Total Newbie

[spaniel77]

To the wonderful people in this forum...

Sometimes when your heart seeks...it brings you to places where you want to be. So I found this forum...

EXCELLENT!!!

So I'm young at 28, Australian Passport holder living in Sydney, speak great English, hold a Bachelors Degree in Design - Visual Communications, learnt Japanese for a year whilst at Uni, then French at TAFE whilst I was working as an Editor/Graphic Designer to our travel books on Australia, well travelled, just came back from Germany/Europe volunteering during World Youth Day with the Pope, passes through Narita on a stopover on the way to Europe and back, then I get this crazy thought in my head..."I could soooooo teach English here in Japan." And so here I am.

And since I quit all my job just before I left, my plate is empty.(much like my bank account) I'm free to do anything I want without any obligations to anyone. A time when I can do anything I choose, help other people and help me.

So...

What to do guys??? I am all so new to this. I have a million questions I should be and want to ask but I can't remember them. Something about pay? Something about what do I do with a bad student or vegetables who just sits there in the classroom and don't do/say anything? Something about tutoring and extra money on the side? Something about communicating and that I should tell you that I've forgotten most of those Japanese I learnt and can now only write my first name and say kudasai, count, and say arigatoo gozaimashita? Something about how do I find a reputable school to teach young children near the coast? Something about taxes, bills and food costs after they've paid me the Y250,000? Something about extra fees that they may start demanding of me when I get there without telling me before I left? Something about accommodation, driving, getting to places? Something about should I watch 'Lost in Translation' or 'The Grudge'? Something about how do I teach when I've never really done it before? Something about I don't want to spend $2000 on getting a TESL certificate when I can spend that on my plane ticket? Something about just jumping on the deep end, go for it and get to Japan and find something, how? Or something about should I think things more thoroughly, talk to people, wait for a few months, then jump on the more shallow area I'm familliar with? Something about maybe finding friends if I ever get lonley for the duration of a year? Something about actually finding an actual job? Is that a million yet?

I'm going crazy??? SO crazy that I emailed like 8 schools last Friday when I first logged on here without giving anything further though!!! It was an incredible feeling.

I know a lot of you who are already there teaching went through this. (and you maybe more) And you probably had questions too right? Maybe a million and one more than me. But can anyone help me get started?

Please.

spaniel77

PS A company here just e-mailed me about a seminar/exam/interview on Oct 24. I just don't want to waste 2 month sitting at home thinking more and more about it, though it may be good. But what if I change my mind and I don't want to. There are moments when I get scared and I'm not even there yet. I'm nuts I know!!!

[Antonio]

Hello spaniel77,

Good to hear your enthusiasm for teaching in Japan. I think you really need to get to Japan otherwise you'll be regretting it for the rest of your life.

To sum it up in 1 sentence:
'You are under 30, hold a Bachelor's degree, no committments back home, native English speaker, can get a Working Holiday visa, SO do come to Japan to teach!'

It wont take you long to get work based on your background. The fact that you can also get a Working Holiday Visa will make it even easier for any company to hire you. If you are worried about upfront expenses such as accommodation, then I suggest a 'gaijin house'. They are clean, cheap and come with futon (bed), shared kitchen and shared internet access. See http://www.aacircle.com.au/japan-gui...ommodation.htm for a listing of various gaijin houses.

Something about pay?

You should be expecting around 250,000 yen per month and above.

Something about what do I do with a bad student or vegetables who just sits there in the classroom and don't do/say anything?

If it happens, ask the other teachers in the school or the office staff what to do. Alternatively, then find a topic the student is interested in, and talk about this. Prepare a handout on this topic and the student will soom come alive. May bore you though...

Something about tutoring and extra money on the side?

Most schools in large cities allow this as long as it doesn't interfere with their business. Small towns however have a different tune. They don't like this too much as it takes business away from their school. In a town with 1 or 2 English schools, then you can see why they would lose business if you started teaching on the side at home. If you are in this situation, I would suggest keeping it to about 3 or 4 privates and keep it hush hush.

You can find students at www.findateacher.net

Something about communicating and that I should tell you that I've forgotten most of those Japanese I learnt and can now only write my first name and say kudasai, count, and say arigatoo gozaimashita?

No problem. The Japanese love those who can't speak Japanese. That way they are forced to use their English. The majority can understand and speak basic English. Just choose simple words and body language when communicating. There are foreigners who have spent years in Japan and still can't speak much.

Something about how do I find a reputable school to teach young children near the coast?

Try Shizuoka are or even best would be Kobe. Lots of jobs in Osaka and Kobe area. You are then not too far from Suma beach in Kobe. Ask to speak to a current teacher to guage if it's reputable.

Something about taxes, bills and food costs after they've paid me the Y250,000?

Employer will take the tax directly from your pay. You don't need to worry about this. Probably will be from 6~10% tax. Budget around 6000 yen per month on utilities and 30,000 yen per month on food. There are cheap eats in Japan and you will be surprised at the value for money you can get. Chain restaurants such as family restaurants are good value. Can fill you stomach for around 1200 yen and includes a drink bar. Eg: family restaurants are Friendly, Royal, Saezeria, Bamiyan.

Something about extra fees that they may start demanding of me when I get there without telling me before I left?

They're not there to rip you off. If there are any extra fees, it would be only commonsense. Things as gas for the car if you use the company car, utilities for the apartment, mobile phone if required, new linen if you want them. That type of thing. Japanese are quite trusting in this sense.

Something about accommodation, driving, getting to places?

Expect the accommodation to be small. If the school provides an apartment, then it would be usually comfortable and clean. 1 room with tatami mats and small kitchen. Enough for 1. Driving is the same side of the road as Australia. Get yourself a scooter to get around, especially if living in a small town. Otherwise, in large cities everyone uses the train and buses.

Something about how do I teach when I've never really done it before?

Watch the other teachers and I'm sure the school will help out if they know you've never taught before. Most schools want their teachers to do a good job, so I'm sure they will show you how to teach. Just be honest with the schools that you've never taught before. Remember to speak slowly, clearly, with simple words and body language.

Something about I don't want to spend $2000 on getting a TESL certificate when I can spend that on my plane ticket?

Then don't. Actually, a TESL certificate can be done cheaply online nowadays for around $250. Getting a TESL certificate would also open more doors for you. Some schools also pay extra if you have this certificate.

Something about just jumping on the deep end, go for it and get to Japan and find something, how?

Do it! It's not that hard. You have places like this forum to help you out along the way. Something that never existed years back.

Or something about should I think things more thoroughly, talk to people, wait for a few months, then jump on the more shallow area I'm familliar with?

Isn't life supposed to be an adventure? I would do it now if I were you. It's really not that hard you know.

Something about maybe finding friends if I ever get lonley for the duration of a year?

There are always friends to make with fellow teachers, at clubs or international parties. All the boss may even start to ask you out drinking where he pays everything. This is cool when this happens!

Something about actually finding an actual job? Is that a million yet?

Yeh, you've worn me out now. You will be fine! You are motivated and that will take you a long way.

Over and out.

[spaniel77]

Antonio,

I humbly and graciously thank you for your detailed response. I am sorry to have exhausted you with the answers. May you be blessed a thousand folds in return. If I ever get to Japan soon, I'd write in my journal that you were one of the first that helped me. Domo Arigatoo Gozaimashita!!! *bow*

I do hope this doesn't scare everyone else off. 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions are most welcome. Thanks.

[ESL Teacher]

Would have to agree with Antonio. There are plenty of teaching opportunities in Japan, and in fact Asia as a whole.

Although you don't have any experience teaching English, you will find that many schools don't mind as they would prefer to train you to their own way, plus you will bring energy to the classroom as it's all new to you.

Let us all know how you go.