Comments for TEFL Journey

Comment on Being a female English teacher in Japan by Paul Raine

Paul Raine — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 07:10:27 +0000

Hi Hayley,

Thanks very much for your message, and apologies for my late reply. I hope you were successful with your JET application. If this turns out unfortunately to not be the case, then, as you say, there are numerous other English teaching opportunities that you may be able to apply for once you arrive in Japan, although I’ve never personally known anyone who has found themselves in this situation, so I’m not sure of the exact process you would have to go through (regarding visas, etc) or how likely it would be that you could find a job quickly.

I wish you the best of luck with whichever course you decide to pursue.

Kind regards

Paul

Comment on Teaching English at Schools in Japan by Bon

Bon — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:14:44 +0000

How can planning not be considered as work? What is the definition of work? The teachers are instructed/ordered to plan lessons and are not paid for that time? How can someone be at work from 8:15 to 5:00 and told that they have only worked for 5 hours even though everything done between that time is school related?

The dispatch companies are getting away with ‘murder’ while the ministry and BOEs turn a blind eye. Every year they twist the law to their suit. I wonder what their next ruise will be.

Nowadays it’s all about how much we can squeeze out of each ALT. They don’t have a voice so they won’t be heard.

Comment on Being a female English teacher in Japan by Hayley

Hayley — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:43:56 +0000

Hi there,
My partner and I applied to JET this year and we have just found out that he has a place and I am on the reserve list.
We’ve been told that it would be fine for me to join him after he has settled in and that it would also be fairly doable for me to apply to English teaching based job NOT with JET once I am in Japan.
I was hoping if you have known anyone in a similar situation? I’ve bookmarked a lot of the job web sites for Japan to look back on once he finds out where he is based and also there is still a chance I could still be going with JET. I’m just trying to grasp what I would be facing once I am out there. I have a Photography degree with a TEFL certificate and also teaching experience within high schools in Scotland.
Thank you for your help and advice

All the Best

Hayley

Comment on 30 Years Teaching English in Japan: An interview with Marc Helgesen (Part 2) by expatseek

expatseek — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:34:59 +0000

Somewhat unfortunate the Japanese bubble is over, it sounds like a blast for anyone who got to experience it. Hopefully she can spark some growth momentum.

Comment on Teaching English in Japan in 2011 by expatseek

expatseek — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:32:40 +0000

Agreed, you are easily qualified to find an English teaching job in Japan. Good luck with the search.

Comment on Teaching English at Japanese Universities by Paul Raine

Paul Raine — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 13:52:30 +0000

Hi Joan, thanks for your message! Wow, you're coming from a very similar background to me - I also had an LL.B. in Law and support work experience when I started my English teaching career in Japan! The lack of CELTA / CERT Tesol is a disadvantage, but not the end of the world. I'm not a big fan of online TEFL qualifications, as many employers don't rate them very highly. However, your strong academics stand in your favor. Westgate tend to be one of the tougher agencies to work for if you don't have any directly relevant experience teaching in Japan/Japanese universities. When you apply, try to highlight your existing skills, qualifications, and passion for teaching. You could also give Interac a go, which is the main agency for working as an assistant teacher at Junior/Senior high schools. Best of luck with everything! Kind regards Paul

Comment on Teaching English at Japanese Universities by J Kaur

J Kaur — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:04:06 +0000

Hi, I’m currently looking at westgate
Have a degree llb in law,
Looking to work in Japan as a teacher, but the experience I have in teaching is support work around 7years ago
And I’m completing a course 140hrs tefl online (not yet complete)
Im already abroad so looking to take a flight to Asia, but what is the likelihood of work/if any with my experience?
What agencies would you suggest, if not westgate?

Kind regards
Joan

Comment on 30 Years Teaching English in Japan: An interview with Marc Helgesen (Part 2) by Michael Seko

Michael Seko — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:11:15 +0000

Thank you, Paul. This is an excellent interview of an outstanding teacher.

Comment on Why is English the dominant world language? by Tariq

Tariq — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:23:00 +0000

Thx for the answers! It also helps the people in the to world communicate with each other!

Comment on Teaching English at Japanese Universities by Paul Raine

Paul Raine — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:32:42 +0000

Hi there, thanks for your message. I would say that The Language Teacher is one of the most highly regarded Japan-based language teaching publications. You'd be doing very well indeed to have a article accepted for publication in that journal. As an assistant submissions reviewer for the JALT Conference Proceedings, I can confirm that the standard of submissions for JALT publications in general is very high, bearing in mind that the Conference Proceedings is one of the most 'inclusive' publications that JALT releases. Check this list for other language teaching journals you may be interested in. Regards Paul