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