My brother taught English in Yokohama for a year with Nova. He really enjoyed his time over there. He was living with his girlfriend (now wife) who is Japanese and fluent in both Japanese and English, so his situation will probably be a lot different than yours though.
The city you chose is a big key to your experience being good or bad when teaching English in Asia. I have talked to quite a few teachers in Japan that lived in very small towns. They might have been the only foreigner in the town. Small towns tend to have a very low English levels. Some people love it (usually people who are trying to write a play, book, or something like that) but it drives a lot of people crazy. But you are treated like a Rock Star in these small towns. From what I understand the money is not as good as it used to be teaching in Japan. You can save the most money teaching in Korea. I saved over $8,000 a year and I drank every night and took as many trips out of the country as I could. From my experiences most people in Asia are nice to foreigners. At least to their face in English. If you have any specific questions about living or teaching English in Asia just ask.
Oh yeah, lots of good stuff on this site. I message board for ESL teachers and a job board. http://www.eslcafe.com/ Under stuff for teachers, click International Job Forums and click Japan. The Korean one is huge, with lots of posters. Keep in mind you have to take some of the stuff on there with a grain of salt. Some times it is just bitter old men posting BS.
She was making fun of nyquil82. His post makes it sound as if foreign women don't like it in Japan because they "immediatly become the less attractive and desireable of the females (except to the weirdos)".
Hey Zac D, I am Japanese (raised in Houston) and living in Tokyo right now. If you have any concerns about Japan, give me an email through my profile or we can talk through the board if you want. While Japan has a different culture and there are some quirks, I know a lot of people who enjoyed their stay here. As far as friendly cities for non-Japanese, I might stick with the large urban cities especially in the Kanto area (Tokyo-Yokohama). But that might be just my personal preference. And yes Japan might be considered "racist," but then again as Gutter Snipe commented the whole world is racist in one way or another [As an aside, I have been called racial slurs in London and Paris, does that make England and France a "racist" country? I suppose]. It does help if you are say "white" American over any other ethnic/racial background, but having said that in general most Japanese especially in the urban cities are quite courteous and understanding of visitors as long as you respect the basic customs...even then you will get a lot more freedom then say if a Japanese person did the same thing. Anyway, if you have specific questions or concerns, let me know and I will try to help as much as I can. Good luck.
One of the best reads I've ever had. Even if you don't want to be a Japanese teacher its a must read. Funniest thing in the world http://www.outpostnine.com/editorials/
What about if you're MEXICAN? Plus, I can teach Spanish, English, Web Design, or Math. How is that? Do you think it will be better or worse or the same?
No way. While most Japanese, especially around Tokyo, are very good people there are still a number of bars/clubs that will bar you entry immeditely based on your skin color. Walking in as a white guy (even without a word being spoken) leads to the arms crossed over the chest and "No American" yell. Not to mention the blatant sign outside of places blatantly proclaiming "Japanese only" or "No Americans". If you venture outside of Tokyo, the racism is on par with rural Texas, except more boldly proclaimed. Japan is a great place to visit, but the culture is more close-minded even than Texas. Just know that going in.
Check out Kobe. In my experience the people there are open to "outsider" compared to the other places in Japan I've been. Plus Kobe Bryant is named after this city er maybe that's a negative.
Thanks for all the replies and the links, everybody. Oski - I know I'm a gaijin and I can sing Styx. That's about the extent of my Japanese ability. I was under the impression that the Korean schools are a little bit sketchier/less likely to live up to their end of the deal than the Japanese ones. Not so? On my good list of cities for foreigners (before this thread started): Kobe (so the feedback on that is encouraging) Fukuoka Nagasaki Sendai Sapporo Bad list: Kyoto Nagoya Osaka (but maybe I only put that there because it's nearly as expensive as Tokyo?)
I've been to Tokyo when I was younger. One of the main things I remember was at the Sony headquarters over there they had products which seemed like it was released 5 years in advance over what you get here in the States. Some of their Zen gardens were spectacular as well. I didn't know any Japanese when I went there, but I wish I had watched this video prior to going: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU3-e8RbVE4&search=japanese scary movie
No you are correct, the Korean schools are less likely to live up to their end of the deal than the Japanese ones. You have to do your homework on the school before you take a job in Korea. I have only visited Osaka, but I think that would be a great place to live. After my second year in Korea I was considering finding a teaching job there I liked it so much.
Man, I learned more from watching that video than years of anime. No more Rosetta Stone learning videos for me. I think I'm set.
