Hey, everybody!

[rekka]

Hi guys, I'm new here! I actually found this forum by chance when I was yet again scouring the Internet for production artwork from the OVAs. I'm always on the look out for cels of Adol. <3

Anyway, my name is Rekka and I've been living in Japan for about 8 years. During most of that time, I lived in Nagoya, but I moved to Yokohama last year. I've had various jobs while in Japan, from preschool/daycare teacher, kindergarten teacher, to my job now at a private all-girl's junior/senior high school, teaching English. It's been a lot of fun, but I'd really like to get out of the education system if at all possible. I'd like to do something more creative with music and/or games.

My hobbies mostly revolve around anime, games, music, and concerts. I've been a collector of production animation artwork for about 15 years and about died when I saw exactly how much my gallery has expanded over the course of just one year. o.O No wonder I never have any money... But if anyone's interested in taking a look through my cel gallery, you can find it here:

rekka.rubberslug.com

As far as Ys goes, I've been a fan for as long as I can remember. I played the original on the SMS that my brother borrowed from a friend eons ago. I was never good at action based RPGs, but I've developed a little extra skill over the years. I've played just about all of the PSP remakes of the original games and played a tiny bit of the PC game (totally can't think of the name now...).

I have all of the Japanese novels, including the Tribute book that was just released a week or so ago, but have yet to read them. I'll probably get to reading the new one soon (I've got a bit of a backlog when it comes to reading books, so it will have to wait a little bit).

JDK Band will soon have their 25th Anniversary New Years concert on January 5th. I'm really excited to say I will be there!! This will be my first JDK Band live concert, so I'm really, really excited! <3

Well, that's all I can think of for a brief introduction so far. Hope everyone has a great New Year's coming soon!

[lailmith]

WELCOME!!

[Ascended Mermaid]

That was quite an introduction! Welcome to ALoY!

[rekka]

Thanks, guys!

I forgot to mention that the JDK Band 25th Anniversary Concert will be broadcast live on Nico Nico Douga, but you have to purchase 1,000 points for 1,000yen. I'm not sure if this is possible for those living overseas, though, sorry!!

Here are a couple links with more information...

JDK Band Web Site:
www.falcom.co.jp/jdk/

Concert Page on Nico Nico:
live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv120448897

[Red Hairdo]

That's a neat story, and welcome.

There are some members here who also went to/live in Japan. One of them has taught English to people in Japan, as well, that is, Wyrdwad. Perhaps you two could share experiences?

Anyway, make yourself at home here.

[Gamemusicfreak]

Welcome Pal!

[rekka]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!!

Dec 29, 2012 19:38:04 GMT -5 Red Hairdo said:

There are some members here who also went to/live in Japan. One of them has taught English to people in Japan, as well, that is, Wyrdwad. Perhaps you two could share experiences?

Oh yeah? Cool! Definitely I've had a mixed bag of experiences. Work-wise, it's been overall good. I worked for a private English school in Nagoya for 5 years. I really enjoyed the people I worked with and it was really neat to see some of my students that I first started teaching as babies grow up to be able to carry on a discussion with me as elementary students. Really cool. I think out of all the teaching I've done, I miss that the most--the really close ties with some students and even parents. But that sort of thing only comes with time and effort.

My experience now, being in the actual education system rather than a company, has shifted to more professional teaching, which anything professional or business like to me feels like putting on a jacket backwards. I can do it just fine, it just doesn't feel right. I want to interact with students more on a personal, equal level, not as a know-it-all teacher who's above everyone else. Of course, I think students should still respect their teachers, but I don't want it to go so far as to completely redesign how one communicates with another.

My position now is more like an ALT without the assistant. Makes sense, right? All my teaching is done solo with no back-up from any Japanese staff; therefore, much of my lessons are conducted in Japanese... I'm really torn on this topic. Should English be taught solely in English or not? In my previous years of teaching, it was FORBIDDEN to speak Japanese, and let me tell you, my acquisition of the language has definitely suffered because of this. Teaching English in English can be done but it does NOT work for solo teachers in Junior High.

Every school is different, so results may vary, but my particular school, even though it's a private school, students are not motivated to study and do well. Most of my first year JH students are quite good and well-behaved, but JH2!? Ugh. I just struggle through those classes!! And JH3 is either hit or miss. Either you have a really great class or a really horrible one. There is no middle ground.

So for my JH students, I mostly speak Japanese to explain the lesson and so forth and then we practice English pronunciation within the given lesson (whatever the theme or topic might be) and lastly play a quick game or do a worksheet. The structure is pretty simple it's just difficult to stay on task in classes that refuse to listen or are over-the-top rude.

As far as curriculum goes, I've worked on making curriculum before, but this year it's really tough for me because I've never actually worked in a really school before. I've only worked for private English schools which are more businesses than schools. So using a textbook to come up with a curriculum for an ENTIRE 27-30 student class...throughout the entire JH has been a challenge. I've gotten a lot of help from the other foreign teachers who have worked there for many years. None of them have taught at the JH before, but they have more experience and knowledge in the education system. Several of them are very teacher-like and driven, which makes me feel kinda on the outside because my dream is not to teach. I much more enjoy sharing culture and interacting with students. Of course, they learn in the process, but my goal is not to become some outstanding teacher. Maybe that's bad to say for someone in my position...but I can't say something and make it true.

My dilemma right now is that...my contract is through an agency (Hakken) which found the opening at my current school. All the other foreign teachers are directly hired by the school and get their full pay. Me, although I'm definitely getting paid more than I have before, the agency is taking at least $500 of my salary every month and next month I'm only going to be paid 80% of my given salary because of less time worked in December. And the thing gets me is that their rules about this are static between all schools they send people to. So if someone only works a week and a half in December, of course they have more time off, time not working, so it makes sense that their pay may be lower. But I worked more days than usual in December, a little over 3 weeks I think and still they deduct my pay? Yeah, I can't quite agree with that, just to be fair amongst their other employees. So if anyone is thinking about coming to Japan to work as an ALT, watch out. Some places may give you a good deal but others will bleed you unnecessarily because it's just the "rules".

But aside from the teaching and money aspect, I've really enjoyed this past year at my current school. I really enjoy the people I work with and think I've been really lucky to be placed at this school. I'm involved with the Keion and art clubs; the former I help out with their practices and even participate in some of their concerts at school. I love to sing and be in the spotlight, so that's been a load of fun!

Now, though, I need to be looking for jobs next year. I really doubt I'll be able to work at my current school just because they are restructuring the entire English department and making cuts, and since I'm the lowest on the food chain, I'm more than likely going to be one of those cuts. I'd like to get out of the education system mainly because the pay is not very good in the long run (I don't make enough to live comfortably and actually have a savings) and I've seen just about every shade of education/business politics there is and I've really had it. I'm looking into jobs related to IT, Web design, translation and localization for games, etc. but I need to have a Japanese resume prepared. I translated my English one into Japanese but I don't know the style or what's typically on a Japanese resume, so I need to find someone to help me with that. Maybe if I can spiffy up my Japanese resume it will make more of an impact on potential employers. Also, my Japanese level is not where it should be for some of these positions I'm looking into. I've passed the JLPT 3 years go and can probably pass 2, I just never tried. I don't have the time or energy to study for it on my down time, which is sad since that's what I really need to do. *sigh*

Anyway, wow, I'm gabbing too much!! Sorry! I'll stop here for now before this turns into some sort of chapter in a novel...

[SkyeWelse]

Welcome Rekka. It's nice to meet another Ys fan that is from Japan.

Your story sounds very similar to a friend of mine who studied Japanese and went to Japan to teach English and has been there ever since. He too enjoyed it for many years, but was telling me that after awhile he was looking for something different to pursue. He also told me the same thing that it the program generally is looking for folks who do not speak Japanese since they do not want Japanese to be spoken, only English.

My wife is Japanese and we visit her family in Japan every few years in Chiba, where her father teaches an English after school program for High School students. He is always thrilled to have an actual American help out with reading lines for his classes when I visit. : ) I try and speak in Japanese, but I'm quite terrible and my wife speaks perfect English so I rarely get language advice from her since she has no patience with teaching me. (laughs)

Sounds like what you are after should be fairly obtainable if you have the skills to put on a resume and I'd highly recommend going as far as you can with the JLPT if you can. I'm about a Level 5 level?, which is nothing at all. JLPT2 would be something very good to have when looking for localization jobs.

Red Hairdo is right, you should connect with Wyrdwad (Tom) from XSEED sometime and perhaps he can give you some recommendation for how to pursue this interest of yours.

My wife's sister works as a Localization Manager for a game company here in the United States, and from what she's told me, the biggest focus they look for is skill level, speed and accuracy. And in her case, showing extreme enthusiasm or fan appreciation for anime, manga or games may work against you rather than for you, since her company tends to not want to hire fan-boys or fan-girls that might come in with various biases.

As for IT / Web work, if you have specific questions about that, I'd be happy to help. The industry I work for isn't games, but rather financial services, but I do work as a Project Coordinator for a group of web developers and do some web work myself as time permits.

-Thomas

[tancients]

There are three main differences between a typical resume and a rirekisho (履歴書).

1. One sheet. Typically in landscape format. Nothing on the back.
2. Your picture needs to be on it.
3. It needs to be handwritten.


It needs to stat the same basic information, as well as a lifelong goal summed up into a short phrase. Work history from a field other than what you're applying for may or may not count against you since you're technically a foreigner.

Here's a semi-helpful link for advice on how to make a resume look and read a bit better:
jibun.atmarkit.co.jp/lcareer01/special/resume08/resume01.html

It goes in detail about suggestions for better readability, etc, since it may or may not be things you think of when creating one.

If you're highly organized, it is recommended you make the whole thing from scratch, copying the standard layout and so on. Otherwise, find a blank form to download and print out so you can fill it out that way.