question about job english teacher
 

hi everyone,

i am a guy of 22 from holland, a country where many languages is spoken, dutch, english, german, France and other languages...
and my goal is to be a english teacher in japan,but when i saw on gajinpot about the jobs of teacher english, then there is written, that they need a native speaker, but i am not native, but i am taking lessons for high level speaking english, but now i sucks, but still i can make myself understandable to other people...
but when i am done with that lessons of 1 years, then i will get an certification that is equal to bachelor degree, but bachelor degree has 1 thing that i don't have on the lessons, that are the psychology...to know how student reacts and what their problem is...

so my question is, does it matter? i have always dreamed of to go to japan...why? i love the art, history, old buildings and many people, even my best friend (yeah a japanese) moved from here to his homeland

can someone tell me if it matter about the speaking level? i will get a certification for my english skill

greets Yon

From what i understand,its postively easier to get a job as a english teacher in Japan if ur a native speaker,So it does matter.By the way,no offense intended at all,but from what i read from ur post,ur english level is high for someone who's native language isnt english.But it isnt at that level required to become a English teacher yet.

sorry, but can you explain to me again what you mean by this "but from what i read from ur post,ur english level is high for someone who's native language isnt english.But it isnt at that level required to become a English teacher yet"...

are you saying my english is really high? well if that is what you mean, then yeah i have been learning english from my 13....but it still sucks because the sense advancement is not right...so in other words "My english sucks" that's why i am taking high level cursus to improve my english and i will also takes exam to get a diploma...so before i go to japan i am going to improve and get a diploma in my pocket.
but i know, i have to find a sponsor to help me for visa or i must get a work visa to go to japan and find a job...

dude of course it matters ur going to be a teacher..i use to teach neighborhoods kids back in my old neighborhood english and u have to have perfect japanese to explain to some of these kids.

and i didnt even expect to be paid. i did it cuz alot of parents heard that i was a fluent english speaker visiting my grand parents and i spoke with zero asian accent and thats y they wanted me to teach their kids english.

U have to have zero accent of ur native language and zero gaijin speaking japanese accent if u want to teach english to japanese. dead serious or else nobody will take u seriously

ok i understand, but say it...did i write english very well? if i did well...then i will take japanese cursus...why? because, i want make myself understandable to japanese people...i know that in japan not everyone can understand english...but learning japanese would be also my hobby and it also a challenge for me, why again? i want to adapt in the japanese society otherwise i am like a blind person who lost his way:vsign:

yes it matters very much.

why?

They would like to know that you have a full understanding of the words and correct pronunciation and can be able to answer any questions that may arise.

Plus out of the many applicants for english teachers, they will hands down always choose a native speaker over any one else.



Many people get fed lies about how easy it is to get a job as a english teacher in Japan and stuff.

Truth is the line to get those jobs is VERY long.

and only the most highly experienced and qualified are picked for premium spots.


many people find them selves tryin to get a job teaching in Japan, usually end up HOURS away from major cities.

I've met many people who came to see the busy life style of tokyo and japan only to be sent into the country side teaching english hours away from all the things they want to see.


gaijinpot mainly tries to set you up with very low paying jobs working as assistants and or as a private tutor.

Although some of the jobs they DO offer say they are in Tokyo, but usualy what that means is the main office is in Tokyo and your gona be sent into the country side.

OR it IS in Tokyo but its a very low paying no frills private tutor job, that will not be enough money for you to live in Tokyo.


also the jobs are NOT secure and if the person hiring you for private lessons decides he no longer needs you at any time... then you are out of a job in a very expensive city.

if you want to be taken seriously in the language teaching field.

i recommend getting certified with JET, and ESL, and having some teaching experience.

people think teaching english is a easy way to experience tokyo.

turns out many spend their time bored out of their mind in the country side only visiting exciting parts of Tokyo on their days off where they blow a huge chunk of their wages.

if you want to visit Japan cuz you want to experience, save up and take a month vacation.

if you truely want to be a English teacher, then study hard and go thru the process, and get some leverage in this competitive field.

i've personally been through it, and its a very long and frustrating process.

i have friend teaching 3-4 hours away from the city for 2 years and have only seen tokyo twice =P

i dont want to burst any ones bubble, but they take languages very seriously.

Schools dont plan on giving any one a job who is more concerned about traveling and seeing japanese culture then teaching.

sorry to say your English writing is not proficient enough to teach students.

grammar, spelling and sentence structure is a key.

also kaicui is right, they do not want any accents when being taught English.
pronunciation is a HUGE element in learning.

Japanese who already know English will very seldom speak it, b/c they are very shy and self conscious about how they are pronouncing words.

No what i meant is that,it isn't at a level that could compare to that of a native's speaker yet,in other words you need to really improve your level of english.Otherwise u just wouldn't get a job as a english teacher in Japan.They would rather hand the jobs over to Native english speaker,Unless u could prove ur capabilities of english.

okey thank you^^ i appriciate it

He can't apply to JET because he is from Holland, not a English-speaking country.

What is your native language? Try looking for jobs teaching that.

well my native languange is dutch, but i doubt if there are really any place for dutch teacher or languange...

You might be surprised.

are you trying to give me a load of energy in my brain? i appriciate it thanks my HERO
but is there any highschool who needs a teacher dutch or do i have to start my own little cursus school? i want rather to go to a high school to teach the student with enjoy...but i appriciate your advice:ywave:

Hola senior (or maybe you are a seniorita),

Yon, buddy, I take you have not read the teaching thread. Have you not looked at the JET programmes website? The Netherlands, aka land of moo cows, is a participant country in the JET programme. This is your best chance at beating the whole non-native speaker dealy. Why? Because even if you are a total d'bag, JET will take you and love you like you were the greatest English teacher that never was. Please go to The JET Programme--Official Homepage of (wankdom) and register to become a wanktard next year in like, I think, August. The selection process is long and stupid, so have fun with that.

Anyways, let me lay it down for all non-native teachers. No, you do not have to be a native speaker of English to work as an English teacher (especially as an ALT). If you have not read the teaching thread in the Living in Japan section please check it out.

Now for a few tips and possible problems for non-native teachers:

1. In your case, you will want more than the standard bachelors degree or equivalent to qualify. I am talking about certification in TESL and even better, actual experience. In the city I work in, there was a Dutch teacher working in the elementary schools. The thing is though, he had at least two years experience teaching English in Holland and happened to be very good with kids. He may have even had a teaching degree.

2. Problems. To be honest, you may be employable and able to teach, but the real decision of who qualifies and who doesn't lies with immigration. Immigration may or may not grant you a visa even if you get the job. Companies prefer native speakers for the simple fact that the guy (or gal) at immigration looks at your passport and thinks, "Hmm, Netherlands... Nope, never heard of it. Visa denied, next."

Seriously though, who knows what these immigration officers do. I go for a stamp, a renewal, and it takes a month to process it. Then they approve and send me a little postcard, I show up and have to wait like thirty minutes for what? So the glue can dry? You thought about this decision for a month already, give me my sticker so I can go home! Well good luck and if you get the job welcome to clown school.

thank you very much! yeah i'm good with children too, i love them...
thank you for your advice, i should so fast as possible join the JET programma! again thank you

cursus is another word of study;) my bad

saaya irie??? *googled* hmmm not bad! i like her too:P

no i mean, i'm good too with children, i don't know why many people would hate kids....

if i knew before that she is 13 then i wouldn't do that;) but my type is older womens with good intelligence....
but 1 thing that i don't understand from that photo of saaya...
scarce clothed models should be at least 18 years, so it is like if the photographer is a lolicon...but i would never start a relationship with a under 17;) so shimpai shinaide....i choose rather a women who is at least 1 till 4 years older then me...i am not pedo...you shouldn't only attracted by a girl who is only cute...i like Aki hoshino she is 7 years older then me...or yukie kawamura same age as me even though they are cute...i am not from pedo network...i just didn't know that she was 13

its not whether you like them anymore- its whether you can control them. T_T

don't worry, i know how to handle them...i have a genial trick for that...it even worked here when i was part timer at my friend moms school..."who is sweet in the every 2 days receive a candy or lolly" they seems to be really motivated

example? what didn't you understand?

Congrats! You passed the Tenchu pedophile test.

OMG ROFLMAO!!!:p
Yay!!:vsign:

That's the first time in my life anyone has ever called me "ultra-conservative".

Wild.

well in this country we can't see it, that's why example: 'when you go to discotheque, the porter will ask everyone a identity card...or when you go to the store, and you want to buy a alcohol or cigarette..then you must also show your identity card...alcohol is not allowed for youngster under 16 year also cigarette...but still, they smoke or drunk it...because they have always have an older friend that gives them, after bought that stuffs...here in this country are the young people drinking and smoking around 11 years, even they are starting with sex around that age...ridicilous! well if they agree together i don't care...but for me in my eyes, it is not good...because the body is not fully matured, and even their mind are not really well, because they are not thinking about the impact of that...

Yon, I truly hope you will make it, but, since when do Dutch citizens speak French? :D

The average Dutch person speaks Dutch (at some level at least...:rolleyes: ), English and maybe German, but that's about it. ;)


Mmmm, I just might go and try to find a teaching job there myself... Change is good... Can you bring your pet to Japan (without difficulties)?

Haha, haha, omg... Um, no. Give me second, I'll find that post from the guy who asked already. Sho sho machi...

thank you...yeah...i can't speak french because i didn't choose the language...but german...but i am getting more forgetful when i am not speaking german, the most spoken language is now English...

no i don't thinks so...the pet is still not allowed...or it won't be easy to bring to japan...i have a Kangal dog...very huge dog, but really trustworthy dog...
but if i would bring him, then there won't be a place for him, coz i am not going to live in a big house but more little appartment

Couldn't find it. You can bring it, but it has to be quarantined. Google "Japan pet quarantine" and you should find something.

Bad idea. It's my understanding that domesticated animals must be under quarantine for 6 months, unless you have the proper JAPANESE paperwork.

Pound for pound I would guess that you are more conservative than me, Tenchu.

If finding those that drool over underage children makes me conservative, then I would guess that you would find most of the western world to be "conservative".

Ok, googled it and it seems that, if you have the right paperwork done at home or wherever you are (blood analysis results etc.), no quarantine's required (or only for a max. of 12 hours).

Maybe it isn't as easy in reality? :confused:

Mmm, and maybe I should stop polluting this post? :D

Though I've never been to Japan, from what I've gathered its not that easy to be a non native English teacher... But the suggestion to see if there are positions for a Dutch teacher is pretty good if you think about it. I mean every country has teachers of every language. This would be why you can learn any language you want (English, French, Japanese, so on) in your home country, why should Japan be any different. If I learned Dutch(here in New Zealand) to the same extent that you know English, You probably could get a job as a Dutch teacher well before I could. Same thing visa versa with myself and English. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

teaching
 

I think you are quite correct in being more likely to get an English-teaching job than a Dutch job and vise-versa. I have actually been thinking about an attempt at a job teaching English in Japan myself... probably to younger children due to the fact that they are more fun in my mind. I have been attempting to to teach myself how to speak and read Japanese since 7th grade due to the fact that I have always wanted to go there and I have always wanted to be a children's teacher at the same time.

I don't think a vacation could satisfy me simply because I have wanted to live there for a large portion of my life and have been moving toward that goal during it.
I truly desire to live in Japan, but I am still not entirely sure how to go about it.
If anyone has any ideas, I would be much abliged.

Thank you.