A country that is on the "hot list" for ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers is Japan. The economic and technological collaborations between the United States and Japan have created a cultural hot-spot for Americans looking to live and teach abroad. The relations between such two powerful countries, an English speaking country and a non-English speaking country, have made the need to speak and understand English a necessity.



Before you eagerly reply to employments ads you must choose a country in which you would like to dedicate most of your time - because, most companies require a one-year teaching commitment.

Most ESL companies prefer native English speakers, ideally someone born and raised in North America, and preferably someone who holds a Bachelor's Degree. Having a Bachelor's Degree is quite important to potential Japanese employers because it gives credibility not only to teach English, but something more notable, a mastery of American culture - a topic of great interest to the Japanese.

To some degree, having an American teaching English in your enterprise in Japan regarded as a symbol of status showing that the company or school that has a valid English program. The students are thought to be delighted to be learning from a real native English speaker.

An English teacher in Japan must be gentle, supportive and extremely encouraging to students. The Japanese, by nature, are a very timid and hesitant people individually. Japanese people are also perfectionists and are particularly unwilling to exhibit any skill without having nearly conquered it through self-study.

Mastering a language with this method of learning is difficult because mastery of any language requires much repetition and inevitably errors are made. Thus, the role of the English teacher is to gently lead.

English schools in Japan aim to improve foreign language education and to encourage international exchange at the local level by fostering ties between Japanese and foreign youth. English teachers in Japan provide a great service to international communities by bridging communication barriers.

The change from American life to Japanese life can be difficult to many teachers as Japanese culture is very different from American culture. On the other hand, Japan is up to par on technology, the internet is not a scarce resource as it is in other countries, and cell phone technology gives you the option for pictures, video and even a bilingual language function. Many teachers desire to study the Japanese language during their time in Japan as it helps them with building acquaintances and allows them to associate with fellow residents as well as builds a new teaching skill.

To fully enjoy your stay in Japan, you must build connections and friendships with the Japanese. Most people go to Japan first and then look for a job, in which case their most important asset will be connections -- knowing someone who can give a referral to a future employer. Knowing someone who has worked in Japan is thus a major asset, but it's also possible after arriving to meet people in the foreign community who will be references and pass on job tips.

Japan is the land of connections and you, as a very special, somewhat mysterious and certainly interesting foreign person should have no trouble finding your way into the upper rankings of ESL opportunity -- through hard work and diligence.