Comments on: Is English Teaching in Japan a ‘McJob’?

By: Falcon

Falcon — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:24:54 +0000

“…It should be noted that this is far more than a McDonalds worker would be earning, and my guess is that most foreign English teachers in Japan are earning somewhere between 2300,000 and 300,000 per month. …”

Unlike the US, there are significant percentage of full-time employees working in the food service industry with compensation and benefits on par with their salarymen counterparts. For example, Global Dining (TSE 7625 http://www.google.com/finance?q=TYO:7625 ) has full-time positions from Y300,000 per month for “general employees”: http://global-dining.heteml.jp/en/recruiting/midway/index.html

The economy still sucks, but there are still options outside of English teaching for those who are determined enough. This site compiles some of the better site out there including one that only has direct leads to employers (not recruiters): http://saltocean.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html They might pay about the same but both the fact that it’s experience that can ostensibly be applied to a career back home helps. Or, if it’s an employer that pays matching social and health benefits (as mandated by law anyways) then it often can make a difference to someone only making $2000 – 3000 per month.

By: Bridget

Bridget — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:14:33 +0000

I’m basically doing the exact same thing that you did. I figure that after a few years of living on my own here and doing the english teaching gig will give me a chance to A. save some money for graduate school and B. make my japanese super good.
so.. yeah. It’s a McJob in a sense. I make more than enough money to live and then some. I mean.. this is my first job out of college. I wasn’t expecting a whole lot. I just don’t want to still be doing this 20 years down the road.

By: guyjin

guyjin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:05:30 +0000

Since I’m originally from Australia, I earned my MBA through an Australian University, by correspondence. There are many good programs throughout Australia that offer distance learning options. Its not going to be a ‘brand name’ degree, but it will still open doors and is a learning experience to discipline yourself to study on your own.

By: zukka

zukka — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:10:58 +0000

Yes, English is teaching in Japan.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:36:17 +0000

How did you get your MBA while you were in Japan?

By: Our Man in Abiko

Our Man in Abiko — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:25:05 +0000

In answer to your headline, yes.

By: freedomwv

freedomwv — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:18:23 +0000

Here is what a lot of companies do. They want someone who has very little skill at teaching English. They want someone who can be trained to fit their system. The problem happens when the hired becomes `too good` at the job. When they go beyond what the company expects. It creates a situation in which the company has to pay the person more; which no company wants to do in the first place.

I have listened to some damn good lessons from some damn good English teachers in Japan. I think it is sad their job is considered to be crap job because to be a good teacher a lot of effort goes into it.

By: Japundit

Japundit — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:20:51 +0000

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