ESL Teacher interview in Japan JET Program PT 1

An in depth interview with an experienced English teacher for the JET program in Japan. There are alot of links and information sites out there but its nice to have a chat with someone who has done it and of course everyone will have a different experience.

Boston Language Institute: http://www.bostonlanguage.com/

The JET program:
http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JETProgram/homepage.html

A true master of JET:

http://www.youtube.com/myargonauts

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[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.

[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.

[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....

[halwil03]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[novajoke]

@genkikidsjapan

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

[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!!

[japanesehighlander]

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

[ooMATTiAoo]

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

[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.....