I spent most of today lying around, watching TV, (they have one channel here that plays nothing but American movies :P) Jordan called and I talked to him for a little while, and felt very homesick. That seems to happen when I'm not really doing anything
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So first of I think I could have a WAY better understanding of the language if the book could help me properly... which it can't really. I know if they worded things differently in the book, it would make much more sense.
While I was reading it I found myself to trying to spin things around so I would understand.
So in this case sara, I'd defnitely recommend asking as many questions possible from an actual japanese person before you return to the US and have no one to ask. :( I really wish I could learn Japanese here. *grouchy*
And btw, I've been looking up teaching English in Japan all of yesterday. It's quite... well annoying to say the least. There's this one program that you have a contract for a year and everthing is PERFECT. The only problem.... you have to have a BA or BS(in case you don't know, which I'm sure you do, is a university degree). You know why that is really inconvient?
Because if I'm just going to teach in Japan for a year...and teaching isn't my career choice... well, it's a big waste of time. WHy go and get my degree only to return here to get a degree in something totally different?
The thing is, I really thought I heard that you don't need a BA or BS. That you just need to be from an english speaking country and probably completed high school. Maybe since your there... if you could ask about that? Maybe someone will know something about it, but I doubt it. :(
Well anyway... I'll probably comment again a bit later.
Oh ya! Another funny thing I rememered when reading how they say your japanese is good and stuff. Last night I read a journal of a woman who taught english in Japan. She said that if you look American, they will like you. Some even treat you like a celebrity. And she said: They always take time to tell me how wonderful my Japanese is and tell me in awe how well I can use chopsticks and stuff. Haha :)
I love thinking about the time difference. Right now it should be 1:30am if I remember correctly.
Do they have msn or aim there? If so, maybe I'll catch you when you wake up. :)
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Tatsuya's dad has a friend who's a 23 year old American who teaches English at a high school in Ueda. I haven't gotten to meet him yet, but when I do, I'll ask him all about it for you.
It seems rediculous to only go be a teacher for a year.. What school would want a constant exchange of English teachers??
But still, you make it sound like it could be Any BA or BS. That doesn't sound too unreasonable...
I think Japanese people expect Westerners to have horrible accents and be completely unable to use chopticks. For the first couple days, everyone kept giving me forks with my meals. Just like how they expected me to have never tried Japanese food before at all, or have never heard of things like samurai, kimono, anime, etc, the most well-known things about Japanese culture.
So if that's not the case, they're very impressed.
There was MSN on the computer at the other house, but not this one, and I really don't think I should be downloading anything, you know?
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And actually, it's true... at many schools apparebtly they change english tecahers a lot. >.> That one woman I was reading about... she kept saying how this tecaher was leaving and this one was new and so on. Weird eh? And I think the reason many people want to be an english teacher for a year is just to experience the country while making money. I mean.. what other kinds of jobs could you get there unless you were moved by your company in your home country.
And it's kind of funny... why would you go to Japan if you knew nothing about it? Or any country? Wouldn't it be a bit of a waste of money? Unless you're stinking rich of course, ^^
And please do ask the guy about working as an english teacher... I find it very very interesting!
I'm actually going to try and apply at this place, but I have a feeling I'm going to be turned down in two seconds flat considering I don't have the qualifictaions.
It seems to me the only reason you need a BA or BS is because that's what you need to get a working visa in Japan. But you can get a holiday visa which is for 6 months and you can get it extended anothr 6 months so I don't see why that would be a problem. And the program itself introduces you to everything you need to know about teaching. It's strange I find. Like.. for example... you don't need any experience as a teacher. :) You just need the university degree, :(
The School is called Nova which is apparently the biggest english school thingie in Japan. Their branches are located all over the place. And it sounds absolutely perfect: http://www.teachinjapan.com/
Wooooooooooooosh! Anyway.... after reading a years worth of journals from an english teacher in japan, I feel a bit more educated and a lot more interested in it. XD
Hope you have an exciting day... almost bed time for me. :)
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That is very strange... but I imagine they get lots of not so great teachers who just want the paid vacation in Japan. If you're really a great teacher, then who knows?
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