I think if you really want to be in Japan, and you really want to teach English you can make it a career. Many people tend to move on to teaching privately and make much better money. The big step is developing fluency in Japanese. If you can pass the JLPT N2 you can make much more teaching businesses, with the caveat that at that point your choice of careers in Japan opens up dramatically, so you really need to WANT to continue teaching English. I know of a couple people who have their N1, who makes in the ballpark of 100k a year doing corporate English teaching. But again, with the N1, and native English, you could probably make substantial pay in almost any field in Japan (That you're qualified for)
Krahn But as the general course of your video was more related to teaching in schools or Ekaiwas, they are similar enough to be included, I think you're very accurate. You'll always be capped by what the government pays out as the standard for that kind of English teaching.
Yes, but it's not really an optimal path, If you don't have a lot more education than is required for ALT work, it requires a lot of experience and luck, because those jobs don't turn over often. You can't bet on getting that kind of a job, but getting hired in the private sector is, at least compared to a college job, very easy.
With a masters In almost anything, and a bit of luck, and a bit of luck you could teach college. but 99% of ALTs don't have a masters. as a bachelors is all that's required. But it's extremely difficult to get a college job with a bachelors.
That I can't say, I only know of one guy that's been hired by a college, but he had a lot of experience. The hard part is lack of turn over. ALT jobs are always available because people are coming and going so often, but most people stay in college jobs for life, or at least a LONG time.
You put a lot of thought into this video, but I also think you're view of Japan is very skewed by your choice of work. Contract ALT jobs are definitely dead-end and require no skills or experience to do. If you have some teaching experience and can actually speak Japanese, there are opportunities to be hired directly by the city. Those teachers get paid well and have benefits. It can be a career. ALTs usually burn out after year(s) of being a tape recorder with no career incentive. Sounds to me like A.) you just dont like the job and B.) You haven't researched/tried the other kinds of teaching out there. 1. Eikaiwa is paid higher and some even offer benefits. (Little experience, no qualifications needed) 2. Nursery Schools pay even more than that and benefits. (Little experience, some qualifications needed) 3. International Schools are the dream for qualified teachers. They get paid similar to teachers back home. (Qualifications needed/ usually an MA in Education) 4. University jobs are also another route. (Definitely need some qualifications here, even some published work)
Actually funny you should write this now. I've done more research and would agree there are far more jobs to be had in teaching. I've had several interviews at different schools so far and they all pay as much as teachers would receive in my home country. In many cases more. I've actually been thinking of making another counter movie to this as I've learned more about the system. Thanks for checking out the video and commenting.
+DaveTrippin Hey Dave, I'd be really happy to watch it since I'm currently in the Uk doing a teaching qualification in order to gain employment as a teacher in Japan, and would like to learn more about it being a career move rather than a dead end short term thing.
I completely understand and respect your perspective and opinions about this issue and all your insightful videos for that matter. I especially appreciate your fairness and thoroughness in explaining not just the main question but also the little details! Keep up the great work and maybe someday I'll jump in the water with both feet!
Great point when you say just because something might not necessarily be a classic career doesn't mean it's not worth doing. I'm currently teaching English in Japan
Dave i think you are 100% spot on! My view is that teaching english in Japan or China doesnt matter where, should be a stepping stone for other things. For me its to just get away for a few years and travel the world, im also a entrepreneur at heart so im always looking at business opportunities where ever i go
I'm in the same position as you, it'll be 4 years teaching English in Japan in April. And I completely agree with you. Though, I want to stress that teaching English is valuable personally. Especially for recent college grads, that's when I first came to Japan. I think everyone should have an experience in a foreign country, and this is a very easy and lucrative way to do say.
Thank you for your video. I was a university Lecturer back home, and I started teaching in Japan recently. Honestly, I think whoever chooses a teaching career, he shouldn't expect 1-Too much cash 2- becoming some sort of CEO? There is a big difference between someone who likes teaching back in his country and here in japan, and another who comes to Japan and has no choice but teach to stay here. So yes, teaching is a career for people who like it. If people want to have better jobs in Japan, they should study hard learn Japanese and apply in the same jobs as local people. Many friends of mine from my country are successful engineers here in Japan because they worked hard for their position. So if people want to compete in extreme challenging jobs in Japan must roll up their sleeves and work hard to fit.
I did it for a few years about 25 years ago. It was fun and i meat a lot of fascinating people but it definitely wasn't something that would be a career and I knew it after the first week of teaching.
I have no problem waiting 5 years to move up in the company. With saying that if I find something better before then I will take it. On top of that I do plan on taking the JLPT so there will be more opportunities in jobs and better pay for me.
I really like that you say from both sides instead bash from one side because your angry. Shows your educated and disciplined. Look forward to your future insights.
Good perspective! I got the offer from Interac and will be heading over in march, so all of your videos are full of great information! Also, do you have a podcast?
You've got a great set up so far! And if i'm not mistaken one of your older vids you say you have the 2i2? So you're quality is awesome. Here's a free website: www.podomatic.com/login I would just record your video audio in .wav and just upload the audio whenever. I know you can also do it on iTunes. (for how much, I do not know lol)
i'm an english teacher but in my country not in japan lol. and when you spoke about the raise i calculated the raise i get automatically each year i got 1% lol i thought it is reasonable and ok. so what would a raise for a teacher in other countries be like? hmmmm
I think it sounds like a great foot-in-the-door but that door will be completely open once you have mastered the language as you said. Something for prospects to definitely think about, a lot of people only think about the here and now and fail to really plan that far ahead like they should.
The title of your video caught my attention. Unlike 99% of those who go overseas to teach ESL (young, right out of college, just looking to "explore a new culture" for a year or two before returning home and embarking on their careers), I'm at the tail end of my life. I turn 48 next month, was a graphic designer (also have a BS in bus admin), basically I've been told by this new post-Great Recession job market that I'm not wanted here...nearly three years unemployed, one thousand rejected job applications (I stopped counting after that), lost my home and am living in my mom's basement trying to determine what to do with the rest of my life or whether I should even bother going on. The only "opportunities" here for "unemployables" like me are min wage retail, and that's if you're lucky -- I was rejected for min wage at Target. I decided I wanted to move overseas but with every country I was met with the whole work permit issue. So I stumbled upon the TEFL thing and decided to give life one more shot. I got a CELTA and have been applying occasionally here/there, but I'm torn up by the whole thing. Besides having to leave my mom and three cats behind, I just don't know what it'll lead to long term. In a logical world I'd pursue the education field further and apply my design background towards instructional design. But, I fear I'd be just setting myself up for more failure due to the still screwed up job market (I've met lots of unemployed IDs). So, yeah, your title depressed me. As far as careers it's pretty much over for me, I've got twenty years before I can collect social security, not sure what I'm gonna do...(sorry for the long post)
Diane K Wow..your comment really struck me because I'm almost right there with you. I'm 37 and have no idea what to do next because I have a somewhat useless Bachelor's degree and trying to get further education for a new career. The only problem with that is education costs a lot of money in the states and I don't want to accumulate massive debts I cannot pay for a job that may or may not be adequate enough to pay that debt in a reasonable amount of time. When I tried to get a new degree my financial aid ran out about halfway through and I don't have the extra money to take one class at a time to finish because my current job cannot pay my bills and pay for classes at the same time. To me I think teaching English is one of the last options to do unless I want to continue to do retail hell for poverty wages. Yeah, English teaching isn't the greatest wage, but it's definitely much better than what I'm making now until I can figure out what to do.
I have to agree with the importance of being aware.. But what your saying doesn't add up. If you want a career teaching in Japan there are ways to do it. Just because you aren't willing to take the 5 years necessary to climb the ladder, doesn't mean the ladder doesn't exist. If you want something you have to work for it. It had always been so.
+Easyystride I agree with you. That's why I tried to state clearly that this is only my* opinion and lifestyle choice. If people are content and happy with that ladder more power to them.
This certainly applies for the ALT and Eikaiwa gigs, but can you honestly say that getting a BA or even MA in TESOL with the intent of authentic teaching in Japan is not a legitimate career?
Teaching English in Japan is a career if you're Japanese and a qualified teacher. As an ALT you're an unqualified assistant teacher. I'm sure that most people wouldn't consider that a career in their home country. As far as other careers go e.g. Software Developer , I would imagine that you would not only need to be fluent in Japanese but offer some special skill that a Japanese software developer doesn't have for a company to consider sponsoring you for a work visa. A big ask especially if you don't have a great deal of experience as yet.
Excellent video Dave! You pretty much outlined everything I have thought about as far as teaching for a while once i get there. At this point don't know if it will be one year or 5 but I'm certainly not planing on making it a career!
I bounce around watching various "Jvloggers" (although truthfully, I'll probably only ever visit Japan...beautiful country with some interesting points but some things about their culture clash horribly with my Western mindset, haha!). Anywho, because I want to get various viewpoints about the country, in terms of teaching, I agree. I've not watched a single person that lives there and has been there for multiple years that has stated they wanted to teach and teach only as their career. Most subsidize their income with another job. One person I watch does artwork and illustration as their primary job but with teaching on the side. Another person that's quite prominent in the Jvlogging community (I'll still withhold names but you can probably guess these people either way :) has their own school. Of course when you're your own boss, it's easier to give yourself a raise after all other needs have been met, lol. You can always do other things in Japan instead of just teaching but the drawback is usually that you need to have a decent level of Japanese. A third person I watched brought up getting a job though at large international companies, where most of the employees might speak English. When you mentioned that raises should be given based on merit, it also reminded me that I've heard that raises are not given based on that. It's given based on tenure or time at the company. Of course for a gaijin, that probably still will be rather small, but I think it goes by whoever's been at the company the longest. Which kind of sucks...you could work your butt off (and work those ridiculously long hours that Japan is infamous for with NO overtime...probably one of the bigger reasons I would never want to work in Japan) and still have little to show for it. Anywho, great video and again, definitely agree with you. If you're going to live and work in Japan, don't completely snub teaching but have a backup or side plan as well. Oh, and as with all jobs, NETWORK! :)
Haha. I lived in that exact model of Leo Palace. So it's not surprising that your also working for Interac llc. What town you in? I taught in Miyoshi-Hiroshima myself.
+WilliamM. Laowai by day. For sure definitely popular to plunk people in when they arrive... Lord knows though I'm trying to get out. You find a good place?
I stayed in that model for eight months, and then another one that was about the same for another year. I'm actually back in the US right now. But only for a visit I'm heading out to China to Teach at a University on the 23rd of this month. I'm just getting into the whole RUclips Video thing. So it should be interesting.
DaveTrippin Thanks, The town your in even looks like the town I was in. (I think all smallish Japanese cities kind of look alike) But It should be fun, I'm enjoying your youtube stuff so far.
Also, 2.5 years in a LeoPalace! *cringe* I can empathize. For anyone living in Japan or moving soon, you don't have to put yourself through that. I sure wish I'd looked into moving sooner. It's expensive, but worth it.
I'd like to know what kind of visa Dave has and what kind of work it allows him to do. Unless things have changed you can only work in a particular job that your visa says you can. If you have a teaching visa you cannot suddenly start working in computers. I did make a career teaching English in Japan. Different language schools are run differently but the Japanese worker gets an automatic raise every April, not much mind you, maybe only 4%, but if you work for a reputable language school you also automatically get the same 4% raise as everybody else. When I started teaching I got paid about $2,000 a month. Most teachers I worked with did NOT want to make a career out of teaching English, it was just a way to make a lot of money fast. Most teachers came to Japan to teach English for about 2 years to make lots of dough fast then go back home. You don't need a teaching degree to teach English in Japan, but to legally teach English in Japan the Japanese government does have regulations. When I first started teaching you only needed to have completed 2 yrs. of college, no degree was necessary. Then the Japanese got tired of fly-by-night uneducated people trying to teach English and then you had to have a four year university degree to get an English teaching visa. The only way to get a "you can do any kind of work you want" is to get a Japanese "green card", and the Japanese are very strict about giving out this visa (10 years working for the same company, yearly income tax payments, etc.) Dave mentions a teaching position known as "head teacher". In most language schools the HT has more experience than any other teacher in that school and is regarded by his peers and students as the best teacher in the school. In the school I worked for the HT's salary was about 10% higher than a regular teacher's salary, but you could try to get more than that. During my 11yrs. as HT my school once had the highest enrollment rate in the nation, so I was able to negotiate a higher raise. Another time we had the highest income in the country, which also helped me negotiate another raise. Finally my salary was frozen because my salary had become the same as my boss'. Making a career of teaching English in Japan is not for everyone, it does take dedication. Many promotions in Japan are based on a business person's score on a nation English TOEIC test, something like our SAT. So, if your students can get high scores and promotions because of your teachings it helps the image of your school and you which might bring increased enrollment, increased income and bonuses for all employees of your school. Sorry for going on for so long but I did make a career of teaching English in Japan, I'm proud of what I did and some of you might be able to communicate with Japanese business people because of my teachings.
Thank you. I've been contemplating teaching in Japan for a while but your video (in conjunction with others) has changed my mind by bringing up interesting points. I have 10 years in the US public school system. I thought of this as a possible transition when I should have seen the reality of it as a break from my career. Your comments about the long-term feasibility of this type of job is spot-on.
Hello Sandy. Don't let my cynicism get to you too much ;p I actually made a follow up video to this. It may be worth getting both perspectives. ruclips.net/video/Tl1AjTdprmk/видео.html
Hey Sandy....I believe you can make a career out of it. I have been teaching in Japan for 10 years and there are many people in my company that have been here longer! Mostly people teaching English as a career here, have decided to live here permanently probably...I think you should look into it more...Its a great experience!
This is a fantastic video, touching on a subject others rarely do. I am fully in agreement with pretty much everything you said here. It depends on the person, on what they value the most and their priorities. But from a standing point in the middle, no, it won't be considered as a proper career to work your way up by many.
coolbuddydude1 Oh no my goal is to become a system software developer. But I already have a degree in history. I never did think the history degree was for a job but it was a good education. I want to do the SSD because it's something else I'm passionate about and the money is excellent while I work on my writing.
Dude, love it. I am in somewhat similar situation career-wise. Precisely, weight the pros and cons. A job that might be a dead, might provide the best alternative to a great learning experience that otherwise might be missed. But Dave, you should probably be do radio or youtube. Yes, I know not a career path. Yet, most people will not take you seriously or hand you down the responsibility until you are in your early 30s.
+DaveTrippin Close to what you are doing now, but on a professional and advanced level. Meaning talk radio host/personality to do on youtube or at other places.
Im not to sure since it's controversial. if your a gaijins it will be harder for you to progress anywhere in japan. Basically what im saying is even if you take the merit based system and should be rewarded according and observe other fellow japanese you might see it being true. However, because your a gaijin, replaceable and not one of them, understanding their culture, etc. might not be fair, but thats the way it is, so dont try so hard because you will be rewarded with insults like a 1% raise when you ask them. Sum it up, work hard if it makes you happy but dont expect to be rewarded in japan.
+Douglas Valdez Mostly I think having a teaching certificate would bump you up. I see a number of far better paying jobs that ask for this on gaijin pots. Thing is, if people have that they usually teach in their own country.
Most ALT's in Japan who have been doing it for a long term view it as just a job and not a career. They stay in it because they enjoy it and love Japan. They are well aware there are not going to be any salary increases in future working for companies. Some later decide to run their own English school and that is certainly a career because of the potential of earning a higher salary. It's the few young ALT's who don't seem to be aware of the job's future that need to be told or otherwise they will end up being very disappointed in a few years time and may have trouble finding a job back home due to spending too long in their teaching job in Japan.
On your note regarding looking for software development... It's more langauge than math... living in another country with a different langauge is already an advantage there haha. I'm just a QA analyst not but I want to go full time into code as well ...
i would rather to jiec and get a teaching license and get paid more, my dream is to live in japan so i would jst get a teaching license to teach there, i have an AS on graphic design so i think its faster that way.
+DaveTrippin The advice I gave people who are considering teaching English in Japan is to commit to at least one full year, but don't stay longer than 3 years. Most people I ran into in Japan who had been there longer than 3 years seemed to be stuck in their lives not knowing how to get on with their lives.
because they don't get a raise, the average Japanese salary is $2,200 American dollars...not that much really, especially if you want to raise a family.
Maybe not a career, but it'll look good on your resume. I like how you balanced this, as well as making allowances for other people having their own priorities. If someone's happy enough making a decent living while, say, starting a family in Japan or something, it could work. :-) No problem, cleaning a gym isn't exactly a career either, but I seem to have found my niche. Overall it's a good way to utilize my sharp eye for detail, near-inability to get bored, and strong mechanical aptitude [basically, I know where to look for dust because I can take the weight machines apart and put them back together in my head]. All of this is congenital, so I can't really brag about the talents, only their application. Thusly; archive.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-10/ff_smartlist_sonne [I still have to answer your video about neuroplasticity and autism, btw...] In a little over a year-and-a-half I've moved from working for a cleaning contractor to being a direct employee of the gym [they offered me a job after I'd quit working for the contractor, twice], trained new cleaners when the contractor, who was remarkably unhelpful, was eventually turfed-out. From this point forward I'll be working days [mainly dusting, glass and other fussy details], and doing periodic Q&A checks -- *without* becoming a supervisor, something I was adamant about not doing because, people skills. :-\ Raises have been forthcoming, at various stages along the way. None of this was intentional, just doing my job. But one of the new cleaners did mention that his real interest is becoming a personal trainer, and as a direct employee of the gym rather than a contractor, this path is now open to him [certifications notwithstanding]. Also unintentional, but cool. :-) Oh yeah, and... If you check your stats, please ignore the 10-second views; stream kept breaking up so I eventually resorted to youtube-dl and watched it locally.
DaveTrippin I *really* wandered from the original topic, thanks for your patience. But it did start me thinking about whether or not this is a career, and I still can't say for sure... Certainly wasn't planned, anyway.
You get paid according to the value you provide. If you want more money climb the ladder you despise by adding more value to the market, getting another degree or getting extra certifications. Money=value
"Teaching English In Japan Is Not A Career" Of course it's not. It's well remunerated entry level employment. Like driving a taxi or flipping hamburgers for US$100,000 a year.
Well, if you're going it alone, you definitely don't want to try to make a career of it. Everything is more expensive for a foreigner. Not really knowing where to shop or what to buy all the way to comfort food purchases and fast food can burn up your bank account even at your home country wage let alone an Asia wage. Getting married to a local that is sane with money can make all the difference. With that, having a stable home life takes the edge off the bullcrap that you must deal with working for a company whose sole purpose is to make money off of foreign faces. Again, if you're alone, you're fighting an uphill battle that only gets more disheartening as the new culture luster wears off and your understanding of how the locals *really* are builds.
Entry level EFL jobs in Japan often stink (sorry to say). Get a teaching degree, or go somewhere else (or just enjoy Japan and don't take it too seriously).
+Steve Ring Maybe check out the video I linked in this one in the top left? I've since making this video learned a great deal more about what is available and it certainly broadened my perspective. Most specifically what is available outside of dispatch companies. You really can make a go of a career in Japan teaching English. You just need to know where to look.
+DaveTrippin Absolutely. While in certain countries I recommend people go with the bigger companies, I can't do the same in Japan. The EFL scene here has been around for ages, and tends to exploit - and be aware of - those who are willing to work here for meager wages (not saying they're all bad). With eikaiwas, I'd recommend smaller - sometimes family run - schools. Overall though, it's better to get into private schools or universities if you want to turn it into more of a career.
I know the reason. Its not expensive for him to leave and go back to Canada. Its that he is a loser and has nothing going for him back home. He worked at a call center for Rogers, which is a telecom company and probably does not have a degree or any valuable skills. He looks like he is 45+ when he is in his mid-30s. So yeah that is the reason.
NewtypeDestroyer Cool Cool, and like Krahn was so good to mention, if you did master Japanese and move outside of the public / Eikaiwa system, who knows the doors that could open for you.
***** I think Warsteiner could very well be a troll. Someone's logic that full of holes is either insane or is actively seeking to make people angry with their ridiculous nonsense. Here's to well paid 'fake jobs'
LOL, 45,000 dollar a year at 40? I am 23 I made 70,000 + 10,000 bonus straight out of undergrad as an investment banker. By 40, my goal is to make 400K +. Time is valuable my friend, you can always make more money, but you cannot make more time. Mind you, I am also from Canada.
I think if you really want to be in Japan, and you really want to teach English you can make it a career. Many people tend to move on to teaching privately and make much better money. The big step is developing fluency in Japanese. If you can pass the JLPT N2 you can make much more teaching businesses, with the caveat that at that point your choice of careers in Japan opens up dramatically, so you really need to WANT to continue teaching English. I know of a couple people who have their N1, who makes in the ballpark of 100k a year doing corporate English teaching. But again, with the N1, and native English, you could probably make substantial pay in almost any field in Japan (That you're qualified for)
Krahn But as the general course of your video was more related to teaching in schools or Ekaiwas, they are similar enough to be included, I think you're very accurate. You'll always be capped by what the government pays out as the standard for that kind of English teaching.
Krahn You sir have the context of what I was driving at. I hope others who check out the video do as well.
Yes, but it's not really an optimal path, If you don't have a lot more education than is required for ALT work, it requires a lot of experience and luck, because those jobs don't turn over often. You can't bet on getting that kind of a job, but getting hired in the private sector is, at least compared to a college job, very easy.
With a masters In almost anything, and a bit of luck, and a bit of luck you could teach college. but 99% of ALTs don't have a masters. as a bachelors is all that's required. But it's extremely difficult to get a college job with a bachelors.
That I can't say, I only know of one guy that's been hired by a college, but he had a lot of experience. The hard part is lack of turn over. ALT jobs are always available because people are coming and going so often, but most people stay in college jobs for life, or at least a LONG time.
You put a lot of thought into this video, but I also think you're view of Japan is very skewed by your choice of work. Contract ALT jobs are definitely dead-end and require no skills or experience to do. If you have some teaching experience and can actually speak Japanese, there are opportunities to be hired directly by the city. Those teachers get paid well and have benefits. It can be a career. ALTs usually burn out after year(s) of being a tape recorder with no career incentive.
Sounds to me like A.) you just dont like the job and B.) You haven't researched/tried the other kinds of teaching out there.
1. Eikaiwa is paid higher and some even offer benefits. (Little experience, no qualifications needed)
2. Nursery Schools pay even more than that and benefits. (Little experience, some qualifications needed)
3. International Schools are the dream for qualified teachers. They get paid similar to teachers back home. (Qualifications needed/ usually an MA in Education)
4. University jobs are also another route. (Definitely need some qualifications here, even some published work)
Actually funny you should write this now. I've done more research and would agree there are far more jobs to be had in teaching. I've had several interviews at different schools so far and they all pay as much as teachers would receive in my home country. In many cases more. I've actually been thinking of making another counter movie to this as I've learned more about the system. Thanks for checking out the video and commenting.
+DaveTrippin Hey Dave,
I'd be really happy to watch it since I'm currently in the Uk doing a teaching qualification in order to gain employment as a teacher in Japan, and would like to learn more about it being a career move rather than a dead end short term thing.
Hey there, which Eikaiwas are you speaking about and how do I find them? I'm thinking of coming to Japan need guidance
I completely understand and respect your perspective and opinions about this issue and all your insightful videos for that matter.
I especially appreciate your fairness and thoroughness in explaining not just the main question but also the little details! Keep up the great work and maybe someday I'll jump in the water with both feet!
+CWT Cheers thanks so much for supporting the channel.
If one starts their own school, it can be a very lucrative career.
Great point when you say just because something might not necessarily be a classic career doesn't mean it's not worth doing. I'm currently teaching English in Japan
Dave i think you are 100% spot on! My view is that teaching english in Japan or China doesnt matter where, should be a stepping stone for other things. For me its to just get away for a few years and travel the world, im also a entrepreneur at heart so im always looking at business opportunities where ever i go
I'm in the same position as you, it'll be 4 years teaching English in Japan in April. And I completely agree with you. Though, I want to stress that teaching English is valuable personally. Especially for recent college grads, that's when I first came to Japan. I think everyone should have an experience in a foreign country, and this is a very easy and lucrative way to do say.
Thank you for your video. I was a university Lecturer back home, and I started teaching in Japan recently. Honestly, I think whoever chooses a teaching career, he shouldn't expect 1-Too much cash 2- becoming some sort of CEO? There is a big difference between someone who likes teaching back in his country and here in japan, and another who comes to Japan and has no choice but teach to stay here. So yes, teaching is a career for people who like it. If people want to have better jobs in Japan, they should study hard learn Japanese and apply in the same jobs as local people. Many friends of mine from my country are successful engineers here in Japan because they worked hard for their position. So if people want to compete in extreme challenging jobs in Japan must roll up their sleeves and work hard to fit.
+Atra Bouadma Thanks so much for supporting the channel and commenting.
I did it for a few years about 25 years ago. It was fun and i meat a lot of fascinating people but it definitely wasn't something that would be a career and I knew it after the first week of teaching.
I have no problem waiting 5 years to move up in the company. With saying that if I find something better before then I will take it. On top of that I do plan on taking the JLPT so there will be more opportunities in jobs and better pay for me.
Khiry Washington You sir have a plan, and like I say the key thing is to be aware of how you want to go about it, which you are.
DaveTrippin like Eric B said thinkin of a master plan, but I'm sure when I get there it'll go out the window you know because life. lol
Khiry Washington haha love that 'because... life' how true that is.
Lol hey you should do a video about avoiding gaijin hunters. Lol
Khiry Washington This is an excellent idea haha.
I really like that you say from both sides instead bash from one side because your angry. Shows your educated and disciplined. Look forward to your future insights.
Good perspective! I got the offer from Interac and will be heading over in march, so all of your videos are full of great information! Also, do you have a podcast?
The Temple of Xin I really should start one of those but I'm in the dark as to how I would get one going. Any tips for where I can learn how?
You've got a great set up so far! And if i'm not mistaken one of your older vids you say you have the 2i2? So you're quality is awesome. Here's a free website: www.podomatic.com/login
I would just record your video audio in .wav and just upload the audio whenever. I know you can also do it on iTunes. (for how much, I do not know lol)
The Temple of Xin That's great info thank you.
Anytime!
i'm an english teacher but in my country not in japan lol. and when you spoke about the raise i calculated the raise i get automatically each year i got 1% lol i thought it is reasonable and ok. so what would a raise for a teacher in other countries be like? hmmmm
I think it sounds like a great foot-in-the-door but that door will be completely open once you have mastered the language as you said. Something for prospects to definitely think about, a lot of people only think about the here and now and fail to really plan that far ahead like they should.
The title of your video caught my attention. Unlike 99% of those who go overseas to teach ESL (young, right out of college, just looking to "explore a new culture" for a year or two before returning home and embarking on their careers), I'm at the tail end of my life. I turn 48 next month, was a graphic designer (also have a BS in bus admin), basically I've been told by this new post-Great Recession job market that I'm not wanted here...nearly three years unemployed, one thousand rejected job applications (I stopped counting after that), lost my home and am living in my mom's basement trying to determine what to do with the rest of my life or whether I should even bother going on. The only "opportunities" here for "unemployables" like me are min wage retail, and that's if you're lucky -- I was rejected for min wage at Target. I decided I wanted to move overseas but with every country I was met with the whole work permit issue. So I stumbled upon the TEFL thing and decided to give life one more shot. I got a CELTA and have been applying occasionally here/there, but I'm torn up by the whole thing. Besides having to leave my mom and three cats behind, I just don't know what it'll lead to long term. In a logical world I'd pursue the education field further and apply my design background towards instructional design. But, I fear I'd be just setting myself up for more failure due to the still screwed up job market (I've met lots of unemployed IDs).
So, yeah, your title depressed me. As far as careers it's pretty much over for me, I've got twenty years before I can collect social security, not sure what I'm gonna do...(sorry for the long post)
Diane K Wow..your comment really struck me because I'm almost right there with you. I'm 37 and have no idea what to do next because I have a somewhat useless Bachelor's degree and trying to get further education for a new career. The only problem with that is education costs a lot of money in the states and I don't want to accumulate massive debts I cannot pay for a job that may or may not be adequate enough to pay that debt in a reasonable amount of time. When I tried to get a new degree my financial aid ran out about halfway through and I don't have the extra money to take one class at a time to finish because my current job cannot pay my bills and pay for classes at the same time. To me I think teaching English is one of the last options to do unless I want to continue to do retail hell for poverty wages. Yeah, English teaching isn't the greatest wage, but it's definitely much better than what I'm making now until I can figure out what to do.
+Damien Lavizzo Ahem man thanks for providing that excellent advice to their questions / statements.
I have to agree with the importance of being aware.. But what your saying doesn't add up. If you want a career teaching in Japan there are ways to do it. Just because you aren't willing to take the 5 years necessary to climb the ladder, doesn't mean the ladder doesn't exist. If you want something you have to work for it. It had always been so.
+Easyystride I agree with you. That's why I tried to state clearly that this is only my* opinion and lifestyle choice. If people are content and happy with that ladder more power to them.
Dave does not approve. Hahaha love when you talk in third person. Interesting video. Thanks for posting.
This certainly applies for the ALT and Eikaiwa gigs, but can you honestly say that getting a BA or even MA in TESOL with the intent of authentic teaching in Japan is not a legitimate career?
Teaching English in Japan is a career if you're Japanese and a qualified teacher. As an ALT you're an unqualified assistant teacher. I'm sure that most people wouldn't consider that a career in their home country.
As far as other careers go e.g. Software Developer , I would imagine that you would not only need to be fluent in Japanese but offer some special skill that a Japanese software developer doesn't have for a company to consider sponsoring you for a work visa.
A big ask especially if you don't have a great deal of experience as yet.
Excellent video Dave! You pretty much outlined everything I have thought about as far as teaching for a while once i get there. At this point don't know if it will be one year or 5 but I'm certainly not planing on making it a career!
kodackmaster Cool man glad you found the video useful. Any other questions you have please do let me know.
Great Vid, dude!!!
I always had that concern on the back of mind if I we're to apply in a teaching position in Japan.
Johnny Reynoso Thanks so much for the kind words and checking out the video. I really appreciate it.
Why not establish a business and obtain contracts directly from schools there in Japan?
It's a good idea if you have the money to invest. I definitely know some foreigners who've become very wealthy doing this.
I bounce around watching various "Jvloggers" (although truthfully, I'll probably only ever visit Japan...beautiful country with some interesting points but some things about their culture clash horribly with my Western mindset, haha!). Anywho, because I want to get various viewpoints about the country, in terms of teaching, I agree. I've not watched a single person that lives there and has been there for multiple years that has stated they wanted to teach and teach only as their career.
Most subsidize their income with another job. One person I watch does artwork and illustration as their primary job but with teaching on the side. Another person that's quite prominent in the Jvlogging community (I'll still withhold names but you can probably guess these people either way :) has their own school. Of course when you're your own boss, it's easier to give yourself a raise after all other needs have been met, lol.
You can always do other things in Japan instead of just teaching but the drawback is usually that you need to have a decent level of Japanese. A third person I watched brought up getting a job though at large international companies, where most of the employees might speak English.
When you mentioned that raises should be given based on merit, it also reminded me that I've heard that raises are not given based on that. It's given based on tenure or time at the company. Of course for a gaijin, that probably still will be rather small, but I think it goes by whoever's been at the company the longest. Which kind of sucks...you could work your butt off (and work those ridiculously long hours that Japan is infamous for with NO overtime...probably one of the bigger reasons I would never want to work in Japan) and still have little to show for it.
Anywho, great video and again, definitely agree with you. If you're going to live and work in Japan, don't completely snub teaching but have a backup or side plan as well. Oh, and as with all jobs, NETWORK! :)
Fluffymiyster Truer words have never been spoken.
Haha. I lived in that exact model of Leo Palace.
So it's not surprising that your also working for Interac llc.
What town you in? I taught in Miyoshi-Hiroshima myself.
+WilliamM. Laowai by day. For sure definitely popular to plunk people in when they arrive... Lord knows though I'm trying to get out. You find a good place?
I stayed in that model for eight months, and then another one that was about the same for another year. I'm actually back in the US right now. But only for a visit I'm heading out to China to Teach at a University on the 23rd of this month. I'm just getting into the whole RUclips Video thing. So it should be interesting.
WilliamM. Laowai by day. Cool Man. Well I wish you luck that should be a wild adventure.
DaveTrippin Thanks, The town your in even looks like the town I was in. (I think all smallish Japanese cities kind of look alike) But It should be fun, I'm enjoying your youtube stuff so far.
WilliamM. Laowai by day. Cheers really appreciate it. I'm actually editing a new one as we speak that should be up later.
Also, 2.5 years in a LeoPalace! *cringe* I can empathize. For anyone living in Japan or moving soon, you don't have to put yourself through that. I sure wish I'd looked into moving sooner. It's expensive, but worth it.
I'd like to know what kind of visa Dave has and what kind of work it allows him to do. Unless things have changed you can only work in a particular job that your visa says you can. If you have a teaching visa you cannot suddenly start working in computers.
I did make a career teaching English in Japan. Different language schools are run differently but the Japanese worker gets an automatic raise every April, not much mind you, maybe only 4%, but if you work for a reputable language school you also automatically get the same 4% raise as everybody else.
When I started teaching I got paid about $2,000 a month. Most teachers I worked with did NOT want to make a career out of teaching English, it was just a way to make a lot of money fast. Most teachers came to Japan to teach English for about 2 years to make lots of dough fast then go back home.
You don't need a teaching degree to teach English in Japan, but to legally teach English in Japan the Japanese government does have regulations. When I first started teaching you only needed to have completed 2 yrs. of college, no degree was necessary. Then the Japanese got tired of fly-by-night uneducated people trying to teach English and then you had to have a four year university degree to get an English teaching visa. The only way to get a "you can do any kind of work you want" is to get a Japanese "green card", and the Japanese are very strict about giving out this visa (10 years working for the same company, yearly income tax payments, etc.)
Dave mentions a teaching position known as "head teacher". In most language schools the HT has more experience than any other teacher in that school and is regarded by his peers and students as the best teacher in the school. In the school I worked for the HT's salary was about 10% higher than a regular teacher's salary, but you could try to get more than that. During my 11yrs. as HT my school once had the highest enrollment rate in the nation, so I was able to negotiate a higher raise. Another time we had the highest income in the country, which also helped me negotiate another raise. Finally my salary was frozen because my salary had become the same as my boss'.
Making a career of teaching English in Japan is not for everyone, it does take dedication. Many promotions in Japan are based on a business person's score on a nation English TOEIC test, something like our SAT. So, if your students can get high scores and promotions because of your teachings it helps the image of your school and you which might bring increased enrollment, increased income and bonuses for all employees of your school.
Sorry for going on for so long but I did make a career of teaching English in Japan, I'm proud of what I did and some of you might be able to communicate with Japanese business people because of my teachings.
What about private teaching? I heard that pays really well
Thank you. I've been contemplating teaching in Japan for a while but your video (in conjunction with others) has changed my mind by bringing up interesting points. I have 10 years in the US public school system. I thought of this as a possible transition when I should have seen the reality of it as a break from my career. Your comments about the long-term feasibility of this type of job is spot-on.
Hello Sandy. Don't let my cynicism get to you too much ;p I actually made a follow up video to this. It may be worth getting both perspectives.
ruclips.net/video/Tl1AjTdprmk/видео.html
Hey Sandy....I believe you can make a career out of it. I have been teaching in Japan for 10 years and there are many people in my company that have been here longer! Mostly people teaching English as a career here, have decided to live here permanently probably...I think you should look into it more...Its a great experience!
Your videos are really informative and great! I'm planning to move to Japan to myself to do teaching for a while. Thanks so much for the insight.
+Anthony Cheam Also! Where abouts do you live?
This is a fantastic video, touching on a subject others rarely do. I am fully in agreement with pretty much everything you said here. It depends on the person, on what they value the most and their priorities. But from a standing point in the middle, no, it won't be considered as a proper career to work your way up by many.
Teaching English is only transition/survival job - something you do to get bye until you find something better or you get tired of it.
What did you study in University?
coolbuddydude1 I have a degree in history.
DaveTrippin really? I thought you were planning on a career in IT. Have you changed your original goal?
coolbuddydude1 Oh no my goal is to become a system software developer. But I already have a degree in history. I never did think the history degree was for a job but it was a good education. I want to do the SSD because it's something else I'm passionate about and the money is excellent while I work on my writing.
DaveTrippin But how long has it been that you made the choice of becoming an SSD?
Dude, love it. I am in somewhat similar situation career-wise. Precisely, weight the pros and cons. A job that might be a dead, might provide the best alternative to a great learning experience that otherwise might be missed.
But Dave, you should probably be do radio or youtube. Yes, I know not a career path. Yet, most people will not take you seriously or hand you down the responsibility until you are in your early 30s.
+sunshineatnight02 Not totally sure what you mean when you mentioned radio? Could you clarify ?
+DaveTrippin Close to what you are doing now, but on a professional and advanced level. Meaning talk radio host/personality to do on youtube or at other places.
sunshineatnight02 I see. Interesting.
Im not to sure since it's controversial. if your a gaijins it will be harder for you to progress anywhere in japan. Basically what im saying is even if you take the merit based system and should be rewarded according and observe other fellow japanese you might see it being true. However, because your a gaijin, replaceable and not one of them, understanding their culture, etc. might not be fair, but thats the way it is, so dont try so hard because you will be rewarded with insults like a 1% raise when you ask them. Sum it up, work hard if it makes you happy but dont expect to be rewarded in japan.
How old are you Dave and when did you arrive in Japan?
Ironman I'm 30, and I arrived when I was 29. I'll be 31 on January six. Mark the calendar!
Is having a masters degree make you more in demand?
+Douglas Valdez Mostly I think having a teaching certificate would bump you up. I see a number of far better paying jobs that ask for this on gaijin pots. Thing is, if people have that they usually teach in their own country.
+DaveTrippin Thanks for the reply.
Douglas Valdez No worries. Cheers.
I think that most schools very clever in the way they do things.
Trying to get a salary increase is a waste of effort. Move to a new opportunity and double your income. Worked for me, but that was back in the 1980s.
Most ALT's in Japan who have been doing it for a long term view it as just a job and not a career. They stay in it because they enjoy it and love Japan. They are well aware there are not going to be any salary increases in future working for companies. Some later decide to run their own English school and that is certainly a career because of the potential of earning a higher salary. It's the few young ALT's who don't seem to be aware of the job's future that need to be told or otherwise they will end up being very disappointed in a few years time and may have trouble finding a job back home due to spending too long in their teaching job in Japan.
great video hope more people expose the real situation of teaching.
+Kiyan Riahi Hey Kiyan, thanks so much for the kind words. I appreciate you supporting the channel and dropping a comment.
Cheers I guess teaching is one part the other part is the politics and ins and outs of the teaching game.
how to deal with your Co teachers in japan.as the Co teachers seem have to more power.
On your note regarding looking for software development... It's more langauge than math... living in another country with a different langauge is already an advantage there haha. I'm just a QA analyst not but I want to go full time into code as well ...
i would rather to jiec and get a teaching license and get paid more, my dream is to live in japan so i would jst get a teaching license to teach there, i have an AS on graphic design so i think its faster that way.
How many years have you lived in Japan?
+Zhan ZS About two and a half. Approaching three years in the not to distant future.
+DaveTrippin The advice I gave people who are considering teaching English in Japan is to commit to at least one full year, but don't stay longer than 3 years. Most people I ran into in Japan who had been there longer than 3 years seemed to be stuck in their lives not knowing how to get on with their lives.
because they don't get a raise, the average Japanese salary is $2,200 American dollars...not that much really, especially if you want to raise a family.
Maybe not a career, but it'll look good on your resume.
I like how you balanced this, as well as making allowances for other people having their own priorities. If someone's happy enough making a decent living while, say, starting a family in Japan or something, it could work. :-)
No problem, cleaning a gym isn't exactly a career either, but I seem to have found my niche. Overall it's a good way to utilize my sharp eye for detail, near-inability to get bored, and strong mechanical aptitude [basically, I know where to look for dust because I can take the weight machines apart and put them back together in my head]. All of this is congenital, so I can't really brag about the talents, only their application.
Thusly;
archive.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-10/ff_smartlist_sonne
[I still have to answer your video about neuroplasticity and autism, btw...]
In a little over a year-and-a-half I've moved from working for a cleaning contractor to being a direct employee of the gym [they offered me a job after I'd quit working for the contractor, twice], trained new cleaners when the contractor, who was remarkably unhelpful, was eventually turfed-out. From this point forward I'll be working days [mainly dusting, glass and other fussy details], and doing periodic Q&A checks -- *without* becoming a supervisor, something I was adamant about not doing because, people skills. :-\
Raises have been forthcoming, at various stages along the way.
None of this was intentional, just doing my job. But one of the new cleaners did mention that his real interest is becoming a personal trainer, and as a direct employee of the gym rather than a contractor, this path is now open to him [certifications notwithstanding]. Also unintentional, but cool. :-)
Oh yeah, and... If you check your stats, please ignore the 10-second views; stream kept breaking up so I eventually resorted to youtube-dl and watched it locally.
0mn1vore Cool Omn thanks for sharing I'll check it out.
DaveTrippin I *really* wandered from the original topic, thanks for your patience. But it did start me thinking about whether or not this is a career, and I still can't say for sure... Certainly wasn't planned, anyway.
You get paid according to the value you provide. If you want more money climb the ladder you despise by adding more value to the market, getting another degree or getting extra certifications. Money=value
Love this video ! I had a similar experience in China , still it was well worth it. You went through so many points , I Love this video !
I like that you bring up math.
"Teaching English In Japan Is Not A Career"
Of course it's not. It's well remunerated entry level employment. Like driving a taxi or flipping hamburgers for US$100,000 a year.
Come India, in India u get better opportunity and money in English teaching
The culture is very different though..
Well, if you're going it alone, you definitely don't want to try to make a career of it. Everything is more expensive for a foreigner. Not really knowing where to shop or what to buy all the way to comfort food purchases and fast food can burn up your bank account even at your home country wage let alone an Asia wage. Getting married to a local that is sane with money can make all the difference. With that, having a stable home life takes the edge off the bullcrap that you must deal with working for a company whose sole purpose is to make money off of foreign faces.
Again, if you're alone, you're fighting an uphill battle that only gets more disheartening as the new culture luster wears off and your understanding of how the locals *really* are builds.
Entry level EFL jobs in Japan often stink (sorry to say). Get a teaching degree, or go somewhere else (or just enjoy Japan and don't take it too seriously).
+Steve Ring Maybe check out the video I linked in this one in the top left? I've since making this video learned a great deal more about what is available and it certainly broadened my perspective. Most specifically what is available outside of dispatch companies. You really can make a go of a career in Japan teaching English. You just need to know where to look.
+DaveTrippin Absolutely. While in certain countries I recommend people go with the bigger companies, I can't do the same in Japan. The EFL scene here has been around for ages, and tends to exploit - and be aware of - those who are willing to work here for meager wages (not saying they're all bad). With eikaiwas, I'd recommend smaller - sometimes family run - schools. Overall though, it's better to get into private schools or universities if you want to turn it into more of a career.
+Steve Ring I'll check out that vid. Cheers.
If you don't like it, why don't you leave?
It's incredibly expensive to do so. Moving in Japan, into and out of any apartment, has so many extra added costs. It's ridiculous.
wait, even if you leave by the correct date?
Sometimes, yeah.
How can leaving a country be expensive?
I know the reason. Its not expensive for him to leave and go back to Canada. Its that he is a loser and has nothing going for him back home. He worked at a call center for Rogers, which is a telecom company and probably does not have a degree or any valuable skills. He looks like he is 45+ when he is in his mid-30s. So yeah that is the reason.
very helpful
Good video. I don't plan to stay here for very long. Goal is to master Japanese.
NewtypeDestroyer Cool Cool, and like Krahn was so good to mention, if you did master Japanese and move outside of the public / Eikaiwa system, who knows the doors that could open for you.
***** I think Warsteiner could very well be a troll. Someone's logic that full of holes is either insane or is actively seeking to make people angry with their ridiculous nonsense. Here's to well paid 'fake jobs'
Diction! Syntax!
Well said!
i just wanna know 1 thing ..do u want me to send u some Timms?? Lol......a fellow Canadian.
what the hell
you are so cute
👀
LOL, 45,000 dollar a year at 40? I am 23 I made 70,000 + 10,000 bonus straight out of undergrad as an investment banker. By 40, my goal is to make 400K +. Time is valuable my friend, you can always make more money, but you cannot make more time. Mind you, I am also from Canada.
i would go over there teach them shitty ebonics and just get paid. lol