I plan to build my family in Japan...but how?

[MMM]

A lot of language schools (at least the big one) only recruit from overseas, and aren't interested in taking applications from people IN Japan, because they are more likely to quit faster.

It would be worth going just to see if you like it... I hope you have a place to stay. Japan really isn't "tourist friendly" (thought getting better)

[yoshimi]

Thank you MMM for your info!

Actually I would much prefer teaching children.Teenagers are fine too.Reason being I love children alot and they can be such bundles of joy especially when you're not in the best of moods.Are there any recommendations for cheap accommodation if I were to stay in Japan for at least 3 months?

[enyafriend]

The blatant fact is that if you aren't caucasian, your chances of getting hired as an English teacher is very slim. Almost as good as nil. Your American degree has absolutely no bearing to your chances of making it in Japan as an English teacher.

Ironically, if you're a caucasian (or black American), doesn't matter if you a Dutch, Scot, Swede, your chances of getting hired is much better. Of course, the highest priority are reserved for Americans and Brits.

Like it or not, but that's the whole truth, nothing but the truth....

[Shouganai]

Not true, I worked as an English teacher at Nova with a Korean born American. I think if you can speak Japanese then they might be opposed to your candicacy because Japanese might feel inclined to speak to you in Japanese because you look Japanese...I wouldnt see it as irrational discriminaition, more habit of Japanese people.

[enyafriend]

Not true, I worked as an English teacher at Nova with a Korean born American

Well, there you have it. The person that you mentioned is, like you said, a Korean born AMERICAN. No matter how excellent he's english might be, I'll bet he wouldn't be hired if he's a Korea born Korean.
Also, among all the English teachers at Nova, how many percentage would you put non-caucasians at? 30%? 10%? or 1%?

Look, I'm not trying to put off yoshimi or any other non-caucasian trying to break into the competitive but racially-biased Japan on how they view english teachers. It has to be Native Speakers. That's the only criteria. Nothing else matters. They don't even require a college degree in order to be one. Once I heard there was a lady from India who held a Masters Degree in English and had years of experience in teaching English in her country but could not find a teaching position in Japan. Dissappointed, she left Japan.

I'm just providing them the facts and not to put too high hopes on this route should they intend to be one. But then again, there's always an exception. Like I put it earlier, it is slim, but that doesn't meant zero chance.....just slim chance. Who knows.....

[vulgarshudder]

I gotta agree, if you're non-caucasion you've got much less chances of teaching english. I'd say the difference for the american-asians is that they've spent their ENTIRE education in an english speaking country.

I'd say go the chinese route.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by yoshimi

Thank you MMM for your info!

Actually I would much prefer teaching children.Teenagers are fine too.Reason being I love children alot and they can be such bundles of joy especially when you're not in the best of moods.Are there any recommendations for cheap accommodation if I were to stay in Japan for at least 3 months?

For three months then your best bet is a "weekly mansion". They have weekly and maybe monthly rates. It's somewhere between a hotel and an apartment... usually very small space, but it'll work.

[enyafriend]

Considering what MMM had said earlier:

You might have better luck teaching Chinese

as well as Vulgarshudder said:

I'd say go the chinese route

Yoshimi, if you are really interested to get into Japan by way of teaching, then instead of teaching english, you ought to seriously consider doing it through Chinese. Well, sure, they would prefer teachers from China. Furthermore, they are available by the plentiful. But still, it's your only chance to compete with them.

Most important here is that you are a chinese and you speak chinese. You'd be considered as a native speaker of chinese. This is where your chances of getting hired as a chinese teacher is so much higher as compared to an english teacher.
So, I suggest you start sending out those resumes for chinese teaching positions, instead.

[Lilongyue]

I'm an American studying Chinese, and plan to use my Chinese language skills to find work once I've finished school. If you are interested in doing international business, or some job where you utilize your language ability (since you speak three languages) you might have better luck finding work in an international company than an English school. The pay will also be better. For those who are trilingual, there is a lot of work other than teaching English that can be found. Have you considered learning Japanese? If you could speak Japanese, that combined with your three other languages would make you very valuable to a company who does business with the West, China and Hong Kong. If I were you I'd consider that as an option.

One of the reasons I'm learning Chinese is to get out of teaching English. Languages are very valuable. For some reason Chinese rarely think of using their language ability as a means of income. There are many Chinese in America, but such a shortage of Chinese-English Interpreters that there are cases sitting around waiting to go to trial! Most Chinese parents think that their children should be doctors, engineers, etc., and completely overlook the value of their children speaking two languages.