TOEFL? TEFL? TESL?

[akatsuka]

I really enjoyed English Teaching when I was there (you can groan...) and Id really like to do it again if I can get the Working Holiday Visa again.
(Other Visas are out of the question)
(oh, and see my other post here)

However, to increase my chances of getting a good job, Id like to take a TOEFL, TESL or TEFL course, only... is there a difference and which is more highly regarded in Japan?? Would any help?

Thanks

[akatsuka]

Ok, ive been away getting a degree in design & a Trinity Cert TEFL under my belt and saving some money & i'm looking to go to Japan next year sometime. I am a designer but i figure in order to get any design contracts first i need to be in japan... and to be in japan for any amount of time I'm going to need a visa and a job. so teaching sounds good.

I was wondering how many hours I can expect to work as a teacher in workaholic Japan? I recently finished an internship at a Japanese design company which brought to light the extreme working hours of designers in Japan... Start at 10am, finish at 2am. Whats it like working full time as a teacher? (I worked part time at a juku before)

Why I'm asking is... would I have much 'free' time to do any freelance design work/networking etc? Are the hours for english teachers reliable?

I know its Japan & every company/teacher is different... just a idea would be good.

thanks

[Behan]

I am curious about TEFL courses, too, so I would like to know whatever you find out.

TOEFL is not a program or for teachers. It's a test for people who aren't native English speakers and want to go to a North American university. But there might be programs that train you to teach people this.

Anyway, good luck. (And to me, too.):p

[pheyton]

I got my TEFL cert. while in Japan from some company in the UK. I think the company was called I to I . It was helpful when I went to apply for a job. That was 6 years ago though. Not sure how helpful it would be now.

As far as your design career goes, do you have a portfolio? I work for a Japanese company here in the US and we have an office in Tokyo. We do high end office furniture and hospitality furniture. I can't help you with a position, but I might be able to introduce you to some people who can introduce you to some people etc. You gotta start networking now. I'm sure some people on this board know someone in a design related firm as well.

Best of luck to you.

[kusai Jijii]

I really enjoyed English Teaching when I was there (you can groan...)

[Iraira]

I work for a Japanese company here in the US and we have an office in Tokyo. We do high end office furniture and hospitality furniture.

You guys got any couches that fold out into a tacky heart-shaped bed when I snap my fingers? Kind of a clapper-style ero-nomic/ergo-nomic couch/bed emsemble.

I'll also need at least a 18" diameter disco ball with that.

[akatsuka]

As far as your design career goes, do you have a portfolio? I work for a Japanese company here in the US and we have an office in Tokyo. We do high end office furniture and hospitality furniture. I can't help you with a position, but I might be able to introduce you to some people who can introduce you to some people etc. You gotta start networking now. I'm sure some people on this board know someone in a design related firm as well.

Thanks Pheyton. I've got a portfolio website, feel free to take a look & give me any pointers! Its : http://wakuwaku.wordpress.com/ I was working in a design company in Japan in the summer and tried to make contacts there, but I'm finding it hard to get my foot in the door... any help or tips would be loved!

Behan, I took a Trinity Certs TEFL course at St Giles College, London. Its recognised worldwide & I found the course really helpful. There should be a school near you with a similar course?
I taught in Japan before but I was self teaching myself how to teach as I went along (the training from the Japanese school was: "You're English! Its easy!") so I really recommend doing a TEFL for knowledge... God knows if will actually help me get a job though...! I'll let you know! Good luck

[Tengu Kid]

Thanks Pheyton. I've got a portfolio website, feel free to take a look & give me any pointers! Its : http://wakuwaku.wordpress.com/ I was working in a design company in Japan in the summer and tried to make contacts there, but I'm finding it hard to get my foot in the door... any help or tips would be loved!

Behan, I took a Trinity Certs TEFL course at St Giles College, London. Its recognised worldwide & I found the course really helpful. There should be a school near you with a similar course?
I taught in Japan before but I was self teaching myself how to teach as I went along (the training from the Japanese school was: "You're English! Its easy!") so I really recommend doing a TEFL for knowledge... God knows if will actually help me get a job though...! I'll let you know! Good luck

Hey good luck with it all mate, you`re trying hard!
I did the TOEFL course in leeds six years ago as I imagined it would be good stuff for job interviews. When I took the interview for the company I ended up working for for five years I said `I am a qualified TOEFL teacher`. The owner replied `we dont like arrogance`.
Brilliant.

[akatsuka]

Hey good luck with it all mate, you`re trying hard!
I did the TOEFL course in leeds six years ago as I imagined it would be good stuff for job interviews. When I took the interview for the company I ended up working for for five years I said `I am a qualified TOEFL teacher`. The owner replied `we dont like arrogance`.
Brilliant.

haha, thanks

[kusai Jijii]

`I am a qualified TOEFL teacher`. The owner replied `we dont like arrogance`.
Brilliant.

Reminds me of a wanker who was in charge of hiring at a particular university who let it slip that he never considers any applications from people with PhDs. He justified this by saying that such people dont know how to teach. Of course, he didnt have a PhD.

[osopolar]

I got my TEFL cert. while in Japan from some company in the UK. I think the company was called I to I . It was helpful when I went to apply for a job. That was 6 years ago though. Not sure how helpful it would be now.

I'm hoping this thread hasn't turned belly up.

I've been reading into TEFL/TESL/ and all other acronyms related to English teaching in Japan in the past 10 hours or so. Does anyone have any fresh info on TEFL, or recommend a specific place to get cert.? (in Japan).