Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Anyone lived and taught English in Japan?

Question:


Just looking for people who might want to share their experiences, pros and cons, housing, pay etc

Answer:


At least for me, it is not a very rewarding job. Adults often take classes as a result of their company sending them. Various degrees of motivation result, but generally poor. Then there are other adults who seem to do it as a hobby. Varying results, generally not good as they lose interest when it becomes apparent that the process is long and usually difficult. Then there are kids. Most often pushed into the classes by their parents. Obviously this isn't ideal. You can get a few kids who really want to learn though, but they're usually mixed in with students who don't really care about learning.

Pros, well, if you are good at teaching you can make almost 500,000 yen/month. At the larger schools the better teachers get the lion's share of the lessons. But you put in a lot of time making that much money.

An alternate is to open your own school after gaining the skills required. I make as much money as I used to make working for a school, working about half the hours, and with no commute time. But then I take potential losses every spring when kids start junior high school, begin club activities and quit English. Time to find more students.

Overall it's a job. For me, most of the time it's about as interesting as watching paint dry. But as long as you can actually teach and keep a professional look on your face while doing it, you can keep your job.

I'll leave housing for someone else.

Working for AEON in Japan?

Question:


Anyone worked for this company and have some experiences to share?

Answer:


Aeon is one of the big chain of eikaiwa (English Conversation Schools) in Japan along with ECC, NOVA and GEOS. Eikaiwa mostly teach conversational English. The students usually range in age from about 2 years old in kids classes to 90 years old. Typical working hours will fall somewhere in between 10am to 9pm and the classes are usually around 45-50 mins long. I worked with one of these schools when I first arrived in Japan and it was a good starting point but moved on after awhile. Eikaiwa are not well known for looking after their employees and many people think of them in terms of fast food for English teaching.

I recommend working as an ALT (Assistant Language Teachers) in Japan. They mostly work in Elementary and Junior High School as an assistant to the main JTE (Japanese Teacher of English). This was the most rewarding experience for me and you get the chance to participate in real school life with real students.

Teaching English in Japan
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

What are the energy sources in Shirahime Sanchi and Northeast Asian Deciduous Forest?

Question:


Such as coal, solar energy, etc. Both renewable and non-renewable.

Answer:


mostly coal and nuclear with a bit of hydro. There not much Solar or other renewable energy plants around

Why aren't S.Korea and Japan considering dividing Dokdo/ Takeshima, one islet for each?

Question:




Answer:


Takeshima is not an island. It's just a tiny rock.
The reason why ROK insists on its possession is not the rock itself, but the ocean territory around it. So, the solution to this issue is to share the ocean territory between ROK and Japan. I think it is possible in the future.

I want to see if a trip to Japan is worth it?

Question:


I'm going to Japan next year with one of my friends, and I would just like to know, what places are worth going to? I really want to go to Kobe and Osaka. I talked to a friend that went to Japan, and she said if you're American, they think it's like, amazing or something. Feel like sharing some stories or experiences? :)

Answer:


It is 100% worth it and you will have some of the best experiences of your life visiting Japan. The must see cities in Japan are Tokyo and Kyoto. Attractions in Tokyo include the Asakusa district famous for Sensoji temple and Nakamise shopping street; Meiji Shrine; The Imperial Palace; Ginza and Harajuku. Kyoto attractions include Kiyomizudera; Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion); Ginkakuji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion); Nijo Castle; and Heian Shrine.

I also highly recommend Hiroshima, Nara and Takayama as places worth visiting and for a cultural experience.

What to do in Japan
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

Pros and cons to retire in Japan? 10 points most realistic!?

Question:




Answer:


ok well someone just posted a question about this japanese girl who sits on bunny rabbits just to watch them die so that's a con. the japanese have some pretty weird fetishes. i guess that cld be a pro for you, but anyway, there is my totally unhelpful answer.

Help with this japanese phrase(in romanji)?

Question:


what does this mean?
ore no kokoro wa kimi no mono

Answer:


"My heart belongs to you, baby."

Texting in Japan :: A Lot of Questions?

Question:


Okay, I thought I would make a question with all things I really want to know about texting in Japan.

-How do you get your number/address?
-For calling, do you call a number or the same address used for texting?
-How often are Emoji and Emonicons used?
-Knowing pretty good Japanese, intermediate/advance level, how long does it take to respond fairly quickly to a text from your friend?
-Are the Japanese shy about asking for their address for texting?
-Is there picture messaging?
-How much does a fairly good Japanese cell phone cost? In Yen please.

Thanks!

~Ashton

Answer:


-How do you get your number/address? - Sign up for it a the Softbank/Vodaphone/AU/DoCoMo/etc store, the employee there will go through it with you (most don't speak english though).

-For calling, do you call a number or the same address used for texting? You call a number

-How often are Emoji and Emonicons used? Very often

-Knowing pretty good Japanese, intermediate/advance level, how long does it take to respond fairly quickly to a text from your friend? Shouldn't take too much longer than a normal text in english, especially if you can type Kanji.

-Are the Japanese shy about asking for their address for texting? - A random stranger, probably, if you're male and she's female also probably, but between friends it should be easy.

-Is there picture messaging? - If you sign up for email messages yes, not sure about SMS but I think most people use email on their phones anyway.

-How much does a fairly good Japanese cell phone cost? In Yen please. - Around 10,000 for a basic but nice phone, 20,000 for a fancy phone. However if you sign up for a 2 year contract you will often get the phone for free.

How much money is this "the Japanese government" ten centavos bill worth?

Question:


I have gotten three Japanese government bills. One of them is ten centavos and the others are five centavos, but these two have the same letters on them in red. Pj. Are they real and what is it estimated to be worth in the American dollar.

Thank you for your time.
It's part of my collection of foreign old coins. Want to here more? Email me.
Teamseth97@ yahoo.com

Answer:


Not very much, even in new condition. The Japanese government printed tons of these notes. Each for a country they had planned to take over. They are interesting pieces of history, but not of much value today. Maybe a few dollars.

How long do deliveries from Japan take to get to London?

Question:


My friend just ordered a laptop hinge from Toshiba in Japan. How long will it take to get to London?

Answer:


I've had many deliveries from Japan and it depends on the type of delivery used. It takes mine from one week to two weeks.

Transferring from Tokyo International (Haneda) Airport to New Tokyo International (Narita) Airport?

Question:


I will be traveling to Seoul, Korea in about a week and a half. According to my itinerary we will arrive at Haneda airport and will be departing from Narita Airport, in Japan before arriving at Korea.

I have looked into the airport limousine but I arrive to Haneda at 4:55am and will depart from Narita at 9:25am, the limousine service does not begin until 7:40am and will take us too long for me to actually catch the flight. If anyone knows of another way to get from Haneda airport to Narita I would REALLY appreciate your help.

Thanks in advance.

Answer:


Another possible option is to catch limousine bus to TCAT, (Tokyo City Air Terminal).
Then you change limousine but to Narita.

Haneda to TCAT (starting from 5:35 am)
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/platfor…
TCAT to Narita (starting from 5:45 am)
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/platfor…

What was the u.s role in rebuilding japan?

Question:




Answer:


If you are asking about US occupation of Japan after WWII, it was very successful for the most part.

The US had four major programs for the reform of Japan.
1. Demilitarization of Japan.
2. Educational reform from militarism to democracy.
3. Dissolution of huge financial organizations that had close relations with Japanese militarism during the war.
4. Land reform, which means releasing farm land all over the nation from a limited numbers of land owners to individual farmers.

All of them went successfully until the Korean War broke out in 1950. US occupation policy of Japan drastically changed from demilitarization to remaking Japan as a strong fort against communist invasion in East Asia. The advent of communist PRC in 1949 and USSR presence in this region made the US realize Japan's geopolitical importance for the national interest of the US in Asia Pacific at large.

From Japanese point of view, the Korean War was a gift from heaven for the reconstruction of our economy. Because, Japan was greately benefited by the "special procurement" from the US during the war. Without the Korean War, reconstruction of Japanese industry and economy would have been much delayed.

Can somone tell me how to become a courier so i can fly to japan?

Question:


hello i am looking to become a courier for any company that will help me fly to japan. please email me and or reply to this post if you are such company and or if you know of how to find one

Answer:


No matter how many times you ask the same question, the answer isn't going to change. There are no free rides to Japan.

Are gays accepted in Japan?

Question:


I'm bi, ok. So I'm planning on eventually visiting or moving to Japan. Are LGBT people as accepted by others in Japan as much/more/less than in America? I'm not trying to offend anyone. I think the Japanese are great people but they have a different culture so I honestly just don't know, and I want to.

Answer:


I've read that there's a large LGBT population in Japan but that it's very low-key. I think that it's starting to come out above ground and there are places that spring up for LGBT people in Tokyo, but I don't think it's like a big city in America as far as accepting.

Also, I read that some of the gay bars discriminate against those who aren't Japanese born, so they don't let them into some bars or charge them a fee when citizens get in free.

I'll know more when I visit in October.

Omg! How much is 8.4K in Yen? Iknow.com wants only Yen or Paypal!?

Question:


I want to use it but I don't know the currency of Yen to convert it to American dollar?
What am I looking at?
I want the app for my phone is all.


Yeah, I hate it. It's it's over $100 forget it...

Answer:


8,400.00 JPY = 102.420 USD

http://www.xe.com

What does Calpis taste like?

Question:


No, not cow piss. The japanese juice!
this stuff: http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http:…

Also, do you like it?

Answer:


Calpis tastes like a light milky yoghurt drink which is not to dissimilar in taste to something like Yakult. It is very popular in Japan. It was one of my favourite new drinks in Japan. You can buy it as a concentrate version that you can mix with water to make Calpis Water or soda to make Calpis Soda. Cheap and great if you love the stuff.

Recommend a good japanese dorama :)?

Question:


Please, recommend me something nice - the ones I really liked were Zettai kareshi, Hana yori dango, Hana kimi :) I dont know what to choose next!

Answer:


One Pound Gospel (comedy/romance)
Asuko March (life/romance)
Clone Baby (mystery/romance)
Tatta Hitotsu no Koi (life/romance)
Nobuta wa Produce (Life)
Samurai High (fantasy)
15 sai no blues (Life)
14 sai no haha (every thing is in this)
Koizura (romance/life)
Gokusen(action/hot boys)
Bloody Monday (mystery)
Cased Close (mystery )
Hard To Say I Love You
all of the dramas i've listed are awesome and you'll just get addicted.

NOW may I recommend Korean drama?
Iljimae
Heaven's Postman
Boys over Flowers
Fullhouse
My Girl
A Millionaires first love
Time of Dog and Wolf

Why was Japan more successful than China at adapting to challenges in the 19th century,like industrialization?

Question:


Note: I need an in-depth answer, thanks!

Answer:


One crucial factor that precedes all - geography.

China's vast territory is a handicap to both invaders and defenders alike. European colonists who first forced open China's doors found it practically impossible to control China in its entirety, not when India has already proven to be such a hassle that dragged down British forces to keep control. Another example then - Second Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese initially had the strategy of controlling China in a matter of WEEKS (the same guys who thought picking a fight with America would be easy game), but in the end more than half of Japan's military forces got bogged down around China's coast, and had to move South because China's interior geography was simply too difficult to overcome (one of the reasons why Chiang Kai-Shek moved the Nationalist capital to Chongqing, inland and far easier to defend than Nanking) China was easily defended and impossible to control. China contributed much to the Allied forces in the sense Japan was too preoccupied with China to effectively achieve its other goals, as well as cooperating with its counterparts, Nazi Germany and other Axis powers.

You may say Japan was a superpower, but it was still an island compared to China in terms of geographical size, it would be so much easier to coordinate the whole of Japan to industrialise than attempting to elect a central government in China that could effectively control and at the same time, please every citizen in China.

Right after the fall of the Qing Dynasty China fell into parts, generals returned to their homes to raise private armies and proclaiming themselves warlords, ranging from petty bands of mercenaries to armies equipped with top-notch technology. It was a remarkable feat for Sun Yat-Sen to unify China under a new nationalist government, but his successor, Yuan Shikai, HAD to gain power from corruption and attempt to revert back to imperialism, which caused the uneasy nationalist government fall apart again.

All in all, a country like Japan required remarkable leadership to transform and adapt to an industrialised world so fast, but it would take a politician and government of infinite wisdom and prowess to tame China in its entirety, even then idiots like Yuan Shikai could wipe the slate clean in a matter of days.

How are 1yr bf/gf anniversaries celebrated in japan?

Question:


i have a 100% japanese bf and our 1 yr anniversary is coming up. I wanted to do something nice for us but i want to find out how and if anniversaries like this are celebrated in japan....

it would be great to hear from japanese natives!! :D

also, any ideas as to what i could do would be great!!

thanks guys!! :D

Answer:


There is no general way to celebrate 1st anniversary in Japan. Usually couples celebrate such anniversary as Christmas or birthday. But not 1st year or so.

They celebrate 1st and other anniversaries of marriage. But not just dating. So you do not have to care what others do. Just celebrate it as you like.

How many years of study does it take to pass the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, N1?

Question:


Let's say I take 2 years of the language formally in an American University, do study abroad for the 3rd year/immersion/take advanced language courses there. I'll watch movies, shows, talk to people, try to read books, etc.
Would I be able to pass the level N1 if I really study hard?

Answer:


It took me about 10 years but that is not of straight Japanese college classes. I took college classes for four years, lived in Japan for almost two, two years of online classes, and worked for a Japanese company for 2. The main thing is READING and vocabulary. I have a friend with a similar level of experience to me, who has failed the test 6 times. Make no mistake, it is very hard. However, if you focus on READING, and really try to read the newspaper and get vocabulary from that everyday, you could probably do it in 5. I know people who have passed it in less time but they really have to focus non-stop for those 5 years. Living in Japan or working for a Japanese company would help considerably. I would do it toward the end of my college term though, not the beginning. Once you have the fundamentals down, you will improve a lot be going to Japan. If you go there barely able to speak, it will not help you as much.

As was mentioned above, there is no speaking component. It is all vocabulary, kanji, reading, listening, and grammar. I would try some practice exams and see which ones you can pass. This site is a little hard to navigate but if you make a login, in the Exam Paper section they have every test from 1991-2010. http://jlpt.myweblesson.com/web/index.js…

*Note: The JLPT changed format in 2010 so these tests are good for assessment of level, but not for studying for the test because there will be some aspects of the new format that will surprise you. For that, I would go to this site and try their sample tests: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/

I need urgent aid regarding railways?

Question:


I will be in Japan from 30 MAY to the 4th of June.

However, I am facing some difficulties with the railways/JR / or whatsoever.
I do not know how they function and work.

I will be living in IKEBUKURO.


I appreciate greatly if you could suggest on ways to use the railway/JR/ whatsoever systems.


like what is "suica" / "NEX" / "monorail"

what are the differences??

Answer:


I wonder if you are using railways where you live now. If you do, it's not so different in Japan. Lines are more complicated though.

And you are not telling us where you are going from Ikebukuro. So it's not easy to explain.

Japan RAILWAYS just so confusing?

Question:


I will be in Japan from 30 MAY to the 4th of June.

However, I am facing some difficulties with the railways/JR / or whatsoever.
I do not know how they function and work.

I will be living in IKEBUKURO.


I appreciate greatly if you could suggest on ways to use the railway/JR/ whatsoever systems.

Answer:


You are confusing things - the Suica is a pre-paid card you can use. The Narita Express (NEX) is a train that can easily take you to Narita Airport. The Monorail is a limited use train you can take, mainly people use it to go from Hamamatsucho to Haneda Airport.
In Tokyo you will be mainly using subways. If you want to see a good subway map, look at

http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/in…

It may look confusing, but as you spend more time in Japan you will quickly get used to it, as well as discover that you can go most anywhere without a car.

Japan technology per year?

Question:


what might you be expecting in japan future years

what kind of japan technologies might they invent in future

i m seeing sony is falling down but what do u think

what kind of tvs fridges in future japan might get what kind of technology they have in near future

say me the technology name what are going to invent in future which is very very very amazing

say me what technogies are they inventing in future

mainly sony etc

Answer:


Troll or homework assignment, neither of which I like.

Final answer..... new stuff

How easy is it to get a job teaching English in Japan?

Question:


I'm not talking about getting a job in some sort of school or any more "legitimate" goverment job, I mean if I were just to arrive in Japan with a Working Visa and start looking for positions like private tutoring to citizens in English. I also wouldn't have a College degree, I would this affect me negativly or could I still find a position tutoring?

Answer:


You cannot arrive in Japan with a work visa without already having a job lined up and an employer willing to sponsor you. Your application for the visa will be outright rejected because "I hope to make money somehow as a private tutor, despite having only a high school education" does not make any Japanese government official jump for joy.
You are also very unlikely to find anyone interested in hiring someone with no college degree, and you won't make enough from private tutoring without any connection to an organization in Japan to support yourself.

When are Tokyo University's open days?

Question:


I'm visiting Tokyo during the summer and wondering if I can make the open days, however I can't seem to find when they are.
Also could I alternatively organise something outside the open days to take a look at the university?

Answer:


Their open campus is in August. You can check out the previous open campus website here.

http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/event/opencampu…

Who were the prominent relief workers for Japan tsunami?

Question:




Answer:


These are people who are there to help, not to take credit for helping. I'm sure there's well known people there who have asked that it not be known they are there.

If i move to Japan will women be interested in a white man? Or are they not interested in anyone but Japanese?

Question:


I'm not racist, just want a realistic picture before I go. I dont want to offend or make things awkward for them thats all.

Answer:


I agree with the above. Geoff B. you made me laugh. I cannot agree on you more, Geoff B. No offense to Asians around. but I think some Asian chicks will bang any foreign dude whether they are Black or White. Depending on the Status of the person. Good looking. Athletic( Varsity or Pro player). or Rich(Business men). I hate seeing it happen as the baby becomes Yellow banana chocolate. or Mango Vanilla. :-)) But some Asian girls prefer their own kind. and those kinds are my type of girls.

However, I had my share of white girls developing an attraction to me(I'm Asian) and referring to me as Handsome. so I guess we all mix at some point.

Can a man move to Japan, teach English, practice Zen Buddhism and learn Aikido?

Question:




Answer:


Yes, if you want to do so then do so. Get yourself a BA and you are qualified to teach English as per the standards of Japan. I'm not saying that anyone will acutally learn anything from you or that it is a rewarding career, but you can make at least 250000 a month doing that. If you can get a working holiday visa that make the process easy. Lots of temples have open zazen. That's not easy, but you can attend open zazen. The priests will hit you with a shinai, it's no joke. If you want to lean aikido then go to your municipal budokan.

How many nuclear reactors in total were damaged in the tsunami in Japan?

Question:




Answer:


Four of six, three severely.

Here is an informative article describing the situation:
http://bravenewclimate.com/2011/03/13/fu…

And here is where you find current, factual status information:
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsun…
Historical status:
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2011…

And a slide presentation that describes the effects:
http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/radiologi…

And here is a chart that helps make sense of the numbers:
http://www.xkcd.com/radiation/

Please help with this sentence?

Question:


I'm ordering at www.bk1.jp and this is what is says when it offers to enter the BK1 point club:

What does it mean? Does it mean 1% from my order total sum or 1% of what? And where does it go?

Please see the sentence below.

Answer:


The orders received in this sales campaign are not applicable for a 1% top up on bk1 points.

i assume there is some bonus points that are given in an ordinary purchase.

HELLPPPP how can I buy something from an online japanese store with ¥ prices?

Question:


so there's this novel I BADLY want, it was translated into english not so long ago but they completely stopped after the 6th novel. I went to amazon.co.jp to see if they had any continue in the japanese version, they not only do but have many other things I'd love to buy. Problem is I'm in the US and these books aren't sold here. Besides going to japan or something similarly far-fetched is there any way I can buy something from this website?

Answer:


Amazon Japan ships internationally. You can buy it from there.

Will japan's nuclear blast effect india?

Question:


please tell the truth.... im scared!!!!!!

Answer:


There hasn't been a nuclear blast in Japan. Some hydrogen gas collected in the containment dome and that gas exploded. It did some damage to the containment dome. But no nuclear blast.

You can relax. No problems at all for India.

Where to exchange US Dollar Bills in Japan?

Question:


I've got a few 100 and 20 dollar bills with me in Japan and I'd like to convert them to Yen. Any place where I can do that?

Answer:


All banks will exchange paper cash

and a response to your Edit: I guess you are not in Japan because if you were to stumble into a bank, walk over to the foreign exchange currency counter, produce the bills in question, plop them down with a passport you would receive the equivalent in Yen. No need to talk - just smile

I am afriad of Japanese girls.?

Question:


Have u seen movies Audition, Ring, Grudge,Don't Look Up,Shutter, Hard Candy, Monster, House of 1000 Corpses. I know some of these movies are not Japanese movies. Are many of Japanese girls scary ?

Answer:


Japanese girls are not scary. The movies are! Silly!