Teaching English as a foreign language

[ZakuTakahisa]

Maybe someone can give me a little help/advice on this?

I've done a lot of research (maybe not enough), and I've found that all that is really needed is a Bachalor degree in any field at University standard.
Well I'm going to Leeds University to take the Japanese language course, so I'm hoping that'll put me in a good place? Am I correct?

I've looked through places to work through, but I can't decide what may be better;
Working for a company i.e. The Nova Group (the leading language school in Japan)
Or
Working in a Japanese school (high-school or higher level)?

Would the qualifications I have (or are getting) help me?
(I'm taking German as an AS standard level with English Language and Litrature at higher level, and Japanese as an extra study.)


Any and all information an advice would be fantastic.

Thank you in advance.


Takahisa.

[Ewok85]

The bachelor degree is mearly so you qualify to get a working visa, what course you take makes no difference. If you have some experience or actual teaching skills it would mean your more likely to get a higher English teaching position, but for something like Nova a BA in underwater basket weaving would be overkill :p

[ZakuTakahisa]

The bachelor degree is mearly so you qualify to get a working visa, what course you take makes no difference. If you have some experience or actual teaching skills it would mean your more likely to get a higher English teaching position, but for something like Nova a BA in underwater basket weaving would be overkill :p


So it'd be a good idea to take a teaching course plus the orignal plan of the Japanese language course?

[suirai]

... but for something like Nova a BA in underwater basket weaving would be overkill :p

I love that line.

And back on topic, if you're really going to get into teaching I'd really recommend starting out in the JETT (two Ts?) program. If you're lucky you'll get posted outside one of the big cities and get a rural view of life here before jumping into the big league.

I know there are a lot of horror stories posted about that program, but there are also a lot of people who loved it and used it as a springboard to the next level. It sure doesn't hurt on the CV either. I think it's good OJT for the business whether you get a great assignment or a bad one -- even a horrible one.

.

[suirai]

By the way, get a business degree. You can't go wrong with that and take some creative language courses on the side. Try to get a TEOSL certificate while you're at it. Get this stuff while you're young, as it ain't so easy once you get to working. That is except for the self-study you should do for life. Remember, a professional teacher is a professional student. You never stop studying.

[Brooker]

Check out the link in my signature for information about Nova.

[Nana007]

I to have a question on this subject for anyone who would know about this. For anyone who has done Jet or Eikawa, especially for Jet, they make you see a doctor and do a physical. My only issue would be that do you think they would accept someone like me with a disease. I have sickle cell anemia (if you don't know what it is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sickle_cell ).

Now I personally don't see this as a hindrance for me doing anything, but will it be a problem if I decide to do anything like the Jet or an eikaiwa. I mean would it be an issue for an interviewer. I do get sick, yes not often but at least once a year for one reason or another (pain crisis, acute chest syndrome, pnuemonia, the flu...) But very rarily do I get sick enough that I have to be admited to a hospital for more than an overnight stay, most of the time once the doctors get me stabiliezed they send me home with meds. A day of rest, and I am back on my feet. But still would this be an issue for any potential employer?

Also what about doctors, even though I don't get sick as much as I used to (there was a time between 7-14 when I would get sick alot 3x a year that would require extended hospital stay usually minimum of 3 days.) I still have to see my doctor every 4-5 months. I am not trying to say that the Japanese medical system is bad, but would I really be able to find someone who would know what I have, and how to treat it if I get sick.

I really want to do some kind of teaching in Japan when I graduate, but would my disease be held against me. Especially since I know how the Japanese are about dirt and germs. What I have isn't contagious (except to my kids since it is genetical) but would I get treated differently.

And one more thing (I know I am long winded gomen) even if my disease wasn't an issue what about the health insurance I know that the Jet and other eikaiwa schools you have to have some kind of insurance would I be considered an insurance liability, I have it in the U.S but I am not sure how it works in Japan.


Edit: I know its long winded but I just thought of something else.

Analgesics in Japan. From what I read in the forums, and my cousin who lives in Japan tells me is that pain meds, both otc and presription drugs sucks. Now I am not a drug addict by along shot, but when I go into a pain episode it takes some serious meds to make it stop. I'm not talking Ibuprofin or Tylenol, I am talking percocets, oxycontin, diludid, codeine, morphine type stuff. I know Japan has some strict drug laws, but if I ever do manage to get into one of those programs or schools, and I do get sick, I can see trouble, because If they try to give me some pansy meds its not going to work, when I go into a pain episode its not some minor ouch or its bothersome pain, it is some serious OH MY GOD THIS $HIT HURTS SO BAD I CAN'T EVEN THINK pain.

Ok I am getting off topic and getting long winded again. What I really want to know is could a none opoid giving doctor cure my pain?

[misa.j]

@Zaku,
The title of your thread made me think of another option besides teaching English in Japan, and if that is your goal, you can just disregard my post.

You can also teach English to foreign students who come to your country with studying abroad program. I'm not sure what types of qualification you need to be a teacher of an ESL program, but you might find it interesting since many of students who use those programs are more on the serious side. It's a great opportunity to meet people from various places with different background.

I'm sure there are many universities that offer the course where you live.

Just a thought.

[Mike Cash]

I to have a question on this subject for anyone who would know about this. For anyone who has done Jet or Eikawa, especially for Jet, they make you see a doctor and do a physical. My only issue would be that do you think they would accept someone like me with a disease. I have sickle cell anemia (if you don't know what it is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sickle_cell ).

The only sure way is to give it a try and see.


Now I personally don't see this as a hindrance for me doing anything, but will it be a problem if I decide to do anything like the Jet or an eikaiwa. I mean would it be an issue for an interviewer. I do get sick, yes not often but at least once a year for one reason or another (pain crisis, acute chest syndrome, pnuemonia, the flu...) But very rarily do I get sick enough that I have to be admited to a hospital for more than an overnight stay, most of the time once the doctors get me stabiliezed they send me home with meds. A day of rest, and I am back on my feet. But still would this be an issue for any potential employer?

Of course it would. Whether it would be a deal-breaker...I don't know.
Also what about doctors, even though I don't get sick as much as I used to (there was a time between 7-14 when I would get sick alot 3x a year that would require extended hospital stay usually minimum of 3 days.) I still have to see my doctor every 4-5 months. I am not trying to say that the Japanese medical system is bad, but would I really be able to find someone who would know what I have, and how to treat it if I get sick.

I did a google search on the terms: sickle cell anemia japan
and came up with at least a couple of pages that indicate the condition does exist here. The first link would seem to indicate that prevalence of sickle cell per capita is on par with the prevalence among the U.S. population as a whole. (If I'm looking at it correctly, of course).

www.cureresearch.com/s/sickle_cell_anemia/stats-country.htm
www.lycos.com/info/sickle-cell-anemia--patients.html

Of course, it would be advisable after arrival in Japan to seek out a doctor/hospital that is familiar with the condition before you need care so that you're not rolling the dice and hoping for the best when medical care does become necessary. It may be enough to consult with a local doctor and let him know you may be presenting yourself for care at some point in the future, thereby giving him/her a chance to bone up on the condition prior to being called upon to provide services to you.

And one more thing (I know I am long winded gomen) even if my disease wasn't an issue what about the health insurance I know that the Jet and other eikaiwa schools you have to have some kind of insurance would I be considered an insurance liability, I have it in the U.S but I am not sure how it works in Japan.

If you go on one of the two nationalized health care plans, it isn't an issue. One of the benefits of socialized medicine.