| You may not have considered it, but many people | | | | small country town. But that's all part of the |
| both young and old are heading off to teach | | | | adventure!As part of your posting you will most |
| English in Japan every day. It can be a life | | | | likely receive your own desk in a shared office. |
| changing and very rewarding experience. Making | | | | Japan is well known for maximising it usage of |
| the big move to Japan whether it be for a short | | | | small spaces and you will find that your teachers' |
| working holiday, or if you plan to live in Japan for | | | | office is no exception! Here you will be required to |
| a longer duration, can sound daunting but you will | | | | prepare for your ESL (English as a Second |
| get plenty of assistance from your school and | | | | Language) lessons and do any other paperwork |
| employer-to-be.There are a large number of | | | | that may be required such as evaluating students |
| conversational English schools in Japan and among | | | | and marking tests. At the end of a hard day's |
| the bigger and best known ones are Geos, ECC, | | | | teaching, it's traditional to go out eating and |
| Berlitz and Nova. Most people that go to teach in | | | | drinking with your new found Japan friends. |
| Japan start off by attending a local information | | | | Typically this is to a Japanese tavern called an |
| session. After going through with the interview | | | | izakaya and you may even get your own private |
| process your suitability for the role will be | | | | room complete with those delightful wooden and |
| assessed. A sense of adventure and an | | | | paper shoji screens.Your school's staff and other |
| enthusiastic spirit is as must. Actually, you don't | | | | experienced teachers will explain all the necessary |
| even need any teaching experience and being too | | | | information to survive, including helping you get |
| good at the Japanese language could also be to | | | | your own Japanese cell phone (keitai), arranging |
| your detriment!Those that teach English in Japan | | | | your accommodation, sorting out your bills and |
| will soon pick up the Japanese language as they | | | | showing you the best places to eat and go |
| go along. If you are really keen to learn Japanese | | | | grocery shopping in Japan. If you have any |
| first you could try checking out the Pimsleur | | | | problems you can always call on them to help you |
| series of audio lessons which I thoroughly | | | | out.Should your country have good diplomatic |
| recommend. Learning to speak Japanese can | | | | relations with Japan, working holiday visas are |
| seem an intimidating experience in the beginning, | | | | easier to get and let you live in Japan for up to 18 |
| but if you study gradually you'll soon figure out | | | | months depending upon the arrangement. For a |
| the essentials needed to get by in daily life. By | | | | full work visa you will need a proper diploma or |
| actually being in Japan, the Japanese immersion | | | | degree, however it can be in any discipline and |
| experience ensures that you are going to learn a | | | | does not have to be related to teaching. For |
| great deal faster, rather than pounding away at | | | | more advice regarding visas I recommend you |
| the books trying to remember all the kanji | | | | contact your nearest Japanese embassy or |
| symbols and theory before you have anyone to | | | | consulate. Also the school you decide to go with |
| practice speaking with.Your school will arrange | | | | will be able to help you with more specific |
| your airfare to Japan and when you arrive at the | | | | information.The experience of going to teach |
| other end you will usually be greeted at the | | | | English in Japan is an absolutely amazing one that |
| airport by an experienced staff member. After | | | | you will never forget. If you have been putting it |
| you go through a few weeks of training and | | | | off I recommend you just jump right into it and |
| staying in a hotel or share house, you will then be | | | | see where life takes you!Hige Sori is the editor of |
| assigned to your school. But that could be | | | | Tokyo, Japan... Tokyo! |
| anywhere from the middle of Tokyo to way out | | | | Want to learn more to help you live in, work in |
| in the countryside. It's important not to get too | | | | or travel Japan?Read more now at -- |
| fond of the idea of living in a big city because it's | | | | TokyoJapanTokyo. |
| very likely you could be posted to a distant and | | | | |