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Teaching English in Asia |OT| We're back!

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Necrovex

Member
I want to doublecheck this for JET applications: If I'm not going for early April access, I don't need to have the Criminal Record Check or the Certificate of Health attached in my initial submission, correct?

You're safe dude...unless you were a criminal in the past. Otherwise, no need for a physical health form or FBI check until after you are accepted.

All I need now is my doctor to write how fit I am for JET and my application will be complete.
 

caesar

Banned
I get that a lot, much to my surprise. All of us in Isahaya have 6-7 schools so I had just figured it was normal when I first arrived.

A friend of mine up in Shimane has 25 elementary schools that she visits every month.

Do you have a multiple schools bonus or anything? Also, do you know if it is true that the JET program is expanding its intake next year? Just rumours I hear on waygook.org
 

WoodWERD

Member
I don't understand how you guys are able to teach in China without a master's degree. When I was looking to work there they told me that I can't even get a visa to enter the country without a Master and 3 years of experience. Is it somehow different for english teachers (I teach french)?

Are you American? And who told you this (school, recruiter, etc.)? There's not much to understand...the majority of schools seeking an English teacher only need a bachelor's and some other supporting docs for the Z visa. A lot of places mention two years experience but that definitely isn't a requirement. Can't speak to French but I couldn't see why another language would be any different. Then again, 'This is China' as they say.
 

Simplet

Member
Are you American? And who told you this (school, recruiter, etc.)? There's not much to understand...the majority of schools seeking an English teacher only need a bachelor's and some other supporting docs for the Z visa. A lot of places mention two years experience but that definitely isn't a requirement. Can't speak to French but I couldn't see why another language would be any different. Then again, 'This is China' as they say.

I'm french. Well I was actually looking into "official" french schools, ie "Alliances Françaises". They're usually partnerships between the french state and various institutions in the host countries (universities etc.) That's why I'm wondering if it's different for private schools, if it's more "under the table" or something.

Basically what I got told when I was looking into getting into China, is that unless you have a four year degree and 3 years experience, you can not get a work visa (Z visa), to go in teaching or in any other field. Maybe you guys are getting a different visa? Is it like an internship for you?
 

mujun

Member
Cool thread. I'm teaching and developing material at two private language schools in Tokyo. Got a degree in linguistics and writing my Masters thesis about my research with Japanese babies.

What is your thesis about?

I'm trying a unique way with my son, we alternate between Japanese and English day by day (English day then Japanese day and so on).

I think it helps his listening to hear my passable Japanese and my wife's English (she is a Japanese and I'm Australian) in addition to when we speak our native languages. We also encourage him to use the same language though we don't force it (especially not at the age of three).

We are strict with using both, though. The leg up it will give him in the future is a must.
 

Simplet

Member
I'm on a Z visa working for a private university.

This is very strange. I've actually been to different forums where people from various fields were talking about counting their months of experience and how they had problem entering the country because they were missing two months out of the three years and so on so forth.

Is there some kind of loophole for english teachers? Very strange.

edit : it's 2 years not 3 but I'm sure about the 4 year degree stuff. Wait bachelor is 4 years in the US? I thought it was 3. Did you have any experience prior to taking the job?
 
What is your thesis about?
it's about how infant directed vocabulary might help with early word learning. Words like buubuu for car and manma for food, how those forms might be easier to associate with objects etc.

I think what you're doing with regards to your kids language development is the way to go, if me and my gf have our own then we will likely do something similar :)
 
I'm french. Well I was actually looking into "official" french schools, ie "Alliances Françaises". They're usually partnerships between the french state and various institutions in the host countries (universities etc.) That's why I'm wondering if it's different for private schools, if it's more "under the table" or something.

Basically what I got told when I was looking into getting into China, is that unless you have a four year degree and 3 years experience, you can not get a work visa (Z visa), to go in teaching or in any other field. Maybe you guys are getting a different visa? Is it like an internship for you?

No. I'm on a Z visa. All I needed was a bachelor's degree and a criminal record check. I didn't even need 2 years experience. Got all my legal documents like residence permit and foreign expert certificate. Honestly, I've never heard of this masters requirement. Maybe it's a specific requirement for Alliances Françaises. In fact, I know quite a few English teachers without bachelor's degrees that were able to legally get their Z visa and residence permit.
 

Simplet

Member
No. I'm on a Z visa. All I needed was a bachelor's degree and a criminal record check. I didn't even need 2 years experience. Got all my legal documents like residence permit and foreign expert certificate. Honestly, I've never heard of this masters requirement. Maybe it's a specific requirement for Alliances Françaises. In fact, I know quite a few English teachers without bachelor's degrees that were able to legally get their Z visa and residence permit.

It's not actually a masters requirement, but chinese authorities want a 4 year degree. In France you have a licence in 3 years, and then a masters in five, I wasn't aware that a bachelor's was 4 years in the US, it makes more sense now.

So if I have a french master and 1 year 1/2 experience next year, I should be golden then? Good to hear. I was planning into starting a master in conference interpretation in China next year in Shanghai, hopefully I can find some way to study and work at the same time.
 

mujun

Member
it's about how infant directed vocabulary might help with early word learning. Words like buubuu for car and manma for food, how those forms might be easier to associate with objects etc.

I think what you're doing with regards to your kids language development is the way to go, if me and my gf have our own then we will likely do something similar :)

That sounds interesting, thanks for explaining!
 

WoodWERD

Member
So if I have a french master and 1 year 1/2 experience next year, I should be golden then? Good to hear. I was planning into starting a master in conference interpretation in China next year in Shanghai, hopefully I can find some way to study and work at the same time.

Hard to say as the requirements for France are probably different. I'd ask the school to put you in touch with some current teachers so you can have direct conversations with people instead of getting the Chinese interpretation. I'm sure it's possible to work on a study visa but I don't think it's entirely legal. Laws and the enforcement of them vary from province to province.
 

sohois

Member
The Chinese Government recently tightened up the laws for teachers visas, so it is now:
Bachelor's Degree
Teaching Certificate or TEFL
2 years of experience
25 years of age.

That is the law. However, this law is superseded by the bigger law: There are no laws in China.

I'd say if you are dealing with official French institutions then they're much more likely to be more stringent about who they hire, and in general international schools would not hire anyone who is not a qualified teacher anyway. But outside of that, anything Chinese owned depends entirely on the guanxi of the owners. Some schools just bring people in on business visas, or on tourist visas and send them to Hong Kong every 3 months to renew it. Whereas other schools can hire anyone they want and get them the proper documentation no problem.
 

sasimirobot

Junior Member
The Chinese Government recently tightened up the laws for teachers visas, so it is now:
Bachelor's Degree
Teaching Certificate or TEFL
2 years of experience
25 years of age.

That is the law. However, this law is superseded by the bigger law: There are no laws in China.

anything Chinese owned depends entirely on the guanxi of the owners... schools can hire anyone they want and get them the proper documentation no problem.
\

This. Do you need any of the qualifications above? Yes? Write it up, buy it in Thailand, or photoshop it...Nobody is checking jack shit once you are inside the country. None of those make you a better teacher in most positions offered anyways, it just looks good on paper.
 

Aizo

Banned
It's threads like these that make me really glad that I joined NeoGAF.

I didn't find this until today, but I look forward to reading more here in the future!

I'm currently doing my last year of university in Tokyo. After this, I'll likely be applying to JET. I've known many people who applied, but failed. Luckily, I've met the people that choose who joins JET in my hometown, and they gave me tips for joining. If I get denied once, I'll try again! I'll surely look into other options, but JET is my number one, for sure. I've been wanting to do it since I was about 14 years old.
 

Max

I am not Max
On Monday and Wednesday I will be teaching English to Japanese preschool kids for 1 hour and 3 hours respectively. Does anyone have any tips for this? I watched the guy who hired me teach on Friday and what we do includes a lot of listening, we sing songs and dance and use flash cards for the kids to review with whatever we're learning that month. I've never really done anything like this alone, but I want things that will keep the children interested and having fun. It seems difficult to have to keep their attention for even just an hour. I want to incorporate drawing in my lessons.
 

sasimirobot

Junior Member
3 hours is ridiculously long for young kids. what you are doing at that point is more babysitting than English class, since there is no way to keep a kids attention for that long. some things you could do for that time:

- songs. search for "super simple songs" on youtube

- simple origami
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/origami/whale/

- alphabet handwriting worksheets

- read interactive books like "the very hungry caterpillar"

- games like pin the tail on the donkey, london bridge, etc...

- coloring, or color by number

- short videos or parts of video like sesame street or pepper pig

- flash cards and games using them

- play dough is very easy to make together and kids love it

- simple crafts and art

- bring in adult clothing like big jackets, scarfs , hats ,etc...go over the vocab
and dress them up, good for laughs

- simple jigsaw puzzles
 

Desmond

Member
It's threads like these that make me really glad that I joined NeoGAF.

I didn't find this until today, but I look forward to reading more here in the future!

I'm currently doing my last year of university in Tokyo. After this, I'll likely be applying to JET. I've known many people who applied, but failed. Luckily, I've met the people that choose who joins JET in my hometown, and they gave me tips for joining. If I get denied once, I'll try again! I'll surely look into other options, but JET is my number one, for sure. I've been wanting to do it since I was about 14 years old.


I've been wanting to do JET after Uni for a long time as well.

What Tokyo university are you in?


Sorry for the slight derail.
 

Wanace

Member
The Chinese Government recently tightened up the laws for teachers visas, so it is now:
Bachelor's Degree
Teaching Certificate or TEFL
2 years of experience
25 years of age.

That is the law. However, this law is superseded by the bigger law: There are no laws in China.

I'd say if you are dealing with official French institutions then they're much more likely to be more stringent about who they hire, and in general international schools would not hire anyone who is not a qualified teacher anyway. But outside of that, anything Chinese owned depends entirely on the guanxi of the owners. Some schools just bring people in on business visas, or on tourist visas and send them to Hong Kong every 3 months to renew it. Whereas other schools can hire anyone they want and get them the proper documentation no problem.

This is....somewhat true. If you don't want to live in someplace like Beijing or Shanghai.

Beijing is the strictest about it. You even need a criminal background check to get a job in Beijing now. So I wouldn't count on rocking up and getting away with it for long. If you've already got a visa you're grandfathered in so no need for the background check unless you let your visa lapse and leave the country and want to come back.

The best guanxi related crap I get is to skip lines when I go to the visa office. Which is still pretty nice.
 

numble

Member
This is....somewhat true. If you don't want to live in someplace like Beijing or Shanghai.

Beijing is the strictest about it. You even need a criminal background check to get a job in Beijing now. So I wouldn't count on rocking up and getting away with it for long. If you've already got a visa you're grandfathered in so no need for the background check unless you let your visa lapse and leave the country and want to come back.

The best guanxi related crap I get is to skip lines when I go to the visa office. Which is still pretty nice.
Due to convicted and wanted pedophiles found to be teaching English in China:
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/...hina-foreign-teachers-pedophile-neil-robinson
 

Max

I am not Max
bombed so hard

being in front of 15 or so loud japanese kids trying to review vegetables in english is more difficult than i thought it would be hahaha

wow cute kids tho, can't wait to be a dad when i'm like 30 years old
 

Jintor

Member
>looks at statement of purpose essay

Well, I should probably write this since it's pretty much the last thing I need to do before getting it all certified, copied and sent off.

Any tips? Though really, I think the way it's set it's pretty clear it's up to me to write this thing...
 

Jintor

Member
So placement wise, I was thinking of going for Hiroshima or around that prefecture, otherwise Matsumoto. And for a third... Kobe? Nagoya? Where you Japanese JETs at?
 

Shouta

Member
You can put anywhere you but there's absolutely no guarantee you'll be placed there, hah. Though, you have a better chance if it's one of the smaller cities.
 

Kuro Madoushi

Unconfirmed Member
On Monday and Wednesday I will be teaching English to Japanese preschool kids for 1 hour and 3 hours respectively. Does anyone have any tips for this? I watched the guy who hired me teach on Friday and what we do includes a lot of listening, we sing songs and dance and use flash cards for the kids to review with whatever we're learning that month. I've never really done anything like this alone, but I want things that will keep the children interested and having fun. It seems difficult to have to keep their attention for even just an hour. I want to incorporate drawing in my lessons.
Play games with them using the material you have. And take your time. I made the mistake once of finishing super early...

You can do drawing, maybe use playdoh, just interact with them with the material I'm different ways. Nobody expects you to turn the tykes into native speakers any time soon
 

AngryMoth

Member
Anyone have a rough idea of the ratio of applicants vs people accepted for JET? I looked on the website but it just says that it's 'very competitive'. Hopefully I'll have a decent shot since I have a bit of teaching experience and have been learning japanese for a few years now, I'd be upset if I wasn't accepted after looking forward to it for such a long time.
 
Teaching English in Thailand were the best years of my life, but damn was I stretched thin over the town I lived in.
MTWF - High School
Thurs morning - 2 Primary schools, alternate between them on weekly basis
Thurs Afternoon/Evening - Girls professional technical college
Sat- Private tuition
Sun - Open free classes for anyone to come to (mostly populated by ages 40+).

One of my old students has just started doing her post-grad here in Scotland and talking to her about how my classes are what inspired her to pursue English is so satisfying. I still remember my 1st class as an 18 year old thrown in front of a class of 50+ 15 years old and just left alone with them. Terrifying. lol.
 
I only know English. Am I screwed?

Depending where you are placed it may be a problem when it comes to getting by in daily life and making friends in the community, but as far as teaching jobs go probably not. A lot of places don't want you to speak the local language because the students may fall back on it (though at other places it is encouraged, can help while you're teaching and shows you're interested in the culture). In short, not at all! There are a lot of options available to you! Places like JET and EPIK certainly don't require it.
 
I only know English. Am I screwed?

at work, it may be a plus. they discourage us from using chinese at my school. you'll pick up whatever language you're immersed in at a decent speed if you try it, but it certainly won't be a hindrance at work.

you might have a troubling first few months of shopping, but learn the number system immediately so you can at least know how to pay for shit.
 
Z

ZombieFred

Unconfirmed Member
Quick question guys, sorry if I have not looked into this properly, but if I want to each English into Asia what do I need to do? I am IT college qualified based from the UK and most of my working experience has been working in the education system so I know it fully well and did teach IT but nothing on the qualification side of things but helped teachers on certain IT subjects. What is the best way for me if I wanted to do this? I am 23.
 
i'm teaching in china and i like it. you definitely need thick skin, a strong social network and a lot of positivity.

Quick question guys, sorry if I have not looked into this properly, but if I want to each English into Asia what do I need to do? I am IT college qualified based from the UK and most of my working experience has been working in the education system so I know it fully well and did teach IT but nothing on the qualification side of things but helped teachers on certain IT subjects. What is the best way for me if I wanted to do this? I am 23.

just go to http://www.seriousteachers.com/
 
it's on a listing-by-listing basis. i browsed that website and found all the jobs i was interested in had similar requirements so i set to work on those.

you'll most likely need a tefl certificate - you can get those anywhere, really. i have an online one from university of toronto. it was expensive, but with a top 20 university logo on it, i can negotiate!

you won't need teaching experience. most places just want a native english speaker from US, CAN, UK, AUS or NZ

if you want japan, check the OP. the JET website will have all the requirements you need and the whole process.
 

WoodWERD

Member
My condolences in advance to anyone teaching in China. Have never met anyone who didn't hate it.

Strange, everyone I talked to knew someone that did it for years and loved it. But thanks for the "condolences" and great addition to the thread!


jackass
hqdefault.jpg
 

caesar

Banned
Depending where you are placed it may be a problem when it comes to getting by in daily life and making friends in the community, but as far as teaching jobs go probably not. A lot of places don't want you to speak the local language because the students may fall back on it (though at other places it is encouraged, can help while you're teaching and shows you're interested in the culture). In short, not at all! There are a lot of options available to you! Places like JET and EPIK certainly don't require it.

They even prefer it.

Thanks man but would I need any specific teaching qualifications if I wanted to go to Japan or something to teach?

You have a degree? You're qualified. Though having a CELTA/TESOL never hurt anyone.
 
While I didn't do JET or any other ALT type work here in Japan, my friend did for several years and in some schools she was REQUIRED not to speak Japanese at all, even to staff (despite the fact she is fluent). This just made her feel even more aligned and ignored, but that seems to be the case mostly when you work for an agency - if you are a normal JET then you are stationed at a school so hopefully they feel like you are at least partly 'one of them'. I definitely wouldn't ever want to do the sort of thing where you get sent to various schools and are treated as just another foreigner-for-hire.
 
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