ESL Teacher interview in Japan JET Program PT 1

[japanesehighlander]

Not all Eikaiwa teachers are clowns. It's where many start . I`m on an MA program now in TEFl/Applied Linguistics

[novajoke]

@japanesehighlander

Indeed not all Eikaiwa Senseis are mcEikaiwa Sensei Clowns.......... but I've encountered way too many in Tokyo as well as back in the States though........

You seem to be studying the right topic so best of luck to you if decide to teach in Japan.

[ooMATTiAoo]

do u need to pass some kind of test at the end of the TESOL course??

[timredfordmusic]

Thanks for posting this interview, I'm applying for JET next summer and I love hearing this guy's take on his experience. A+ valuable and interesting.

[novajoke]

@timredfordmusic

You are on the right path with JET. JETS is nowhere close to all those mcEikaiwa schools in my country. How do I know this????? I know JET interviewing process is really through, and I used to know one Japanese Professor back in the States interviews candiates so I know they screen out mcEikiaiwa Sensei Clowns. I hope you are learning little bit of Japanese so you can show them you are indeed interested. Best of luck to you!!

[Mbabyblue1233]

what was that language school. Do you have a website for it, I'm in college now and I'm looking for a school to get my certification at.

[JeremyScottThompson]

hey...im moving to japan next month but working for interac rather then the jet program..im teaching high school in Miyako in Iwate Prefecture...im well excited. What ive been told is that north japan allow ALT to take more control and actually teach so its better for experience etc. Its a much quieter pace of life and i was told its a honour to be welcomed into the community as they are normally cautious about outsiders

[DollarAtheist]

I was wondering when people graduate from a four year university as an ESL teacher, do some of them get in debt and never get a job? :<

[DollarAtheist]

I beg my pardon, "never get that job as an ESL teacher."

[halwil03]

lol jack is wearing a $4 t-shirt from a hong kong market, i know i bought one for a homless guy!

[novajoke]

Thank you for the insight. I would like to see more qualified/experienced Eikaiwa instructors in Japan instead of all those mcEikaiwa Sensei Clowns. Here's an example of guy with ESL teaching experience back in the States. Please keep on teaching so my people can speak to other English speaking people.

[toddatron]

Thank you! Jack is a real pro with experience and a great personality. He loves teaching and he loves his kids(students) as I say myself.... my kids! I am not better than any one else but I do try to do my job the best I can and I love Japan.

[qtinorange]

I teach Japanese in Japan. I am a native English Speaker. I really believe that you need to have fluency in both langauges to teach well. Maybe for JET it is easy and you don't need to teach too high of a level. But for professional teachers, you will need to understand both to teach at a depth necessary for higher level students. I prefer someone who is bilingual the higher my language has gotten.

However, as a professional teacher, JET will be frustrating for you.

[toddatron]

Thanks for the comment, but I most likely will never be a Jet myself.

[genkikidsjapan]

@qtinorange Yeah I agree understanding Japanese is important UNFORTUNATELY, half the companies I worked at, said ZERO Japanese in class. They dont understand how to learn or study. Unfortunately they dont create thinkers, only prepare for tests OR random English. Really frustrating. I hate EIKEN. Very retarded test that is so broad that it is IMPOSSIBLE to cram for. Its like having a test on science. How can you cram for everything? Just not gonna happen. Needs to be broken up.....

[novajoke]

@genkikidsjapan

I heard all the rage about Eiken... Yeah that's all they study so they can get in Todai, Waseda, Keio, Hitostubashi....

[toddatron]

Actually I was thinking that... no worries but wasn't sure.... no worries its a good comment regardless... objective stuff never gets deleted on my blog unless its pure senseless hate.

[toddatron]

I am not against it at all.... its a tight secure job!!! and much more professional in the way its run! I wish I could be a Jet sometimes

[hangzhoujack]

Sorry Toddatron, I was actually referring to the comment posted by 060stone403, not yours. I'm new at this blog thing :)

[Aergaia]

do you need a degree to teach in japan? i have a tefl certificate but i have no degree and i really want to work in japan. let me know please, thank you

[SlowStabs]

You need a four year degree. In anything. :)

[qtinorange]

Actually, according to the law, you only need a two year degree to get the visa. However, a school will have to be willing to hire you.

[JessyJames44]

A 4 year degree is "generally" sought by all. Eikaiwa (conversation school) employers and some Assistant Language Teacher dispatch companies don't care and don't check your the number of years on your degree. If you are married and work on a dependent's visa or are single get a Humanities Visa, work at an eikaiwa. After about 3 years of work in Japan immigration will "consider" your visa application for an "Instructor's visa" or ALT visa. 

[JessyJames44]

But those who work for dispatch companies are not covered by Japanese healthcare, and there are many other issues you should read all the forums and union websites.

[JessyJames44]

Highschool degree only? Does your wife have a degree? Come with her, under her visa. A 4 year degree is typically sought by eikaiwa (conversation school) employers but some Assistant Language Teacher dispatch companies don't care and don't check your the number of years on your degree. If you are married and work on a dependent's visa or aresingle get a Humanities Visa, work at an eikaiwa. After about 3 years immigration will consider your visa application for an "Instructor's visa" or ALT visa.

[060stone403]

Hi, Im Japanese. I am against JET program coz many not qualified people come to japan as English teachers. They speak English as their first language, but they don't know how to teach it. Just speaking and teaching a language are totally different.

[060stone403]

I speak Japanese fluently, but it's so hard to teach Japanese to foreign people. Japanese and English are very different languages. ELT teachers have to be familiar with both languages, English and Japanese. Coming to Japan as a teacher is not like coming here as a tourist!

[toddatron]

I totally agree however I am doing just fine so far....... good comment

[mydeardiaries]

I work with special ed Asst in America, and I like it, but I think you rock in Japan. Keep doing good things.

[toddatron]

I am not in the Jet program but you are free to express yourself... I just wanted to let Jack have his say and I do not endorse any particular program.

[hangzhoujack]

Don't be against the JET program just because SOME are not qualified. Being a native speaker does not enable one to teach, but proper TEFL training does. Furthermore, one does NOT need to be familiar with Japanese language to teach Japanese people: they need to know how to teach a SECOND language. I say this having taught students form over 40 different countries....

[qtinorange]

060. I completely agree with you. For the JET "teacher" this is an easy ride, they get good money, get to travel and only spend a few years working with students. Native teacher work with these student for YEARS and KNOW their students. For the student, JET offers VERY little EVEN if the JET is a professional. Such a waste of Japan's money.

[NatureDeathMetal]

hah man, i feel a tear daydreaming of the day I get to look down at that great country

[NatureDeathMetal]

I am very grateful for this video, incredibly resourceful! Thank you!

[APOKALYPSE34]

This is a huge help .

Thanks so much for putting this up!

[toddatron]

No problem... just remember everyone has a slightly different experience...so make sure you reaserch too

[APOKALYPSE34]

Yes your right ... I have been doing my reaserch since last year this was the iceing on the cake . Now when I go for the class and get to japan maybe i can get the cherry6 on there with the side of a beer!..

Can't wait to see more Videos !

[toddatron]

Thanks for the great feedback.. I was really on the fence about the "interview thing" but apparently its good to get out of a controlled environment and let stuff happen. Jack is an ace though so that made it easy.

[eightwillwontcannot]

these interviews are just fantastic, along with the rest of your vids.

these hit a lot of my questions right on the head though.

nice one!

[novanine]

He's a 'well seasoned' teacher? What, like salt, pepper, oregano, etc?? haha

Does Jack practice Kung-fu? The figures on his t-shirt look like they are kung-fu stances rather than karate.

[toddatron]

Yes I forgot the style...he is really into it and getting used to being hit as it is in china you actually hit each other in a controlled manner.

[myargonauts]

nice vid! I need to do some of these interviews myself for my series on the JET Programme.

[BusanKevin]

Great information for folks interested in coming abroad to teach!

[toddatron]

Thanks...I was on the fence about an "interview" but it seems like a good thing and many positive remarks about the info. I could use Jacks advice myself.... have a good new year.