I’m currently at a crossroads in my teaching career and could use some advice and insights. Here’s the situation: I’m a part-time teacher at a private junior and senior high school in Japan. I’ve been enjoying working with teens and have been considering furthering my career in teaching.
Right now, I’m in the process of completing my DELTA certification, and I plan to apply for a master’s degree in TESOL once I finish it. The school I work at is interested in making me a full-time teacher next year, with the possibility of becoming a seishain after a one-year trial.
However, I’m facing a dilemma. My school has offered me the opportunity to obtain a special teaching license through them, but I’m also considering the option of teaching at the tertiary level, which seems to be more challenging in Japan.
One aspect that’s causing me some concern is the potential shift to a full-time position, which would entail working on most Saturdays. This change in my work schedule feels overwhelming.
I’m torn between these options and could use your thoughts and advice. Has anyone made a similar transition from part-time to full-time teaching in Japan, or pursued a career in tertiary education here? How did it impact your life and work-life balance?
11 comments
>My school has offered me the opportunity to obtain a special teaching license through them
This is a fantastic opportunity that few people get and you should take
You haven’t even started your MA so it would be several years before “tertiary level” is even an option for you.
Get the license so you can have a legit teaching job with decent income. In the meantime you can earn your MA. If, in several years, you don’t like the job or are feeling burned out, then you can consider trying to move into the university level.
Being full time at JHS/HS level is certainly more work for less pay than many other options and has a very real risk of responsibility bloat. If you have a good relationship with your school and they have been very clear and open about what you would be responsible, and what you would NOT be responsible for, then it may be a great opportunity. Special licenses are rare, and once you get it, it’s yours.
An MA will take time and the college level is exceedingly competitive, unless you’re willing to work in the countryside you’ll need the MA, publications, and experience just for part time adjunct positions. Anything near a full professorship or tenure will 100% require a PhD. If making a career out of college is your goal, you’ve still got a hill to climb just to get started.
I think the appropriate expression here is “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
Yes, it is possible that you will be able to get a university position after you get your MA, but maybe not. University positions are quite competitive right now and getting more so every year.
Even if you can get a full-time university position will be a limited-term contract position. You will only be able to work that job for a couple years and then have to move on to another university. It is a very unstable situation. I’ve been in tertiary education in Japan for more than two decades and I can tell you without any hesitation that most people don’t make it past 10 or 12 years. It’s too stressful, too volatile, and not as rewarding as you think. Very few people actually make a career out of it.
Here is my advice:
They are offering you a one-year trial. Think of it that way. They are trying you out for a year, so you should try them out for a year. Do it for a year and if you don’t like being a full-timer, go back to being a part-timer, or move one to something else.
Either way, you have been given a huge vote of confidence it your abilities and professionalism. So, well done!
I have a position similar to your offer and while the Saturday mornings suck, you may end up getting days off throughout the year that make up for it. I think it’s an offer with trying for a year and seeing how you adapt.
This is the style of job I’m looking for at the moment. If you don’t want it let me know and I’ll come and interview for it 😉
As other have said this is a good opportunity!
I teach at a private school which sponsored my application for a special teaching license. On the whole, I consider myself very blessed to be in my current position. Some of my coworkers have experience teaching at university and in general have found it better at the JHS / HS level as they no longer have to worry about securing their next school every three or four years.
My understanding is that tenure-track positions are getting rarer and rarer. If you enjoy the variety and excitement of new challenges, you might appreciate teaching at the university level. If you prefer stability, a private secondary school might be better.
If you are planning to put down roots, such as by getting a mortgage in the future, lenders will be more willing to work with you with a more stable position.
Additionally, you might want to look into what (if any) private pension is available if you were to be employed at your private school. My coworker who ended up returning to his home country was pleasantly surprised when he got paid out for his period of working. If your school has a similar scheme in place, you might want to factor that in when comparing compensation.
Best of luck in making your decision.
I was in the middle of an MA when I was offered a similar position. I did it for a year and had to drop it due to family issues back home. Took another teaching job and now back into trying to break into tertiary education. Which likely fits my volatile life situation more. If things were different though I probably would have stayed. Its busy but also fulfilling in certain ways. Especially at high school you feel you are really at a crossroads helping kids figure themselves out. Also chances like this can be really hit or miss, its best to exploit them while they present themselves.
It’s not full-time that would worry me, it’s working 6 days a week or even 5 days but without 2 consecutive days off. If you’re the kind that enjoys part-time, your mental health is probably going to go down the toilet with that schedule, which of course will include endless, stupid meetings etc.
If you’re thinking of teaching college, though, you’ll need at least a master’s + publications, so you don’t have that option right now anyway. No doubt I’d take full-time tertiary over mind numbing 6-day weeks, but that will be more of a long term plan for you.
Edit: BUT keep in mind that full-time tertiary positions are fewer and fewer, so if you want a permanent contract then stick with your current employer.
Try it out for a year. If you’re single, you can still work on your own education when you have downtime, if you have it. Work-life balance will vary greatly between private schools. If your school has classes every Saturday, that’s already looking a bit bleak, but it can’t hurt to try for a year.
I’ve got a few foreign friends that have MAs and teach in university in Japan.
Every 5 years they get kicked to the curb. Have to locate a new position. Getting tenure is near impossible. It seems to be very stressful for them.
I personally couldn’t do the 6 day a week thing. Working on Saturdays would bite big time.