Teaching English in Japan for Highest Pay

[l***@hotmail.com]

I was just wondering if somebody could help me out by filling me in on
the best way to make the most money while teaching English in Japan. I
have some interviews set up in a months time with AEON, GEOS and Nova
(which I have been already warned about). I also have one with ECC, but
they only recruit in Toronto in Canada, and I am from the Western
region of the country, much too far to go for one interview.

I have many debts to pay off such as student loans, etc. and I really
would like to make as much money as possible. However, the wages for
working for any of these companies is about 250,000 Yen per month, and
after rent, food, taxes, transportation, etc., that doesn't leave much
left over for settling up with my Canadian bank.

I realize that I could tutor on the side, but I found out that it is
actually illegal to 'moonlight' in Japan while holding a contract with
another company on a work visa, and some of them require you to sign a
contract saying that you won't do this.
Are there other organizations that offer a better pay, and if so, how
do I get ahold of these organizations?

Any help on this matter is much appreciated. Also any info on specific
companies that I have interviews with, please let me know.

Also, if anyone has a good link to a site that can help me out with a
sample lesson plan for my interviews, I would sure love it if you could
share it with me.

Thank you in advance for any assistance!

LeeH

[Cindy]

Post by l***@hotmail.com
I was just wondering if somebody could help me out by filling me in on
the best way to make the most money while teaching English in Japan. I
have some interviews set up in a months time with AEON, GEOS and Nova
(which I have been already warned about). I also have one with ECC, but
they only recruit in Toronto in Canada, and I am from the Western
region of the country, much too far to go for one interview.
I have many debts to pay off such as student loans, etc. and I really
would like to make as much money as possible. However, the wages for
working for any of these companies is about 250,000 Yen per month, and
after rent, food, taxes, transportation, etc., that doesn't leave much
left over for settling up with my Canadian bank.
I realize that I could tutor on the side, but I found out that it is
actually illegal to 'moonlight' in Japan while holding a contract with
another company on a work visa, and some of them require you to sign a
contract saying that you won't do this.
Are there other organizations that offer a better pay, and if so, how
do I get ahold of these organizations?
Any help on this matter is much appreciated. Also any info on specific
companies that I have interviews with, please let me know.
Also, if anyone has a good link to a site that can help me out with a
sample lesson plan for my interviews, I would sure love it if you could
share it with me.
Thank you in advance for any assistance!

Why does it have to be in Japan for you to teach English? If I give you
any good information, do you think it's free? You get a job and money,
but I don't get nothing but your "thank you in advance for assistance"?
I don't want to tell you anything.

[m***@netMAPSONscape.net]

Post by Cindy

Post by l***@hotmail.com
Also, if anyone has a good link to a site that can help me out with a
sample lesson plan for my interviews, I would sure love it if you could
share it with me.
Thank you in advance for any assistance!

Why does it have to be in Japan for you to teach English?

I'm guessing he wants to live in Japan.

Post by Cindy
If I give you
any good information, do you think it's free? You get a job and money,
but I don't get nothing but your "thank you in advance for assistance"?

Something wrong with that?

Post by Cindy
I don't want to tell you anything.

You didn't. Congratulations.

Mike

[m***@netMAPSONscape.net]

Post by l***@hotmail.com
I realize that I could tutor on the side, but I found out that it is
actually illegal to 'moonlight' in Japan while holding a contract with
another company on a work visa, and some of them require you to sign a
contract saying that you won't do this.

Get with one which doesn't require it. There are some.

Post by l***@hotmail.com
Are there other organizations that offer a better pay, and if so, how
do I get ahold of these organizations?

Do you speak Japanese?

Post by l***@hotmail.com
Any help on this matter is much appreciated. Also any info on specific
companies that I have interviews with, please let me know.

You can check out the Japan Times; I think the Monday and Thursday
editions still have sizable "Help Wanted" sections. Sometimes
it's even on their web site.

Post by l***@hotmail.com
Thank you in advance for any assistance!

Good luck.

Mike

[MAG]

Post by l***@hotmail.com
Thanks Mike, I'll check out the Japan Times...and no, unfortunately I
don't speak Japanese, but I would love to learn some when I go! Your
help is appreciated!

That's a benefit for getting a job teaching English. They prefer you
not to speak Japanese as it forces the students to learn. I did a
brief stint when I was at school there in '90 but they pushed me out as
soon as they could find someone else because my Japanese was too good.

Having said that, if you're after more than money and want to get the
most out your stay, I'd strongly suggest you learn some Japanese
including some of the writing.

MAG murraygunn.id.au/culture/japan/

[l***@hotmail.com]

Thanks Mike, I'll check out the Japan Times...and no, unfortunately I
don't speak Japanese, but I would love to learn some when I go! Your
help is appreciated!

Lee

[l***@hotmail.com]

You told me more than you think, Cindy...

[Cindy]

Post by l***@hotmail.com
You told me more than you think, Cindy...

Hey, I hope you won't be able to adjust with Japan or Japanese culture
especially commuting by train in rush hours.

[MAG]

Post by l***@hotmail.com
I have many debts to pay off such as student loans, etc. and I really
would like to make as much money as possible. However, the wages for
working for any of these companies is about 250,000 Yen per month, and
after rent, food, taxes, transportation, etc., that doesn't leave much
left over for settling up with my Canadian bank.

You'd be surprised at what you can get for 250,000 in Japan. I was
living the luxurious life of an expat and spending less. Staying out
of Tokyo will help, but you'll soon learn where the cheap places to eat
are and the school will find cheap (but meagre) accomodation for you.
The only problem is that they'll work you hard - usually noon - 9pm
from Tuesday to Saturday.

You might also want to check whether that's 12 or 18.1 months of
250,000 as that will make a big difference. Japanese salaries are paid
in 12 monthly installments with separate 3 month bonuses in June and
December. A typical Japanese person will live on the monthly allowance
and save the bonuses.

Post by l***@hotmail.com
I realize that I could tutor on the side, but I found out that it is
actually illegal to 'moonlight' in Japan while holding a contract with
another company on a work visa, and some of them require you to sign a
contract saying that you won't do this.
Are there other organizations that offer a better pay, and if so, how
do I get ahold of these organizations?

Moonlighting is difficult with the hours you'll work, but I've had
friends that tended bars for reasonable money. You might be able to do
that on your days off. Or instead.

MAG http://murraygunn.id.au/culture/japan/

[g***@dmztest.vsr.ambisys.net]

Hmmmm...

As with every other place, the best jobs go to people in the right
place at the right time, and in the case of Japan, the right place is
here, so if your aim is to make money here, then the first goal has to
be crossing the Pacific. Since it seems like you're not swimming in
cash, and may not be confident enough to come without a contract, then
maybe the best bet would be to go with whichever company offers you the
best conditions, then try to minimize living expenses by aiming for a
middle-sized city, maybe a million people or so. Once you're here, get
settled, and know whether you actually like teaching or not, you can
look around for other, higher-paying opportunities.

I'm very skeptical of the idea that it would be illegal to moonlight.
This is Japan... as long as you pay taxes, I doubt the law would care
if you worked yourself to death. There are restrictions on student
visas and the like, but once you have a work visa in your passport,
that visa belongs to you, not the sponsoring company, so you're free to
switch jobs, moonlight, whatever. But read your contract carefully,
especially if the company is paying for things like your international
airfare or apartment fees.

But do consider well whether you really want to teach English at all.
If it's not something you think you'd enjoy, you and your students
might be better off if you chose a different path, though of course
that could still involve Japan if you wanted!

G

[Malte]

Post by g***@dmztest.vsr.ambisys.net
Hmmmm...
As with every other place, the best jobs go to people in the right
place at the right time, and in the case of Japan, the right place is
here, so if your aim is to make money here, then the first goal has to
be crossing the Pacific. Since it seems like you're not swimming in
cash, and may not be confident enough to come without a contract, then
maybe the best bet would be to go with whichever company offers you the
best conditions, then try to minimize living expenses by aiming for a
middle-sized city, maybe a million people or so. Once you're here, get
settled, and know whether you actually like teaching or not, you can
look around for other, higher-paying opportunities.
I'm very skeptical of the idea that it would be illegal to moonlight.
This is Japan... as long as you pay taxes, I doubt the law would care
if you worked yourself to death. There are restrictions on student
visas and the like, but once you have a work visa in your passport,
that visa belongs to you, not the sponsoring company, so you're free to
switch jobs, moonlight, whatever. But read your contract carefully,
especially if the company is paying for things like your international
airfare or apartment fees.
But do consider well whether you really want to teach English at all.
If it's not something you think you'd enjoy, you and your students
might be better off if you chose a different path, though of course
that could still involve Japan if you wanted!
G

If I may just bud in here:

I've just joined this group - "Hi, everyone!" - and I'd be interested in
the following: I have always thought, the only way for a "Gaijin" to be
able to get a foot in the door in Japan was through teaching English.
What other alternatives are there, that would allow a good living? Not
so as to get rich, but good enough not to starve, of course...

The friend of a friend of mine once was there for a few months selling
some kind of candles, which supposedly went pretty good, but to me the
idea of that seems rather silly.

Anybody have any thoughts?

[m***@netMAPSONscape.net]

Post by Malte
I've just joined this group - "Hi, everyone!" - and I'd be interested in
the following: I have always thought, the only way for a "Gaijin" to be
able to get a foot in the door in Japan was through teaching English.
What other alternatives are there, that would allow a good living? Not
so as to get rich, but good enough not to starve, of course...
The friend of a friend of mine once was there for a few months selling
some kind of candles, which supposedly went pretty good, but to me the
idea of that seems rather silly.
Anybody have any thoughts?

Do you speak Japanese?

Mike