Question:
I am a recently certified secondary teacher who is trying to find a
teaching job in this less than ideal job market.
I have been offered a position teaching English in Japan.
Question: Is this experience transferable to the North American market?
Do you think this sort of experinece will be looked upon
favourably next year when I apply again to the public board.
I am confused. Will signing a year contract to teach English
conversation in Japan help me find a good position next year?
Answer:
If I'm not mistaken, it was your recent post making a comment about
perhaps heading to Japan to teach due to one reason or another. To
which I replied that you best do some checking before jumping on the
plane. Looks like you decided to take the advice to heart.
First, although I taught high school for 10 years before moving here
to Japan, I don't teach here. I would consider it, but not for the
positions which are open, which are invaribly English. Basically
because I view English as something I 'use', not teach. I'd have
about as much fun teaching English as watching paint dry. However, I
do have a some friends who are English teachers, and so I can give you
some second hand info.
You didn't say whether the job offer was for a public school or at a
private English conversation school. I'll touch on both. . . . .
I have two friends who teach English on the high school level. Both
say that there 'jobs' are a total joke. That's not to say that all
schools are this way, but for these two, they pass their students come
hell or high water. And the students learn very little. For me, that
sounds like the perfect soil to grow some blue ribbon potential
frustrations. Although I can't give you exact figures, it seems that
the amount of vacation time is less than that in the US, but still a
lot more than I get in the business sector.
In the private schools it seems that you get students which are more
motivated. Which isn't too surprising since they are PAYING to take
the classes. A great majority of these classes are evening classes,
so you might want to check out when you'll be teaching. Job
satisfaction seems to be greater for teachers in this situation,
although it also seems that a lot of them are not considering this to
be a long term career, but a short money making venture that has a
bonus of living in a different culture.
As for your specific questions, maybe some other readers can give you
some feedback on whether or not the teaching experience is
transferable. I suppose that you're talking about years teaching
experience which thus affects your salary, right? I'd suggest
contacting a couple of school systems in your area and asking. It
will at least give you a feel about the general attitude toward
foreign earned credits.
And as for whether or not it would be 'favorable' when you apply again
next year, I can't see any reason for it to be considered negative and
every reason for it to be considered positive. You'd be bringing some
valuable experiences to the classroom.
Who knows, you might get over here and decide to spend a few years.
If you pick up some private English lessons in addition to your
regular job, I hear that it's rather easy to build up a sizeable 'nest
egg' to take back with you.
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