in article 1119880567.860890.114170@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com,
declan_murphy@hotmail.com at declan_murphy@hotmail.com wrote on 6/27/05
10:56 PM:

> John W. wrote:
>> declan_murphy@hotmail.com wrote:
>>> Chris wrote:
>>> 
>>>> I'll admit that I lurk and come out of the darkness whenever I am set
>>>> to come back for a long vist and posible return.
>>>> 
>>>> Then I think about what to do for a living.Then realizing  I have zero
>>>> desire to teach English again so that return gets put back on the shelf.
>>>> 
>>>> Chris
>>> 
>>> I've never taught English, or anything else for that matter, which is
>>> probably best for all concerned. You obviously don't teach in your own
>>> country, so what do you do? Is there any particular reason why you
>>> couldn't obtain a work visa for something reflecting your skills and
>>> experience?
>> 
>> Speaking from my own experience, it ain't easy unless you're a
>> programmer/engineer or an executive. That changes somewhat when you're
>> in-country, but that's a hell of a risk and very expensive,
>> particularly the older and more tied-down we get
> 
> Yes. That was kind of why I wanted to ask him what he does. It isn't
> necessarily easy, but I know quite a few people (carpenters,
> restauranters etc) who do exactly what they did at home.

While the vast majority of the English-speaking gaijin that I have met here
have been in the kaiwa or other English language instruction (like most
JETs). That is because that is by far the easiest way of coming to Japan for
an adventure, the job is essentially brainless, and there is support in
going through the hurdles to get the necessary papers, and help in settling
in. On the other hand, the job is reportedly a hard, thankless, and
low-paying one. It is also a job without much of a future.

Some kaiwa instructors go on to teaching English at colleges (often more
than one at a time). Occasionally, some become tenured professors, but it
isn't easy to get there.


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