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Question # 6. Where can I get ESL training to teach in Japan?

by BBelew57 on April 17th, 2007

Question # 6. Where can I get training?

The endless possibilities for ESL training can be found by doing a search on any major search engine. Pick one.

What most schools in Japan want, however, is someone who looks like a foreigner and has English as a native language. The general wisdom is that a person who has four years of college knows what worked and didn't work for them, so they will know how to teach.

It's not true. Some very educated people have no clue how to teach.

Some people who have learned how to teach ESL have no clue how to teach as well.

I sat in a group interview with a man who had a Master's in ESL right after they came out. I had 5 some years experience. Education vs. experience. He knew/spoke Japanese as did I.

It came down to education vs experience for the 10 classes that were being offered.

We were given 5 classes each. OUr charges were classrooms full of students, 40+ boys, and to teach them conversation.

About six weeks into the 15 week semester there was a powwow. The Master said bluntly "It can't be done. You cannot teach 40+ students English conversation."

My take, "It is not the best of situations but I CAN teach them something. I'll stay with it."

He quit.

I was given his classes and his curriculum to finish out the quarter along with my own.

I went on to teach those classes for about 10 years. I then turned them over to another teacher in my school.

My point - I will hire a person with a can do attitude, who shows up to teach EVERYTIME over the person who appears 'qualified.'

In short, I can teach a good person how to teach English, but I cannot always teach an English teacher how to be a good person.

English language schools in Japan prefer good people.

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POSTED IN: ESL