I teach English in Japan - any questions?

[Master_Yoma]

Originally Posted by skunkfish

1. Like what? Panties?

Sure why not but more like limited edition stuff that you cant get out side of japan

[Qikz]

You say you're from England right? I know I need a Bachelors Degree to go and work in Japan which I'm planning on working to, but what exactly is a bachelors degree in this country? Is it the BA/BSc courses? Or is it something higher?

[skunkfish]

Originally Posted by Master_Yoma

Sure why not but more like limited edition stuff that you cant get out side of japan

Geeks shouldn't be helped to spend their hard earned money on total trash! The limited edition stuff is a waste of money man, but if you want to annoymously send money to some guy you met on a forum that's fine with me.

Originally Posted by Qikz

You say you're from England right? I know I need a Bachelors Degree to go and work in Japan which I'm planning on working to, but what exactly is a bachelors degree in this country? Is it the BA/BSc courses? Or is it something higher?

The B in BA and BSc stands for Bachelor. That's all you need. You can work part-time on a student visa (check the blog in my sig as there was an entry about that this morning), so if you did a year in Japan or something you could try it out.

[Qikz]

Originally Posted by skunkfish

Geeks shouldn't be helped to spend their hard earned money on total trash! The limited edition stuff is a waste of money man, but if you want to annoymously send money to some guy you met on a forum that's fine with me.




The B in BA and BSc stands for Bachelor. That's all you need. You can work part-time on a student visa (check the blog in my sig as there was an entry about that this morning), so if you did a year in Japan or something you could try it out.

Cool cheers, I wasn't sure if that stood for Bachelor or not.

I'm looking into doing a degree with the Open University as they rank in the top 10 universities in the country and I'm a carer so can't stay away from home for too long, but if I get to do the course I want and get the funds, I might go for a holiday in Japan for a month or two while studying out there, man the Open University sounds so useful.

Thanks for the help!

[Master_Yoma]

Originally Posted by skunkfish

Geeks shouldn't be helped to spend their hard earned money on total trash! The limited edition stuff is a waste of money man, but if you want to annoymously send money to some guy you met on a forum that's fine with me.

But the Pizza Hust here dont give anime stuff out with there pizzas or any of the other restaurants and what else am I going to spend my cash on

[skunkfish]

Originally Posted by Master_Yoma

But the Pizza Hust here dont give anime stuff out with there pizzas or any of the other restaurants and what else am I going to spend my cash on

A bigger, brighter future!

[dangodaikazoku]

Yeah, a question here

In Japanese dramas and anime, there are often characters (usually supporting characters) who are introduced as "good English speakers" and then spout some incomprehensible Engrish mumbo-jumbo.

Do Japanese audiences take the bait and go "sugoi!!!" like the other characters on screen, or do they just quietly chuckle to themselves and shake their heads like we foreigners do?

As an aside, when someone in a Korean drama is said to "speak good English", this character usually does speak perfect American English, unlike his/her Japanese counterparts

[risingstar3110]

Originally Posted by dangodaikazoku

Yeah, a question here

In Japanese dramas and anime, there are often characters (usually supporting characters) who are introduced as "good English speakers" and then spout some incomprehensible Engrish mumbo-jumbo.

Do Japanese audiences take the bait and go "sugoi!!!" like the other characters on screen, or do they just quietly chuckle to themselves and shake their heads like we foreigners do?

As an aside, when someone in a Korean drama is said to "speak good English", this character usually does speak perfect American English, unlike his/her Japanese counterparts

...or was dubbed by a colleague with better English (Can't remember if it was Korean..., or was it Chinese drama? Anyway one of the Asian drama that i can't understand the language)

Actually i also have a question. Since only 1.5% (or so) of the Japan population is non-Japanese. And if you are white or black, you undoubtedly will be stuck out like a sore thumb. But what's about other Asians, how do Japanese generally view them?

I mean, of course the stereotypes gonna play a major part, but how heavily it is? I mean if I take anime and manga as guidance, then 99% of the Chinese seems to work in Chinese restaurants, 99% of SEA people are migrated immigrants and there's no Koreans... at all.

Edit: and all Indians are mystery magic users....

[dangodaikazoku]

Originally Posted by risingstar3110

But what's about other Asians, how do Japanese generally view them?
[...] there's no Koreans... at all.

From what I've heard, it's pretty tough going for non-Japanese Asians in Japan... lots of negative stereotypes and prejudice flying about, on top of the burden of Asian expectations and none of the exceptional privileges accorded to non-Asians. And I think Koreans are the largest minority group in Japan

[skunkfish]

Originally Posted by dangodaikazoku

Yeah, a question here

In Japanese dramas and anime, there are often characters (usually supporting characters) who are introduced as "good English speakers" and then spout some incomprehensible Engrish mumbo-jumbo.

Do Japanese audiences take the bait and go "sugoi!!!" like the other characters on screen, or do they just quietly chuckle to themselves and shake their heads like we foreigners do?

Sugoi is much more likely than actually thinking they are bad at English. Have you seen Evangelion 2.0? The English in that is shocking. You'd think something as high profile as Eva would get it right. Maybe they are just so timid with speaking foreign languages that they assume anyone else with the balls to do it is in the right... or maybe they just don't learn anything in English class.

Originally Posted by risingstar3110

Actually i also have a question. Since only 1.5% (or so) of the Japan population is non-Japanese. And if you are white or black, you undoubtedly will be stuck out like a sore thumb. But what's about other Asians, how do Japanese generally view them?

I mean, of course the stereotypes gonna play a major part, but how heavily it is? I mean if I take anime and manga as guidance, then 99% of the Chinese seems to work in Chinese restaurants, 99% of SEA people are migrated immigrants and there's no Koreans... at all.

Edit: and all Indians are mystery magic users...

White and black are sore thumbs for sure, as are Philippinos and often Brazilians because of the way they dress and carry themselves.

Closer Asian nationalities like Chinese, Korean and parts of SE Asia can go totally unnoticed if they're lucky. My friend is from Indonesia and is constantly mistaken for a Japanese citizen. Until he opens his mouth, of course.

The stereotypes don't really hold, except that most Brazilians (at least in my area) work in a network of Brazilian supermarkets, a lot of Philipinos are either in hostess bars or restaurants, and I've never seen an Indian guy do a job other than cooking me a fantastic curry.

All minorities do generally have a pretty tough time as far as integration goes, even in second- and third-generations.

[Arbitres]

If I were to move to Japan, how much would an apartment cost as well as day-to-day foodstuffs? I hear vegetables and fruits are actually quite pricey.

Also I'm studying to be linguistic, would there be any particular job market for a linguist in Japan? Just curious since I have my reservations about these two things.

[Autumn Demon]

Originally Posted by Arbitres

If I were to move to Japan, how much would an apartment cost as well as day-to-day foodstuffs? I hear vegetables and fruits are actually quite pricey.

The Japanese have a lower standard of living than the Taiwanese because of astronomical prices of housing and food.
http://www.economist.com/node/17473187

[skunkfish]

Originally Posted by Arbitres

If I were to move to Japan, how much would an apartment cost as well as day-to-day foodstuffs? I hear vegetables and fruits are actually quite pricey.

Also I'm studying to be linguistic, would there be any particular job market for a linguist in Japan? Just curious since I have my reservations about these two things.

Best I can do is point you to two of my blogs:

Cost of Living in Japan
How Much Will I Get Paid Teaching English

We haven't covered the cost of fruit and veg yet, but the prices aren't wildly different from the US/UK. There are seasonal/regional variations, but if you shop around you can eat on a similar budget to at home.

Rent will be between 50,000 - 100,000 yen depending on your location. If you get luck, like me , you can get subsidised housing (I work for the local government).

A linguistics degree is as good as any other degree for finding your basic english-teaching job out here, and may give you the upper hand when applying to the more picky private schools/companies such as Berlitz. You might also find this blog useful: Finding a Job

Sorry for the self-promotion but I don't have time to rewrite all that info right now.