Hi Chisa:

I can't really answer that now as it's been close to five years now since I resided for a total of six years.

In my time, it was very simple and I was amazed after applying for my first job, being successful in landing a full time English teaching position at 285,000 YEN a month.

The scariest part was, I had no idea how to teach!

My first class on the first day was eight kids!

they were swinging on the light fittings, climbing all over me, pulling the hairs out my home, hitting my private part, sticking pencils up my backside, it was literally out of control!

I soon leanrt the words in favour of the mother's when they came to pick their kids up.

Of course, I soon found out that I was not unique as far as English teachers in Japan went, and also found out that other's could handle it, or fail and ultimately leave Japan.

My wife was Japanese, I was on a very easy to obatin spouse visa, I guess we were set to lead a normal life somewhat being married and the likes, so I had to have a serious talk to myself and say "Elliot, you have to learn fast"

As time rolled on, I came up with new ways of teaching, learning from other's, teacher "trainer" friends from Nova, etc., and it got to a stage where I was good, infact, fantastic at teaching kids, and I had achived my goal.

After this stage, having such a large number of foreigners in Japan teaching and doing a bloody shocking job without results, it became easy for me to obtain employment in the industry, the door was always open, and the salary/money side of things became my call as the bosses new the choices.

So getting back to your original question, I originally had no skills whatsoever in teaching, the jobs were very easy to get without the skill, and I also found that having a spouse visa was a healthy help as the schools knew that your visa wouldn't be a problem being married to a Japanese national.

My wife was a mental health nurse at a hospital.

Our combined income felt rich, and we did lead a lavish life, travelling abroad twice a year with no expense spared, and I spel my life shooping at all the good stores for food and wants in Kyoto city.

Now, I have no idea what it is like in Japan job wise. Different areas of Japan would also be important with hte job factor as some areas are difficult to attract foreigners, so the employment may be better, whilst in the larger city's of Tokyo and Osaka, it may be more difficult due to the excess of foreigners all wanting the same jobs..

Just my two cents..:ywave:

LMAO ! :D :D :D Were talking about PADLOCKS !!!

A 17-year-old's job is to graduate from high school and then go to college or vocational training. At 17 of course you feel like an adult, but ask any 22 year old if they are a different person than they were at 17 and invariably the answer is "yes". I would say if you ask almost any person if they are a different person from 22 to 27 I would say most would say "yes". I sure would.

How hard would it be for, let's just say, an 18-year-old with a spousal visa and no University degree. Chances are just as hard as a Japanese 18-year-old. No one is going to hire an 18-year-old to be a teacher, foreigner or not. Most of my friends in Japan who were young and only graduated from high school were (and are) 土方 (dokata). These are construction workers. Now for me this was after the Great Hanshin Earthquake, so maybe there was a greater need at the time. Of course there is nothing wrong with construction work if that is what you are into and enjoy, and certainly many people do, but if that isn't your bag, why would you limit yourself to that. Obviously you need to have the skills and strength required to do that.

There would be no need for someone to be a "Mr. Mom" and stay home while the wife worked if there were no kids in the equation.

I have never heard anyone on this forum take this stance about a ill-conceived kanji tattoo, so why would people take the same stance about teenagers getting married?

Yes, it is possible they will survive. It is also possible to survive jumping from a five-story window. Does that mean it si a good idea?

no it doesnt make it a good idea but its his life and choice not ours. so if he wants to ruin his life then let him.

this arguement is still going on?!:eek:

It's a forum, Kenpachi. We talk about things. No one ever told anyone what to do or what not to do.

Bleach vs. Naruto "arguments" have lasted much longer.

I would hardly call this an argument. And you're right MMM, there's something we can both agree on!

But please don't stop this discussion! I find it very interesting to read peoples opinions on this subject.

thats very sad.....

anyway, time for a cliche analogy.."you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink"....sooo this argument is kinda.......... continue though...im not trying to stop you^.^ just surprised

what surprises you?

boa! so many replies while i slept! :eek: haha

well, i have planned a lot already, i am not the one who says: lets do it, and see, what we do next^^;; hah

i have planned where to live, where to work, i even have already a job there, my gilrfriend helped me for that, and also i have my drivers lisence and a car we share and we fit together so great, we dont want "sex-life" or such a thing, we want the real life, together, where we both work for the family and afters ome years get children and her parents also support me, and mine too a little.
we have thought about marrying nearly a year by now, and we both agree, she is also not the kind of girl who sucks out your money, she knows i am not rich, and she knows also how to be a perfect housewife, but of course i will assist her a lot, never let her do the work alone :)
so, any more questions from you? if not, just tell me your experience as i wanted, as i actually asked for this in this thread^^;;;; haha thanks anyway for everything by now :)