since graduation I've spent anywhere from 3-6 months per year here or there in Japan. I've often joked that the reason I love Japan is because I don't live there.

Glenski · 10 Oct 2013

soopadook said:
I participated in an exchange program for 2 weeks. I stayed with a host family in Japan. I plan to return and visit sometime soon.

Ok, thanks. However, despite your explanation of what you really meant, I think you are projecting too much permanence into the whole situation. You really, honestly, truly cannot state with that much certainty that you are "pretty sure" you will live here permanently after you live here a few years. Nope. Sorry. I just don't accept that kind of crystal ball theorizing with your scant experience here. Best advice I can give you is keep your eyes WIDE OPEN from today on to see what life is REALLY like for foreigners here. That means doing more than infrequently visiting this site.

I'm sure it won't be negative.

No, you are not sure. Nobody can be. Hopeful, yes, but that's about hit.

Alright, I understand. Does this often involve moving to different cities?

Often, yes. Always, no. More often than not? Depends.

Linguistics is a wonderful idea. I've had it suggested it to me before, but I never truly thought about the applications of majoring in Linguistics until now. Could I use Linguistics for anything other than teaching?

Look into it. I think the answer will mostly be no.

This is interesting. Is this type of visa [dependent] used a lot?

I'm not sure why you're asking. It's a legitimate visa, and with special permission easily gotten from immigration, a DV holder can work part-time. "A lot" doesn't enter into the equation.

By "international school", do you mean university?

NO! Learn the terminology. International school - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Do you include savings for retirement in that equation?

Half of 250,000 yen goes to basic necessities (on average). Whatever else you do with the remainder is up to you. Some employers opt to offer national health insurance here called shakai hoken, which is health coverage plus a pension (retirement) plan, and if they do that, the company pays half of the premiums. However, many/most don't do this because they don't want to pay, so they tell you that you are a FT employee and then give you 3/4 of the hours in the classroom that are needed to truly declare you as a FT worker, and that lets them off the hook for giving you shakai hoken. Legal loophole. Technically, you are supposed to have some sort of national health insurance, and there is a "citizens" type called kokumin kenko hoken, so you aren't without health coverage. Technically, you are supposed to pay into the pension plan, too, even if you don't have shakai hoken, but you would have to apply for it separately. So, whether it's factored into the equation depends on your employer's whim.

I guess this view varies from person to person. I think a large reason that Glenski and nice gaijin live there is because they'd rather live there than some other place (apologies if I'm wrong guys)

I have more than one reason for living here. I won't expand on that because we are very different people. I may be old enough to be your grandfather, too!

nahadef, thank you! This is exactly what I love about Japan. From what I've seen and experienced, it's just a much closer, personal, quieter experience than most other places.

Closer and personal? I really don't know how you came to that conclusion, and your homestay was probably a good experience, but it didn't show you what Japan can really be like. Look up honne and tatemae for starters. What did you mean by closer and personal?

zoomingjapan · 16 Oct 2013

I don't think it's easy to get a teaching job in Japan for EVERYBODY.
It was difficult for me because I'm not a native speaker of English. I had to prove that I have various qualifications. I studied to become a language teacher. However, all my English-speaking co-workers have no qualification other than being a native speaker.
Most of them don't take teaching seriously at all. Many don't even like it. They only do it because they have no other choice, but also don't care about learning Japanese.

I'm almost fluent in Japanese and I could get other jobs, but I enjoy teaching a lot and I do take it seriously. I love learning foreign languages. I can speak German, English and Japanese fluently and I also learned Latin, Spanish and French. I just love teaching, but it's not for everybody.

The pay is tiny? I don't think so. I would never ever earn so much back home in my own country - especially not after taxes. I guess it depends where you're from.

As for finding another job beyond teaching - there are jobs, but most of them require Japanese language skills.

Tamayo · 16 Oct 2013

zoomingjapan said:
I don't think it's easy to get a teaching job in Japan for EVERYBODY.

a lot of people seem to have differing opinions about the whole "going to Japan and landing an English job easily. Tell me, for a native English speaker who has general college education completed, is it easy to find an English teaching job in Japan? And by easy, I mean "basically guaranteed to find one".

English, in particular, is among my greatest strengths as a student, and the idea of double-majoring with an English degree and teaching has always been a "fallback plan", even before I gained any interest in Japan. Would you affirm that this is a good avenue for anyone who has interest in being an English teacher without needing the supposed "easy" aspect of finding a job as an English teacher in Japan?

Glenski · 17 Oct 2013

Tamayo said:
a lot of people seem to have differing opinions about the whole "going to Japan and landing an English job easily. Tell me, for a native English speaker who has general college education completed, is it easy to find an English teaching job in Japan? And by easy, I mean "basically guaranteed to find one".

IMO, no. But that's the short answer. The long answer depends on a lot of factors.

* how well you interview (this includes personality that matches what the employer wants to interact with students and the other staff, passing a grammar test, giving a demonstration lesson, your inherent risk to culture shock, etc.)

* the time of year that you apply (obviously, some times are worse than others)

* how dead set you are on a location (most ALT jobs and many eikaiwa slots don't even tell you where you are posted until a couple of weeks before you arrive, and all you can do in those cases is tell them where you PREFER to be; no guarantee you will get it)

* your nationality (some employers want only Americans or Brits or whatever)

* your gender (teaching younger kids often/usually means the employer wants a woman as a teacher)

* your background (for some courses directed at businessmen, it may be better if your degree or experience matches theirs, so that you automatically know the lingo and terminology, as well as how they can be expected to use English on the job)

English, in particular, is among my greatest strengths as a student, and the idea of double-majoring with an English degree and teaching has always been a "fallback plan", even before I gained any interest in Japan. Would you affirm that this is a good avenue for anyone who has interest in being an English teacher without needing the supposed "easy" aspect of finding a job as an English teacher in Japan?

I don't quite understand. Double majoring in what? To get your foot in the entry level door of teaching English, you need a college degree in any major to satisfy immigration's requirement to issue you a visa. What employers want can vary considerably, depending on how seriously they take their responsibility. Eikaiwas take just about anyone. ALT employers might want people with a little more training in education (JET Program and dispatch companies are sometimes on opposite side of that coin, with JET preferring more serious types, although any degree will get you in most of the time). Teaching could put you in an ALT position (public school), eikaiwa (solo teaching for conversation practice), international school (teaching license and experience back home required), business English company (industrial experience often preferred), or university/college (higher degree, usually related to English/teaching usually required).

Tamayo · 17 Oct 2013

Glenski said:
...passing a grammar test...

I'm assuming you mean in Japanese?

By the way, I do know that getting any job in Japan will be a lot more achievable if I'm fluent in Japanese and can therefore communicate with my coworkers/team members, but I have heard that you don't need to be fluent, or even all that great at Japanese. It especially seems that way given the issue of not being able to use Japanese at all in some school settings, as Zorro and Nahadef have outlined in another thread. Is that true? Not that I don't intend to reach full fluency if I'm ever to live in Japan, just curious.

Glenski said:
...your inherent risk to culture shock...

Interesting! What all does that entail, aside from having a meltdown in the middle of a lecture?

Glenski said:
...how dead set you are on a location...

Sounds fine to me! I understand that I can't possibly know at this point where, specifically, I'll want to be, but I can't imagine I'll be too grounded in any single place since Japan is, after all, a foreign country to me.

Glenski said:
...your nationality (some employers want only Americans or Brits or whatever)...

Cool. Would you happen to know how plentiful that sort of employer is? And do you know if they tend to prefer British or American?

Glenski said:
I don't quite understand. Double majoring in what?

Well, even before I decided I want to go to Japan, I wanted to double major in graphic design and English, or perhaps major in English and minor in graphic design. My main plan was to become a graphic designer, but to focus on English in schooling (I LOVE English) since employment in the GFX world is largely centered around a portfolio. Now that I've become so interested in Japan, I'd really like to keep the option of being an English teacher a readily available one since teaching English is among my most desired careers/jobs in general, especially if it's a realistic goal as a foreigner looking for work over there.

Is a specifically English major considered to be a leap in qualification for someone looking to teach English in Japan, or does it really only matter if I'm looking for a more "prestigious" job at a big college or something? By the way, I'm thinking of teaching high school or college. I'm not really leaning toward one or the other just yet.

Glenski said:
...eikaiwa (solo teaching for conversation practice)...

Honestly, that sounds like much more of a flexible, unrestrained experience than the sort of public school English education I've read about, albeit a totally different one. Would you say there's much demand for teachers in this field? I'd imagine that being a native speaker with a relevant accent is more important here, so it seems like a more likely avenue for me, depending on how many people need this sort of teaching. Is there any truth to my suspicions?

Glenski · 17 Oct 2013

Tamayo said:
I'm assuming you mean in Japanese?

No. Why would you assume that? The grammar test that some employers administer is for English speakers to verify they know enough English, so it's all in English.

By the way, I do know that getting any job in Japan will be a lot more achievable if I'm fluent in Japanese and can therefore communicate with my coworkers/team members, but I have heard that you don't need to be fluent, or even all that great at Japanese. It especially seems that way given the issue of not being able to use Japanese at all in some school settings, as Zorro and Nahadef have outlined in another thread. Is that true? Not that I don't intend to reach full fluency if I'm ever to live in Japan, just curious.

Again, employer-dependent, but on the whole and in the most general way, yes, it's true. Employers prefer, and sometimes mandate, that teachers don't use Japanese in the classroom, but from my experience, that is not always practical. This is somewhat of a debate itself among EFL teachers, but think of it like this. Japan is not a country where students are immersed in English. They will not be able to watch TV or listen to music easily like they would in US, UK, or Canada, etc. Employers think that an all-English classroom environment will suffice to expose them to plenty of English, but they are wrong. And, for the low level students (even in university where I work), there are just some situations where explaining something in Japanese is vital, if not to save time in class but to be sure students understand just what the heck you mean.

As for knowing enough Japanese outside the class, that's different. Your daily survival can be had with little to no Japanese depending on where you live (urban or rural environment), but it's much easier on you the more you know. Plus, employers who realize they don't have to babysit their employees so much will look more favorably upon them at hiring time.

Interesting! What all does that entail, aside from having a meltdown in the middle of a lecture?

Culture shock can be almost anything. Some people have gotten off the plane in Tokyo and gotten right back on because the environment is so different or frightening. Some can't take various aspects of Japanese daily life, business life, or socializing. They whine and complain and soon leave. I know a woman who ate half a quart of ice cream daily for 4 months and gained 40 pounds because she couldn't cope. Some people complain to management about the differences in business practices, failing to realize that this is not their country with its set of policies and cultural ways. Those people can be let go easily upon time for contract renewal. Many choose to live in a "gaijin bubble", with no Japanese exposure, friends, or anything. They seem to find solace in drinking with foreign friends and complaining about Japanese life. The list is endless.

Cool. Would you happen to know how plentiful that sort of employer is? And do you know if they tend to prefer British or American?

Sorry, I wouldn't know the answer to either question. Look at the ads to see. You won't find it with JET, though. They (and perhaps ALT dispatch companies) try to provide to their employers (the schools or boards of education) what the employers want, and that may mean a certain nationality (or avoiding one).

Well, even before I decided I want to go to Japan, I wanted to double major in graphic design and English, or perhaps major in English and minor in graphic design. My main plan was to become a graphic designer, but to focus on English in schooling (I LOVE English) since employment in the GFX world is largely centered around a portfolio. Now that I've become so interested in Japan, I'd really like to keep the option of being an English teacher a readily available one since teaching English is among my most desired careers/jobs in general, especially if it's a realistic goal as a foreigner looking for work over there.

If all you have is a bachelor's degree and a dream, you won't go very far as a teacher in Japan. Entry level jobs endlessly, unless you decide to start your own school, and that has enormous risks in itself.

You will need to get a higher degree, qualifications, training, contacts, whatever. The market here is flooded with teachers, and even university work is depressing (mostly part-time work, and any full-time work is usually a short contract). Graphic design may be harder to get into, but it may have more promise. Teaching has a real ceiling here, too. It may be a "realistic" opportunity for work, but it's not the most lucrative nor successful or well looked upon in some cases.

Is a specifically English major considered to be a leap in qualification for someone looking to teach English in Japan, or does it really only matter if I'm looking for a more "prestigious" job at a big college or something? By the way, I'm thinking of teaching high school or college. I'm not really leaning toward one or the other just yet.

Eikaiwas hire people with any degree. You won't go far with them even if you have a degree in English or education or linguistics. ALT jobs aren't that much different, IMO.

Want a uni job? You'll need at least a master's degree in a field related to teaching or English, plus publications, plus some language fluency. MINIMUM. Look at JRECIN web site.

Honestly, that sounds like much more of a flexible, unrestrained experience than the sort of public school English education I've read about, albeit a totally different one. Would you say there's much demand for teachers in this field?

There's a huge demand. Always has been. The problem is that eikaiwa and ALT work are different. (They are similar in ways, too, but hear me out.) Eikaiwas have a nice small-room atmosphere with 1-10 students. They are somewhat motivated more than public school students, because they are the ones paying for it. However, you teach alone (good), and often have zero training or need for qualifications. The idea is to keep customers (students) coming, so satisfy them. It's often referred to as edutainment, not education. I did it for 3.5 years. It's what you make of it. Since the government made it mandatory to teach in elementary school 5th and 6th grades recently, lots of parents are trying to get their kids into juku or eikaiwa earlier to prepare them.

I'd imagine that being a native speaker with a relevant accent is more important here, so it seems like a more likely avenue for me, depending on how many people need this sort of teaching. Is there any truth to my suspicions?

Case by case, but for the most part eikaiwas prefer people from anglophone countries, yes. Whether your own accent is too strong, I can't say. There have been complaints about people from the Deep South, for example.

Tamayo · 18 Oct 2013

Glenski said:
No. Why would you assume that? The grammar test that some employers administer is for English speakers to verify they know enough English, so it's all in English.

Ahh, I suppose that makes sense.. It could just be that I live under a giant rock, but still, I've never heard of English teachers needing to take a grammar test if they have their qualifications on the table. When I read that, I had just assumed it was to gauge how well the applicant can communicate with their Japanese peers.

Glenski said:
Employers think that an all-English classroom environment will suffice to expose them to plenty of English, but they are wrong.

That sounds horribly frustrating.

Glenski said:
I know a woman who ate half a quart of ice cream daily for 4 months and gained 40 pounds because she couldn't cope. Some people complain to management about the differences in business practices, failing to realize that this is not their country with its set of policies and cultural ways.

Good lord, that's brutal. I guess the culture shock issue didn't really occur to me because I have no intentions of teaching there the instant I arrive, unless, of course, my plans change drastically between now and my first visit. I do plan on visiting a few times before 2015, though, so I doubt I could teach, even if I wanted to.

Glenski said:
Eikaiwas have a nice small-room atmosphere with 1-10 students. They are somewhat motivated more than public school students, because they are the ones paying for it. However, you teach alone (good), and often have zero training or need for qualifications.

That sounds fantastic.

Glenski said:
Whether your own accent is too strong, I can't say. There have been complaints about people from the Deep South, for example.

I don't know too much about accents in general; My accent is basically the "standard" accent you hear most American news anchors based in California and New York speak with.

Thanks a ton for the info, by the way -- You've been an enormous help as always. Just reading through this thread alone has made me feel more motivated to look into teaching in Japan, should my situation aline with it in the future.

Glenski · 18 Oct 2013

Tamayo said:
Ahh, I suppose that makes sense.. It could just be that I live under a giant rock, but still, I've never heard of English teachers needing to take a grammar test if they have their qualifications on the table.

Eikaiwas hire people most of the time withOUT any teaching background. Welcome to Japan.

When I read that, I had just assumed it was to gauge how well the applicant can communicate with their Japanese peers.

Nope.They will filter that out of applicants as they go through the panel interview.

That sounds horribly frustrating.

Welcome to the world of EFL.

Good lord, that's brutal. I guess the culture shock issue didn't really occur to me because I have no intentions of teaching there the instant I arrive, unless, of course, my plans change drastically between now and my first visit. I do plan on visiting a few times before 2015, though, so I doubt I could teach, even if I wanted to.

What do you plan to do on these "visits"? If you want to stay longer than a tourist, you'll have to get a visa, whether for work or studying. Since you asked about teaching, I assumed that was indeed your goal.

That sounds fantastic.

What's so fantastic about untrained, uneducated foreigners trying to teach conversation language to people, especially if the students don't come every week, and almost nobody gets homework? Yeah, the small classroom size is nice, but other than that, it's edutainment. Some eikaiwas are very strict about how you are supposed to "teach", while others throw you to the wolves. Practically nobody gives a lick of training that matters, either.

Tamayo · 18 Oct 2013

Glenski said:
What do you plan to do on these "visits"? If you want to stay longer than a tourist, you'll have to get a visa, whether for work or studying.

I'd very much like to be able to visit before everything falls into place, but my current plan is to join the Air Force and be stationed in Japan, which, I suppose, could be thought of as a "cheater's way" of getting there, as it will cost me nothing for a long period of stay and all of the legal stuff will be taken care of. If I were to be stationed in any of my bases of choice (there are 2 Air Force bases in Japan that I know of), I'd live in Japan for 4 years with the benefit of choosing to live on or off-base. Getting my preferred stations is quite a bit more likely than average since I have a nice little bank of college credits stacked up and some formal training in my preferred fields of expertise.

Glenski said:
Since you asked about teaching, I assumed that was indeed your goal.

Short answer is that it's one of several goals, I just haven't decided on it yet.

I'm not very far in schooling yet, but I guess you could say that, on paper, my educational focus is on English, as I've taken a few English classes and have a straight shot at my degree if I go further. Teaching English even here in America is something I've always thought of doing. It's just that I'm not completely sure at this moment whether I want to be a teacher, a designer, or to pursue the few different fields my MOH in the Air Force will train me for in the long run. Logically, I should probably go after my specialization in the military since I'll receive all the training I'll need, but English is still a passion for me -- Since I'll have a lot more resources available to me soon enough, I may just focus on English when I return to college to get a master's degree.

Glenski said:
What's so fantastic about untrained, uneducated foreigners trying to teach conversation language to people, especially if the students don't come every week, and almost nobody gets homework?

Well, what I really meant is that it seems like a much easier avenue as a teacher since there aren't nearly as many different things constricting the instructor. Honestly, I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to teach an English class until I had a degree in English, so I don't think I'd fit that description. I'd definitely prefer to teach conversational English over what I hear is being taught in most schools, so, differences aside, it sounds awesome. I'm not looking to fill a position I'm not cut out for, if that's the concern.

Teaching in Japan isn't practical...is it?

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