Teaching in Japan - High School vs Jr High vs Elementary - some differences

[tomsega]

If I hop over to Tokyo from Korea and take a private school job (or non-JET anyway), can anybody tell me how much cash ($ or Y) would be necessary to comfortable get started? (I'm sure it will be a lot)

[myargonauts]

@tomsega and you want to live in or near Tokyo? Cuz that will add a lot to your monthly expenses in terms of rent and utilities. If you think you'll be solely responsible for finding your own apartment, which might mean deposit and key money, and then having enough to make it to your first paycheck, I think $3000 is not an unrealistic figure. But there's lots of wiggle room depending on the circumstances.

[tomsega]

@myargonauts - Thanks for your answer. I was thinking $3000 would be about the minimum. I think it will depend how much fun I want to have! Japan appeals to me far more, culturally, than Korea, but in Korea the big plus point is in earning enough money to never have to think about money. The pros and cons might level out..

[EatDeeznuts1]

my highschool in FL has 1900 kids or more -.-

[myargonauts]

@EatDeeznuts1 wow!  That's more students than the university I currently teach at.

[ShowersNeiked]

@EatDeeznuts1 my high school holds over 3000, and its only a suburb school

[takarasmiles2006]

I read that you have to have a university degree (or a teaching certificate) in order to be considered for the JET program, and I was wondering if it had to be any specific degree because I'm actually thinking of doing something in the medical field, which isn't exactly related to teaching English at all, but I really want to learn Japanese and teach in English in Japan at some point. Do you think it'd be possible?

[myargonauts]

@takarasmiles2006 your degree can be in any field if you want to be a JET.

[thatcutegameotaku]

when im older, i want to be a high school english teacher. any suggestions so im prepared?

[myargonauts]

@thatcutegameotaku read, read, and read some more. Study hard and get into a good college, and then study some more. Take public speaking or debate, so you get comfortable speaking in front of lots of people. Good luck!

[JoSeFHdz]

Thanks for your video. ~

[tomsega]

I'm desperate to teach in Japan next year. I was in Tokyo for 5 days over Christmas and as much as working in Korea has treated me pretty well, it's very much "Japan Lite" as far as I'm concerned. There's not enough culture in Korea - whether oldy worldy culture or pop culture, whereas Japan is absolutely dripping in it. I imagine I'll need at the very least $3000 to get me started in Japan though..

[myargonauts]

@tomsega well, a lot depends on where in Japan you want to live. If it's Tokyo, then yes, it will be expensive and competitive to find work. If you're willing to just move here on a 90-day tourist visa and then try to find something, my guess is that you will, but you might have to take whatever comes along as opposed to being more selective.

[ilikenintendo2005]

Is it at all possible to get out of the ALT status of teaching and become a full-time teacher? I would love to become an Elementary Education teacher in Japan and possibly (Depends on what I think after being in Japan for a while) live there permanently. But, I know as an ALT, you aren't considered a full-time teacher to get that status.

[myargonauts]

@ilikenintendo2005 you can't get a job at a Japanese public school unless you're a Japanese citizen. But you could get hired at a private school - BusanKevin works full time at an elementary school in the Kobe area, but he was also a credentialed teacher in Canada before he came to Korea and Japan. I now teach at a Japanese university, so yes, you can get permanent work after JET.

[americanbadass911]

i just have a question about seeking employment? how do you apply for the jobs there? when? where? and will you have help from your home country in seeking employment in japan?

[myargonauts]

@americanbadass911 go to JETProgramme(dot)org and you can see the details of how I went to Japan

[TheBleachAmv]

London underground map in the background:)?(awesome) also I love your videos I have just started watching them and have found the idea of JET very useful as I am a 14 years old who has always wanted to work in Japan and live there scince I was 6 and luckily I am from the UK:) so origato:)

[myargonauts]

@TheBleachAmv you're welcome (douitashimashite). You have a while to go before you can apply for JET - so study hard, get that degree and study some Japanese. :)

[bigcrazyape]

Hey man, thanks for the info!

I'm thinking of coming to Japan in September 2010. But judging from what I've read in the chat forums, the job market is real crummy because of Geos bankruptcy.

I have a masters in English lit. with 1 year teaching experience in South Korea (kinder to junior high school). Would I be able to find a job? I'm ready to hustle to make it in Japan.

[myargonauts]

@bigcrazyape I think you'd have a decent chance if you come to Japan and give it some time to look and interview. Check out the latest info on sites like Gaijinpot and JobsinJapan and maybe this older vid will help - Living and Teaching Abroad - JET isn't the only option - from Oct of last year on this channel

[raptorrawr17]

I've just stumbled upon your videos, and they are very informative! Every video I've watched on teaching English in Japan has snippets of the information I've been looking for, but this video laid out everything in a very helpful way. Thank you!

[myargonauts]

@raptorrawr17 great - thanks for watching

[segatasanshir0]

this video and the reply's on peoples comments where very informative. thank you. =]

[myargonauts]

great - glad you liked it.

[seklarwia]

We have a rather backwards area. My local ES has like 1200 kids and is seen by 2 ALTs (1 JET + 1 full time), I'm at my JH full time which has about 800 kids but the SHs are smaller and I walk pass 2 on my 10 min walk to school everyday.

Our BOE hirers JET, dispatch and direct hirer ALTs for ES and JH, but for some reason makes our JETs visit more schools and tends to give single school placements to dispatch or direct hirer ALTs... not sure why that is.

[myargonauts]

interesting - I haven't heard of a BoE using a mix of foreign born ALTs before. But I guess whatever works...

[seklarwia]

Actually JET is on the decline in our area. Dispatch companies are offering ALTs for cheaper, so they wait for the JETs to leave then replace them with dispatch ALTs.

The prefectural BOE has even started doing the same SH placements. Last summer, in my little city, 2 SH JET contracts were handed over to the company I work for and another was given to a different dispatcher.... it's quite sad really.

[AutomHatter]

Jason, how did you travel from school to home, to school and whatnot? Did you have to get a drivers license, or ride a bike or something?

I heard getting a drivers license can cost about 300,000 yen. ($3,000?)

[myargonauts]

my first few months I used a bike and by bus to far away shogakko - after that I got a scooter - then in my 2nd year I got a car (lease) and used that for the next 4 years.

DL only costs that much if you have to take lessons, etc IN Japan - meaning you don't currently have a license in your home country. Just paying the fees to get a DL and take the test, etc is about $70.

[ZlatkoGoldman]

Very helpful! Thank you and Happy New Year!

[BittersweetVictory]

I apologize if this was discussed before, but I am still unsure. Did you say you were an ALT with JET for 5 years? Is there a maximum time you can be an ALT? I thought I read on the JET website that maximum was 3 years. I could be easily mistaken though, please let me know :)

[myargonauts]

Maximum is usually 3 years, but in some cases can be extended to 5 years, which is the ultimate maximum.

[rickyruffle]

with a junior high and highschool, are there usually multiple jets who teach simultaneously since there are more kids?

[myargonauts]

I've known a few High schools that had two ALTs, but it's rare. Usually it's one per school and you'll usually have more than one school. I go over this a bit more in part two, which I'm posting tomorrow.

[MadamWriterGal]

Thank you very much for sharing this information! I felt like I learned a lot. I have a question about the JET Program; if you applied in November, would you have already heard from them by now? If that is the case, I will probably have to consider applying for another program. I really want to teach English in Japan. I feel that it is my calling. I hope that I can find the right program for me.

[myargonauts]

If you get an interview, you'll hear by the end of this month (January) and your interview will be in February - assuming you're American.

[MadamWriterGal]

Yes, I am an American citizen. Thank you so much for the information! That gives me hope that I might make it in. I did get a confirmation number (an interview number) from them after I submitted my application so I am hoping that is a good sign. I wish you a lot of good karma for all of the help you offer people. You rock! Keep making these insightful and helpful videos. They are valuable to me and many others with dreams of teaching abroad.

[stillwired]

I say keep the beard.

[drhikarisan]

Like the beard and slight touch of gray at the side burn area, kinda like the whole Mr. Fantastic look. Looks good on you.

informative vid, thanks

[myargonauts]

Me and Reed Richards - two great minds! LOL

[andimhisfriendjesus]

do a blog tv >:D

[karekora]

Kinda getting pessimistic about JET programme. Brits have started to get interview confirmation, but not me... ;-( Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[pyrpoi]

I have heard several people say similar things waiting on JET. From what I hear, the message boards are really helpful as you are applying, but while you are waiting for response or for placement they only seem to make people nervous. Don't give up. I know people on the west coast that heard back near last minute and got in, in years past. Don't give up. Don't get down prematurely. I wish you luck.

[myargonauts]

Hopefully you'll get the interview, and then the job. But even being on the Alternate list isn't so bad - as I've known many ALTs called up in August and September. Heck - one of the ALTs in my area had to go home unexpectedly in November (death in the family) and didn't want to return, so they called a NZ guy on the wait list and he starts this week.

[watsursnbaby]

Oh God don't get me started on Eigo Noto Jason haha. I remember watching your video on it before I came to Japan. I'm forced to teach it in my city, but I've gone pretty liberal with how much I use the book. I essentially take the grammar point and make my own lessons from it.

[myargonauts]

yeah - I think the elementary teachers will be much more flexible about using that book than the Jr High teachers are about using their textbook.

[lleverfreell]

I'm currently teaching in a public middle school in Korea, and it seems that most of what you said about schools in Japan also applies to Korea. As the level of education increases, the kids get less "genki," the teachers' attires get more formal, the coteachers speak more advanced English, and you can more personally relate to the students. It's quite striking how similar the Japanese and Korean education systems are. :)

[imdaman765]

Jason, I know you trained/participated/etc. in kendo while you were there, but I was wondering if you have ever heard of somebody doing this at a high school (where it is their base school)? Or if it is a sport they might have played in college if they have ever tried to coach?

[myargonauts]

I'm sure if you're willing and enthusiastic, they'd welcome your participation at any sport at a high school. I don't think you'd be allowed to "coach" unless you were already very proficient in the sport and had apparent skills - and even then it would only be in an advisory way would be my guess.

[Gaeilge2000]

Jase, I was a student in Nihon many moons ago, and though I have forgotten most of my Japanese, I know the basics of the language. I'd like to put vlogs together teaching the basics of  Japanese, introducing people to hiragona and katakana, introducing them to basic greetings, language a person would use in Japan.

My vlog won't concentrate in Japanese, it will be more a general knowledge of everything with a concentration on American and Euro history, but teaching online is fun. What do u think

[42317]

If you think it's fun just do it.

But I'd rather leave the Japanese teaching part to someone who has thoroughly learned about that language and culture, someone who is able to critically assess the available textbook basis.

Can you do that?

[myargonauts]

go for it - but realize there are a TON of videos here on YouTube teaching basic Japanese. Look around at what others have done and then try to approach it in a diff way to make it interesting.

[Gaeilge2000]

Arigato  Jasono Sensei -You r the best

[CharacterForming]

High School is awesome :)

[StatuesBleedingGreen]

I was thinking, the game "Guesstures" would be a great game if learning english was applied to it.

[RizingBlackSun]

Hm...I could see myself doing something like this. Maybe.

[klynik]

Happy 2010 Jason!

[Hachiban08]

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu, jason-san! :D

Next summer, I am going to be in a TEFL program :D

[denitson777]

Happy New year Jason-San :D

[APOKALYPSE34]

OMG its Gorge Lucus! Wait a min .... sorry Jason your winter beard through me off guard . Don't scare me like that.

[michal1337]

Nice info. Thanks. And Happy 2010!

[maximum1]

Ack. I meant to say happy 2010.

[lilangel8932]

yay! your back! love this vid. always love it when you talk about JET.

[japanbyron]

i like the beard jason,

you should name him Jacob

[maximum1]

Hey Jason,

Just wanted to say that the beard looks really good. Nicely trimmed and works well with your face. You even look a little younger with it, or your face looks a little thinner...something's going on there. New diet? Anyway, looks good. Happy 2009. New beginnings and all that.

[imdaman765]

Thanks for doing another one of these. You have probably been getting this question alot, but any updates as to more concrete plans for getting back to Japan?

I wasn't an ALT through the JET Program but the biggest difference I found was simply size. The junior high I was based at was the smallest in the city and it had 4 sections per year of about 30-40 students. The other schools had more students per section as well as more sections. The elementary schools I went to had to combine.......

[imdaman765]

grades in order to to have class. So there was a 1-2 year classroom, a 3-4 classroom and so on. Also, there wasn't an English only teacher at the elementary schools. It seemed like the same teacher taught all the subjects for each classroom.

[TokyoBrando]

great video jason, and akimashiteomedetou

[Robaato101]

Thanks for answering Jason this was really helpful as always!

keep the beard though, its kick ass.

[kansaiPJ]

あけおめ〜！

ps. Luv the beard!

[TiramisuHappy]

Those extremely annoying (and someimes quite painful) "kancho" the kids used to give you, I bet you're missing getting them now, ain'cha??? ; D

I'm also guilty of giving them to some of my teachers when I was an elemenary school kid in Japan.

As a more advanced form of teacher harassment, I also had fun sticking a blackboard eraser in the sliding door just before the teacher walked into the room. Classic, ain't it? : )

My GOD, has it really been almost 30 years??? Oy! : (

[myargonauts]

I successfully avoided the kancho 95% of the time - I was a big target, but intimidating.

[hoosierhana]

for my application i noted that i would like to be in the elementary school level... i like little kids the best! but i'm a little concerned about not being able to communicate with the HR teachers though. anyway, thank you for the awesome vlog, informative as always! and i like the beard, you should keep it for a bit longer.

do you have a favorite classroom activity that you noticed that the majority of kids really got into and enjoyed?

[myargonauts]

Elem kids love fun games and anything involving stickers. :)

Bingo, fruit basket, simon says, karuta - you can put your own twist on these familiar games and make them interesting for your students.

[ryokosdesire]

あきましておめでとう！

[myargonauts]

Mike - a"ke"mashite omedetou! hehehe :)

[ryokosdesire]

You're totally right. I think I just made a typo. Good eye.

[VTnumb]

Great! Now I just have to find out if I get an interview.

[RainartXIII]

Winter Beard? In California? Huh...A...anyway...Good to see you back. I've always wondered about lesson plan's and expectations, so i would love to see you put out a part 2 like you mentioned in the side bar. Also, may you have better luck this year than it sounded like you had last year.