Latest & greatest on teaching in Japan -July 2003
Display Name
lot of good things about AEON (at least compared to other eikaiwa) and I've
also seen one excellent post for ECC. my goals - learn to teach english,
DEFINITELY learn japanese, have the flexibility to socialize w/whomever i
please as i hear plenty about stipulations in some teaching contracts where
you can't interact w/ students, sample some martial arts & continue
expanding photography interest. Am I unrealistic in hoping that I can
EVENTUALLY (I'm sure getting settled takes a few months) get my arms around
the whole day-to-day of teaching english there to the pt. of being able to
pursue most or all of these things?
Any updated advice (everything I see is from 2002 or earlier) on who's best
to apply to here and now, what to expect, etcetera
oh and my stats: 30y.o. white guy, no TEFL training but a BA in English.
Thanks in advance,
Matt
Kevin Gowen
To answer your question, Matt, I am sure you will have little trouble
getting lots of Japanese ass. Happy hunting!
--
Kevin Gowen
"When I'm president, we'll do executive orders to overcome any wrong
thing the Supreme Court does tomorrow or any other day." Dick Gephardt
(D-MO), presidential candidate
Jason Cormier
"Display Name" <mmi...@nyc.rr.com> wrote:
You are already fully qualified to teach at a Japanese eikaiwa. You'll have
no problem finding a job and pursuing your interests.
Michael Cash
belched the alphabet and kept on going with:
It isn't like you to be so imprecise with language, Jason. I know
you'll forgive me if I rewrite that first sentence for you:
"You are already as qualified as any of the other unqualified yahoos
who work at an eikaiwa and pretend to teach English to people who, by
and large, are only pretending to learn it."
--
Michael Cash
"There was a time, Mr. Cash, when I believed you must be the most useless
thing in the world. But that was before I read a Microsoft help file."
Prof. Ernest T. Bass
Mount Pilot College
Jason Cormier
"Michael Cash" <mike...@sunfield.ne.jp> wrote:
>>> Considering teaching english in Japan, currently living in NYC. Reading a
>>> lot of good things about AEON (at least compared to other eikaiwa) and I've
>>> also seen one excellent post for ECC. my goals - learn to teach english,
>>> DEFINITELY learn japanese, have the flexibility to socialize w/whomever i
>>> please as i hear plenty about stipulations in some teaching contracts where
>>> you can't interact w/ students, sample some martial arts & continue
>>> expanding photography interest. Am I unrealistic in hoping that I can
>>> EVENTUALLY (I'm sure getting settled takes a few months) get my arms around
>>> the whole day-to-day of teaching english there to the pt. of being able to
>>> pursue most or all of these things?
>>>
>>> Any updated advice (everything I see is from 2002 or earlier) on who's best
>>> to apply to here and now, what to expect, etcetera
>>> oh and my stats: 30y.o. white guy, no TEFL training but a BA in English.
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> Matt
>>
>> You are already fully qualified to teach at a Japanese eikaiwa. You'll have
>> no problem finding a job and pursuing your interests.
>
> It isn't like you to be so imprecise with language, Jason. I know
> you'll forgive me if I rewrite that first sentence for you:
>
> "You are already as qualified as any of the other unqualified yahoos
> who work at an eikaiwa and pretend to teach English to people who, by
> and large, are only pretending to learn it."
Imprecise? I was being succinct. The fact that finding employment at an
eikaiwai requires no teacher training or experience is inconsequential. He
meets the qualifications: he speaks English and has a B.A.
Display Name
"Jason Cormier" <fj...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:BB28AF07.4FAFB%fj...@hotmail.com...
certification here in NY (open to recommendations as to where it's best), is
that going to put me in any better a position in terms of canvassing NYC for
an english teaching job in Japan with optimal pay, time off, choice of
location, etc.? or putting me in a program that is, i guess, at least a
little more respected among English teachers abroad than the eikeiwa
programs? Would such a program allow me the aforementioned lifestyle i'm
seeking in japan that you say would in fact be afforded me by eikaiwa?
Or, more simply put (and I'm asking both of you this) - if you were me -
what would you do?
I get the idea from other postings that eikaiwa are at least a way to get a
foot in the door of the world in which you guys work. Thanks again.
Ryan Ginstrom
"Display Name" <mmi...@nyc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:SaPMa.2281$Aw....@twister.nyc.rr.com...
> Ok, thanks to both of you for the info. If I quickly grab a TEFL
> certification here in NY (open to recommendations as to where it's best),
is
> that going to put me in any better a position in terms of canvassing NYC
for
> an english teaching job in Japan with optimal pay, time off, choice of
> location, etc.? or putting me in a program that is, i guess, at least a
> little more respected among English teachers abroad than the eikeiwa
> programs? Would such a program allow me the aforementioned lifestyle i'm
> seeking in japan that you say would in fact be afforded me by eikaiwa?
> Or, more simply put (and I'm asking both of you this) - if you were me -
> what would you do?
> I get the idea from other postings that eikaiwa are at least a way to get
a
> foot in the door of the world in which you guys work. Thanks again.
Are you looking at Ohayo Sensei et al? It seems to me that with the bad job
market in Japan, more and more employers are demanding some type of TEFL
cert. as a matter of course. That said, a warm body, white face and BA
should still get you a McJob if you want one.
As for free time, working conditions vary wildly so I would check that out
ahead of time.
As for fooling around with your students, I generally would be against it
but since you won't be a real teacher and they won't be real students, my
advice would be to use discretion and everything should work out. The worst
that happens is you get canned, and take your work visa to go to a local
joint that can't hire overseas and so has to hire gaijins that have been
canned from McSchools for bedding the students.
--
Regards,
Ryan Ginstrom
mr.sumo snr.
> certification here in NY (open to recommendations as to where it's best),
is
> that going to put me in any better a position in terms of canvassing NYC
for
> an english teaching job in Japan with optimal pay, time off, choice of
> location, etc.? or putting me in a program that is, i guess, at least a
> little more respected among English teachers abroad than the eikeiwa
> programs? Would such a program allow me the aforementioned lifestyle i'm
> seeking in japan that you say would in fact be afforded me by eikaiwa?
> Or, more simply put (and I'm asking both of you this) - if you were me -
> what would you do?
> I get the idea from other postings that eikaiwa are at least a way to get
a
> foot in the door of the world in which you guys work. Thanks again.
>
I guess because I have one I'm in the same camp as Ryan, in that having
some sort of TEFL qualification is probably better than nothing - and I'll
add - ESPECIALLY - if your after work at any private eikaiwa schools (not
the big chain schools) and the owner/manager/manager's wife has a notion as
to what a TEFL certificate is. Furthermore, if you plan to take your
English teaching experience in Japan and then head off to more cosmopolitan
lands, such as in Europe, then a TEFL is essential.
Though it's only a very small straw poll - at the 5 schools of which I
personally know the owner - you could only get work at one of them without a
TEFL (bearing in mind that the teachers at that particular establishment
don't even have work visas I think it should be excluded from the poll!)
jonathan
Display Name
NYC. Thanks again.
"mr.sumo snr." <mr_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:be0nin$11itk2$1...@ID-141600.news.dfncis.de...
mr.sumo snr.
> Where do you guys recommend getting your TEFL certification from? I'm in
> NYC. Thanks again.
>
I found this link fairly quickly http://tinyurl.com/fzxe I'm sure there are
many, many others - and YES there are at this Google directory listing
http://tinyurl.com/fzxj
The EFLWeb has a fairly large directory listing too http://tinyurl.com/fzy4
If a course is certified by either Trinity or Cambridge, or is one of the
university course then I think you can't go too far wrong. The university
courses are usually longer than the standard 4 weeks for a Cambridge CELTA,
and can be a lot more theory based as opposed to practical teacher training.
You choose which you'd prefer. This course at Columbia caught my eye
http://www.ce.columbia.edu/tesol/
I started a 10 week CELTA course in fall 1993 which evolved into the 9 month
Diploma course, basically because I'd quit my London-based job and had
nothing better to do. The prospect of teaching English in southern Europe
appealed to me - yet Japan beckoned first and the rest is a familiar tale
for this newsgroup.
But remember - it's your money - and none of these course qualifications are
essential to finding well paid (300,000 yen/month basic) English language
teaching employment in Japan.
jonathan
masayuki yoshida
There should be no ploblems on finding such a jop per se. However...
Matt, you need to listen carefully to what I am about to say.
Teaching English at an Eikaiwa Gakko (literally English conversation
schools) is totally a boring job. Eikaiwa Gakko has a wide variety of
boredom in its own system, such as relationships with Japanese
students, daily topics given by them in class room, the environment of
the work place, etc. So once you are employed as an instructor, you
will have to get some strong spirit of endurance or patience very
soon. It would be a good idea to exercise Zen meditation at a Zen
temple, for example. That is, you will need to reach a mental state
of Satori – a spiritual awakening.
Good luck!
Masayuki
mr.sumo snr.
news:545bd492.03070...@posting.google.com...
>
> There should be no ploblems on finding such a jop per se. However...
>
> Matt, you need to listen carefully to what I am about to say.
> Teaching English at an Eikaiwa Gakko (literally English conversation
> schools) is totally a boring job. Eikaiwa Gakko has a wide variety of
> boredom in its own system, such as relationships with Japanese
> students, daily topics given by them in class room, the environment of
> the work place, etc. So once you are employed as an instructor, you
> will have to get some strong spirit of endurance or patience very
> soon. It would be a good idea to exercise Zen meditation at a Zen
> temple, for example. That is, you will need to reach a mental state
>
> Good luck!
>
The truly sad thing is.............that this guy is sooooo right.........in
bizaroworld.
jonathan
masayuki yoshida
I would say that high schools or junior high schools in Japan are more
bizarre than Eikaiwa gakko. As you know, Japanese English teachers
teach English (of course! ;-)) there, but the majority of them feel
reluctant to speak English for the fear of assistant gaijin
instructors from the JET. The reason is gaijin sometimes bite
Japanese teachers.
Masayuki
GHill18299
jobs. Go for the eikaiwas and you won't have your evenings free. Go with the
JET program and you have a long wait, but your evenings are free (and you might
even be able to use some of their martial arts equipment for free).
John W.
Personally I loved the later schedule of eikaiwas. For one thing, you
can do part time stuff in the morning, should you so desire. But I
loved the early sunrises for bike riding or rock climbing, maybe a
swim later in the morning or a trip to the gym or some studying, or
even spend the morning sightseeing, then off to work.
John W.
Jason Cormier
73fde4f0.03071...@posting.google.com, "John W."
<worth...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> ghill...@aol.com (GHill18299) wrote in message
> news:<20030711060449...@mb-m16.aol.com>...
>> You have a bachelor's degree. You are therefore qualified for most teaching
>> jobs. Go for the eikaiwas and you won't have your evenings free. Go with
>> the
>> JET program and you have a long wait, but your evenings are free (and you
>> might
>> even be able to use some of their martial arts equipment for free).
>
> Personally I loved the later schedule of eikaiwas. For one thing, you
> can do part time stuff in the morning,
The vast majority of part time hours are available at times conflicting with
eikaiwa teaching hours.
> should you so desire. But I
> loved the early sunrises for bike riding or rock climbing, maybe a
> swim later in the morning or a trip to the gym or some studying, or
> even spend the morning sightseeing, then off to work.
The average person does not come home from work (usually after 9 for most
eikaiwa jobs) and go straight to bed. Assuming time for dinner, unwinding,
etc.,it's probably closer to 11 or 12 (or later). Suddenly that morning is
not so long; especially when they have to get ready for work, travel to work
and be ready to teach by about 12.
John W.
> On 7/11/03 11:46, in article
> 73fde4f0.03071...@posting.google.com, "John W."
> <worth...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > ghill...@aol.com (GHill18299) wrote in message
> > news:<20030711060449...@mb-m16.aol.com>...
> >> You have a bachelor's degree. You are therefore qualified for most teaching
> >> jobs. Go for the eikaiwas and you won't have your evenings free. Go with
> >> the
> >> JET program and you have a long wait, but your evenings are free (and you
> >> might
> >> even be able to use some of their martial arts equipment for free).
> >
> > Personally I loved the later schedule of eikaiwas. For one thing, you
> > can do part time stuff in the morning,
>
> The vast majority of part time hours are available at times conflicting with
> eikaiwa teaching hours.
>
> > should you so desire. But I
> > loved the early sunrises for bike riding or rock climbing, maybe a
> > swim later in the morning or a trip to the gym or some studying, or
> > even spend the morning sightseeing, then off to work.
>
> The average person does not come home from work (usually after 9 for most
> eikaiwa jobs) and go straight to bed. Assuming time for dinner, unwinding,
> etc.,it's probably closer to 11 or 12 (or later). Suddenly that morning is
> not so long; especially when they have to get ready for work, travel to work
> and be ready to teach by about 12.
I've never been much of a night person. Typically I got home by ten
and was in bed by eleven, and then up by seven the next morning (or
earlier; I could always sleep on the train).
John W.
Ed
> I would say that high schools or junior high schools in Japan are more
> bizarre than Eikaiwa gakko. As you know, Japanese English teachers
> teach English (of course! ;-)) there, but the majority of them feel
> reluctant to speak English for the fear of assistant gaijin
> instructors from the JET. The reason is gaijin sometimes bite
> Japanese teachers.
They don't restrict their biting to Japanese teachers. They'll bite anybody
who disagrees with them or tells them they are incredibly ignorant
puss-oozing boils of inhuman zombie flesh.
masayuki yoshida
This newsgroup community seems far more bezarre than Eikaiwa gakko in
terms of words available. But it's not bad.
Masayuki
Ed
> This newsgroup community seems far more bezarre than Eikaiwa gakko in
> terms of words available. But it's not bad.
Let's blame reverend Cash.
The reason why JET participants are so adept at nipping the hand that feeds
them is because they are treated like royalty when they get here. When they
walk into a classroom, they aren't introduced to the class as guests, but as
particularly wonderful honored esteemed ambassadors from (insert whatever
armpit of a country the foreigner is from). They are slobbered over and
humbly begged for their uneducated opinions about the students, the school,
Japan and to help the teachers internationalize/validate Japan. How they
should be treated is quite different. As soon as they've landed in Narita,
herd them into classrooms while the faculty sit in the back of the classroom
taking notes on how inept that teacher is. Once the class has mercilessly
destroyed the JET's already fragile ego, herd them into the office in order
to be purged of their sins through catharsis. A few slaps across the face
while each real teacher flogs the JET's stupidity are not completely out of
order, and in the vast majority of cases are more than justified.
Dave Fossett
> The reason why JET participants are so adept at nipping the hand that
feeds
> them is because they are treated like royalty when they get here...
I don't suppose you read the post on Debito's forum a while back, in which
someone found it incredible that JETs were "made" to fly economy class, and
what's more weren't given their tickets home until they had completed their
contract.
--
Dave Fossett
Saitama, Japan
Kevin Gowen
They were flipping out over the ticket thing a year or two back. Before it
seemed that SOP was just to give the JET a wad of cash. When the policy was
changed to the JET having to show proof of having purchased an airline
ticket back home, there was an ungodly shitstorm.
--
Kevin Gowen
"The constant loss of U.S. soldiers in Iraq--after the war is "won"--is
a tragedy. However, if this is what it takes to retire the Bush
administration at the next election, the sacrifice is justified."
- Arie L. Bleicher of Mill Valley, California, expressing leftist
respect for human life
Ed
"Dave Fossett" <re...@via.newsgroup> wrote in message
news:jV3Qa.453$FN4...@news1.dion.ne.jp...
I missed that one. I wonder why nobody ever comes here for a friendly gaigin
shoulder to cry upon and perhaps some angry words of condemnation for those
scoundrels who would force JETs to travel with the hoi polloi in steerage.
Michael Cash
belched the alphabet and kept on going with:
>
Maybe because the only place one can find sympathy on this group is
between "shit" and "syphilis" in one's spellchecker?
Michael Cash
belched the alphabet and kept on going with:
>On 7/11/03 11:46, in article
But it's a fukkin' EIGHT HOUR (or thereabouts) DAY! So what if you
fart around for an hour or three afterwards? You still got plenty of
day to kill.
Ed
"Michael Cash" <mike...@sunfield.ne.jp> wrote in message
news:s6k2hvsql583kllhg...@4ax.com...
> Maybe because the only place one can find sympathy on this group is
> between "shit" and "syphilis" in one's spellchecker?
and I don't use a spellchecker.
Jason Cormier
"John W." <worth...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> Personally I loved the later schedule of eikaiwas. For one thing, you
>>> can do part time stuff in the morning,
>>
>> The vast majority of part time hours are available at times conflicting with
>> eikaiwa teaching hours.
>>
> I was thinking of non-teaching stuff, or daycares.
Non-teaching stuff? What kind of part-time, non-teaching work is your
average eikaiwa teacher going to find?
Ed
bartending, carpentry, waiting tables, truck driving (small ones), cook, ski
instructor, music teacher, IT stuff, writing, pumping gas, door-to-door
sales, weddings.... etc. etc. etc.
A lot of these are obviously not possible for every average eikaiwa type,
but I have seen westerners filling all these roles on either full or
part-time basis. I plan to open my own bar one of these days. That has long
been my dream, and one of these days when nobody wants to pay me to talk to
young girls, I'll do it.
Brett Robson
>
>
>"Jason Cormier" <fj...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:BB38C820.539B6%fj...@hotmail.com...
>> On 7/12/03 8:56, in article
>73fde4f0.03071...@posting.google.com,
>> "John W." <worth...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> >>> Personally I loved the later schedule of eikaiwas. For one thing, you
>> >>> can do part time stuff in the morning,
>> >>
>> >> The vast majority of part time hours are available at times conflicting
>with
>> >> eikaiwa teaching hours.
>> >>
>> > I was thinking of non-teaching stuff, or daycares.
>>
>> Non-teaching stuff? What kind of part-time, non-teaching work is your
>> average eikaiwa teacher going to find?
>
>bartending, carpentry, waiting tables, truck driving (small ones), cook, ski
>instructor, music teacher, IT stuff,
Lucky I had IT stuff to fall back on after I failed as an eikawa instructor.
>
>A lot of these are obviously not possible for every average eikaiwa type,
>but I have seen westerners filling all these roles on either full or
>part-time basis. I plan to open my own bar one of these days. That has long
>been my dream, and one of these days when nobody wants to pay me to talk to
>young girls, I'll do it.
>
I've thought about that, but a non-recovering alcoholic in charge of a bar is
asking for trouble. Maybe you should also reconsider.
---
"he [John Ashcroft] deliberately left Jesus out of office prayers to avoid
offending non-Christians." - Ben Shapiro 27/2/2003
John W.
I was an associate editor at a magazine. In addition to the things
that Ed mentioned, there's also freelance writing, consulting work
(writing/editing, mostly; knew several people that did this), etc.
Also, tons of people will do lessons in the mornings, particularly
housewives and their kids, in case you want to teach.
I think Eikaiwa teachers get a pretty bad rap a lot of the time.
Certainly the job isn't that great and doesn't require a high degree
of skill, but that really depends on the position in question; most of
my classes were very challenging and I put a great deal of effort into
them (even though I felt sometimes it was wasted). But that doesn't
mean the people doing that job are incapable of doing anything else.
John W.
Michael Cash
belched the alphabet and kept on going with:
>
Which is why neither you nor Brent ever get any sympathy.