Hi guys! It’s been a while~ I’m back!
So, tomorrow will be 9 months since I came to Japan in June 2018. I’m not sure if it’s because of ageing or it’s because of the visibility of time passing by with each season, but time really passed by SO fast. And I’m now in the middle of a painful process of dealing with visa all over again, lol. But since it’s renewal, it’s much simpler or so I hope.
I decided to drop an update because interestingly, one of my current colleague actually turned out to be a reader here and he was really surprised when he realised I am D. Well, I’m even more surprised, lol. I’m really glad what I’m writing seemed to be giving people a better preparation for their move to Japan, be it via Gaba or not.
Right now, I’m in the midst of renewing my visa. It’s been pretty easy so far, it seems like I just have to provide proof of my tax and insurance payment and it’ll all depend on my monthly income since my arrival in Japan. Basically, I need to be earning at least 250,000 JPY a month on average. Next step will involve submission of all documents (prepared by Gaba for me) to the immigration office and apparently, there’ll be a temporary visa that I can hold on to until the visa application outcome is confirmed. From submission to confirmation, it can take up to 6 weeks. I’ll update again once everything is over, but for now, I’m really at the preliminary stage so this is all the info I have.
GJH and I moved to our new home and now, we actually have a living room! It’s been pretty exciting so far because I actually get to walk more than 10 steps to get to the toilet now, haha. Plus, our neighbourhood is really convenient and vibrant! I love the malls. Unfortunately, we found out yesterday that the Donki in our neighbourhood is closing down end of this month. Dammit. Later on, I’ll go take a walk in the park downstairs (yes, there’s actually a pretty huge park with a pond) and check out the area. 😀 The weather is turning warmer this week (averaging around 5 – 15C) and flowers are blooming here and there. It’s my first spring in Japan and I’m really excited to visit some nice parks in April!
Thankfully, I have no hay fever. Japanese seems to get it alot and some clients of mine even told me about the logic of ‘tolerance level’. Like how some of them only start getting hay fever when they are older because they have hit the threshold for the amount of pollen their body can take in a lifetime, haha. I’m not sure if it’s true, but it seems valid enough! >.<
Today is a day off for me and I actually have adjusted my schedule to enjoy 3 day-offs in a week. In case you are curious, I teach around 160 lessons a month, 40 lessons a week, so I work around 9 hours a day with 1.5 hours break on average. To give you an idea, this is one of my typical week this month:
It is tiring but I’d rather cut down one day of work because with this plan, I save a day’s worth of transport, which costs me… ~S$8. And usually while teaching, time flies! So 12 lessons a day is tiring at the end, but definitely doable because at this point, I know the textbook and clients much better. And of course, as you can see, there are times when lessons are not booked. So, I get to rest too. Downside is that of course, I’m not paid when I don’t teach, haha.
I’m not sure what else I should write, so I’m gonna end it here. Let me know in the comments if you want to know about anything else!
Til then,
D.
Other than GABA, JET, AEON, Borderlink, HAF, what other schools/agencies can I apply for? I have failed or did not have the necessary required for all those 5.
Please advise
Hello! According to what I know and what I hear from people, those that you mentioned above are indeed the bigger companies that has more recruitment opportunities. One more that many people apply to is NOVA.
In addition, I often see adverts by Kids Duo International and Hearts English School on Gaijinpot. But I have never seen nor heard any ‘reviews’ on them before, so do check first.
Hello. I tried all that you have mentioned too (checked my application logs)..
Where else can i go? Please advise me. you have my email. please email if its possble.
Oh no. I see. To be honest, I’m not too sure as well. Most I’ve heard, seems like Gaijinpot jobs have the highest possibility of getting a job from overseas.
And it also depends on why you did not qualify. For example, if it is a very ‘technical’ issue like not meeting requirements for getting a visa, it might be a bigger problem that you need to look into?
I meet the basic requirements for visa (at least the basic few points) … Its not about the visa i feel…
1) i have a degree
2) i have the required number of years in an english medium education system
3) Some dont require cover letters/testimonials either.
4) JLPT N4 certified..
If i fail at the interview stage its still understandable. but failing at the paper screening… its really bad man… I really dunno what to do anymore. Are you able to recommend anymore or see what you can do to help me?
I spoke with GJH about this and we are not sure what else to do other than keep trying. Because the only likely issue could be with timing, like when you send the resume, it just happens that they aren’t hiring. Another option you can try is to contact an En World recruiter on linked in? I heard they are one of the biggest recruitment agency in Japan. So sorry I can’t be of more help 🙁
Oops I’m late but finally an update hehe!! Wow so fast gonna be a year in Japan! Nice, just wondering, have you applied to take JLPT in Japan? Has your Japanese improved so far? I failed N4 last dec and not sure if i should try applying for N3 this june lol.
That’s a very good question! Yes, I intend to apply for JLPT and I am thinking of taking N2. I think I can giri-giri make it for N3 for now, so N2 will be a bit of a stretch but a good challenge if I put in the effort, haha.
I would say my listening has definitely improved but conversation wise, not really. =x
And why do you keep failing!! lol. Are you taking classes?
Because i very lazy, so i study on and off. I went to take those once a week class last Sep – Dec 2018, then tried to do “o levels style”, buy 10 year series and try mugging non-stop. End up i think i still fail by 10 points or so lol!! b4 that i also studied at a once a week class in 2016 for almost a year, stopped at 2017, got my N5 after 2 tries in Jun/Dec 2017 Z_Z That’s why i think i need to get into a language school and need some regimentation lol! You still got study Japanese in Japan? I think if i like you just jump into a job, i won’t study sia…
haha! you are so funny. I started my jap class earlier in Jan and it’s important for me cos otherwise, i won’t study, haha. and you are right, the inertia is def high.