Teach English in Japan

You should practice your grammar, then. Especially the use of commas.

In the case of Korea, it's simply the law--period. Last time I heard, there's an attempt to change this law to allow non-native speakers of English--e.g. Indians, Singaporeans, and, yes, Filipinos--to be brought in on whatever visa it is that allows citizens of the so-called "inner circle" of English speakers to work in Korea as English teachers. But until that law's changed, you just have to wait. (By the way, guess who are very much against amending this law?)

In the case of Japan, though, I personally know of several Filipinos who work there as ALTs, and I've come across a website of a university in Japan that includes a Filipino professor in its English department (his colleagues are either Caucasians or apparent African-Americans). There's no legal restriction that discriminates against "non-native" English speakers as teachers. I think the principal barrier is that most Filipinos can get a visa of up to two weeks only, and the ALT agencies and the conversation schools like the defunct Nova find it difficult to obtain a working visa for Filipinos, either because it takes too long or it's such a hassle because of rules here in Manila. The Pinoys that I know who teach in Japan are nikkei-jin, that is they have a Japanese ancestor (like one of those plantation workers in Davao, or the guys who built Kennon
Road, which is why most Nikkei-jin are either from Mindanao or the Mountain Province), which entitles them to a working visa. A Filipina I met there got a working visa from a Japanese friend who has his own business, then allowed her to look for a job as an ALT instead of working in his store. So in Japan it's a catch-22 situation: they won't hire you because you don't have a working visa, and you can't get a working visa because nobody will hire you.

Oh, and by the way, both the Pinoy and the non-Pinoy but non-"inner circle" ALTs I've met in Japan have atrocious accents. At least definitely not so-called standard AmE or BritE.

Let me put it this way--if you signed up at Alliance Francais, wouldn't you be disappointed to learn that your teacher isn't French, but, say, Cambodian? (Remember that Cambodia was for a long time a French colony, and many members of their elite--at least those who survived the Khmer Rouge--grew up speaking French perfectly.) What if you signed up at Instituto Cervantes and discovered that your teacher isn't from Spain, or even from Latin America, but is maybe someone you even rubbed elbows with back in college but whose family still speaks at the dinner table the language of Madre Espana?

That's the same thing with the Koreans, Chinese, etc. who sign up at English-language academies in their countries. Remember that, for them, English is primarily the language of a foreign country--well, make that several foreign countries--and these countries are primarily inhabited by whites. They don't consider the Philippines as an English-speaking country (and having taught English in Philippine colleges and high schools for several years, even I don't (just like to add, though--I'm Pinoy)). So it may be unfair but that's the way it is. You have a better chance working abroad as a caregiver or as a factory worker than as an English teacher. I'm sorry, kababayan, but some dreams just don't come true.

But your English is simply not good enough to compete with native English speakers. Your grammar is pretty bad and what's more, Japanese are not Christians! What makes you think that your Christianity makes you a better person?! In my experience teaching in Japan, I found Japanese students to be very open-minded and part of their desire to be taught by a 'foreigner' - ie. adventurous/travelling/Westerner, is to enable them to escape the restrictions of their own cultural binds, for just a moment. They want to enter the Western mindset, that is, the open-minded one that their youth is increasingly embracing.

And actually, having returned to my country, NZ - and having taught many Japanese English here since (and a few Filipinos too!) I can assure you that correct grammar IS very important to Japanese, and it's one of their serious weaknesses, so being taught it by another non-native English-speaking group member who also struggles to master English grammar (unlike European non-native speakers such as the French and Germans) would be very second-rate. Sorry, that's how it is. Nothing to do with God, either.... Just the Japanese desire for perfection, which, actually, comes from both its Buddhist and Shinto religious traditions of the past

RE: Why some nationalities are not considered for jobs in Japan.

In response to Komakinouk:

Your comment spoke of truth. Period.

Sincerely,

A Filipina.

It's really funny to see people make a fool of themselves by making generalizations. You say you know some Filipinos in Japan and then you say that their English isn't up to the required standard to teach. Are they ESL Teachers? I am pretty sure that they are not. I have worked with a lot of Filipinos here in China and I know for a fact that they are the most efficient, hard working and qualified teachers that I have worked with. In fact I have learned a lot from them. They know how to spell, grammar is flawless and some even have an American accent. If you are really a good educator, you should know that it's the teacher's qualification that matters and not the race. I am also pretty sure that you haven't worked with a Filipino yet because if you have, I am a hundred percent sure that you would be eating your words you dumb and arrogant bitch. By the way, I have a Filipina girlfriend who speaks good English and probably blows better than you.