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That's what my Japanese teacher did... because he's also an English teacher. Come to think of it, My mom's an English teacher, too.


I think we're onto something.

Well, first off, I was going to be an English teacher here in the states before I started getting obsessed with this complicated language. Writers don't make much money unless people get back into reading. Like, Gregory Maguire's book, Wicked, has done moderately well.
Off topic. I thought about teaching in Japan, but I'm too attached to my fiance to consider staying abroad a few years with the JET program unless he came along.
So I've fallen back to ESL and Title 1 ideas. I'm going to study Japanese as a dual major with Linguistics in the fall, with a minor in Korean and Chinese. At some point I will have to give in to American immigrant percentages and learn Spanish and Russian, but at this point, I am avoiding going back to Spanish as long as possible. It's a fine language, but I need a few years more between me and the time I was forced to study it. That and a real reason to learn it.

So...yeah. Not really a huge chance of that happening for me. Not unless Enix accepts more American programmers. Which I highly doubt. I've seen the credits roll a few too many times.

Just to give you a heads up, if you want to work in Japan having a job lined up before you get there makes your life much easier. They will sponsor your work visa and usually pay the fees and deposits associated with renting an apartment (renting an actual apartment in japan is ridiculously expensive). The bummer is only a few big companies actively recruit and hire overseas, and beyond those you are limited to the odd job listing here and there.

There are a few countires where you can get a "Working Holiday" visa, just have to be 18-30, and it allows you to live in japan for up to a year and earn money. Combine a working visa with living in a gaijin house, and it's a viable option for going to live in Japan without a job first. The countires where a working holiday visa are available are Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Korea, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. (I guess they don't having it in the US because they already have enough socially inept Americans biggrin ) Note that although you don't need a bachelors degree to get a Working holiday visa, most companies (espcially in the teaching english field) require a bachelors degree in order for them to sponsor you.

It's possible to go there on just a travel visa (3 months) and then get a job and get sponsored for a work visa. (again, probably need a bachelors) Getting paid if you're on a travel visa is a big no no, thought I think accepting gifts would be okay biggrin .

I mean you have to work hard at every job you do. I just want to go there as an exchange student or visit there. I don't give a crap if I'm an outsider to them XD. But, if you WANT to go there and teach English why not try it. You only live once and if that's your dream then go for it! My mom's friend was a missionary in Japan for 30 years. He speaks obviously speaks fluent Japanese but he said they still don't treat him like a true Japanese person even though he has been there for like 30 years....whether that bothers you or notm they really don't accept outsiders at all.