Do you want to see the world while earning a paycheck? Think about considering to Teach English in Japan. Naturally, you’ll need to spend a sizable amount of time at work, but in your downtime, you’ll have so many opportunities to explore.Info about top four things that you can expect if you decide to Teach English in Japan.Here, you will find info about Teach English in Japan.
Anytime you leave home to travel to another country, it can be a culture shock, so just imagine the transition involved once you decide to live and work in another country for an extended period of time. It’s essential that you research not only the company you’ll contract with but the country where you’re interested in teaching. Consider factors like the political and economic conditions, as well as the standard of living.
Japan is a common destination for English teachers, so if that’s your ideal role, then many others have gone before you to light the way. Even with plenty of preparation, it will likely be a tricky adjustment initially. If the challenge doesn’t deter you, here are the basics to get you started.
What to Expect When You Teach English in Japan
Getting the Job
Of course, there are so many unknowns once you land the position, but how do you go about getting your foot in the door? Many discover that the hiring process is much less intimidating and difficult than they had expected. In most cases, companies don’t require you to have any proficiency in Japanese, but you’ll need to demonstrate a solid command of the English language. The typical prerequisites are a bachelor’s degree in virtually any discipline and the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. If you’ve had prior teaching experience, often, that can allow you to bypass the TEFL certificate.
Once you’ve secured a job offer, the company will typically assist you with the appropriate work visas. Due to the nature of your role, most employers sponsor visas with the Specialist in Humanities status. As is the case with most new jobs, you’ll have to undergo a background check.
Learning the Language
Even though you don’t need to know any Japanese to teach English in Japan, learning the native tongue can help make the entire experience much more fulfilling. Getting around unfamiliar places in your own country is less intimidating because you never encounter a language barrier. Moving to another country adds so many more layers of complexity to what had previously been considered straightforward activities. Simply immersing yourself in the culture and the language with the safety net of steady work and a permanent place to live can help you ease into a new routine.
Learning the language can also help you meet new people. Hanging out with other English teachers is fine at first, especially for those who may be homesick. Ultimately, you’ll regret missing out on getting to know the locals who can offer so much insight into the Japanese culture and lifestyle. You didn’t choose this profession to remain insulated from unfamiliar sights and sounds. The sooner you develop a comfort level with your surroundings, the sooner you can make the best use of your free time in a new country.
Connecting With Your Students
Though you’re capitalizing on the opportunity to teach in Japan rather than back home, there’s no difference in how to manage your students. Their education is the priority and shouldn’t be secondary to your globe-trotting plans. If you want to travel, but you don’t interact well with children, then you should rethink this profession or focus on the teaching positions that cater to adults.
The majority of people who have taught English in Japan agree that the students are a pleasure to teach. They are very polite and respectful to their teachers, but there have been rare instances of children acting out since they are, after all, still kids.
When it comes to instruction, think back to the teachers you may have had that made the subject fun. What behavior did they exhibit that engaged you and the other students, and that helped you learn effectively? You may not always make a connection with all the students as you try to get them to enjoy their studies and expand their thinking, but as long as you care about their education and keep making an effort, you’ll be successful.
Getting Around
Now, onto the biggest reason why so many people choose to work abroad – the travel. Not only will you have the opportunity to explore the best places in Japan, but going anywhere else in Asia is much easier to access now that you’re in that part of the world. Traveling is much shorter and cheaper through Asia when you’re in Japan. Flying out to another place for a weekend getaway is a whole lot easier and less exhausting than if you were to go abroad from the United States. You’ll get to experience the area more than the inside of a plane, and you won’t have to try to schedule crazy flight times when trying to get a cheap flight.
But then, if exploring more than Japan isn’t in your field of interest, and you’d rather become more accustomed to Japan, then there’s plenty of exotic places right around the corner. When looking to make Japan your new home, you’re going to want to know where everything is, be it the places to see or even the boring places as well. You can easily spend your weekends venturing around your city and a bit beyond to find the areas yourself or get a head start with research, such as this list of the coolest places to visit in Kyoto at Treksplorer.
This is just a broad scope of what’s in store for you if or when you find yourself teaching in Japan. The research you do before going to any country different from yours may seem simple, but it can help immensely with your transition. The first month or so could easily be the most uncomfortable for new English teachers, since they are trying to figure out where to go, delve into the language a bit, and even simple things such as grocery shopping. In a new country, it can feel like a whole other world.
