Job Discussion Forums

Sez · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 32

Hi there,

How useful do you think a TEFL certificate is for applying for teaching jobs in Japan?
I know all the big schools like Nova, Geos etc don't require you have one, but do you think they would look on a TEFL as a positive thing, or be quite indifferent to this?

With regard to smaller, private/local schools - would a TEFL be required?

I just wondered what the general view employers in Japan have towards a TEFL certificate?

Any advice/experiences would be much appreciated!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

So, it looks like you are considering only the eikaiwas and not high schools, kindergartens, elementary schools or universities.

A TEFL certificate means very little to eikaiwas. Oh, they might like to put it after your name on the brochure just to attract customers, but as far as getting a job... hard to say. It certainly won't make any difference in your salary from the guy who has a degree in geology working in the next classroom teaching the same subject.

TEFL doesn't really have much bearing on school size, either. It's all hit and miss. If they advertise for a person that has one, and you do, you're better off.

I always recommend a certificate such as that for people who have had no teaching experience and who are not in the field of teaching. Why? If it teaches you how to plan and present lessons, you are leagues ahead, not only in your company classes, but in any private lessons you may give. And, when someone in your school suddenly calls in sick, and you have to prepare something in 10 minutes, you'll be better off.

Now, if you want to talk about the value of a certificate and those other employers...

MoggIntellect · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 173 Location: Chengdu, P.R.China

I agree with Glenski... I'm getting my CELTA now, and at first I wanted it to be able to teach in Europe (before I discovered their reputation for EU only citizens), but at this point, since I have no experience in the field, this will help me immensely. It helps to learn to walk before you start running! Smile

I see a lot of people on this message board (I'm not saying this of Sez) who are more interested in diving in and getting hired before they actually know what they are doing. Being a native speaker doesn't prepare you for teaching the language. Ask people on the street what a subjunctive is and they'll probably just scratch their heads. Rolling Eyes

Sunpower · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 256 Location: Taipei, TAIWAN

D.O.S. · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:18 pm Post subject:

It will if I'm IN CHARGE of
the school.

Sez · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 32

Okay, thanks for the feedback everyone.

I have got a TEFL certificate but I was wondering how relevant it would be when applying for jobs in Japan.

Upon looking in the general discussion forum it seems there are mixed views about how useful a TEFL is, whether you need one etc.
I wanted to apply this to a more specific context like Japan. I know someone who wants to teach in Japan and has a degree but no TEFL so I said I'd ask about this here.

Thanks again!

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Sez, whether you need a TEFL cert really depends on the kinds of jobs you are looking for, how serious you are about getting trained in your particular field.

If you want to get TEFL so you can get a bit extra in your pay packet you will be a bit disappointed. Some but not all, eikaiwa language schools will not seek or demand a TEFL qualification becuase 1. What they teach and train you to do in their classroom may be polar opposite to what they teach you in your TEFL course. Some schools do not like 'thinkers' or people who go off and do their own thing or innovate lessons based on their previous training, but on obedient drones who will follow the teaching syllabus. Youd think they would hire teachers with some experience and qualifications and some inkiling of what they are doing but in many places unfortunately that is not the case.

If you have done your stint in the eikaiwa trenches and you want to come and play with the big boys in high schools and colleges, and you are up against teachers with Masters degrees, a TEFL will come in handy.

I would recommend doing a TEFL course for its own sake, the educational value you derive from it, rather than will this get me 'x' salary at 'y' school? Personally I think if they refuse a teacher because you have a TEFL its their loss, not yours, and there are plenty of other schools that will appreciate the effort, diligence and expense you have gone into acquiring it.

Again it depends on the REASONS you want to do a TEFL and what you hope to get out of it: is it for the MONEY you may earn or the EXPERIENCE and KNOWLEDGE you will get from it?