asian native (non jap) teaching english in japan, possible?

[Nozila]

hi rezz,

i would like to know if there are many employers - education departments or private businesses, that does or would employ an english speaker who has an asian background to teach them japanese. In my opinion they would rather a native english speaker to teach them english rather than an asian speaker teach them english but apparently one of my family friends son whos also asian went there to teach them enligh which i think is a lie, correct me if im wrong. Im studying 2nd yr japanese at uni and was thinking bout this whole english teaching opportunities avaliable in japan. could you shed some light please.

thanks,

duc.

[dopefish]

They really prefer white native speakers to teach English.

You would probably have a harder time getting a job than a white Australian would have.

If you were born in vietnam i think you would have an even smaller chance of finding work.

Having said that, you might be able to get a job if you try hard enough.

[Nozila]

thats exactly what i was thinking. btw how did you know im vietnamese - my name give it away?

[(B1) MR_fanny]

my mates half laos and half thai, which makes no bloody diff, and hes been teaching there for over a yr now.

please elaborate on the viet thing?

[syx]

Have a look at this, i'm not to sure of details but it might fit you

http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/

[Nozila]

What is it that im suppose to be looking at?

[syx]

its an exchange program where you go over to japan to teach.

they organise most things for you, all you need is a bachelor of somthing

[JaseR33]

I doubt that there'd be much difference mate. I've got 2 friends at the moment teaching in Japan. A guy and a girl, both asians, with very good english. The guy has landed a government job at a school I believe after teaching for private schools for a year. Other asian countries such as Taiwan also readily employ english speakers with asian backgrounds.

If your competent and motivated I don't think you would have any disadvantage:p

[Nozila]

I doubt that there'd be much difference mate. I've got 2 friends at the moment teaching in Japan. A guy and a girl, both asians, with very good english. The guy has landed a government job at a school I believe after teaching for private schools for a year. Other asian countries such as Taiwan also readily employ english speakers with asian backgrounds.  

If your competent and motivated I don't think you would have any disadvantage:p

a shining light. I hope i could land a job there when i graduate.

[yukz2daizzo]

try it, that is all i can say.

[DaiOni]

JET definitely aren't overtly discriminatory when it comes to asian applicants - in my prefecture, for example, there is an obvious and healthy number of asian teachers.

However, you may find that the corporates aren't so kind. In particular, the smaller english companies run by japanese management. I can see them thinking that customers wouldn't be getting an 'authentic' teaching experience, if the teacher was of asian descent. Hopefully this is the exception, rather than the rule - but you can guarantee that this sort of misguided sentiment exists.

Anyway, if you have the qualifications, and want a job here - then you will definitely get one if you persist. I can't recommend JET highly enough though - it has so many advantages over corporate work (especially since they dropped the wage level for visa requirements - some of the the salaries offered these days are insanely bad).

now, life as a non-japanese asian in japan... there's a whole different thread...

[hayai32]

I went over as an exchange student in 2002 and went to a couple of "jet teacher" get togethers and there were a fair few non caucasion jets there. The jet program doesn't appear to discriminate from my little experience... Although I was under the impression that to become a jet you needed to have finished a uni degree or something something like that. I'm sure someone here will be able to clarify...

quoting daioni: now, life as a non-japanese asian in japan... there's a whole different thread...

I definatly agree but it can also be reworded...

life as a non-japanese in japan... there's a whole different thread...

[Nozila]

going from your post hayai32. Your did not have a uni degree at that stage. btw u mind giving me an idea of how much it cost - the program - and how long did u stay for. Is there a limit?

[Ronin 09]

My girlfriend is Malaysian Chinese and has a dip in Japanese. She went through the Nova program and had no issues with students apart from them initially saying... but you're Japanese! why are you teaching english?!

And contrary to what people might say - Nova and Jet are always looking for people, regardless of race, to teach english

good luck!

[akeenan]

Its suprising who they will hire here in japan to teach english. It doesnt really matter if your not white. Im currently working for 2 different companies in the public school system and for a private company both place have asian people working there. Recently the board of Japanese education hired a guy from malaysia and his english isnt equal to that of a native..

apply a job you shouldnt have to much trouble..

lets not start a new thread about non japanese people living in japan. itll turn into another what i hate about japan thread... with some what i likes