New here, introducing myself...Also a few questions

[JapanBound]

Hey everyone, just wanted to introduce myself, and ask a few questions..


My situation: An IT contractor position was offered to me in Okinawa (on base). Originally my friend, and myself were hired. Unfortunately the situation changed, and only one position ended up being offered to both of us, and it was in Iwakuni. I decided to turn it down, because A. My friend wouldn't be there, I wouldn't know anybody. B. It wasn't okinawa, and I don't know Japanese (I figured it would be much harder to survive outside of Okinawa, on no Japanese)

Anyway, starting this fall I will be taking Japanese, at my local college. They have 4 classes (4 semesters) Elementary Japanese I & II, and also Intermediate Japanese I & II. My first question is, assuming I pass all 4 classes, do you think my Japanese linguistical skills would be enough to get me by in Japan (visiting/living)


On to jobs... I work in IT. I can do helpdesk/desktop support/Networking. I can also expand my skills so that I would be more "marketable" in Japan. I have worked for about 5 years in I.T. stateside, so I do have some experience. My question regarding jobs is, I've seen some websites with IT jobs in Japan. There "seem" to be quite a few listings, I would be qualified for (assuming I pick up J language) Are these websites just illusions, meaning the jobs arn't readily available as advertised, and I wouldn't have a chance in hell of landing one stateside (prior to moving to Japan)


This site is a great resource, and I've enjoyed scouring through it immensely. I understand I will be experiencing things quite a bit different in Japan, however this is what I'm looking for. I'm ready to take the good with the bad, mainly I just want something different from here. A new learning experience, rather it being difficult or easy, is more exciting then existing for nothing, which is what I feel like currently in the states. I want to travel quite a bit, and I want Japan to be the base for that travel.

Thanks in advance...

[Taro Toporific]

Elementary Japanese I & II, and also Intermediate Japanese I & II. My first question is, assuming I pass all 4 classes, do you think my Japanese linguistical skills would be enough to get me by in Japan (visiting/living)

... IT jobs in Japan. There "seem" to be quite a few listings, I would be qualified for (assuming I pick up J language) Are these websites just illusion

Short and sweet:

Yep, those IT listings are real, IF you have a BA/BS degree. No bachelors degree, no visa (or 8+ years of real experience with tons of real tech certifications).
"Elementary Japanese I & II, and also Intermediate I & II" might be ok and then again it could be a cruel joke.

Basically, you have to pass the J-gov't approved Japanese Level 2 test before major Japanese companies will look at you...foreign companies vary widely on what they accept. As far as "survival Japanese", learn katakana on the plane over here... that was plenty for me (I studied Chinese in school, D'oh!)

[JapanBound]

I'll elaborate on the college courses...


Here are the compentencies for the Elemntary Japanese II course..

JPN102 19946-99999 Elementary Japanese II
1. Demonstrate pronunciation, intonation, and accent of the Japanese language. (I, II)
2. Explain and use basic elements of Japanese grammar. (I)
3. Demonstrate reading comprehension skill in the Japanese language. (I, II, III)
4. Compose written discourse in the Japanese language. (I, II, III)
5. Model proper social interaction using the Japanese language. (II)
6. Demonstrate speaking and listening skills in the Japanese language. (II)
7. Read and write approximately 165 KANJI (Chinese characters). (III)
8. Describe essential characteristics of the Japanese culture. (IV)



Here is for the Final class, Intermediate Japanese II

. Identify and use verbs, including imperative, RERU/RARERU, SERU/SASERUcausative, and potential forms; polite extenders, decisionsmade for the future, uncertain and predictive statements, likeliness/resemblances, statements with confidence, actions at the moment, and compound verbs. (I)
2. Identify and use adjectives, including nominalizations. (II)
3. Identify and use relationals, including clauses, extending time periods, above/below the standards, giving examples and other relationals. (III)
4. Identify and use pronouns, including indefinites, absolute negatives, and inclusive pronouns. (IV)
5. Identify and use modifiers, including time sequences, alternatives, TARI-forms, actions without doing, indirect interrogatives, indirect imperatives, and indirect extenders. (V)
6. Apply family terms to own family as well as to others' family. (VI)
7. Differentiate between variations in speech when describing male vs. female and formal vs. informal differences, and honorifics. (VII)
8. Choose proper vocabulary and expressions when speaking the language. (VIII)
9. Identify approximately 270 new Kanji Chinese characters. (IX)
10. Elaborate on cultural topics and functional goals pertaining to the Japanese culture. (X)
11. Achieve proficiency goals based on ACTFL guidelines. (XI)




Assuming I can do all that, how well off would I be?

[Taro Toporific]

I'll elaborate on the college courses...
7. Read and write approximately 165 KANJI (Chinese characters). (III)
...
9. Identify approximately 270 new Kanji Chinese characters.

Damn that's even worse than me.:P That's good enough for an anime convention in the States. At NEC, Fujitsu, or Sony, that would warrant a chuckle. Sorry. I see resumes from Western kids with 1,200 Kanji under their belt that are rejected.

[JapanBound]

That sucks... That isn't including the First two classes, which have Kanji in them as well... However I think If I added them together, it wouldnt come out to 1,200... Oh well, my main goal is to be able to speak the language enough to get around, and survive... Finding a job can come later... after I blow all my savings!

[JapanBound]

Those were only the community college courses, I suppose I could go on to University study, however this would delay my trip even longer...

[Taro Toporific]

That sucks..... Oh well, my main goal is to be able to speak the language enough to get around, and survive... Finding a job can come later...

Hey, 90% of Westerners come here with -zero Japanese like me. Many survive, some thrive, a few excel on concrete and platform pizza living here like me, hee, hee.

(Just remember, you're wasting your time trying Japan without a bachelors degree.)

[JapanBound]

I guess taking that job was the only way I would have gotten to work & make a decent living in Japan with no Japanese speaking ability or bachelors degree. Got to love american contract jobs

[kamome]

I minored in Japanese at a well-regarded 4-year university (four solid years of college-level Japanese), plus had a lot of practice with Japanese friends. When I went to Japan to live, I realized I still had a long, long way to go to be able to speak and comprehend the language properly. It was only after living here for a few years that I could begin to claim that I was "fluent", although out of complete honesty I still put "proficient" on my resumes. Too many people put "fluent" on their resumes when they really aren't, so when I see that on a resume I am immediately skeptical.

[foody]

i lived in iwakuni for a year as an english teacher. if you are worried about getting by in day to day life (e.g. eating, buying things, drinking) you will have no problem. ESPECIALLY on the base. they have everything you need to survive.

if you have any questions about the place, let me know.

[American Oyaji]

(Just remember, you're wasting your time trying Japan without a bachelors degree.)

Unless you have a J-spouse

[cstaylor]

I minored in Japanese at a well-regarded 4-year university

I'd tease you, but I minored in philosophy.

[magickow]

(Just remember, you're wasting your time trying Japan without a bachelors degree.)

Unless you have a J-spouse

hmmm,....i've been here 2 years...only have a 2 year college diploma......i'm a teacher.....250,000yen a month, 7 weeks vacation a year....25 hour work weeks.....no J-spouse

wouldn't say that was waste of time

[JapanBound]

Magic,

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure what I want to do, I just want to get over there. I am planning on taking 2 years of college Japanese, and obtaining my associates. At first I will go over as an extended vacation, and if I can't get any thing in I.T., I guess I will go for a quick bachelors at a technical school or something...

[JapanBound]

Foody,
Perhaps I should have thought more about my decision, before I made out. The whole thing was screwed up majorly (as headhunters and contract jobs always are)


My friend and I were supposed to go to Okinawa, on a long contract... We waited months and months, and finally the govt said no dice ont hat job, but wanted one of us for Iwakuni... It was just shitty timing, but the more I think about the more I come to the conclusion, I should have just gone and became a f*ucked gaijin, like you guys I would have been making more money, and had less living expenses.. Oh well, I would rather go back with some understanding of the language, even if it's just "college" level..

[Marked Trail]

hmmm,....i've been here 2 years...only have a 2 year college diploma......i'm a teacher.....250,000yen a month,
wouldn't say that was waste of time

You've been here two years and you're only making 250,000y? Shit, most illegals from the 3rd world make more than that here and get paid vacation.

[magickow]

hmmm,....i've been here 2 years...only have a 2 year college diploma......i'm a teacher.....250,000yen a month,
wouldn't say that was waste of time

You've been here two years and you're only making 250,000y? Shit, most illegals from the 3rd world make more than that here and get paid vacation.

i wasn't braggin about how much i get paid. i was remarking how easy it was to get a decent job even without a B.A., some people seem to think it's impossible whereas it's quite easy.

and by the way....
i get 6 weeks paid vacation plus all national holidays
and i only work 20 hours a week
250,000y + transportation, so about 260,000y
it's good enough for me
so what do you make mr. gates?

and for JapanBound
You should be able to find something in IT. The easiest way to get here is through a job like that. They will prbably help you with your visa, and get you set up etc.

[JapanBound]

Magic,

Thanks for the reply.. I have seen many J-land IT Jobs.. Some of them are for multinational corporations, and quite a few only require a trade school certification. That makes sense to me, because in I.T., it's more about what you know, then the degree, you graduated with. I will commense with my "college" japanese linguistic courses, and hope I can land an IT job, that way. Thanks again!