Living in Japan(Not original but oh well)

[MMM]

I wouldn't worry about taking classes to help you learn to teach English, unless the classes are specific to teaching students in Japan. Invariably you will use almost nothing you learn, and it won't likely help you get a job.

[Sumippi]

I know a lot of American, British and Australian people working in Kyoto. Some of them can't speak Japanese at all (except some simple words such as 'konnichiwa' 'arigatougozaimasu' 'watashi no namae wa 〇〇desu' and so on), and they don't seem to be trying to learn Japanese, and when I ask them why, they usually tell me like they don't need to know Japanese to live where they live and work where they work. While Chinese and Korean people I know are all good at Japanese.

[godwine]

Originally Posted by Sumippi

, they usually tell me like they don't need to know Japanese to live where they live and work where they work. .

That may very well be true, but I find it difficult to understand why people won't attempt to learn the language of the place they are staying in. It will only be beneficial... I mean, don't they want to travel outside of their living/working zone?

Don't get me wrong, one can definitely travel as a tourist around Japan with the most basic Japanese skills, or none at all, I mean, they've made mos places as tourist friendly as possible, but it will definitely be a good thing to know the language too....

[TranquillityOfShyness]

i want learn as much Japanese as i can here, then after college go to Japan.

I think it would be better for me to become fluent after living in japan for awhile, rather then study in states until i become fluent. i would have lot more chances of speaking Japanese more often in Japan.

i'm thinking about taking course for teaching english, i know i may not use what i learn, but i dont want to go there and no nothing about teaching and make a fool of self.

any recommended class?

[godwine]

Originally Posted by TranquillityOfShyness

i want learn as much Japanese as i can here, then after college go to Japan.

I think it would be better for me to become fluent after living in japan for awhile, rather then study in states until i become fluent. i would have lot more chances of speaking Japanese more often in Japan.

i'm thinking about taking course for teaching english, i know i may not use what i learn, but i dont want to go there and no nothing about teaching and make a fool of self.

any recommended class?

Why not just go to teacher's college then? You get to learn the essentials around teaching, and you get your degree..... it may be longer (In Canada, you need to finish a 4 years bachelor before you can enroll in Teachers college), but it will you the best of both world........

I initially thought that teaching is easy, its just a matter of conveying what you know to others.. until i started teaching Karate.... your style affect how much students of different age group will absorb.... i am sure teaching something academic will only be harder..

[RobinMask]

Originally Posted by TranquillityOfShyness

i want learn as much Japanese as i can here, then after college go to Japan.

I think it would be better for me to become fluent after living in japan for awhile, rather then study in states until i become fluent. i would have lot more chances of speaking Japanese more often in Japan.

i'm thinking about taking course for teaching english, i know i may not use what i learn, but i dont want to go there and no nothing about teaching and make a fool of self.

any recommended class?

Actually, Godwine raises a good point, have you thought about doing a teaching degree? Obviously it seems to be a little more difficult in Canada, but in the UK you can do a three-year, BA degree in teaching. Depending on what country you're in perhaps you could also do a teaching degree? The degree would enable you to get a visa, and the degree in teaching in specific would help you in your chosen career. I'm not sure, but I think there are also degrees in TEFL, but I could be wrong.

Anyways, if you want to do a TEFL course on its own, I'd recommend Gap year travel, Volunteer abroad, TEFL Courses and more from i-to-i - due to computer troubles I can't load it to double-check, but it should still work and it's an accreditated company. It has a variety of classes - both online and in person - to suit the individual's needs.

Bear in mind, if you do a TEFL class a lot of employer's prefer you to have at least a 100 course, and face-to-face experience in a classroom, but - in all fairness - any certificate is better than no certificate.

[TranquillityOfShyness]

Originally Posted by RobinMask

Actually, Godwine raises a good point, have you thought about doing a teaching degree? Obviously it seems to be a little more difficult in Canada, but in the UK you can do a three-year, BA degree in teaching. Depending on what country you're in perhaps you could also do a teaching degree? The degree would enable you to get a visa, and the degree in teaching in specific would help you in your chosen career. I'm not sure, but I think there are also degrees in TEFL, but I could be wrong.

Anyways, if you want to do a TEFL course on its own, I'd recommend Gap year travel, Volunteer abroad, TEFL Courses and more from i-to-i - due to computer troubles I can't load it to double-check, but it should still work and it's an accreditated company. It has a variety of classes - both online and in person - to suit the individual's needs.

Bear in mind, if you do a TEFL class a lot of employer's prefer you to have at least a 100 course, and face-to-face experience in a classroom, but - in all fairness - any certificate is better than no certificate.

i will look into that, thank you Godwine and RobinMask

would i be able to pay off student loans after college if i get a job in japan, and would i even make enough?

[godwine]

Originally Posted by RobinMask

Actually, Godwine raises a good point, have you thought about doing a teaching degree? Obviously it seems to be a little more difficult in Canada, but in the UK you can do a three-year, BA degree in teaching. Depending on what country you're in perhaps you could also do a teaching degree? The degree would enable you to get a visa, and the degree in teaching in specific would help you in your chosen career. I'm not sure, but I think there are also degrees in TEFL, but I could be wrong.
.

Very true, I think some teachers college have options for students to major/specialize in specific area. A good friend of mine major in Math, and thats what he teaches mainly now, is Grade 12 and pre-university Math

So, maybe you can go to teachers college majoring in English if such option exist? Most of the english teachers in Japan does not have neither, in most cases, not even ONE of these, so a Teacher's college degree in English will definitely make you that much more competitive.....

You should message RealJames, he is a very active member on this forum and a current English teacher, I think he has his own tutorial operation as well, but oyu have to check with him, he can tell you more about salary.... the rest is really just exploring and understanding the standard of living there, whcih you can get tones of info on the "Living in Japan" forum. Any question, just ask.

[TranquillityOfShyness]

Originally Posted by godwine

Very true, I think some teachers college have options for students to major/specialize in specific area. A good friend of mine major in Math, and thats what he teaches mainly now, is Grade 12 and pre-university Math

So, maybe you can go to teachers college majoring in English if such option exist? Most of the english teachers in Japan does not have neither, in most cases, not even ONE of these, so a Teacher's college degree in English will definitely make you that much more competitive.....

You should message RealJames, he is a very active member on this forum and a current English teacher, I think he has his own tutorial operation as well, but oyu have to check with him, he can tell you more about salary.... the rest is really just exploring and understanding the standard of living there, whcih you can get tones of info on the "Living in Japan" forum. Any question, just ask.

Thank you guys, i have learned a lot here and im glade you guys/girls are realistic and honest with your answer's. i still have a lot of time to figure everything out, so im going to take it slowly and figure things out.

taking a teaching course is necessary for me , because there a lot i need to brush up on and to see if i would enjoy teaching or not. i don't want to go to Japan and start hating the hole teaching thing, strange i know, its just i want to be sure that i could do it.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by TranquillityOfShyness

Thank you guys, i have learned a lot here and im glade you guys/girls are realistic and honest with your answer's. i still have a lot of time to figure everything out, so im going to take it slowly and figure things out.

taking a teaching course is necessary for me , because there a lot i need to brush up on and to see if i would enjoy teaching or not. i don't want to go to Japan and start hating the hole teaching thing, strange i know, its just i want to be sure that i could do it.

I am glad you see teaching as something other than flipping burgers or digging folding t-shirts. Teaching is NOT for everyone, but for some reason it has been presented as a "gateway" job for living in Japan. This isn't the fault of the recruits, but is the reason English teachers in Japan do often get a poor reputation. People are told anyone can do it, but then when they get to Japan they realize it is real work. For those that love it, it can be invigorating, but for those that don't, it can be torture.