How to teach in Japan?

maxiewawa · Nov 22, 2005, 18:59

I just came back from a trip in Southern Japan and I loved it. Can't wait to go back.

I've been teaching English in China to 小学生for a year and a half now, so that's obviously what I hope to do in Japan. I'd also like to teach Chinese, which I speak fluently. I don't speak Japanese (yet).

I've read the article on this site about Nova, and they kinda seem like a last resort. After all, I'm not a beginner at teaching.

Has anyone come to Japan from a similar background? Any advice?

Do any schools offer short term contracts? Two/three months?

senseiman · Nov 23, 2005, 02:12

Most schools only hire for one year contracts, unless you are already in the country and have a valid work visa.

What school you work for really depends on where you'll get hired. If you are applying from overseas you are pretty much stuck with the NOVA, AEON, GEOS big schools or possibly JET. If you have a visa and are in Japan your opportunities for short term employment expand greatly.

For more general info on teaching in Japan and jobs check:

www.eslcafe.com

www.letsjapan.org

www.gaijinpot.com

good luck

Mandylion · Nov 23, 2005, 02:27

If you have to make a longer commitment, really think about JET. They pay better, you get more vacation, and work for much more reputable people. It takes awhile to go through the application process, but if you choices are a year or nothing, and you really want to get to Japan, think about it.

http://www.jetprogramme.org/

maxiewawa · Nov 23, 2005, 18:56

Thanks a million!

I'm actually hoping to just visit in the summer, which of course is quite a way off. Has anyone reading had a short trip to Japan and financed it through teaching?

Also, many ads specify 'basic' Japanese. How 'basic' are their requirements?

And, on the off chance that someone is looking for a teacher for the Summer of '06, keep me in mind!

NovaTeacher · Nov 23, 2005, 23:17

Getting a job (with a working visa) before you arrive, seems to be the most important thing for most. Big companies can do this.
It's easier get interviews and offers from smaller schools once you're in teh country with a visa.
After you arrive you can find out for yourself whether you like your first company or not.

**Iron Chef** · Nov 26, 2005, 00:22

"Has anyone reading had a short trip to Japan and financed it through teaching?"

If you're suggesting is it possible to finance a short stay in Japan for yourself while teaching temporarily... my only advice would be to seriously consider your motivations for wanting to do so. Why not just continue working at your current job to save up enough money to front the trip plus cover expenses and then go? Most schools regardless of size will not hire someone full-time for anything less than a year commitment. More and more, schools are getting wary of native-speakers looking for a quick buck who may break their contract at any minute and are only teaching to support their club/party/drinking habits but have no real desire to teach.

PT work is a different matter entirely but between what you would make doing that even in multiples, I doubt would be enough to cover your basic living expenses. Housing is not an option for part-timers so unless you have some pre-existing contacts who can hook you up or you get extremely lucky finding some accomodations at an affordable price, your options are limited. Do yourself a favor and commit to at least a year while in country if you're serious about pursuing an opportunity to teach. Your students will be better off for it as well...

kimi_ni_aitakute · Nov 30, 2005, 10:54

im not a teacher but i want to teach english in japan. i know there r programs u can apply for in university where u go and teach english for 2 months or so. im hoping to get in next year but now im trying to look for an exchange program to go to japan the up coming summer does anyone know any such programs in canada?

plastic · Dec 16, 2005, 23:39

If you have ANY university degree, you can get hired by the big firms quite easilly. If not, you have to try your chance at smaller schools. Good luck1

Hakuen · Dec 24, 2005, 10:19

I just recieved a degree in teaching BEd....Secondary Education speciality. So I missed the deadline for JETT programme...not really thrilled about NOVA or AEON... humm, got to be something better than this.

Ewok85 · Dec 24, 2005, 11:02

Unless you have something else to offer really thats all your options would be

Nov 22, 2005, 18:59	#1
maxiewawa Junior Member Join Date: Nov 20, 2005 Posts: 11	How to teach in Japan? I just came back from a trip in Southern Japan and I loved it. Can't wait to go back. I've been teaching English in China to 小学生for a year and a half now, so that's obviously what I hope to do in Japan. I'd also like to teach Chinese, which I speak fluently. I don't speak Japanese (yet). I've read the article on this site about Nova, and they kinda seem like a last resort. After all, I'm not a beginner at teaching. Has anyone come to Japan from a similar background? Any advice? Do any schools offer short term contracts? Two/three months?

Nov 23, 2005, 02:12	#2
senseiman Regular Member Join Date: Jun 24, 2003 Location: canadian Age: 33 Posts: 801	Most schools only hire for one year contracts, unless you are already in the country and have a valid work visa. What school you work for really depends on where you'll get hired. If you are applying from overseas you are pretty much stuck with the NOVA, AEON, GEOS big schools or possibly JET. If you have a visa and are in Japan your opportunities for short term employment expand greatly. For more general info on teaching in Japan and jobs check: www.eslcafe.com www.letsjapan.org www.gaijinpot.com good luck __________________ 祇園精舎の鐘の聲、諸行無常の響あり。娑羅雙樹の花の色、盛者必衰のことわりをあらはす。おごれる人も久しからず、唯春の夜の夢のごとし。たけき者も遂にほろびぬ、偏に風の前の塵に同じ。

Nov 23, 2005, 02:27	#3
Mandylion Omnipotence personified Join Date: Mar 15, 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,121	If you have to make a longer commitment, really think about JET. They pay better, you get more vacation, and work for much more reputable people. It takes awhile to go through the application process, but if you choices are a year or nothing, and you really want to get to Japan, think about it. http://www.jetprogramme.org/ __________________ "It's a dn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." - Andrew Jackson**

Nov 23, 2005, 23:17	#5
NovaTeacher Not Given Up Yet Join Date: Sep 28, 2005 Location: On a fold up chair Posts: 26	Keep your options open. Getting a job (with a working visa) before you arrive, seems to be the most important thing for most. Big companies can do this. It's easier get interviews and offers from smaller schools once you're in teh country with a visa. After you arrive you can find out for yourself whether you like your first company or not. __________________ I'm making a website about Nova. Please email me with any suggestions or contributions. http://au.geocities.com/japannovateachers/

Nov 30, 2005, 10:54	#7
kimi_ni_aitakute Gackt is God Join Date: Mar 2, 2005 Age: 21 Posts: 5	student teachers in japan im not a teacher but i want to teach english in japan. i know there r programs u can apply for in university where u go and teach english for 2 months or so. im hoping to get in next year but now im trying to look for an exchange program to go to japan the up coming summer does anyone know any such programs in canada?

Nov 23, 2005, 18:56	#4
maxiewawa Junior Member Join Date: Nov 20, 2005 Posts: 11	Thanks a million! I'm actually hoping to just visit in the summer, which of course is quite a way off. Has anyone reading had a short trip to Japan and financed it through teaching? Also, many ads specify 'basic' Japanese. How 'basic' are their requirements? And, on the off chance that someone is looking for a teacher for the Summer of '06, keep me in mind!

Nov 26, 2005, 00:22	#6
Iron Chef Villain Join Date: Feb 26, 2003 Location: Fukuoka (current), Nagoya, Sapporo Age: 38 Posts: 1,962	"Has anyone reading had a short trip to Japan and financed it through teaching?" If you're suggesting is it possible to finance a short stay in Japan for yourself while teaching temporarily... my only advice would be to seriously consider your motivations for wanting to do so. Why not just continue working at your current job to save up enough money to front the trip plus cover expenses and then go? Most schools regardless of size will not hire someone full-time for anything less than a year commitment. More and more, schools are getting wary of native-speakers looking for a quick buck who may break their contract at any minute and are only teaching to support their club/party/drinking habits but have no real desire to teach. PT work is a different matter entirely but between what you would make doing that even in multiples, I doubt would be enough to cover your basic living expenses. Housing is not an option for part-timers so unless you have some pre-existing contacts who can hook you up or you get extremely lucky finding some accomodations at an affordable price, your options are limited. Do yourself a favor and commit to at least a year while in country if you're serious about pursuing an opportunity to teach. Your students will be better off for it as well...

Dec 16, 2005, 23:39	#8
plastic Regular Member Join Date: Dec 16, 2005 Posts: 20	If you have ANY university degree, you can get hired by the big firms quite easilly. If not, you have to try your chance at smaller schools. Good luck1

Dec 24, 2005, 10:19	#9
Hakuen Junior Member Join Date: Jan 6, 2005 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 9	I just recieved a degree in teaching BEd....Secondary Education speciality. So I missed the deadline for JETT programme...not really thrilled about NOVA or AEON... humm, got to be something better than this.

Dec 24, 2005, 11:02	#10
Ewok85 Cute and Furry Join Date: Nov 14, 2003 Location: Saitama/Tokyo Age: 24 Posts: 2,343	Unless you have something else to offer really thats all your options would be

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