Quick disclaimer: Ok, I've read many horror stories about teaching in Japan. I've seen the countless posts that go along the lines of "I hate my job in country X, I want to drop everything, move to Japan, but I don't speak Japanese, and have no real skills I could offer Japan…but I'm sure I could make it. Please assure me that this is a great life decision and that I won't suffer or go broke".
This is not me. I am interested in Japan. But it doesn't HAVE to be my final destination. However, I would be a hypocrite if I were to tell you that Japan doesn't interest me AT ALL. Let's be real. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here.
OK…
…now that we have that little disclaimer out of the way…let's have a thoughtful exchange of information.
Who am I?
I am 35. I work in IT for a Nordic financial institution in Poland.
I have over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. I have a CELTA I did when I was 25. I already have two BA degrees and two MA degrees. I also have some other skilled trades qualifications. This TESOL degree will be the last one I want to tackle. Might be worth mentioning that I grew up in the U.S. and am a dual-citizen. I speak three languages fluently.
Why do I want to pursue this degree? I want to be better qualified in case I would have to make the transition from IT to TEFL in the upcoming years. Future prospects for IT are not looking that great. At least, not for me. I'm no "hot shot programmer". My job can become automated in several years. But this is not a pity party. I will be fine regardless what will happen. I have time to prepare to make that jump (something that many people don't do prior to moving countries). That's it, in a very concise nutshell.
I speak three languages fluently and started learning Japanese 8 months ago. I will finish this TESOL MA course in 2028. Hopefully, my Japanese will be much better by then. That's almost 3 years from now. I have time to prepare. But like I said, if the market will be oversaturated, then I won't HAVE to move to Japan in 2028-2029. I'm open for other options.
But…..
This is r/teachinginjapan . Not China. Not Korea. Not Germany. It's Japan. I want to post this HERE and get some real feedback. I like Japan, but I'm trying to be mindful about current realities. I want to make best use of the fact that I have time to prepare, and put my effort towards the best activites that will best benefit me in the future.
LET'S GET TO THE POINT:
Let's assume that I would want to move to Japan in circa 2029/before the turn of the decade.
..do you have any advice for me now that you know that I am about to begin my journey with my MA TESOL and that I've been learning Japanese for the past 8 months? Other than "study, pass the JLPT exam, and make sure to finish all of your assignments on time"?
Is there anyone on here that has earned a TESOL MA that would like to share some helpful tips?
Many thanks in advance.
P.S. I did not mean to be condescending towards anyone on here that did move to Japan at the drop of a hat. If that was you and you made it out quite alright, then good for you. That's fantastic. But it's 2025 and not 1980 and I am on a different timeline, facing a different world market.
by Jedrzej_G