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

[naye]

My English is fluent, but I am not (technically) a native speaker. I got a job with a small English conversation school, because I was willing to work out in the country. They got me the visa with no problems, and now I'm starting a new job teaching preschool kids in Osaka.

So if you're confident in your English, and think you could do teaching, I think your Canadian citizenship should be enough to get you a visa doing that - maybe. It all depends on the visa office, and how they feel like interpreting all the rules and regulations the day your application crosses their desk...

(BTW, I think your English is totally good enough to teach! You speak slowly and clearly, which might even be more helpful to students than a "native" speaker who mumbles or speaks to fast, and doesn't get how difficult it can be to follow a second language.)

A final piece of advice - smaller companies in smaller cities are probably way more likely to hire a non-native teacher than big name companies in the big city. However, GABA (who you should Google - a

[getoutofmyband]

Thank you so much for the advice and for telling me your opinion about my english. I'm glad someone thinks my english is good enough to teach! ^_^ Alot of people have told me that but I always worry they just say that coz they're my friends you know.. ^^

Oh I know about Gaba, I had a french-canadian friend who worked there before he opened his own english cafe last summer (I might work there but they don't have many clients yet so that's why I'm trying to find something else).

Thanks alot for everything! <3

[naye]

I think your English is better than that of my American colleague, who keeps getting complaints because he speaks too fast and too indistinctly. For English conversation, I think it's much more important to be sensitive to what the students need - which is someone who speaks so that they can understand!

If they're really particular about getting the correct English pronunciation, you could always buy an electronic dictionary - most of the new ones come with a sound function. So you can tell your students "I say this word this way, but the American pronunciation is...", and then play the word for them. It's what I do sometimes when I feel I might be off on something. (Though usually for me "off" is "British".)

Also, remember that since you don't need to work full time right now, you could always combine hours. For example, you could work at both your friend's English Café, and at Gaba - that way you'd get a lot of experience, and if there aren't enough clients/you hate working there, at least you will be earning something while you

[korpsy]

Other than English teaching, you could work in an English conversation bar (there are a lot out there) where you're basically a bartender that speaks English. You could also work in a hostess club, if you don't mind the work.

[getoutofmyband]

Thanks alot! I don't think working in a hostess club is allowed on a Working Holiday visa though. Also a friend of mine had a really bad experience while she worked as a hostess so I'd rather not do that. But english conversation bars and cafes are the kind of places I'd like.. I have a friend who opened one last summer and wants to hire me but they don't have alot of clients yet so I think that'll just be my arubaito.

[chuppa]

You are Canadian. Many Japanese people assume all Canadians either A) Speak English natively, or B) Speak English and French natively.

I would bet that some employers wouldnt even question your abilities if you just stated that you were Canadian.
I don`t think you will have any troubles.

[getoutofmyband]

Ahh I didn't think about that! Thanks alot for commenting! :)