Teaching English in Japan

United States
February 20, 2007 8:28pm CST
I have recently been thinking about what I plan to do after I graduate college. Being a Psychology major I will not be coming out of school with hard schools to get a job in today's competitive job market. My answer to this as of lately has been to teach English in Japan as I have recently realized that I would love to teach and that I thoroughly enjoy teaching people and watch them learn what it is that I am teaching them. My problem starts here: I come from a very traditional Puerto Rican family that is all about "family time." In fact my parents basically beg me to come home every weekend to spend some time with them and then ask me to stay home or go over to another of my relatives house to see them. That said, it would be very difficult on my family if I were to teach English in Japan as most of the programs make native English teachers sign a 1 year contract minimum. I studied abroad in the fall semester and just being away for 3 months was a huge strain on my family and when I came back they all told me to never do that again. I have always wanted to go to Japan, learn Japanese and more importantly teach. I would be doing all the things I wanted but I am not sure what it is going to be like to move to a completely different country with a completely different culture by myself (When I studied abroad my boyfriend came with me so it was not that hard because I had someone there). Has anyone ever taught English in Japan or know of people that have done it? Any advice as to how I should go about applying for the position and or any advice that would put me above other candidates in getting the position? Also what would you do about a family that is extremely family orientated and having to leave your boyfriend (significant other) for at least a year? Let me know what you have to say!
1 response
@owens07 (325)
• Puerto Rico
21 Feb 07
I live in Puerto Rico. I have a cousin who's been living in Japan for close to 30 years now. As far as I know he still teaches English. I have a friend here who has taught in Japan. If it's going to upset your family that much, I don't know if I would go. That's pretty far away. I still remember how my mother cried when I left the U.S and moved here. On the other hand if you can sit down and talk with them and assure them that you'll call daily maybe even using webcam, then maybe you can give it a try.