Job Discussion Forums

[HLJHLJ]

Most people don't relish the prospect of standing up in front of a classroom and teaching without any sort of training or preparation. It's quite a daunting proposition for most. So yes, it's generally better to do some sort of training first, regardless of whether it's an actual requirement for the job.

[Cappuccino]

Good idea!

[taikibansei]

[nomad soul]

You've referred to this individual as your student. If that's the case, what is he currently studying? Also, if he claims his long-term goal is to teach TESOL, then why not pursue a degree related to education/teaching or English?

[Cappuccino]

[nomad soul]

Alternately, he can contact one of the local nonprofit organizations that provides ESL and literacy classes to newcomers and refugees. There's always a need for part-time volunteer teaching assistants and tutors who can commit to X number of weeks/months. It's how I and many others got our first taste of teaching ESL. Plus, he'd be under the guidance of a seasoned classroom teacher. It offers him a chance to see if teaching is a viable, long term interest.

BTW, I suggest you encourage him to register as a Cafe member so that he can post his own questions and become more proactive in scoping out his career interests.

[taikibansei]

[Cappuccino]

[taikibansei]

[Cappuccino]

[taikibansei]

Cappuccino, with respect, but as a faculty member at a US university, you have numerous other advisees (possibly to include graduate students), plus classes to teach, plus research and publishing requirements, plus committee and other administrative work to do. Accordingly, you should not be wasting time researching career choices for one student on Internet discussion boards. Also, surely your institution has faculty in TESOL/Linguistics/Education, yes? They would all know (or know how to research effectively) the ALT hiring situation in Japan. Accordingly, the simplest solution would be to advise this student of yours to, you know, walk down the hall to your extremely knowledgeable colleagues...and ask.

[taikibansei]

[HLJHLJ]

[Cappuccino]

I'm sorry to have bothered both of you with my attempts to gather information for my student.

I came looking for information and I got the information I was looking for. I want to thank everyone for their help.

[timothypfox]

Don't worry about the major. For a first time job, an interesting major may make a resume look interesting. My major was a BA in Dance with no TEFL license. This was several years ago and so adding on a TEFL certificate might help with the job market, as would some Japanese related activity. The why Japan question will come up somewhere in any job application and should include some high brow interest or reason rather than manga or anime. For example, does your friend study Japanese martial arts or language?

Your friend's first job will likely be dispatch work which may include high school, junior high school, or elementary school. It may even include work at university. But remember, in all cases, a dispatch job means you are working for the dispatch company - and not the school. It is kind of like semi-full-time work through an American or Canadian temp agency.

Other first time employment jobs include working directly for a language school.

Also, the JET program is the best way to get into better work in Japan and possibly into long term high school teaching work if that is what your friend is interested in. This is a competitive program, however, and has many applicants.

If you are considering long term, some time later in the future, your friend might opt for returning home and doing an TESOL Masters and certifying and teaching in public school. This kind of background would set your friend up for a longer term or permanent direct hire at a private junior or senior high school in Japan.

taikibansei, vitriol might discourage a teenager from directly posting here. Also, members here are well qualified to answer these questions.