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