I have been studying Japanese for the last 6 years, spent 3 months in Japan in 2019. I love the country and the language. So I would like to live there for a while. I am a dual French-American citizen. So I’m thinking I could apply for both French as a second language, or English as a second language, teaching positions.
On the French side, it seems quite fool proof because it is a non-profit system. I would get a DUFLE (Diplôme Universitaire Français Langue Étrangère). But I am not sure how well recognized this qualification is in Japan.
On the English side, it seems like a TEFL would help. But there are many institutions, mostly for-profit, with widely different prices and courses. So I am a bit lost. Do you know a way to find reputable institutions? Also, is it worth the price to pay for an on-site (in Japan) course? Of course, I would love to get to be in Japan asap, but with covid I don’t know how complicated it will get. Plus, the cost.
I am taking the JLPT N1 this December, hoping it will give some weight to my applications… if I pass! Wish me luck ! Thx
6 comments
A TEFL won’t help much if you want a career in teaching….. in Japan. There are really only two paths for career teachers here, uni and accredited international schools. They have different overall requirements but both 100% require a masters degree at minimum. Subject doesn’t matter, that is the base requirement. From there you are talking about publishing papers or getting a teaching license from a nation with an Embassy endorsed international school.
Hi. If you take a second to read through this subreddit you’ll find this question is answered quite often. Have a good one.
If you’re already have N2 don’t do teaching. Do something else. For your own sanity
There are so many international schools, certified and not, that use French teachers. the previous school I worked at did, and the French teacher also taught English. my current school is an IB school with IGCSE as well, and they have a French teacher. I also always see positions for French teachers. so, try to focus on that instead of a TEFL.
>Do you know a way to find reputable institutions?
*This* is your question? Sigh. I’ll throw you a bone.
Find a university, international school, or private school. Apply there. You won’t be working in a public K-12 school as the lead teacher without *a lot* more qualifications than what you’ve mentioned in your post, and any dispatch company and eikaiwa will rip you off and cheat you out of your health insurance or pension or transportation costs or *something*.
Please take a second to browse this sub. None of the replies you’re getting here contain any new information.
TeachingRecord is a free TEFL program.
Also, I’m hiring for an ALT company. Feel free to DM to chat more about it,