Non-native english speakers, I'd love to hear your stories and advice.

[getoutofmyband]

Hi, my name is Maki I'm a 25 yrs old French-Canadian girl currently living in Quebec and planning to move to Japan on a Working Holiday visa around mid-May (I already have the visa

Comments

[cicadagray]

Quite a few schools/companies hire French (and other language) teachers. If you could teach English and French that might work.

Have you thought of doing a 6-week TESL certification course? That's looked on favourably as well. The degree requirement is generally for a work visa as required by the Japanese government.

[getoutofmyband]

wahh fast reply! (I just edited my entry)

yes I've thought of doing TESL but it's only given on week-ends in a city that's 3hrs from here and I work on week-ends and really can't change my schedule so I don't know what I should do. I heard you can take TESL online but I'm unsure about self-learning.. I'd rather have attend a real class :/

thanks for your reply! ^_^

[cicadagray]

check the TESL Canada website for a list of places that do it online. I wish I had done it before I went, even though I had a degree.

Companies will train you in their teaching method or style, so the certificate is just a bonus that will help get you in the door. :)

Gambatte ne!

[getoutofmyband]

いつもありがとうございます！

I'll definitely check it out then :)

[getoutofmyband]

Oh I never thought of checking Craigslist Tokyo, thanks!

[chaoticelfe]

I taught French when I stayed in Japan (but I was in Fukuoka).
However, it wasn't in an official school or anything but only private teaching. So I went to people's home and taught.

Basically, it's better because you get a higher pay and you don't have to worry about your English at all (I am French and my English really sucks even though I do not have any problems to follow simple conversations). I think private teaching is kind of easy to find. There was this place where you could put up an ad and people would call you. I don't know about Tokyo but I'm sure there must be such a system as well ^^
(even though I didn't have the same competition in Fukuoka than the one you might have in Tokyo given the high rate of Gaijin living there)

[getoutofmyband]

Merci beaucoup! J'ai des amis à Fukuoka, si un jour je me lasse des grandes villes comme Tokyo c'est un endroit ou j'aimerais bien habiter! ^_^

[chochajin]

Hello

[getoutofmyband]

Thank you so much for all the advice!

By the way I read your lj regularly and I find it very informative and inspiring! You always post beautiful pictures <3

[chochajin]

You're welcome! (^-^)v

Wow awesome! Glad you like it and thanks so much (;o;)/❤