In order to get a job teaching English in Japan, you'll need to be a college graduate from any field – (sorry but 2 year degrees won't cut it.) You pretty much also need to speak English at native level fluency. There are some that do find teaching jobs in Japan even though English is not their first language but this is more an exception to the rule.
You'll also need a working visa in order to work legally in the country. Most employers will take care of this for you. Working visas are good for one year with extensions being from 1 to 3 years for U.S. citizens.
Another very helpful trait is an interest in Japanese culture. When you fly 10,000 miles east things get pretty different pretty fast. So having a desire to experience Japanese culture is helpful. Not from the standpoint of getting a job but from the standpoint of enjoying the experience. Those who don't have a natural curiosity or desire to experience Japanese culture usually don't last that long.
What Isn't Required
Contrary to what many believe a TESL or TEFL certificate is not required in order to teach. Although it does help getting higher paying jobs. The majority of the large recruiters, the ones that have recruitment centers all over the world, don't require TESL certification.
Also because these large recruiters pay the minimum wage of 250,000 yen per month (roughly $2100 U.S.) they also don't require much teaching experience. In fact the bulk of this industry runs on recent grads.
General Information About Teaching English in Japan
Let's start with money. You should expect a wage of at least 250.000 yen per month. This is a entry level salary for those with little or no experience. However be warned this won't go that far in large cities like Tokyo or Osaka. You should expect a bit more to compensate for the cost of living factor in these large cities.
Large English schools like Nova, Aeon, Geos, Berlitz & ECC will also offer 2 weeks paid vacation and most national holiday off. Schools differ on which national holidays they observe but the norm is 8 to 10 per year.
Expect to work close to 40 hours per week. Each school is different but you can expect roughly 22 to 29 actual teaching hours per week with the rest being office hours. A typical teacher will work 5 days per week with Sunday and another weekday off. Teachers with seniority may get Saturdays and Sundays off. Typical office hours are filled by grading student work, taking class notes, preparing future lessons or just chatting with students. Most schools also will provide you with health insurance or subsidize it.
Larger chain schools, mentioned above, usually have a fixed curriculum. This means you'll be using their in house texts, tapes and other support materials for teaching. For those who don't have a lot of teaching experience it's a helpful in reducing stress (there already is quite a bit in adjusting to the culture and learning the language etc.) Those who need to express their creativity in the lesson will probably find it stifling.
Students who will be assigned to your class will probably be of all ages. Literally from 5 to 6 year olds up to 75 and 76 year olds. Some schools deal specifically with children or adults but because of the competitiveness of this industry, most schools cater to all ages. Student wise, you can expect a healthy dose of children and young professionals like office ladies and salary men as they're called to make up the bulk of who you teach.
Most of your large chain schools will provide you with some type of accommodations. This is a very big help as it's difficult to find accommodations on your own without the help of a Japanese national. Not to mention being very expensive. Although the type provided will vary expect things to be on the small side.
Teaching English in Japan surely is an experience best taken with an open mind. For those with an interest in Japanese culture it surely can be one of the most enjoyable and lucrative ways to experience Japan.
Teach English In Japan
There are approximately 350 million English native speakers worldwide. It is a true statement that English has transformed into a global language and that every day more and more people learn how to speak it. The language now propagates over the Internet and it is present everywhere, in media, science and advertising.
Today, many people take up job offers in other countries in order to help the development of language education. Asian countries, such as Japan, employ native English speakers with help of the Internet and pay good money for such services. Learning a foreign language can be quite difficult especially as we grow old; this is why Japanese employers prefer to hire people with a lot of experience and teaching skills.
ESL teachers are most sought after by professionals working in various fields in Japan. As the concept of globalization developed, so did the need for a common language. People who choose ESL jobs in Japan are part of this ongoing trend and feel the need for change. They are ready to show their abilities and help Japanese people overcome natural learning insufficiencies.
Online, there are various websites presenting ESL jobs in Japan. They are made in order to provide interesting job opportunities and help people benefit from the culture of another country. ESL teachers who contract such jobs are mostly young people, looking for attractive job positions and many prefer Asian environment.
ESL refers to English as a second language and it has grown into quite an industry recently. Nowadays, there are plenty of English jobs in Japan presented online requiring knowledge, experience and commitment. Serious persons are wanted for such jobs that can use diverse teaching methods and learning strategies.
There are several requirements for people who want to teach English in Japan. They must be able to develop certain skills when it comes to learning foreign languages and show their strengths. For many people, it is important to have a very good and experienced teacher, in order to act the same way.
Some points that English teachers focus on include: development of English vocabulary, grammar usage and English learning for business purposes. As certain people work in international companies, they need to know at least one foreign, worldwide-circulating language. This situation has led to the expansion of job offers for people who desire to teach English in Japan, especially throughout the Internet.
It is important to learn how to speak English properly and be able to sustain a conversation in a fluent manner. Native speakers are paid very well in order to perform their job in Japan and highlight the differences between the two languages.
They may help students to overcome language barriers and strengthen English speaking skills. Without a doubt, only true professionals can teach English in Japan and the Internet is full of offers. One just has to have patience and do a thorough search.
Both John Paxton & Clint Jhonson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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