My wife has a degree, I don't. How do we teach in Japan together/look for a job?!

[Michael Bassman]

Hi...

My wife and I are looking to teach in Japan this spring, and I have heard of married couples both getting jobs together, even though only one of them has a degree!

How do I do this!? What companies will accept this and how do we work out the VISA!?

Thanks,

Mike from Canada

[mycolumbus]

It would be easier to find work both in the same city rather than same school. To find work in the same school is harder, and depends on availability at the time. Also, the fact that you both don't have a degree, will make it even harder.

I suggest having the degree holder apply for a teaching job, and then when accepted, to ask the employer about any jobs available for the non-degree holder. Alternatively, there will always be jobs around in other nearby schools.

I'm not 100% sure, but if one gets a visa, then that person can piggy-back the other on their visa. Should ask your visa office.

[Hypiereon]

I agree with the suggestion above - but an alternative would be to try and work hourly farming yourself out and not worry about a contract (assuming of course the piggyback visa is obtainable - I know it is in China). Anoher scenario is to do private tutoring in the home. Again, you'd charge an hourly rate for your services and this way you don't have to worry about a degree at all.

For example, I have a contract with a school but will be doing tutoring on the side. My cheapest hourly rate in China is 60 RMB per hour per student. I'll have 10 students come to my home, all during the same time (provided they are of the same level), and have lessons for 2 hours. That comes out to 120 RMB per student x 10 students and that's 1,200 RMB for two hours of work on a Sunday. If there are 4 Sunday's in a month, then that's 4,800 RMB for 8 hours of work. Months with 5 Sundays comes out to 6,000 RMB for 10 hours work in a month. My contract pays at 5,500 RMB for 12 hours of work PER WEEK. So, you can see how lucratvie the alternative can be.

Even on the low end, let's say I have only 2 students. That's still 120 RMB per hour of teaching - if I get one more then I'm automatically at 180 RMB per hour of teaching. No school will ever pay you this much in China. I'm not sure about rates in Japan, but I'm sure you could work out something similar there substituting RMB for Yen.

Your wife would be the anchor that gets you the visa, and your hourly work would probably get your income WAY higher than you ever could even if both of you had degrees and were working at the same school.

[mycolumbus]

www.findateacher.net is great if looking for private students. You can set your own rate too!

[Michael Bassman]

Thanks everyone for your help!

I'm trying to get this clear in my mind here.....

She gets a job and an apartment, we both go over there - and then I go look for work once we arrive!!?....that sounds easy enough - the private school OR tutoring.

However, do I need my VISA before I go or could it wait until we get to Japan......and me possibly find a job!

This is our first time so every thing is just a little unsure and we want to be safe!

Thanks,
M

Do any of you know any great schools in the Yamanashi area? We have friends and sort-of-relatives who live there and it would be great to locate ourselves there!

[gfell]

It will be very difficult to get your visa prior to going to Japan. I would say that more than 90% of English teachers to Japan go without first getting a visa. Once you arrive to Japan, then you can actively source full-time work and get your visa changed over.

By all means though, do look for teaching jobs before heading to Japan. You still may get something, but don't expect to get a visa before heading to Japan.

Originally Posted by Michael Bassman

She gets a job and an apartment, we both go over there - and then I go look for work once we arrive!!?....that sounds easy enough - the private school OR tutoring.

It is. Once your wife gets her visa, then you can look into piggy backing off hers to get your visa. As long as you are in Japan, you will find it so much easier to get teaching work. Even if you start out by handing out flyers to get you by in the first few weeks.

Kofu city in Yamanashi isn't all that big of a city in comparison to Tokyo, Yokohama or Osaka. I would suggest making a list of English schools in Kofu, and emailing them once you arrive to Japan. You will get little interest from schools when they find out you are abroad.

May want to try SpeakEasy Language School in Kofu as a start.
10forward@speakeasy.com
1-9-12 Asahi
Kofu-shi, Yamanashi. 080-5417-4468
Tel: 055-254-4440