What are the chances of a Chinese teaching ESL in Japan?

[jauho1979]

Hi everyone,

I am a Malaysian Chinese currently teaching in a local college in Malaysia. I can speak (with a slight American accent) and write fluent English. I also hold a bachelor degree and a master degree in business from an Australian university.

My questions are:
1) Recently, I came across a job ad for teaching ESL in Japan from an Australian website (www.seek.com.au). The ad specifies that applicants MUST have 12 years of all-English schooling to be eligible. Should I try applying for this job even though I don't fulfill the above requirement? (Note: I hold an Australian PR visa and will be going there in this coming July).

2) Based on the other posts I've read, it is mentioned that non-Caucasians wanting to teach ESL in Japan (or other Asian countries) may face racial bias. How severe is this situation in Japan?

I'd appreciate any advice/help from you guys.

Thanks.

[gfell]

I personally know of many non-native English speaking teachers in Japan. Japan is not as strict as countries like Taiwan or Hong Kong. Being of an Asian appearance wont really stop a qualified teacher from attaining a teaching job in Japan.

As to the pre-requisite of having 12 years of all English schooling, I think the employer will waive this if you can demonstrate your native English fluency. I would continue to apply for the position. It can’t do any harm.

[jauho1979]

Hi GFell,

Thanks a lot for your advice and encouragement.

As another member here has mentioned, this is definitely one of the friendliest sites for ESL teachers.

Keep up the good work!! : D

[jauho1979]

Hi everyone again,

I forgot to mentioned that the job ad at the website was advertised by the Nova Group. I heard that it's one of those bigger groups. Are these groups very particular about their requirements (here, I'm referring to their minimum requirement of 12 years of all-English schooling)?

Secondly, based on other posts here, it is often advised that applicants should go straight to the target country (where the employers are) when applying for a job, rather than applying it from overseas. Therefore, should I only apply when I'm in Australia this coming July? Or it's ok for me to apply back home in Malaysia?

Thirdly, besides the Nova Group, what other employers can I look at?

Lastly, I have about 3 years of teaching experience (I teach Accounting at a uni back in Malaysia, using English as the medium). Would this give me an edge over the others?

Thanks for any advice/help I can get. And sorry about the rather long post.

[gfell]

Nova, AEON, ECC, Berlitz and the other big chain schools are ideal for newcomers to the teaching industry. They usually assist with accommodation, and have career seminars around the world as part of their recruitment process. These career seminars are a great way to ask face to face to current teachers and the staff about teaching abroad.

Due to their huge operating costs, they also then pay their teachers less than non-chain schools. They have strict recruitment policies and generally wont look at anyone unless they fit their ideal profile. So if they ask for 12 years of English schooling, then having 10 years wont be enough and they wont accept you.

Originally Posted by jauho1979

Secondly, based on other posts here, it is often advised that applicants should go straight to the target country (where the employers are) when applying for a job, rather than applying it from overseas. Therefore, should I only apply when I'm in Australia this coming July? Or it's ok for me to apply back home in Malaysia?

Correct! Going to the target country is best when applying a teaching job. However, when teaching in Japan, it's important to realise that there will be hurdles involved if you don't hold a passport from a native English speaking country.

Apart from the above mentioned schools, you could also try Gaba, Wisdom21, Royal Kids, Grandom and Shane English schools.

Originally Posted by jauho1979

Lastly, I have about 3 years of teaching experience (I teach Accounting at a uni back in Malaysia, using English as the medium). Would this give me an edge over the others?

Definitely! Make sure you mention and emphasise this on your resume.

[jauho1979]

Hi GFell,

Thanks again for your sound advices. From what I'm gathering from your post, it seems that my prospect of going to Japan can be a bit challenging.

Any advice for me in particular to overcome the obstacles (i.e. not meeting the 12-year English schooling requirement, holding passport of non-native English speaking countries)?

Thanks for any advice/help I can get.

[gfell]

Originally Posted by jauho1979

Any advice for me in particular to overcome the obstacles (i.e. not meeting the 12-year English schooling requirement, holding passport of non-native English speaking countries)?

That's a very difficult question, as the rules are the rules when trying to get a work visa for teaching purposes. It's not the schools that impose these rules, but in fact the visa offices.

There are a range of different classes of visas in Japan. Perhaps you can find a way to legally reside in Japan based on your background. Be it a cultural, artist, humanities visa or so forth.

Most English teachers in Japan are on the humanities visa.

Unless you have a unique skill that is in high demand, it will be very difficult to attain work without actually residing in Japan.

[jauho1979]

Hi GFell,

You've been a tremendous help! Thanks a lot. : )

[gfell]

You're welcome!