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Teaching English in Japan?
Beren39
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So my room mate and I have been discussing this idea lately and we're giving some serious thought to going over. We're both recent B.Sc graduates and there's an upcoming TESL course affiliated with Oxford coming up at our local university. I've done some research and so far it looks like it could be a really rewarding but difficult experience, but besides this we're (so far) going in blind. Anyone have any advice on good agencies to go through, the best start dates, common difficulties etc.? We're under no illusions about what it is like there, neither of us consumes anime or is a japanophile, we've just heard positive experiences from people who have been over versus some mixed results from Korea.
Go, Go, EXCALIBUR! - Trent Varsity Swim Team 2009, better watch out for me Phelps!
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Teaching English as a JET has, so far, been one of the (if not the) most rewarding experiences of my life. Unfortunately, one of the big drawbacks of JET is that you have absolutely zero control over what sort of living or working situation you're placed in, and not quite everyone ends up enjoying it as much as I have. However, everything I've heard about working at a private eikaiwa (English conversation) school, tells me that JET is a million times better.
I've also heard that while Japan can be preferable in many ways, places like Korea and China tend to pay more. So if money is any motivation whatsoever, it may be something to look into. The cost of living in Japan is unfortunately, rather high.
Also, read this. It's incredibly accurate.
My Best friend taught ESL in Korea for several years, and actually married a Korean woman before eventually moving back to the states. As this was Korea, its potentially a little different. But over all it was a positive experience for him, and really helped set him get some direction in life when he was struggling right out of school.
His advice was to really do your best to immerse yourself in the culture while there. Some people he knew tried their best to eat American food and fine American stuff to do there and over all had an unpleasant time.
He also said that the type of place you end up teaching can vary a lot. Some of them the students were really great and the employer was very supportive. Those were in his experience fairly rare.
He found that often the employer would try to take advantage of your inexperience with the employment laws and the system over there to get the most out of you for the least amount of money. So it really helps if you can make some friends and understand your rights and lack of rights. Not that that is any different then employers here i suppose.
His first placement was not great, but he stuck to it and found much better opportunities when he had some experience and connections. There is a lot of turnover for new teachers.
So in short. Positive experience, there is money to be made, but be informed and aware.