conversational english teaching in japan

[kamome]

Expect fairly good pay, but lots of frustration. Some of the schools here have been accused of shady practices when it comes to paying their teachers. And of course, many in the gaijin crowd attach a stigma to English teachers. Nevertheless, it is a fun experience. Your level of fun correlates with the amount of Japanese you know.

[devicenull]

mainly, I am curious about requirements, I cant seem to find them anywhere, but my teacher keeps saying we dont need any...this is just odd. I am a Computer Engineering student who needs money, fun, and a year away from this hell.... this seems to meet all three.

[hanabi]

I believe you need a four year degree to get a work visa (but don't quote me). Other than that, most conversation schools don't seem to have much in the way of "requirements."

You might be better off researching via one of the teaching sites, like Dave's ESL Cafe.

[American Oyaji]

You need any sort of degree for sponsorship.
They dont care what kind. They check your level of English during an interview.

I didnt have a degree, yet I taught at NOVA. I had an interview and I had experience teaching english a little.

NOVA is a good gig if you can get to a small town that has a lot to do in the surrounding area. That way most of your salary isnt going to rent.

Make sure you get your own digs as soon as possible because sponsored digs are a RIP. sure there's a TV and furnishings, but more money could be goin in your pocket.

[kamome]

Your level of fun correlates with the amount of Japanese you know.

Inversely?

For some, yes. For others, directly.

[den4]

If you want to get into a legit organization, one with steady pay and possible sponsorship, then the degree is necessary to get the right work visa....work visas have become easier now, compared to when I was working there, from the info I have gotten from reliable sources over there.....
As far as what to expect? If all things have remained relatively the same, then expect them to expect from you a magic bullet/potion/solution to give them instant english speaking ability....the ones that are really interested will be more proactive and try to speak more in class... And there are those that are on the opposite end of the spectrum, who will either clam up (become stone, as the J-folks will say), or in the extreme situations, start rolling their eyes up into their skulls in nervous reactions for having to converse with a gaijin sensei....the latter I have only experienced once, and it was rather unnerving, let me tell you.....
On average, if you're not teaching OLs(Office Ladies), or Salarymen (businessmen or women), then your students will vary quite a bit....
If you are teaching business types, which was my job, then you may be asked to help them with greetings when they go overseas, or find out what they should expect when they meet the scary gaijin at a biz meeting, or, depending upon your level of japanese knowledge, help them translate stuff from japanese into english...

You are expected to be a neo entertainer/teacher/coach/advisor and all around savior for any situation that will come around when they need to use English, but many will not improve in the skill level, unless you are the really motivated type....

Then, of course, you could get a really great class where all your students are just eager to learn and speak without fear of making mistakes, and then you may have a great time....just beware of the zombie classes, where any warm body is fine as long as the company thinks the students are learning something....even if it is to have a solid handshake...

just some ideas of what you may encounter....also it's good to have maps and photos of your home town, just in case all conversations die down for no explainable reasons......

den4

[devicenull]

well, silly me has gone and changed majors and schools. I am now a Linguistics major and will soon be attending a school that will get me to japan for a year or more in the next two years. I am rather happy. That will take care of the degree . Ideally I would like to work with older, less annoying kids and adults. But I still have 3 years ahead of me to sort fun things like that out.