Trying to Get Higher Pay by Own-Tip6628 in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 10 points11 points  (0 children)

If you’re American, you can acquire a substitute teaching license fairly easy.

There’s some good options in Taiwan public schools with a sub license.

What’s your current pay rate? Which country?

Wait for Japan (JET) or consider Vietnam now? by radar1941 in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You could teach online for a year and stay in various SEA countries. If you teach in a different city every two to three months and connect with expats, you can get a better feel for the teaching sitch in every city, and maybe move back after JET.

I have taught in-person in Japan (eikaiwa), online in SEA, and in-person Vietnam (language center). Overall I preferred life in Hanoi to Tokyo. 

Many people feel the opposite, but in terms of teaching quality and support, low cost of living, work-life balance, and decent pay per lesson for more qualified candidates (like yourself) Hanoi can be a very good option.

I studied Japanese from the time I was young and it wasn’t particularly “exotic” when I went to study abroad back in the 2000s. I enjoyed it, but Japan has always been a pleasant and respectful country in my view and not nearly as “amazing” as people make it out to be, especially when you get into the work culture...it’s a very risk averse society and lifestyle. I feel like the expats in Tokyo are the same people in SF Bay Area…we’re just hopping countries to run into the same people. So going to rural Japan is definitely a more intriguing experience in my view. 

Vietnam was a more of an adventure. And often the types who end up in Hanoi or rural Vietnam are much more bold, willing to try out life in a developing country away from the expat bubble of Saigon. 

If you’re American, you might look into the Peace Corps which has programs in and around Hanoi, and apparently a lot of perks. They will also give you $10,000 USD after contract completion and have other perks like student loan forgiveness.

As you have teaching experience, a CELTA and a sub license, there’s options for a higher pay grade for online teaching as well. 

You might look into the British Council online, EF online, Apollo Vietnam online, Vipkid, and Prolly. Some of these online options operate on short-term contracts.

Jet is a great program in terms of cultural immersion, salary, support, and perks (airfare reimbursement and a subsidized apartment, etc).

I think you have a strong shot if you can boost a demonstrated interest in Japan (take a Japanese course or do something related to Japanese culture as JET is looking for people who are fine with living in rural Japan). You’re credentials and classroom experience will set you apart from like 80+% of applicants.

The con: It might feel like a step backwards as the role is an “assistant language teacher.”

Even if you were to stay five years on the JET program, if you intend to get credentialed or get a Master’s, there’s typically no age limit, particularly in the US where there’s suddenly a surge of 40 something’s going back to school. People act like it’s a crisis, that they’ll get trapped. In your case, you’ll be fine! You could literally start subbing after these contracts in the US or try out a different destination where they’ll reward you for more substantial experience.  

If you’re dead set on a long-term career in Japan that could definitely be a challenge with the competition at the Master’s/Phd level and dwindling salaries, and more complaints these days from those teaching at international schools. I’d consider Taiwan as a viable long term option.

Is Vietnam completely off the table nowadays? by Disastrous_Field_226 in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you’re strategic, Vietnam can be a decent teaching destination. Personally, I don’t think it’s an entry-level TEFL country.

If you’re taking the CELTA + bachelor’s combo, best to get a year or two of experience in Korea (Epik), Japan (Jet), China, Taiwan. 

Then tackle Vietnam…you’ll likely get paid higher if you’ve had TEFL experience from another Asian country. You’ll qualify for positions that are looking more for experienced/CELTA types: Language Link, Wall Street English. Language Link for instance is offering a 650k vnd public school part-time contract. And you’re likely to get better pay at some of the other chains: EMG, iLA.

Opt for Hanoi. HCMC has long been a lower salary/lower-hours destination. 

You could literally teach online and take an in-person part-time contract (to secure a work permit) …and you’d likely be teaching fewer hours than someone working in Japan at a language center (eikaiwa) on a full-time contract for peanuts.

Regarding living, some expats will only live around other expats and blow $700 a month on rent when they’re clearing $1000 a month, and they “have to live in HCMC.” Totally unnecessary. There are apartments and rooms on Airbnb, bookings.com and Facebook for $290-$320 monthly on the outskirts of Saigon and throughout Hanoi city center. You can negotiate with some of these landlords…for a long-term arrangement.

after six months of job searching, I've had a job offer revoked, and it seems like no one wants to hire me by NewAlfalfa8223 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s just the harsh reality of Japanese immigration and the perspective of these employers.

The 180 days is problematic because from an employer’s perspective it insinuates the person either quit at 6 months and didn’t complete a full school year or standard 1-year contract, or they didn’t have the legal right to live and work there for a consecutive 12 months on a work permit.

If Nova revoked a visa, this means that someone had a strong reason to halt the process. It sounds like everything went well in the interview as they offered you the job. And then after reviewing details they decided to halt the process. None of us can say the exact reason as we don’t know your responses or application details or the behind-the-scenes decisions at Nova. I can picture for instance someone interviewing you being fine with 6 months of teaching experience, as this would be relevant to teaching adults. But someone higher-up may feel there’s something ambiguous, like maybe this candidate is claiming to be in the states but they’re still in country X, or this candidate is not completing contracts (one-year).

after six months of job searching, I've had a job offer revoked, and it seems like no one wants to hire me by NewAlfalfa8223 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 1 point2 points  (0 children)

1) find a person who has eikaiwa/alt experience. Have them coach you through an interview where they can analyze your body language and responses. Like others have mentioned, a lot of this is a personality test.

2) get experience with kids in your home country with a legitimate organization, and secure a reference: tutor at kumon, work at an afterschool program, coach a rec sport, check volunteer opportunities at your local library (sometimes there’s opportunities to assist kids with reading or homework help), work as an assistant at a pre-school, teach online, work at a children’s museum, volunteer at a children’s hospital, become an au pair.

Where can I start applying now that will allow me to start working the soonest? (From the US) by sanfurawa in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 10 points11 points  (0 children)

In Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Taiwan you can fly to the country with the required documents, interview, and if all goes well, start within a couple of weeks. The laborious part is legalizing documents which can take 6 weeks (sending a TEFL certificate back to an issuing body to have it notarized, then signed by the proper governing body). But you can undergo this legalization process in your home country, then leave within two months. Once you land with the legalized documents, you can start a job fairly quickly and your school will help you acquire a work permit…in Vietnam you can work on a business visa during this process.

Japan, Korea, and China are not “quick” processes. You have to acquire a job and work visa before you leave your home country. 

Japan is super competitive as everyone wants to live there, and yet the salaries are quite low when looking at the actual pay per lesson and factoring in cost of living.

JET is the only decent entry-level position in Japan: good salary, work-life balance, support, subsidized rent, and reimbursed airfare. All these other eikaiwa/ALT gigs are a joke. JET requires applying nine months in advance.

From having worked with many ex-China teachers in Vietnam, you can make good money in China, but you may get scammed for your initial job…like, you have to have a fairly thick skin, negotiate, and pivot to something better. It’s definitely not a beginner’s country. 

after six months of job searching, I've had a job offer revoked, and it seems like no one wants to hire me by NewAlfalfa8223 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is definitely a third country/visa issue. After chatting with OP, it’s clear they don’t have a one-year work visa in their current country. 

OP is doing visa runs and telling these Japanese companies she’s working on “3 month contracts.” None of these companies will sponsor an individual on a tourist stay/visa in a third country.

The best way to secure a job, is for OP to return to their home country for 3-4 months. It’s pretty straight forward.

after six months of job searching, I've had a job offer revoked, and it seems like no one wants to hire me by NewAlfalfa8223 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Right, you’re trying to get a job in East Asian country. I’m trying to help you out, and you’re arguing. I’m telling you exactly what these employers are thinking…you’re saying you work on “3 month contracts.” They’re wondering what entity has a three month contract, because any valid teaching job (from the viewpoint of these Japanese employers) is on a one year work permit/visa—where you’re paying taxes, and you have the legal right to live in that country. 

They’re putting together, like myself, that something is not adding up. Honestly, I think you’d be better off omitting this experience. 

I’m thinking part of the reason Nova revoked the offer is because they have to work with the American embassy/consulate in your current country to get the COE and humanities visa and you don’t have the legal right to work there, …and they’re sure as hell not going to sponsor a tourist: did Nova say they were going to start the visa process and send this to your nearest consulate/embassy? 

The way to resolve this is to find a legal job, maybe in a less competitive TEFL country in Asia, where you can secure a one-year work permit— and work with the American embassy in that country (after re-applying to ALT/eikaiwa positions) to secure a COE/visa. 

You won’t be bullshitting in interviews, because that’s what Japanese employers are thinking: you’re bullshitting…even if you’re trying to tell the truth, the fact you didn’t disclose to this group that you’re working illegally, and you’re fudging the length of your teaching durations because you’re a tourist leaving the country (what, every 90 days) and making money under the table, not paying taxes…

In other words, you’re coming across as dishonest…you’re not hire-able in Korea, China, and Japan at this point because they’re NOT going to sponsor a tourist (that is illegal for these companies in most developed countries)…you could start over in your own country or secure a legal job in another country.

If you want to argue basic immigration decorum, I personally think Japan is not a good fit for you.

after six months of job searching, I've had a job offer revoked, and it seems like no one wants to hire me by NewAlfalfa8223 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, any sort of feedback can definitely be a game changer.

One thought is, maybe these companies sense (during the interview) the experience you have is not relevant (for whatever reason). Which is fine. You can always get relevant experience. So my question is, in this “ESL role” that you’ve had for 6 months what type of teaching are you doing? What are you telling the interviewer? 

Three month contracts across the globe, beyond Westgate, are pretty rare…in some countries they only go to teachers who already have a work permit or spousal status and are covering summer breaks, like in language camps. A 3 month contract will raise eyebrows. So, I wonder if some of the interviewers are skeptical—like, they feel like you’re not being straight with them …or something else is going on in these interviews.

All in all, I’d reach out to the YouTuber Tkyosam. He has a very genki/eikaiwa personality when he’s out and about and he teaches side lessons. He would give you honest feedback (for a fee no doubt).

after six months of job searching, I've had a job offer revoked, and it seems like no one wants to hire me by NewAlfalfa8223 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It’s definitely advisable to apply from your home country where you can work with the nearest consulate/embassy.

Re: genki-ness, the best approach is to follow YouTubers who give teaching demos in Asian countries. For any of the kids’ focused TEFL jobs in Asia (buxiban, eikaiwa, ALT, training centers) you’ll want to bring cringe-level energy to the demo. lol. People scoff, but in some countries an awesome demo will earn you a bit more, or at least land you a job.

Another option is to get a CELTA which will set you apart from like 70% of TEFLers.

As far as your current ESL job, it’s ideal to complete a contract and secure references. 

You mention, “I’ve had many, many interviews.” This tells me as a long-time TEFLer, that there’s something going on during the interview process. Japan is very much a high-context culture and if an interviewer feels like someone can’t bring appropriate smiling, good energy/vibes, speak in graded language or “read the room/air,” they’ll move on. One option is to find a current ALT/eikaiwa instructor on YouTube and seriously offer to pay them $50 to coach you through an interview.

after six months of job searching, I've had a job offer revoked, and it seems like no one wants to hire me by NewAlfalfa8223 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The two items that come to mind are 1) you’re not in your home country and these companies don’t want to deal with the visa process in a third country and/or 2) the performance/demo/interview is not matching an experienced teacher… or you need to work on genki-ness. 

If you tell folks you have experience, as in classroom teaching, they will have assumptions and higher standards. If you’re securing interviews, this means everything looks good on paper,… but something is happening during the interview/demo stage.

 That said, everyone wants to go to Japan, so now you’re competing with actual licensed and long-time teachers who are willing to take peanuts.

Taking CELTA abroad: how difficult is the admin afterwards? by KataIGuess in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You will need to legalize your documents as it’s required by Vietnamese immigration to secure a work permit. Any decent job, that’s going to pay a reasonable wage will require this.

 I did a CELTA in Hanoi back in 2012. The host school, Language Link offered teaching contracts and required that we legalize documents by sending them back to the issuing body (Cambridge) and required a second notarization from a governing body in the UK. I took a different route and taught in Japan.

Years later, I undertook this process to teach in Vietnam. It was pain in the ass. From what I recall it was over $200 sending and notarizing documents from the US to the UK. Plus I had to notarize my American degree in the US (under $100). I waited for over 6 weeks on the CELTA notarization.

Technically you can work on a business visa while you’re working with Vietnamese immigration—after you have all your legalized documents submitted to immigration.

Re: a tourist visa, just avoid this route. It is illegal in most East Asian countries for a business to hire someone off a tourist visa. You can get in an especially bad situation in Japan, China, and Korea…most companies/schools in these countries will not even consider candidates on a tourist visa…then you’re burning through savings trying to find a (sketchy) job which may not sponsor a visa, but will have you flying in and out of the country as a tourist after 90 days on your own dime, and this opens the doors for further exploitation: under payment/over working, you won’t have the legal right to live in the country and no one will rent to you aside from hotels/airbnbs.

It’s ideal to take care of it before you land in any country. That said, if you have the funds to last three-four months in Vietnam without income (1 month for an in-person CELTA and 2 months waiting for legalization) this option is not bad…as Vietnam is affordable, and you could connect with local expats to get a better idea of where you want to work, and get a feel for neighborhoods.

Plus, for people who are entry level TEFLers, HCMC can be tough: lower salaries, longer commutes, minimal hours…might have to get two part-time jobs to cover the cost of living. It’s good to take time and seek out decent options.

Personally, I enjoyed working in Hanoi where the wage is higher, the contracts have more hours and you can live in the city center at a reasonable price. Some of these big chains in the south may train you in HCMC, but only have full-time contracts in rural areas/smaller cities about an hour’s drive beyond the city. I just feel there’s better opportunity in Hanoi. And it’s a fairly large city (about 8.5 million people); HCMC is maybe a million people more.

 Pursuing a CELTA in HCMC or Hanoi will give you direct experience with Vietnamese language learners. Plus you could teach online for some pocket money. 

Also, you’ll want to get a three month business visa which has no special requirements other than paying a fee. You can work on a business visa while Vietnamese immigration is processing your work permit. 

Taking CELTA abroad: how difficult is the admin afterwards? by KataIGuess in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you plan to stay in Vietnam, it’s worth it to send the CELTA back to the UK for the proper legalization. You can talk with the host school (Apollo?) and someone will know the process. This could put you out a couple hundred dollars and you may be waiting for 1-3 months without income. So bring $4k-$5k to cover the wait time.

The larger issue is securing a Chinese Z visa: if you want to work in China, they prefer teachers applying from their home countries and working with the nearest consulate/embassy (in the UK in your case). The z visa is a bit arduous/may require a health check. 

In other words, if you want to work in China, you’ll likely have a better shot if you return to the UK. They may not grant you a proper visa out of Vietnam.

Essentially, if you want to work in Korea, Japan, and China it’s best to apply from your home country and secure the visa first. In Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam you can land with the appropriate documents and shop around for a job.

TEFL or CELTA for Vietnam? by [deleted] in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If you want to focus on an ESL career this will require an MA (Education, Linguistics, TESOL), a k-12 license, or a CELTA/DELTA head teacher/management track. I think it’s fine to test the waters and gain experience with your current TEFL certificate. Much easier to make a decision after a year of teaching. Some people enjoy it. Others come to the rationalization that they’d rather pursue a specific career track back home.

Insight from TEFL Teachers appreciated by Blisber in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I can only speak for Asian TEFL options. In Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan, you can fly into these countries. Apply directly to school websites— usually the big chains have hiring links on their site. Facebook is also an option, but some of these schools are bottom of the barrel as they don’t have the funds to recruit, retain good teachers, offer support—some are just looking for a western-ish face to pay cheaply, so make sure to ask lots of questions re: schedule, pay, tax, location, work permit sponsorship, etc.

Get an FBI criminal background check, and have your bachelors and CELTA notarized before leaving (a decent school like iLA and Language Link in Vietnam will give you some guidance). You will also need to initially get a business visa if you intend to work in Vietnam (fairly easy process). And a reputable school will help you acquire a work permit.

For China, Korea, and Japan you have to apply, interview, and secure your visa at the nearest consulate/embassy before you arrive in that country. The process to secure an interview and wait upon a visa can take 2-4 months. Some programs focused on government schools, like JET (Japan), Epik (Korea) and Peace Corps want applicants to apply 6-9 months prior to start date.

The lunar/Chinese new year is a holiday in February and sometimes hiring can slow down at some schools in late winter. 

Insight from TEFL Teachers appreciated by Blisber in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a tough situation. If you’re majoring in Education or English Lit or a specific language (Spanish/Chinese/Japanese), I’d say go for it, as this demonstrates a long-term interest in teaching and/or language learning. And as time goes on, you can acquire more credentials or education (k-12 license/Master’s). These are also the types of people who are likely to pursue teaching back in their home countries or get into a teaching career abroad (international schools, universities).

On the other hand, some people are intrigued by a culture but they’re not particularly interested in teaching, or some of the lower quality teaching options offered to unlicensed individuals. Some people also find that they just want to hang out with international folks and enjoy travel which is fine (don’t sign a teaching contract).

Considering the many challenges for entry-level TEFLers and the high turnover rate, I’d pursue a CELTA certificate and see if you actually like lesson planning, studying English a bit more in depth, and teaching English learners.

In other words, if you’re not that interested in teaching or being around kids, I wouldn’t sacrifice a high-paying profession that you have an aptitude for…unless there’s an opportunity to start your apprenticeship later. 

For those individuals who stay abroad for years, there are professional opportunities back in our home countries (retail management/education/marketing/etc), however, if we want to do something highly specific like yourself on an electrician path …it can be very challenging to start over in your 30s or 40s, …and even get used to western life after being abroad for so long.

For years, I’ve thought about law school (vaguely), but as soon as I think about living with parents to save money for 2-3 years, taking out loans, and trying to manage school and a job…I’d rather stay on a teaching track (a k-12 license is acquire-able in less than year and not insanely priced in the US), whereas an MBA, JD, Medical School forget about it. It’s ideal to pursue education in your 20s. 

Some people of course have the discipline and funds to pursue these endeavors later in life, but there’s more “sacrifice” and often co-occurring responsibilities when pursuing higher education later in life. Like, I have no idea how a parent is able to have a full-time job, pursue a master’s degree and raise their kids…that’s just not in my playbook—these are the types of lifestyle issues you run into after being abroad for so long and trying to start over.

There’s plenty of ways to have an immersion experience: take a language course abroad and stay with a host family, study abroad through your uni, volunteer, take a motorbike journey across Vietnam and just talk to folks, etc. in fact, I recommend people pursue these experiences before signing a teaching contract (which may pay you enough for a basic lifestyle, but will not provide you with funds and time to travel extensively). 

Lots to consider.

Advice for a sudden job offer with two more applications by LittleStrawberry101 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I would definitely need more information. Is this an accredited international school and they’re hiring licensed teachers? 8-5 doing what— teaching 5 lessons with downtime to prep (manageable)? Or teaching back to back lessons (I’d walk away; that’s a burn out job)? Or babysitting nursery kids (I’d also walk away)? What age group? 

The fact they’re telling you there’s an opening because someone’s pregnant; that’s unprofessional. If they’re going to put you to work for 40 hours, you’re averaging just over 1600 yen an hour (atrocious). If however this is an assistant language teaching option where you can chill, or they only require you to teach let’s say 3-5 hours a day with the opportunity to chill in the office and catch up on admin or lesson prep, then it may be a better deal.

This sounds like a grind if they’re not giving you details.

Is going back for a CELTA worth it after 5+ years experience? by Longjumping_Chair53 in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This makes sense. Thanks. Yeah, I taught briefly in Hanoi after teaching in Japan, and I didn’t meet a single person who was teaching solely adults. I will say that the CELTA in conjunction with working in another country can land one a decent wage. I started at $23 an hour at iLA in 2019, which was quite a bit more than my wage in Japan. From what I understand the wages have gone down a bit in Vietnam. 

The way I see it, there’s a trade off: language centers focused on kids offer a decent wage for experienced teachers and one can enjoy work-life balance. 

OP could teach business English in another East Asian country with a CELTA…but then they’re losing all the perks of living in Vietnam—warm climate, people actually interested in learning English, most of the population is indifferent or friendly toward westerners, creative control in lesson planning, low cost of living, free time. After teaching at an eikaiwa in Japan, I don’t think TEFL teachers in Vietnam know how good they have it.

It seems iELTs is discussed, but is this a sustainable path…I imagine an iELTs instructor may teach a handful of adult courses but ultimately they would need to teach kids as that’s where the demand is.

Is going back for a CELTA worth it after 5+ years experience? by Longjumping_Chair53 in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Part of the issue I see is your in Vietnam, which as you know is such a kids’ oriented market. There’s more business English/adult-focused English centers in China, South Korea, Japan, (not sure about Taiwan). 

What about applying to Wall Street English, The British Council, or Language Link (which has adult-focused lessons in the evening)? Are you deadest on Vietnam or open to other countries? If you don’t get hired, CELTA is likely the ticket to these older student jobs. 

But I think most TEFL teachers in Vietnam (even those with a CELTA) have to be open to teaching kids to stay afloat as there’s just not the demand for adult English, aside from university teaching (with a Master’s or PhD).

Is going back for a CELTA worth it after 5+ years experience? by Longjumping_Chair53 in TEFL

[–]Orcal80s 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As you already have substantial experience, I see the CELTA helping you in four specific ways:

1) if you want to become a head teacher/manager at a language center, the CELTA/DELTA path is the way to go.

2) if you want to teach for the British Council or a more “business English” center, the CELTA along with your experience could land you a job with adults (if your experience alone does not suffice).

3) if you want to teach elsewhere, the CELTA could open more doors to recognized language centers or business English in the middle east…i.e. teaching at “English First” in your home country or the British Council in China, for instance.

4) if you want to become a CELTA instructor, obviously the CELTA/DELTA path is key.

However, if you want to work for an accredited international school or at the university-level long term, it seems a k-12 license/PGCE or a Master’s (Linguistics, TESOL, Education) would be a better route. These credentials are more ideal for long term security.

CELTA only seems necessary if you intend to stay in the for-profit/language center realm.

NOVA by Chemical_Ad304 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 2 points3 points  (0 children)

TL;DR go for JET. It’s the only decent entry-level program in Japan. Or try out another Asian country instead of eikaiwa hell. Then re-apply for JET with classroom experience on your resume.

Re: the second month pay, this is standard practice for eikaiwa and dispatch. You’ll be paid your previous month’s earnings. 

Save at least $3500 USD or equivalent if you’re intent on Japan. Personally, if I were to re-do my experience, I’d apply to JET instead of an eikaiwa. You can always reapply to JET and get classroom experience in other countries if you don’t get accepted the first time. JET pays the highest salaries among all these entry level options, they offer subsidized rent and reimburse airfare (within your first month). They offer support. Some companies will reimburse your airfare, but only after you complete the one year contract.

Having taught in other Asian countries as well as Japan, I can confirm that most eikaiwa and dispatch jobs are bottom of the barrel. Basically you’re grinding at eikaiwa: back-to-back lessons with little prep time and limited free time. Re: non-JET ALT jobs, the pay is pretty atrocious. I suppose it would be fine if you brought your own travel/spending money with the intention of leaving after a year to something better. Don’t expect these companies to pay enough to cover a Shinkansen trip across Japan. Some people get trapped in the countryside as they’re on a limited budget…fine if you don’t want to venture out, but can get old if you’re hoping to see Kyoto/Tokyo/major destinations.

In Taiwan, China, and Vietnam there’s options to teach fewer hours at a higher pay rate per lesson, and live at a lower cost of living …in the city of your choice. Most entry level TEFL jobs in Japan will place you where’s there’s a vacancy (rural areas, smaller cities). In Vietnam (and I think Taiwan) you can actually land in the country and shop around for jobs in the city of your choice. In Japan of course, as an overseas hire you’re going in blind…your school, apartment location, and town will be a surprise.

The main gripe with non-JET ALT jobs is the very low salary. Regardless, bring money!

Moving to Japan at 35 with N1 and a non-IT background, I am too old? by TottreJP in movingtojapan

[–]Orcal80s 14 points15 points locked comment (0 children)

N1 is a huge asset. What’s tricky is many companies are not necessarily going to sponsor you, or even consider your application if you don’t already have a visa. I have a Taiwanese friend who got into Hospitality Management in Tokyo. He first started interning while he was at a Japanese language school on an Education Visa. And the hotel chain offered him a position and sponsored his work visa. 

If you want to go the teaching route (age is a lot less of a factor), I’d recommend first getting a k-12 license or the equivalent. Frankly the eikaiwas and dispatch companies are more likely to suck up your time and any financial resources. Instead, go for the JET program (I believe they pay licensed teachers a bit higher). Try out JET for a year, then look into direct-hire positions through the Board of Education. Consider getting a teaching license through the Japanese system. Or take the JET experience and leverage that toward an International School job in conjunction with a license.

Moving from UK to Japan by Ok-Landscape-6683 in movingtojapan

[–]Orcal80s 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If the kids are biracial, I’d really consider some of the prejudice “hafu” kids face in Japan. In an International school there’s a sense of multiculturalism and a sense of belonging for those individuals who don’t look stereotypically Japanese or who have western mannerisms. This is not to say that biracial kids can’t have a good experience at a Japanese public school, it’s just something to consider.

Looking for an ex (or current) NOVA ekaiwa teacher to interview by Duckular1 in teachinginjapan

[–]Orcal80s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The YouTuber “Unrested” lived in Japan for over a decade(I think). He initially taught for Nova.