Hello. Today I (25 M) passed the first interview screening stage for an ALT position for a private English school corporation in Japan. However, in order for them to secure my VISA, I have to submit a certificate that verifies I have received at least 12 years of education in English.
Being from Europe, I am not a native English speaker and the only exposure to English through my public school was the English subject we would have every year but I think that barely qualifies as English education. Other than that, I have taken English terminology courses during my university studies (Engineering) and some of the main classes were actually taught in English, but that sums up to 6 years total.
The only realistic way I can provide a certificate of 12 years of English Education is my former English Language school, which is a private institution. They have agreed to write a text for me verifying that I have completed a total of 12 years studying English with them and they will sign and stamp it with all formalities. Do you think that would suffice? Is there any better way to get through that 12-year requirement given my situation? Please I really need help with this one. Any reply would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
5 comments
Not sure if standards have changed, but language school would not count. The 12 year requirement is to limit prospective teachers to a few countries (Canada, US, UK, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Philippines…) Your core subjects have to have been taught in English (ie Math, Science, History) for it to be considered 12 years of English Education.
English education = attending elementary, middle, high school, college etc. where all subjects are taught in English, as one does in an English speaking country (generally) or international school
It’s not 12 years of studying English. It is 12 years of studying ***in*** English, i.e., English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI). You need a certificate/letter from your elementary school, jr. high school, and high school stating that ***all*** (or at least a majority) of your classes were taught in English.
>the English subject we would have every year
This doesn’t count.
> English terminology courses during my university studies
These courses don’t count.
>some of the main classes were actually taught in English
These classes do count.
I’m sorry to say, but I don’t think that you will be able to qualify for the visa.
Unfortunately not.
If you were given and already passed an interview then that means either the company did not clearly state that as a basic requirement or that you didn’t understand what it actually meant.
Anyway. Being an ALT right now probably isn’t the best idea anyway unless you’re already loaded and just wanna use it as a way to get your foot in the door.
If you really wanna both get into and live in Japan and you’ve got a college degree, take some time to learn the language a bit and find something related to your degree. Otherwise learn some other skills that could help you find another job because honestly, based on what you’ve provided, being an ALT isn’t gonna be possible.
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