I'm hoping to go to Japan to teach English?
I'm aiming to go there in about 2 years. I'm planning to take Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course.
Has anybody done anything similar or spent considerable time in Japan (or is anyone Japanese). Did you enjoy yourself? Any tips? How much money should I save?
Answers:
I am currently teaching English and have been here for 3 years. It is great. It has been the best time of my life. Living here has its hard points but it is very fun. It is a great experience. For me, the hardest part was getting used to teaching ESL to kids. Most schools require you to teach some kids. You only need to save enough for the first month. The salary is good enough to live on and to even save money.
Japanese people are very poor in English Command
luck main
Obvious one, but make sure your command of Japanese is good enough to communicate about most subjects.
To get experience for the actual teaching for your CV, after taking TEFL you could try apply for JET (search it) and they send people as assistant English teachers with a wage, to Japan.
Really !! Then U gotta check this Out
http://tinyurl.com/yenm8s
Dear Sam,
Please feel free to add your MSN/Yahoo to your question as one of my friends from Australia may be able to share with you some valuable information and experience teaching English over there. He is currently still teaching English over there.
Despite their so called "poor command" of English which you read on this thread earlier, you will find Japanese people incredibly polite and courteous. You will be accorded a certain respect simply by virtue of coming from the UK (amazingly enough).
I've just spent two weeks in and around Kyoto which is full of the most wonderful and spectacular places to visit. Make sure you take the time to visit the Golden Temple, Kinkakuji as well as the Silver Temple, Ginkakuji. Also, I strongly advise you to take a trip out to the shrine and famous O-Tori gateway at Miyajima. Just spectacular. Nara is amazing too.full of wild dear which roam around and an astonishing temple which houses an enormous Buddha. Can't really speak about money as my hosts very generously paid for just about everything.
Beautiful land, spectacular landscape, lovely people, go for it!
Andy
My husband and I taught for 3 years in Saitama-ken. We just returned last year. It was the most amazing experience of my life. If you're at all thinking of going, then you should for sure. So many people say they wished they had done it - so don't become one of them!
We worked for a company called Interac http://www.interac.co.jp/recruit/. and it was good. We were working in actual schools teaching. My husband was an assistant teacher in a junior high and I was a solo teacher in a high school. You do not need a TEFL certificate to work for Interac. You just need a 4 year degree in anything.
We learned Japanese after moving there - you don't HAVE to speak it before, but every bit of studying you do would help. Many people who teach in the major cities (Tokyo for sure) don't even have to learn Japanese. But I'd really recommend learning it anyway - its an awesome experience.
The Japanese people are very very very kind and polite and I miss them so much. Give it a try, it'll be an experience you'll never forget.
Oh, and about the saving money thing - you should probably save enough to live for two months, just to be safe, plus enough to set up your apartment, etc. So that could be anywhere from $3000 to $5000, depending on where you live and your lifestyle. That's probably a very conservative estimate.
now take your chance!
it's a good time to get teaching job in Japan.
cause English will be taught newly in many primary schools from now on.
I taught English Conversation at AEON for 1.5 years (from 2000-2002). It was the best experience I've ever had in my life. Granted, I didn't get paid a lot and I hated my work schedule (Tues-Friday from 12-9; Saturday from 10-7), but I would do it all over again if given the chance. Most of my students were nice, friendly people who were always eager to talk to me and learn about the US, while in the meantime they taught me a lot about Japan. My students were from all walks of life- high school and college students, housewives, businessmen, retirees, etc.
Also, through my boyfriend (who was an ALT in the JET Program), I met lots of other English teachers who come from different countries- Australia, England, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Canada. Many of these people are some of my closest friends to this day.
My first advice is to learn as much about the culture and the language before you go. You don't have to be fluent, but it will help you a lot to learn to read and say the basics.
My second advice is to live your life in Japan with an open mind. The Japanese may have certain customs you may not understand or agree with, and it's ok. Take it as a learning experience and deal with it.
My third advice is to travel as much as possible. After all, what's the point of living in another country if you don't explore it?
Best of luck!
It's a good idea that you are doing TEFL course. But if you want to work in Japan, the minimum qualification you need is a BA or Bsc degree. It doesn't need to be a teaching or language degree, as long as it's a degree. But having TEFL on top of that will be helpful. However you have to be a native English speaker to teach English in Japan, although almost all Japanese English teachers do not speak English at all because of the way they teach at school.
IF you are a native English speaker, then you can try to join JET (Japan English Teaching) program. You will be teaching at schools in Japan for 1-3 years. It is a contract job, so after your contract finishes, you have to come home unless you find another job that gives you visa. You can get the details form Japanese embassy.
You can also work for companies such as NOVA. Nova’s always recruiting, and you can apply on the internet. They teach many other languages besides English, so you can teach whatever you are native in. There are several other language schools/specialist colleges that need English teachers, so it is definitely worth checking them out on the net.
Either case, your employer normally helps you to find an accommodation for you.
Mind you, working hours in Japan is normally very long. It's 40+ per week, sometimes 45+. And it is recommended to learn Japanese before you go, even if you will not fluent, as it will help you. Lot's of people say that it's very expensive over there, and it is, but it's not as expensive as London.
You should save as much as you can before you go, but most of the time teaching job gives you good payment.
Anyway, at this moment I recommend you to check the jobs in Japan on the internet first, as some of those have age limit. It also tells you what exactly you need to do, as well as comments made by people who's in Japan teaching English.
Good luck.
P.S. There is a way around of 'being a native speaker'. I know a guy used to teach English in Japan, who spoke really good English. He's form Luxemburg, and in the interview he said 'My parents divorced when I was 2 and my step dad is English. He always spoke to me in English. So I am a native speaker.' Which was a lie. But he got a job anyway.
any post high school education is a ++++ most schools, and programns like JET require a degree so a high school diploma wont cut the wasabi - also try the JET website http://www.jetprogramme.org/
this programn is guarrenteed, but placement choice is a bit out of your hands.
a PRivate alternative would be something like NOVA would be good to talk to.
http://www.all-about-teaching-english-in.
You will need a working Visa, and since this is a teaching visa - a sponser So flying over here without one is a bit risky - but not unheard of. if you come and find a job you can always fly to China, korea, or guam to visit a japanese Consulate to obtain a visa - you must leave. apply and then re-enter with a working visa - and then you must register at your townhall within 30 days.
you will have more freedom in the private sector, but better pay and support in the public.
thats all for now
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Has anybody done anything similar or spent considerable time in Japan (or is anyone Japanese). Did you enjoy yourself? Any tips? How much money should I save?
Answers:
I am currently teaching English and have been here for 3 years. It is great. It has been the best time of my life. Living here has its hard points but it is very fun. It is a great experience. For me, the hardest part was getting used to teaching ESL to kids. Most schools require you to teach some kids. You only need to save enough for the first month. The salary is good enough to live on and to even save money.
Japanese people are very poor in English Command
luck main
Obvious one, but make sure your command of Japanese is good enough to communicate about most subjects.
To get experience for the actual teaching for your CV, after taking TEFL you could try apply for JET (search it) and they send people as assistant English teachers with a wage, to Japan.
Really !! Then U gotta check this Out
http://tinyurl.com/yenm8s
Dear Sam,
Please feel free to add your MSN/Yahoo to your question as one of my friends from Australia may be able to share with you some valuable information and experience teaching English over there. He is currently still teaching English over there.
Despite their so called "poor command" of English which you read on this thread earlier, you will find Japanese people incredibly polite and courteous. You will be accorded a certain respect simply by virtue of coming from the UK (amazingly enough).
I've just spent two weeks in and around Kyoto which is full of the most wonderful and spectacular places to visit. Make sure you take the time to visit the Golden Temple, Kinkakuji as well as the Silver Temple, Ginkakuji. Also, I strongly advise you to take a trip out to the shrine and famous O-Tori gateway at Miyajima. Just spectacular. Nara is amazing too.full of wild dear which roam around and an astonishing temple which houses an enormous Buddha. Can't really speak about money as my hosts very generously paid for just about everything.
Beautiful land, spectacular landscape, lovely people, go for it!
Andy
My husband and I taught for 3 years in Saitama-ken. We just returned last year. It was the most amazing experience of my life. If you're at all thinking of going, then you should for sure. So many people say they wished they had done it - so don't become one of them!
We worked for a company called Interac http://www.interac.co.jp/recruit/. and it was good. We were working in actual schools teaching. My husband was an assistant teacher in a junior high and I was a solo teacher in a high school. You do not need a TEFL certificate to work for Interac. You just need a 4 year degree in anything.
We learned Japanese after moving there - you don't HAVE to speak it before, but every bit of studying you do would help. Many people who teach in the major cities (Tokyo for sure) don't even have to learn Japanese. But I'd really recommend learning it anyway - its an awesome experience.
The Japanese people are very very very kind and polite and I miss them so much. Give it a try, it'll be an experience you'll never forget.
Oh, and about the saving money thing - you should probably save enough to live for two months, just to be safe, plus enough to set up your apartment, etc. So that could be anywhere from $3000 to $5000, depending on where you live and your lifestyle. That's probably a very conservative estimate.
now take your chance!
it's a good time to get teaching job in Japan.
cause English will be taught newly in many primary schools from now on.
I taught English Conversation at AEON for 1.5 years (from 2000-2002). It was the best experience I've ever had in my life. Granted, I didn't get paid a lot and I hated my work schedule (Tues-Friday from 12-9; Saturday from 10-7), but I would do it all over again if given the chance. Most of my students were nice, friendly people who were always eager to talk to me and learn about the US, while in the meantime they taught me a lot about Japan. My students were from all walks of life- high school and college students, housewives, businessmen, retirees, etc.
Also, through my boyfriend (who was an ALT in the JET Program), I met lots of other English teachers who come from different countries- Australia, England, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Canada. Many of these people are some of my closest friends to this day.
My first advice is to learn as much about the culture and the language before you go. You don't have to be fluent, but it will help you a lot to learn to read and say the basics.
My second advice is to live your life in Japan with an open mind. The Japanese may have certain customs you may not understand or agree with, and it's ok. Take it as a learning experience and deal with it.
My third advice is to travel as much as possible. After all, what's the point of living in another country if you don't explore it?
Best of luck!
It's a good idea that you are doing TEFL course. But if you want to work in Japan, the minimum qualification you need is a BA or Bsc degree. It doesn't need to be a teaching or language degree, as long as it's a degree. But having TEFL on top of that will be helpful. However you have to be a native English speaker to teach English in Japan, although almost all Japanese English teachers do not speak English at all because of the way they teach at school.
IF you are a native English speaker, then you can try to join JET (Japan English Teaching) program. You will be teaching at schools in Japan for 1-3 years. It is a contract job, so after your contract finishes, you have to come home unless you find another job that gives you visa. You can get the details form Japanese embassy.
You can also work for companies such as NOVA. Nova’s always recruiting, and you can apply on the internet. They teach many other languages besides English, so you can teach whatever you are native in. There are several other language schools/specialist colleges that need English teachers, so it is definitely worth checking them out on the net.
Either case, your employer normally helps you to find an accommodation for you.
Mind you, working hours in Japan is normally very long. It's 40+ per week, sometimes 45+. And it is recommended to learn Japanese before you go, even if you will not fluent, as it will help you. Lot's of people say that it's very expensive over there, and it is, but it's not as expensive as London.
You should save as much as you can before you go, but most of the time teaching job gives you good payment.
Anyway, at this moment I recommend you to check the jobs in Japan on the internet first, as some of those have age limit. It also tells you what exactly you need to do, as well as comments made by people who's in Japan teaching English.
Good luck.
P.S. There is a way around of 'being a native speaker'. I know a guy used to teach English in Japan, who spoke really good English. He's form Luxemburg, and in the interview he said 'My parents divorced when I was 2 and my step dad is English. He always spoke to me in English. So I am a native speaker.' Which was a lie. But he got a job anyway.
any post high school education is a ++++ most schools, and programns like JET require a degree so a high school diploma wont cut the wasabi - also try the JET website http://www.jetprogramme.org/
this programn is guarrenteed, but placement choice is a bit out of your hands.
a PRivate alternative would be something like NOVA would be good to talk to.
http://www.all-about-teaching-english-in.
You will need a working Visa, and since this is a teaching visa - a sponser So flying over here without one is a bit risky - but not unheard of. if you come and find a job you can always fly to China, korea, or guam to visit a japanese Consulate to obtain a visa - you must leave. apply and then re-enter with a working visa - and then you must register at your townhall within 30 days.
you will have more freedom in the private sector, but better pay and support in the public.
thats all for now
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