Job Discussion Forums

[sideways_gun]

Hi everyone~ I'm off to Tokyo in 2 weeks and, even though I have my teaching experience to demonstrate and talk about (all private, I have never worked for a language school), I am wondering if the proof is in the paper, no matter how flimsy it might be.

It has been said that any scrap of paper is a step above having none for basic conversation school posts. However, on that same coin, NOT having it may indeed put one in the exact same position as they would both be well below the industry standard of 100-120hrs with at least 6hours observed teaching practicum.

Would any of you actually recommend me going on a weekend course just so that I have a certificate and some kind of reference letter from the resident tutor? Will it help my job applications any? Or should I keep the �200 in my piggy bank (that's about a good �26,000 right now)?

A friend once recommended I do it but she has since left for spicier pastures (Seoul) and never had to show her certificate to her employer anyway.

Thank you for your advice~

[sideways_gun]

I could even do the weekend course in Tokyo to pass the time hahaha Though it seems from other boards that there are still fresh grads gaining employment with zero experience so perhaps it is not useful to have 20hrs of lounging in a hotel under my belt XD

[mozzar]

Suppose it comes down to whether you want to be a teacher or not. If you wanted to take the first steps to being a teacher you'd do an industry standard (120 hours, 6 observed) course. If you wanted to pretend that you wanted to be a teacher you'd do a 20 hour course. If you didn't even want to pretend you'd do nothing.

[sideways_gun]

[Glenski]

If you want to be a proper teacher, get the right degree, certification, and training.

If you want to just come here and test the waters, realize that it is not like it was 5 or more years ago and certainly not like in the heyday of the 90s. With competition as steep as it is today, you need to stand out even for entry level applications.

My "dirty dozen" list of things for a newcomer to consider. The list even applies to vets.

1. Some sort of certificate will help. The better the cert, of course, the better your qualifications will look. But something may be better than nothing.
2. Having some level of Japanese fluency will put employers at ease in terms of your daily survival (reducing the burden on them to babysit you).
3. Experience teaching a language in any fashion will be looked upon favorably, even private lessons in your home in Kentucky or Devonshire.
4. Having learned a foreign language to some degree will suggest that you know something about what your students are going to face.
5. Publishing on the topic may even help, depending what you publish and where.
6. Attend EFL/ESL meetings/conferences if possible. Sniff around and see if you can make a contact who gets your foot in the door.
7. Know the market as best as you can. No sense in applying for places you have zero chance of success with.
8. Make a decent resume. This has been discussed at extreme length on this and other forums.
9. Customize your cover letter to every employer. Make it a good letter, too. I've seen scores, and every one needed fixing up.
10. For the most part, apply only to places that are advertising. If you are physically here, cold calling might not be a bad idea, but overall I'd say skip it. Certainly skip it if you aren't even here.
11. Study how to make a good demonstration lesson. Realize that you may be asked to prepare something for 5 or 15 minutes, but they will judge you very early in the process. A lot will depends on your personal chemistry and personality, not just the structure of the lesson.
12. Keep asking questions here.

[sideways_gun]

[gwynnie86]

In response to your original question...

I'd say the 20 hour TEFL course is better than nothing. I did it, and I had a great deal of fun, learnt a lot in 2 days and met a lot of inspirational people. If you can afford to spend the money on it, do it. You can always do a 120 hour one or CELTA etc later, when you can afford it.

[OneJoelFifty]

Go on the course before you leave, and it should only be about 120 quid. I agree with what Gwynnie said. I doubt you'd bother taking a course once over here and employed.

[the4th2001]

[sideways_gun]

[sideways_gun]

[the4th2001]