Working Holiday Visa questions!

[shogoz]

I love Osaka! that's where im hoping to live later on which is why i want to start teaching there. I went there on a holiday around christmas time and i absolutely loved Osaka, everybody there was very friendly and Osaka has a really good atmosphere! i wish i went to more places in Osaka. I have no clue how to read Japanese nor do i know what somebody is saying to me when they speak it unless its basic haha but im trying to learn! when i went to hirakatashi i tried to find the right bus to take me to my friends house but i had no clue and so i just picked any. I ended up having to walk back to hirakata city over a very long bridge leading to kyubashi i think. anyway when i got to the bus terminal area again i chose a different bus and it happened to be the same bus leading back over that stupid bridge haha. do you have any funny experiences or funny teaching stories?

[gfell]

Oh my gosh... that's funny. Going back to the same bus route and ending back at the same place where you were trying to get away from.

Yeh, Japan is full of stories like this. Kyoubashi.. I know it well. Was there last Saturday for a friend's b'day party.

When I first came to Japan I had many strange experiences like this... even as simple as blowing my nose in public and have all the children watch me.

Japan sure is a good place... never a dull moment.

[ak28]

Hello! Just been reading this interesting thread....

I also have a similar question - my partner and I are interested in teaching in Japan from March/April next year. I was wondering if we could get a WHV and then have a little holiday before looking for a job in Tokyo? Will it be difficult to get a job seeing that this is our first time teaching English? - we both have bachelors degrees.

[gfell]

If you get a WHV, it only lasts a maximum of 1.5 years if you renew it twice. Depends how long of a holiday you want. As long as you are a native English speaker and hold a Bachelor's degree, there shouldn't be any problems with getting a teaching job.

March/April would be a great time to arrive as the new school year starts then too.

You may want to get a TEFL certificate too if you have time. Will open more doors for you.

[ak28]

Thanks!! I've gone to the WHV link you suggested and its also quite helpful.

We only plan to play in the snow for about 2-3 weeks before applying for work.

Do you have any suggestions about how to get accom whilst we're there? We obviously will put up in a cheap hostel first. But will it be tricky getting more permanent places after we find work? I hear some teaching schools only allow you to stay in their apartments.....

[gfell]

Please keep this thread on the topic of WHV's. Start a new thread re accommodation please. Thank you.

[ak28]

Sorry ;p Thanks for the reminder.....
I just had a look at the WHV requirements....it states that i have to include details of prearranged employment in my application. Can I sign up with a school and not begin work as soon as I enter Japan?

[gfell]

In regards to pre-arranged work, just write in this field that you will source part-time work once you arrive to Japan. The idea of the WHV is to work a bit and travel a bit. If you write the schools details in this box, then they may ask you to apply for a Work Visa instead.

[paddyxy]

Hi,

I'm looking at teaching english in Japan.
I'm 28 and I know that WHVs can be given to 18-30 year olds.
I have a bachelor degree and I think I would get a TESOL certificate to increase my employment opportunities.

-Will a TESOL increase my employability and the amount that I could get for working in Japan?

-What chance do you think I would have in getting a WHV if I did so at the age of 29yo from January next year?

And also if I did then get a WHV and wanted to apply for a Working Visa at 29yo at the end of the 6month WHV, do you think I would likely to be considered?

Thanks.

[gfell]

Originally Posted by paddyxy

Will a TESOL increase my employability and the amount that I could get for working in Japan?

Please keep this thread on topic of WHV's. If you have another question off topic, best to start a new thread. To answer this question, "most definitely". More job offers and a higher salary. If they don't offer a higher salary, ask for one after 2 months.

Originally Posted by paddyxy

What chance do you think I would have in getting a WHV if I did so at the age of 29yo from January next year?

The age restriction for the WHV is at the time of applying. So applying at 29 is fine. As long as you hold a Bachelor degree and Australian passport, you are pretty much guaranteed a WHV. So you don't really need to worry about chances here.

Originally Posted by paddyxy

And also if I did then get a WHV and wanted to apply for a Working Visa at 29yo at the end of the 6month WHV, do you think I would likely to be considered?

You can always keep it simple and just renew your WHV another 2 times, giving a total stay of 18 months. After that, then apply for your work visa. On second thoughts, you wont be able to as you will have just passed the age cutoff. So yeh, go for the work visa then. If your employed, most schools will jump thru the hoops to help you out.