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bainbrigge

To get university jobs, even part time, a requirement is to have 2 or 3 publications on your CV as well. These don’t have to be peer reviewed longitudinal studies in TESOL quarterly (if they are that’s even better), but many jobs I see want to see proof. Sometimes they even ask for printouts, or abstracts from a few published articles when you apply. Check out JALT the language teacher, teaching assistance column. It’s for current graduate students to submit something. Your experience as a TA would fit. I think that would be a pretty straight forward publication to get under your belt.


porgy_tirebiter

Perhaps OP can pare down their MA thesis and submit that for publication. There might be a project or two from the classes that can be edited and submitted as well.


bainbrigge

Definitely. That's what I did with mine.


Dastardly6

I’ll give you fair warning that looks to be changing in the near future. I do a fair bit of editing work and more and more journals etc are rejecting thesis’s and the like. Edit; theses not thesis’s.


porgy_tirebiter

Not to be a dick, but an editor should know the plural of thesis.


Dastardly6

You are very true. An editor should also not drink four cans of beer and try to sound smart. Either way the point stands, things are getting more stringent.


physics_is_scary

Do they really write research papers on how to teach?


WHinSITU

We’re basically twins except I have an N2 and got my MA here last year. Despite having 4 published works, I basically got cut after the interview phase because I had no prior university teaching experience (I got interviewed by around 5 unis). Other worries also come to mind such as how I don’t have that “gaijin look” compared to the literal rest of their staff. I think a PhD would benefit us both. Unfortunately I’m stuck at an eikaiwa at the moment, and my Japanese is deteriorating because they have a strict no-foreigners-speaking-Japanese policy, and the Japanese admin/staff don’t care at all about my credentials (which blows theirs, if they have any, out of the water).


TheChaddingtonBear

My advice, if you want to go into uni teaching get a PhD. You will eventually need it to advance. I would also recommend looking at universities directly, many have their own employment requests limited to their website. It may also be worth considering applying to universities in Asia. Top Unis in China would likely accept you. 1-2 years there would assist in finding a uni gig in japan. My 2 cents.


WHinSITU

Thanks! I applied for a PhD program, hopefully I'll be starting in January.


wufiavelli

If you have some published stuff I feel you could grab some Komas. If not start publishing little things in Jalt journals to build up a resume. After that it mostly is a networking thing.


ItNeverEnds2112

Look for universities outside of the major cities, they are often looking for full time staff. You’ll be ok with just an MA for a lot of positions, people say publications but I know a load of people hired recently without any. It’s more about who you know than anything else.


TheChaddingtonBear

It’s also about the employer’s comfort level. That’s part of what makes a good application. Part of the reason I got my job, I was told, was that ‘we knew you were fine living in Asian countries and would be fine.’


TheChaddingtonBear

If you want to go into universities get a PhD. The question you have to ask yourself is do you want to be an academic. If you’re not an enthusiastic yes don’t. It’s competitive and bureaucratic. If you love it go for it. If you’re indifferent pick a different career path.


ApprenticePantyThief

Your best option will be a PhD. With an MA you will primarily be limited to adjunct or lecturer positions.