Teaching in Japan

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Teachers Abroad Chatboard

Teaching in Japan

by Richard

Feb 11, 2011

I've been following this forum a lot, and wanted to ask straight up. Wha'ts the easiest way of getting a teaching position in Japan. Im certified in science, and a few other areas, but I want to teach science. I want to live and teach in Japan though and all I find are ALT jobs (I dont want to teach ESL) and they pay very little. What am I doing wrong? Can somebody help?

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Richard Is there something I should highlight or focus on when applying? What do you really think my chances/odds are?

On 2/12/11, D. Thomas wrote: > Then either work your way through the schools on the JCIS website > or.. > > try google...japan..international schools...and find > recruitment..vacancies...employment....on the schoo...See MoreIs there something I should highlight or focus on when applying? What do you really think my chances/odds are?

On 2/12/11, D. Thomas wrote: > Then either work your way through the schools on the JCIS website > or.. > > try google...japan..international schools...and find > recruitment..vacancies...employment....on the school's website. > > Good luck. > > On 2/12/11, Richard wrote: >> I've been on GajinPot and Daves ESL Cafe, Footprints recruiting, >> Nova, Aeon, and Geos but they are mostly ESL (with a few other >> teaching positions) They all seem to pay around 250K yen for a >> lot of work and hours. I'm single with no kids. I have a masters >> degree in education, and about 3 years 6-12 teaching experience. >> I'm certified to teach 6-12 general/earth science, biology, >> chemistry, and physics. >> >> No offense, but I'm only interested in Japan, not China, or >> anywhere else in Asia. I dont have to live in Tokyo, but I do >> want a major city. I looked into Search and ILL but they seem >> expensive considering I'm only interested in one specific place, >> and as you said there cant be that many schools. >> >> >> On 2/11/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>> Hi Richard: >>> >>> Japan is amazing. I was there for 2 years teaching at a small >>> international school. I'm now in Beijing and although very >>> different, I'm also really enjoying China (and you should not >>> rule it out. More schools than Japan and lower cost of >>> living). >>> >>> Where have you been looking for jobs? There are a large >>> number of good to decent int'l schools in Japan and those are >>> the ones you need to tap into. Check out the Japan Council of >>> International Schools for a good start. >>> >>> You should be in a good position as a science teacher, >>> depending on your certifications, experience and whether you >>> would have dependents. >>> >>> Feel free to email me if you have specific questions or need >>> some more leads for where to search. If you are serious about >>> this, you may want to invest some money and join Search >>> Associates. They have a great database of schools, jobs etc >>> al over the world. >>> >>> On 2/11/11, Richard wrote: >>>> I've been following this forum a lot, and wanted to ask >>>> straight up. Wha'ts the easiest way of getting a teaching >>>> position in Japan. Im certified in science, and a few other >>>> areas, but I want to teach science. I want to live and >>>> teach in Japan though and all I find are ALT jobs (I dont >>>> want to teach ESL) and they pay very little. What am I >>>> doing wrong? Can somebody help?

Feb 13, 2011

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D. Thomas Well, basically your strength is your degree and certification in Science (which is a high needs field). Your experience is a good news/bad news thingg (3 years is basically the minimum to be taken seriously, many people will have more).

Any kind of overseas experience would be a plus. Many schools will prefer experience with an IB program...See MoreWell, basically your strength is your degree and certification in Science (which is a high needs field). Your experience is a good news/bad news thingg (3 years is basically the minimum to be taken seriously, many people will have more).

Any kind of overseas experience would be a plus. Many schools will prefer experience with an IB program, others won't be that concerned with it. A single teacher with no dependents is a valued commodity (second only to a teaching couple with no dependents) by international schools.

Bottom line, getting a good international school position is always being a bit lucky and being at the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, I did a run for you on one of my recruiter sites and there were basically no schools in Japan looking for Science teachers right now. That doesn't mean they aren't out there or won't be before the summer, but not seeing much at the moment. What's the big attraction to just Japan? Japan is great, but you are definitely limiting your potential to get a job. I'll keep my eye out for anything that posts.

On 2/13/11, Richard wrote: > Is there something I should highlight or focus on when applying? What > do you really think my chances/odds are? > > On 2/12/11, D. Thomas wrote: >> Then either work your way through the schools on the JCIS website >> or.. >> >> try google...japan..international schools...and find >> recruitment..vacancies...employment....on the school's website. >> >> Good luck. >> >> On 2/12/11, Richard wrote: >>> I've been on GajinPot and Daves ESL Cafe, Footprints recruiting, >>> Nova, Aeon, and Geos but they are mostly ESL (with a few other >>> teaching positions) They all seem to pay around 250K yen for a >>> lot of work and hours. I'm single with no kids. I have a masters >>> degree in education, and about 3 years 6-12 teaching experience. >>> I'm certified to teach 6-12 general/earth science, biology, >>> chemistry, and physics. >>> >>> No offense, but I'm only interested in Japan, not China, or >>> anywhere else in Asia. I dont have to live in Tokyo, but I do >>> want a major city. I looked into Search and ILL but they seem >>> expensive considering I'm only interested in one specific place, >>> and as you said there cant be that many schools. >>> >>> >>> On 2/11/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>>> Hi Richard: >>>> >>>> Japan is amazing. I was there for 2 years teaching at a small >>>> international school. I'm now in Beijing and although very >>>> different, I'm also really enjoying China (and you should not >>>> rule it out. More schools than Japan and lower cost of >>>> living). >>>> >>>> Where have you been looking for jobs? There are a large >>>> number of good to decent int'l schools in Japan and those are >>>> the ones you need to tap into. Check out the Japan Council of >>>> International Schools for a good start. >>>> >>>> You should be in a good position as a science teacher, >>>> depending on your certifications, experience and whether you >>>> would have dependents. >>>> >>>> Feel free to email me if you have specific questions or need >>>> some more leads for where to search. If you are serious about >>>> this, you may want to invest some money and join Search >>>> Associates. They have a great database of schools, jobs etc >>>> al over the world. >>>> >>>> On 2/11/11, Richard wrote: >>>>> I've been following this forum a lot, and wanted to ask >>>>> straight up. Wha'ts the easiest way of getting a teaching >>>>> position in Japan. Im certified in science, and a few other >>>>> areas, but I want to teach science. I want to live and >>>>> teach in Japan though and all I find are ALT jobs (I dont >>>>> want to teach ESL) and they pay very little. What am I >>>>> doing wrong? Can somebody help?

Feb 14, 2011

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Richard Simply put, it has nothing to do with getting "A job" and everything to do with living in Japan....

On 2/14/11, D. Thomas wrote: > Well, basically your strength is your degree and certification in Science > (which is a high needs field). Your experience is a good news/bad news > thingg (3 years is basically the minimum to be take...See MoreSimply put, it has nothing to do with getting "A job" and everything to do with living in Japan....

On 2/14/11, D. Thomas wrote: > Well, basically your strength is your degree and certification in Science > (which is a high needs field). Your experience is a good news/bad news > thingg (3 years is basically the minimum to be taken seriously, many > people will have more). > > Any kind of overseas experience would be a plus. Many schools will prefer > experience with an IB program, others won't be that concerned with it. A > single teacher with no dependents is a valued commodity (second only to a > teaching couple with no dependents) by international schools. > > Bottom line, getting a good international school position is always being > a bit lucky and being at the right place at the right time. > Unfortunately, I did a run for you on one of my recruiter sites and there > were basically no schools in Japan looking for Science teachers right > now. That doesn't mean they aren't out there or won't be before the > summer, but not seeing much at the moment. What's the big attraction to > just Japan? Japan is great, but you are definitely limiting your > potential to get a job. I'll keep my eye out for anything that posts. > > On 2/13/11, Richard wrote: >> Is there something I should highlight or focus on when applying? What >> do you really think my chances/odds are? >> >> On 2/12/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>> Then either work your way through the schools on the JCIS website >>> or.. >>> >>> try google...japan..international schools...and find >>> recruitment..vacancies...employment....on the school's website. >>> >>> Good luck. >>> >>> On 2/12/11, Richard wrote: >>>> I've been on GajinPot and Daves ESL Cafe, Footprints recruiting, >>>> Nova, Aeon, and Geos but they are mostly ESL (with a few other >>>> teaching positions) They all seem to pay around 250K yen for a >>>> lot of work and hours. I'm single with no kids. I have a masters >>>> degree in education, and about 3 years 6-12 teaching experience. >>>> I'm certified to teach 6-12 general/earth science, biology, >>>> chemistry, and physics. >>>> >>>> No offense, but I'm only interested in Japan, not China, or >>>> anywhere else in Asia. I dont have to live in Tokyo, but I do >>>> want a major city. I looked into Search and ILL but they seem >>>> expensive considering I'm only interested in one specific place, >>>> and as you said there cant be that many schools. >>>> >>>> >>>> On 2/11/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>>>> Hi Richard: >>>>> >>>>> Japan is amazing. I was there for 2 years teaching at a small >>>>> international school. I'm now in Beijing and although very >>>>> different, I'm also really enjoying China (and you should not >>>>> rule it out. More schools than Japan and lower cost of >>>>> living). >>>>> >>>>> Where have you been looking for jobs? There are a large >>>>> number of good to decent int'l schools in Japan and those are >>>>> the ones you need to tap into. Check out the Japan Council of >>>>> International Schools for a good start. >>>>> >>>>> You should be in a good position as a science teacher, >>>>> depending on your certifications, experience and whether you >>>>> would have dependents. >>>>> >>>>> Feel free to email me if you have specific questions or need >>>>> some more leads for where to search. If you are serious about >>>>> this, you may want to invest some money and join Search >>>>> Associates. They have a great database of schools, jobs etc >>>>> al over the world. >>>>> >>>>> On 2/11/11, Richard wrote: >>>>>> I've been following this forum a lot, and wanted to ask >>>>>> straight up. Wha'ts the easiest way of getting a teaching >>>>>> position in Japan. Im certified in science, and a few other >>>>>> areas, but I want to teach science. I want to live and >>>>>> teach in Japan though and all I find are ALT jobs (I dont >>>>>> want to teach ESL) and they pay very little. What am I >>>>>> doing wrong? Can somebody help?

Feb 15, 2011

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D. Thomas Well, then you're just going to have to try and be at the right place at the right time. I do recall some science jobs being open at a few decent schools in Japan earlier on in the season. I'll let you know if anything posts in the near future, but you may need to start planning ahead for next year.

On 2/15/11, Richard wrote: > Simply p...See MoreWell, then you're just going to have to try and be at the right place at the right time. I do recall some science jobs being open at a few decent schools in Japan earlier on in the season. I'll let you know if anything posts in the near future, but you may need to start planning ahead for next year.

On 2/15/11, Richard wrote: > Simply put, it has nothing to do with getting "A > job" and everything to do > with living in Japan.... > > > On 2/14/11, D. Thomas wrote: >> Well, basically your strength is your degree and >> certification in Science (which is a high needs >> field). Your experience is a good news/bad news >> thingg (3 years is basically the minimum to be taken >> seriously, many people will have more). >> >> Any kind of overseas experience would be a plus. Many >> schools will prefer experience with an IB program, >> others won't be that concerned with it. A single >> teacher with no dependents is a valued commodity >> (second only to a teaching couple with no dependents) >> by international schools. >> >> Bottom line, getting a good international school >> position is always being a bit lucky and being at the >> right place at the right time. Unfortunately, I did a >> run for you on one of my recruiter sites and there >> were basically no schools in Japan looking for >> Science teachers right now. That doesn't mean they >> aren't out there or won't be before the summer, but >> not seeing much at the moment. What's the big >> attraction to just Japan? Japan is great, but you are >> definitely limiting your potential to get a job. I'll >> keep my eye out for anything that posts. >> >> On 2/13/11, Richard wrote: >>> Is there something I should highlight or focus on >>> when applying? What do you really think my >>> chances/odds are? >>> >>> On 2/12/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>>> Then either work your way through the schools on >>>> the JCIS website or.. >>>> >>>> try google...japan..international schools...and >>>> find recruitment..vacancies...employment....on >>>> the school's website. >>>> >>>> Good luck. >>>> >>>> On 2/12/11, Richard wrote: >>>>> I've been on GajinPot and Daves ESL Cafe, >>>>> Footprints recruiting, Nova, Aeon, and Geos but >>>>> they are mostly ESL (with a few other teaching >>>>> positions) They all seem to pay around 250K yen >>>>> for a lot of work and hours. I'm single with no >>>>> kids. I have a masters degree in education, and >>>>> about 3 years 6-12 teaching experience. I'm >>>>> certified to teach 6-12 general/earth science, >>>>> biology, chemistry, and physics. >>>>> >>>>> No offense, but I'm only interested in Japan, >>>>> not China, or anywhere else in Asia. I dont >>>>> have to live in Tokyo, but I do want a major >>>>> city. I looked into Search and ILL but they >>>>> seem expensive considering I'm only interested >>>>> in one specific place, and as you said there >>>>> cant be that many schools. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 2/11/11, D. Thomas wrote: >>>>>> Hi Richard: >>>>>> >>>>>> Japan is amazing. I was there for 2 years >>>>>> teaching at a small international school. I'm >>>>>> now in Beijing and although very different, >>>>>> I'm also really enjoying China (and you >>>>>> should not rule it out. More schools than >>>>>> Japan and lower cost of living). >>>>>> >>>>>> Where have you been looking for jobs? There >>>>>> are a large number of good to decent int'l >>>>>> schools in Japan and those are the ones you >>>>>> need to tap into. Check out the Japan Council >>>>>> of International Schools for a good start. >>>>>> >>>>>> You should be in a good position as a science >>>>>> teacher, depending on your certifications, >>>>>> experience and whether you would have >>>>>> dependents. >>>>>> >>>>>> Feel free to email me if you have specific >>>>>> questions or need some more leads for where >>>>>> to search. If you are serious about this, you >>>>>> may want to invest some money and join Search >>>>>> Associates. They have a great database of >>>>>> schools, jobs etc al over the world. >>>>>> >>>>>> On 2/11/11, Richard wrote: >>>>>>> I've been following this forum a lot, and >>>>>>> wanted to ask straight up. Wha'ts the >>>>>>> easiest way of getting a teaching position >>>>>>> in Japan. Im certified in science, and a >>>>>>> few other areas, but I want to teach >>>>>>> science. I want to live and teach in Japan >>>>>>> though and all I find are ALT jobs (I dont >>>>>>> want to teach ESL) and they pay very >>>>>>> little. What am I doing wrong? Can somebody >>>>>>> help?

Feb 15, 2011

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