So I'm currently on a working holiday here in Japan and have N3 Japanese. I'm staying in Tokyo and working towards N1 level so I can get an actual meaningful job down the line that my degree is relevant towards. I've done a few interviews for regular baito jobs here but haven't had much luck probably because of being on the working holiday visa and not having fluent Japanese which is completely understandable.
So I've been considering teaching English at one of the Eikaiwa companies here. I have read plenty about the really bad reputation they all have but would it be as bad if I'm just doing it 2 or 3 days a week as an independent contractor that some of the chain companies offer? Just to support myself a bit financially whilst I continue doing travelling, portfolio work for future jobs and studying in my spare time. Or would you say even then that the eikaiwa English teaching experience is too bad and I'd be better off just aiming for something like McDonalds? I want to stay in the greater Tokyo area and have been really benefiting from the immersion here so something like the ski resorts are off the table. And the rules for the working holiday with my country don't allow me to do any work in bars or anything so that's also a no go.
Does anyone have any experience or advice for a similar situation?
by CamTurnArt