So I'm hoping Jay will have some input on this, but also that there are maybe more TA's than I think who have done this before. I've got an interview with a company (AEON) to teach in Japan for a year starting this fall, and I'm pretty excited about the possibility - but I guess I'm just looking to get to know the kinds of things that I might be forgetting about that could become major issues.

As for the details, I really don't know specifically where I'd be outside of knowing it would be in Japan. I've wanted to visit Japan for ages, and genuinely think I wouldn't have a problem transplanting myself for a year to somewhere unfamiliar. It's just definitely time to take advantage of my degree and this seems like a prime opportunity - I'd be making as much (if not a bit more) than I would as a first year teacher in the states, better benefits, subsidized rent, and I think it's just the kind of experience I want to have on my resume when I pursue teaching/graduate school further.

So have any of you (beyond Jay) done this? Known someone who did? What did you/they think?



I've really heard nothing but wonderful things from the handful of people I know personally who've done programs in Japan and South Korea (most have stayed beyond - some well beyond - their first year), but I feel like with hearing all these positive stories I've got to be missing out on something.

Any help/info/insights would be much appreciated - just trying to go into the interview prepared.

Also (somewhat related), I've really been trying hard to learn more about the subtleties of Japanese culture (so as to at least avoid some inevitable social faux pas), as well as learn a bit of Japanese (though this is of course proving quite difficult) - anyone have anything "big" they think I should know provided I were both offered and accepted the job?

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last minute disco dot net

those chicks are so fcuking tight

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Short time TA, Long time Guver, Good time giver.

Do you know Japanese?

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No, you don't need to.

Angie, I'm surprised you haven't heard of programs like these before.

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last minute disco dot net

I have, but Ive always thought that it would be a good idea to know how to communicate with the student in his or her language before trying to teach mine. I dont know, maybe youd be teaching people that already know enough to communicate with you?

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I'm moving out to Spain later this year to do a bit of Teaching English as a Foreign language.

The courses I have looked at have all required at least a BA in the language of the country in which you are teaching.

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Ah, I see that AEON is geared more towards improvement and Amity is for the kiddies.

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quote:

Originally posted by RJT Known someone who did? What did you/they think?

got a mate that's been there for about 4 years. he loves it. im totally jealous of all that yellow poon he smashed too. he reckons being over there is like being a celebrity. i say do it, but do it single sorry lucid.

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quote:

Originally posted by Ang ' ela_ie I have, but Ive always thought that it would be a good idea to know how to communicate with the student in his or her language before trying to teach mine. I dont know, maybe youd be teaching people that already know enough to communicate with you?

quote:

Originally posted by ZeJayMan I'm moving out to Spain later this year to do a bit of Teaching English as a Foreign language. The courses I have looked at have all required at least a BA in the language of the country in which you are teaching.

That really doesn't seem to be how it works for just about all of the major independent EFL schools for Asia - at most they require TEFL experience (which I have) and certification of completion of any TEFL professional training (which I also already have).

Conversely, almost all the programs I've seen in Europe require a BA in the language in the country where you will be heading to speak.

I don't know what makes it different, but I do know TEFL is huge business in Asia, and that the demand for teachers is much higher than the supply. Take that however you like.

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last minute disco dot net

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN got a mate that's been there for about 4 years. he loves it. im totally jealous of all that yellow poon he smashed too. he reckons being over there is like being a celebrity. i say do it, but do it single sorry lucid.

Not really how I'm looking to go about it, nor am I particularly attracted to Asian women in the first place

Myra has actually been pretty encouraging about me pursuing graduate school and/or work wherever is going to make me happy, and I really can't even begin to express how grateful I am for that.

quote:

Originally posted by Ang ' ela_ie Ah, I see that AEON is geared more towards improvement and Amity is for the kiddies.

I would be working for Amity (insert pedo-joke here)

If you want a better idea at how bog-standard the whole TEFL thing is for Asia, check out http://www.teachabroad.com and search for any Asian country.

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last minute disco dot net

Go for it man. Get Djing at a big club in Tokyo or something.


All the European courses seem to have the BA requirement, but I think that's just to stop jokers going over to a country and taking advantage of the subsidised living.

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quote:

Originally posted by RJT nor am I particularly attracted to Asian women in the first place

fucking weirdo

lira, ban this fuck already.

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