Teaching English in the JP

[ozkai]

Originally Posted by jron

So some questions might be..
1. Will they even accept someone my age?
2. Would there be any specialty programs such as technical English (not sure what to call it). Or even directly teaching computer classes in English...

I know teaching won't pay near what I can make doing IT work but I am kinda sick of hard IT and could use a break from it for a while.

Thanks,
john

Absolutely John!

Keep checking the job boards as what you can offer is very good in Japan.

I believe the money would be good and would only increase at your age.

[Nagoyainfo]

Just to add my 2 cents,

To find work as a teacher in Japan can be tough if you're looking to be a real teacher and can be easy if you just want to some kind of assistant or work in a conversation school/.

When I say "real teacher" I mean getting a job in JHS or High school where you take the lessons by yourself usually in Japanese. Alot goes into this type of though - curriculum designed, test writing, exam paper marking etc etc. I have firnds who have been lucky enough to get these types of jobs but they are not easy. In fact.....I think you really have to want to be a teacher to actually enjoy it as essentially, you will be in all respects a "real teacher". Benefit of this is the pay. A language school or ALT job should get you 3 million yen a year. A real teacher job will give you 5million+. If you want to know more...as I've been there myself, contact me. Or visit my webpage and contact me there.

[jron]

Originally Posted by Nagoyainfo

Just to add my 2 cents,

To find work as a teacher in Japan can be tough if you're looking to be a real teacher and can be easy if you just want to some kind of assistant or work in a conversation school/.

When I say "real teacher" I mean getting a job in JHS or High school where you take the lessons by yourself usually in Japanese. Alot goes into this type of though - curriculum designed, test writing, exam paper marking etc etc. I have firnds who have been lucky enough to get these types of jobs but they are not easy. In fact.....I think you really have to want to be a teacher to actually enjoy it as essentially, you will be in all respects a "real teacher". Benefit of this is the pay. A language school or ALT job should get you 3 million yen a year. A real teacher job will give you 5million+. If you want to know more...as I've been there myself, contact me. Or visit my webpage and contact me there.

ya, I don't think I'm going to have much choice but to take an IT job and that really limits where I can live in Japan to either Tokyo or Osaka and even Osaka is doubtful.. At least until my Japanese gets better.

How hard is it to get a part time night gig teaching English a couple of days a week? I won't care much about pay but it will be something to keep me busy a couple of nights a week and a really do LIKE teaching.

[Sangetsu]

Originally Posted by jron

This is an awesome thread. Thanks! I got much information and many useful links off of it.

So I have a question about my personal case. I live in the US now but I am thinking about a change of like. I've been studying Japanese for 2 years now and I've been thinking of living there for a couple of years. I have been looking at IT jobs but was also wondering about the possibility of some kind of teaching position.

I am 51 years old and have a BA in Computer Science and 25 years working experience in the field of Software Engineering.

So some questions might be..
1. Will they even accept someone my age?
2. Would there be any specialty programs such as technical English (not sure what to call it). Or even directly teaching computer classes in English...

I know teaching won't pay near what I can make doing IT work but I am kinda sick of hard IT and could use a break from it for a while.

Thanks,
john

Your age is kind of a sticky issue. Age discrimination is not legal in most places, but it occurs in Japan. Once people get into a company here, they tend to stick with it. Those who leave their jobs in their 40's or 50's often find it impossible to get a similar job. Most end up in the service industries. English teaching is more flexible in this regard, mainly because the demand for teachers remains pretty strong.

There are IT jobs available in Japan, but many company's IT departments now tend to hire foreign workers from dispatch-type agencies, and the techs are typically from India.

There are a couple of requirements to getting a job in Japan.

The first is a 4 years or higher degree, which you have.

The second thing is a company which is willing to hire you and sponsor you.

And that's it. The application process with a Japanese company is pretty simple. You only need a one-page resume with a photograph. Resumes without photos are not considered acceptable.

If your resume gets picked out, you'll have to attend an interview. Dress well. This is even more important in Japan than it is in other countries. Be prepared to take a test of some type to show that you are competent at whatever it is you are applying for.

If you are hired, you will be given a contract (usually for 1 year) to sign. In addition to this contract will be a visa application and sponsorship form. You will need to fill out the application, sign the form, and include a couple passport photos. You will take this paperwork and send it in a package back to your new employer. You will also send your passport and your original college degree or certified transcripts in this package.

After awhile (the time varies), your diploma and passport will be returned to you, along with a certificate of eligibility. You will take your passport and COE to the nearest Japanese embassy and fill out another form to get your work visa. Leave the form, your passport, and COE. It should only take a few days for them to process the paperwork, and affix the visa in your passport.

Keep in mind that getting a job in Japan is not as simple as flying here and handing out copies of your resume. Part time work is not really an option as you need to meet sponsorship/income requirements in order to stay. Some people do fly here, and spend a couple of months job hunting. They often find work, but it's a difficult and expensive process, and as a tourist visa is only 90 days, and the hiring/sponsoring process takes time... you get the idea.

[Sangetsu]

Originally Posted by astromagic

Hi, I happened to read all these yesterday and check out the AEON website. By the way, may I know what is there to write or include in the essay Title: Why I want to Live and Work in Japan? Looking forward to hear from u guys soon
By the way, thanks Jason for sharing all the info. It's really helpful!

If I remember right, the essay is supposed to be 750 words long. Aeon doesn't really care too much about why you want to live and work in Japan, what they do care about is your English ability. They use the essay as a way of measuring your command of English. Check, double check, and then triple check your essay. If you make more than a couple mistakes in spelling or grammar you will be disqualified from the hiring process.

[Sangetsu]

Originally Posted by Amarao

i see. well is there possibility of any other kind of job? i'm sure a computer tech type job is impossible with out a degree, but what about for small businesses etc? i am casting a wide net online but every little connection or link helps ^^;

ありがとう！

Here is a bit of information which is often glossed over. A degree is not absolutely necessary so long as you have minimum amount of relevant professional work experience. The minimum level of experience is 3 years.

In the absence of a degree, you can prove work experience by providing a contract/s from an employer which specifies you have at least 3 years of experience, or tax records showing that you worked for such an employer for at least 3 consecutive years.

Keep in mind that applicants who have degrees will likely be given preference over those who merely have work experience. In IT work you will generally have to pass a rather difficult exam in order to be considered for employment.

Note that in my first paragraph I used the term "professional". A "profession" is different from a "job" or a "trade". This exception to the degree requirement does not apply to car washers, construction workers, or dental assistants. IT work is considered a profession, as is teaching, and it is possible to get a job in Japan doing either without a degree provided you have at least 3 consecutive years of experience.

You will not be able to apply for a job in Japan from overseas without a degree. If you don't have a degree, but do have the minimum amount (or more) of work experience, you will have to travel to Japan at your own expense and hit the streets with a briefcase full of resumes and your best suit. You'd better have a good explanation when it comes time to explain to the interviewer why his company should hire you over someone else who has a college degree.

[jron]

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

Your age is kind of a sticky issue. Age discrimination is not legal in most places, but it occurs in Japan. Once people get into a company here, they tend to stick with it. Those who leave their jobs in their 40's or 50's often find it impossible to get a similar job. Most end up in the service industries. English teaching is more flexible in this regard, mainly because the demand for teachers remains pretty strong.

There are IT jobs available in Japan, but many company's IT departments now tend to hire foreign workers from dispatch-type agencies, and the techs are typically from India.

<snip>

Keep in mind that getting a job in Japan is not as simple as flying here and handing out copies of your resume. Part time work is not really an option as you need to meet sponsorship/income requirements in order to stay. Some people do fly here, and spend a couple of months job hunting. They often find work, but it's a difficult and expensive process, and as a tourist visa is only 90 days, and the hiring/sponsoring process takes time... you get the idea.

thanks, this was really great info!
I'm thinking now finding a job for myself may not be simple at all.. But oh well, gonna give it a shot and see what happens.. What do I have to loose by trying..

[Sangetsu]

Originally Posted by jron

thanks, this was really great info!
I'm thinking now finding a job for myself may not be simple at all.. But oh well, gonna give it a shot and see what happens.. What do I have to loose by trying..

You have nothing to lose, I wish you luck. I was in your shoes myself at one time. I had a good enough job in America, but I disliked it greatly. I never imagined that I would become a teacher in Japan, but here I am. I don't make as much money as I used to, but I enjoy the work, and living in a new country is almost like being born again. A new life in a new place.

[spicytuna]

Originally Posted by jron

thanks, this was really great info!
I'm thinking now finding a job for myself may not be simple at all.. But oh well, gonna give it a shot and see what happens.. What do I have to loose by trying..

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

I'm around 40 (or アラフォ as the Japanese like to say) and I'm thinking of doing the same thing as well. I've been in I/T for the last 15yrs and I need a break. Even if it means teaching English.

Thankfully, I'm eligible for the "Child of a Japanese national" visa so I won't have to worry about sponsorship. I'm thinking of spending my first year traveling the country by bicycle, climbing mountains, hiking trails, etc. Who knows? I might end up working at a mountain resort...