I hope this is the right place to post something like this.
I do love Japanese culture but I do think I come from the standpoint as an anime weeb haha. That’s where I’ve learned most things about the culture. I do like Japanese film as well and took a course on it. I love film analysis and know of Kurosawa, Ozu, etc.
Im going to have to say, however, that I’m at a loss of life right now. I’m looking for a new job and tech industry job markets are bad right now in the U.S. That’s where I’d ideally like to work. But I was thinking what if I taught English in Japan.
It probably going to be part of an escape job.. or maybe like a gap year.. but I do think it’s an awesome opportunity to teach kids/teens/young adult. There’s transferable skills that can translate to work.. but not necessarily skills I need for my job so that’s a downside but is a real life experience. It could be a personal growth experience for me.
But I’m not sure if this is the right way to go. I’m thinking teaching one is year fine. I’m not too worried about the salary.. I just need enough to pay bills. I’ve looked into the JET program too.
My Japan level is low too. I would learn conversational Japanese but I feel like learning the language isn’t a high interest for me as it is for other people studying it. Personally I just think I’m bad at learning languages. I think it’s cool though.
Any thoughts? Should I apply to the English teaching programs?
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This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
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**Should I apply to teaching English Japan?**
I hope this is the right place to post something like this.
I do love Japanese culture but I do think I come from the standpoint as an anime weeb haha. That’s where I’ve learned most things about the culture. I do like Japanese film as well and took a course on it. I love film analysis and know of Kurosawa, Ozu, etc.
Im going to have to say, however, that I’m at a loss of life right now. I’m looking for a new job and tech industry job markets are bad right now in the U.S. That’s where I’d ideally like to work. But I was thinking what if I taught English in Japan.
It probably going to be part of an escape job.. or maybe like a gap year.. but I do think it’s an awesome opportunity to teach kids/teens/young adult. There’s transferable skills that can translate to work.. but not necessarily skills I need for my job so that’s a downside but is a real life experience. It could be a personal growth experience for me.
But I’m not sure if this is the right way to go. I’m thinking teaching one is year fine. I’m not too worried about the salary.. I just need enough to pay bills. I’ve looked into the JET program too.
Any thoughts? Should I apply to the English teaching programs?
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So while I’ve never taught English in Japan (I work here, but doing something else), from my impression, your situation and goals are aligned with the reality of teaching English.
As a gap year, just looking to have fun in another country, not worried about money? Great! It would be more concerning if you needed a higher salary, hoped to use it as a spring board to other jobs in Japan, etc.
If you decide to move to Japan (or anywhere else) make sure you’re pursuing something and not running away from something, which is what it sounds like you’re trying to do. You’re never gonna find true happiness unless there’s a specific set of things you’re running towards and that are attainable in Japan. Just my two cents.
You did not mention your education; do you have a bachelor’s degree?
Seeing it as a gap year just for fun is the right way to go about it because Teaching English in Japan will unfortunately do absolutely nothing as far as transferrable skills go.
You are basicalled a glorified tape recorder, which doesn’t leave much room for professional growth.
With that being said, if you have a degree and you are just looking to have fun in Japan for a year and then go back to your life at home, why not? Could be a fun experience.
> I’m looking for a new job and tech industry job markets are bad right now in the U.S. That’s where I’d ideally like to work.
You’re not going to make the same kind of money as in the US, but there are tech jobs in Japan.
However, since you don’t seem to be interested in learning Japanese, a gap year teaching sounds like a pretty good idea. Don’t become one of those guys who stay here for 20 years teaching English, not being able to do bank transfers in Japanese.
Are you from a country that natively speaks English? If you aren’t, it will limit your options somewhat and many eikaiwas prefer people that natively speak English (or at least look like they do).
“Teaching English” in Japan really doesn’t have any transferable skills. You will be a dancing monkey essentially.
I’m currently an ALT and trying desperately to get out of this rat race. I was an actual subject teacher before this and want to get back to that.
If you are looking for a very very “So easy a monkey could do it” job then go for it. It’s a great way to see the actual Japan away from the tourist trap cities.
If you are looking to further your career? Avoid it. You’re better off getting a job in your field.
You sound like the ideal candidate. What you’ve described is like the vast majority of people who do JET program.
Make sure to take into account that you’ll probably have to spend a few thousand dollars of your own money to fly out here and settup a life in a tiny apartment.
Japanese apartments mostly have this thing called key money where you need to spend a big lump sum up front just to start a contract and plane tickets are super high right now. There’s alot of little up front cost that don’t matter quite as much if you’re gonna be out here for a handful of years but is alot if you’re just gonna stay for one. Especially since most entry level English Teaching jobs pay something like around $22,500 a year atm.
If you can’t speak Japanese you’re gonna really want to make sure that you end up in one of the big cities like Tokyo or Osaka where there’s enough English that you’ll actually eb able to get around and meet other expats and do things.
JET is mostly a good program, but you can’t chose where they place you so even if you got accepted, so you might apply and get placed in the middle of nowhere and hate it. Also, JET applications are open now, the absolute soonest you’d be placed in a job is NEXT August for JET, so if you’re not trying to wait 10 months to start you’re gonna wanna go with some place else.