The reality of working in Japan?

[BobCat]

What kind of finantial situation should you be in to consider living in Japan? I know its expensive, but what kind of money are we looking at to get up and running over there?

What kind of qualifications are required for a job in english teaching? University? College? High-school?

What sort of age? Are japanese employers reluctant to hire 18 to 25 year olds?

Is it wise for a young person around 20 years old to live out there alone? Is it even possible?

 

[WHEATTHlNS]

Nothing is impossible. Is it probable, or practical to expect to get a job at 20 with (Im assuming), no college degree? I wouldnt bet on it.

Of course if you were super fluent in Japanese, or were trying to work for foreigners WORKING in Japan - that might be a way in.

 

[BobCat]

So what sort of qualifications do employers look for?

 

[Mike Cash]

You need to worry about satisfying visa requirements first.

 

[BobCat]

So much to do... so little knowledge! =/

 

[Riyko]

To teach english over in Japan I believe you need to get your TESL which correct me if i'm wrong takes 4 years to get depending on what school you go to.

 

[Mike Cash]

To teach english over in Japan I believe you need to get your TESL which correct me if i'm wrong

You are wrong.

To teach English in Japan you need a pulse and a necktie.

To get a visa to teach English in Japan, you need a bachelor's degree (in most cases).

 

[Harvey]

Basically a college degree, and a gaijin face will get you a english teaching job.

 

[Ewok85]

I think Mike covered it best....

 

[RockLee]

Yeh, go with the thing Mike said ;-)

 

[Davey]

What kind of finantial situation should you be in to consider living in Japan? I know its expensive, but what kind of money are we looking at to get up and running over there?

Average income of a teacher is around 180.000 and 250.000 yen, that is nice to come round with. Of course it depends what kind of life style you have

What kind of qualifications are required for a job in English teaching? University? College? High-school?

Some schools only ask for English native, other schools ask for a BA degree, and experience. A Dutch friend of mine got a work visa for Japan, by being sponsored by an English school in Hokkaido ... Search and you maybe you will find something.

What sort of age? Are Japanese employers reluctant to hire 18 to 25 year olds?

I don't think there really is an age of being hired, however consider that being 20 you are Kakoii for the girls, but young for their moms...

Is it wise for a young person around 20 years old to live out there alone? Is it even possible?

yes, why shouldn't be? just take care for a Job, Visa first..
btw what degrees do you have? tell us something about yourself

 

[Ewok85]

Some schools only ask for English native, other schools ask for a BA degree, and experience.

The BA is so you can get the visa, nothing else - http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/appendix1.html#41
"# The applicant must have graduated from or completed a college or acquired equivalent education, or must hold a license to teach the subject that he or she intends to teach in Japan.
# When the applicant is planning on teaching a foreign language, he or she must have acquired education in that language for at least 12 years. When the applicant is going to teach other subjects, he or she must have at least 5 years' teaching experience in that subject. "

 

[feto]

hi, i'd like to add a question related to this. i have been given an unconditional offer into a high ranking Uni in the UK but i can't go this year because i am too young (17...and you need to be 18 to enter my Uni). with this in minde i am left with over a year in my hands and i would love to spend that time in japan (i am currently learning japanese). how do i go about getting a job? what jobs are realistically available to 17 year olds (mind you, i am clever for my age). do japanese design/animation/art companies give internships/apprenticeships? could anyone help me?

 

[Mike Cash]

hi, i'd like to add a question related to this. i have been given an unconditional offer into a high ranking Uni in the UK but i can't go this year because i am too young (17...and you need to be 18 to enter my Uni). with this in minde i am left with over a year in my hands and i would love to spend that time in japan (i am currently learning japanese). how do i go about getting a job? what jobs are realistically available to 17 year olds (mind you, i am clever for my age). do japanese design/animation/art companies give internships/apprenticeships? could anyone help me?

Look into the "working holiday" program.

 

[Ewok85]

Nah, hes too young for that. If you did get it you wouldn't get much work - you are simply too young to do the standard fare (teaching english) and don't have enough Japanese to be able to do the jobs normal for the age (working in convenience stores and McDonalds etc).

Spend the year working where you are now - save some cash, get some experience.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/programme.html#2

 

[AmiraHime]

Hmm ...

So .. for a 22 year-old, without a BA,the only way to about teaching english (and possibly other languages) is to get sponsered by a school in Japan?
Am I correct?

Ah, yes: Hello! My firs post in this wonderful forum ^_^

 

[Davey]

I wonder where all the swedish people come from hahaha

 

[AmiraHime]

It's discouraging to come across a dutsch person who does not know where Sweden is on the map ;P

 

[epigene]

So .. for a 22 year-old, without a BA,the only way to about teaching english (and possibly other languages) is to get sponsered by a school in Japan?
Am I correct?
Ah, yes: Hello! My firs post in this wonderful forum ^_^

Dutch & Amirahime, you're both so cute!!

To answer your question, sponsorship from a school is needed for a language teacher to get a visa. But college degree is the requirement for both sponsorship and visa.

 

[Mike Cash]

It's discouraging to come across a dutsch person who does not know where Sweden is on the map ;P

You misunderstand. He means he doesn't know how Swedes make babies.

 

[AmiraHime]

Epigene: ... and squich goes my ambitions ^_^;;
Edit:
Mike:

 

[epigene]

Epigene: ... and squich goes my ambitions ^_^;;

Aren't there alternatives such as a "quickie" college degree?

Also, I think people should "test" living in Japan by coming on a short-term basis, making Japanese friends and making connections with potential employers. That way, opportunities "may" come up.

I don't want to drive people away from Japan. Just want people to take a more realistic approach.

 

[AmiraHime]

One should take what I say "with a pinsh of salt" as a saying goes in Sweden, not too seriously that is

I will not be driven away from japan that easely, it only means It will take more time to get there and work as a teacher/tutor.

 

[Ewok85]

So .. for a 22 year-old, without a BA,the only way to about teaching english (and possibly other languages) is to get sponsered by a school in Japan?

Sponsership makes the process go easier, but you don't have a BA so you don't meet the requirements anyway. (So thats a no).

 

[AmiraHime]

Ewok85: I understood that, from what Epigene-san said.
As my teacher in japaneese said to me today: "Amira, before you consider moving to Japan, consider it carefully; what do you really know about the country?"
First step is to gather knowledge, maybe visit the country if I am still interested, learn the language step by step and maybe ... perhaps, study in Japan as an exchange student or/and work there. Sometime in the future.
My first question was that of curiosity, I simply wanted to know if I could make a quick buck and at the same time live in Japan without a BA