Japanese Schools

[DaiOni]

yeah, those figures sound about right.

Having a (japanese) wife in japan is a big difference - IMO, that's what keeps a lot of the 'lifers' here (of course, the 'players' stay for another reason...). What I meant was - for the average person who comes to japan, long-term residency is not necessarily a realistic/good idea. If you have a partner (and married), then obviously things change (so does your resident status!).

An important thing for potential job-seekers to keep in mind is "what will I do when I'm finished?" (it's always in the back of my mind - rapidly followed by "what happened to that damn exchange rate!?"). Coming back to 'reality' with 5-10years of 'english teaching' on your resume isn't particularly valuable to a prospective employer. In other words - you have to be careful, as more than one year away makes 'life in japan' quite a diversion from any given career path. I chucked mine in anyway, knowing that I'd have to start again when I got back (not something I'm looking forward to).

I will say this: If I was a single man now, I would probably never leave japan - I'm quite certain of that. At this stage, I will likely seek an extra year or two of work (if we can both find some) here once my contract is up. It's kind of sad, but my prime motivation is finishing my car! So many mods, so few paychecks... I'd love to be on the mainland and within convenient distance to a rotary workshop with a dyno!

[gekisouzoku]

Hi!

Yeah I was refering to a limited company. As to me being self employed is not a company but a sole trader. (In this case anyway) I should have defined myself more sorry. Im sure thats what yk stands for - private company.

Yeah maybe there are lots of japanese slackers, but there is more importance on studying in Japan than there is in Australia. In Australia who cares what uni you go to ? Where as in Japan it can steer your whole life if you go to a 'bad' uni!

[EvilElmo]

Oh ok, so I wont really be able to. Not until I get a uni degree (Does a TAFE cert. count? Like a diploma in I dunno, personal training or something?).

Thanks for clearing that up for me, would you still be able to inquire for me Rezz?

Thanks alot guys.

[DaiOni]

"Does a TAFE cert. count" - no.

[EvilElmo]

Ah exellent, I rang the embassy and they said that I can get a work visa without a degree. So I am definatly going, I just gotta secure a spot teaching somewhere.

All the agencies require you to have a degree in anything, so I would perfer not to go through them. Would someone please be able to pass me a contact? Thanks.

Rezz, please check your PM box.

[gekisouzoku]

There are agencies around that you do not need a degree but instead one year of tertiary education and 2 or 3 years work exp. I think Nova is one of them.

Check out gaijinpot.com they have heaps of info on getting visas and also have a huge forum on available jobs - Mostly as english teachers!

Cheers

[Bakadesu!]

Speaking of Japanese schools...do they still wear buruma, or is that an anime-only thing now?

[DaiOni]

at junior high I think they do