KanjiCrosser Wrote:Just out of curiosity, what are some examples of these smaller targets to aim for? Some targets that I have made toward reaching the goal of English teaching include getting my B.A., attaining Japanese fluency (possibly taking JLPT), and intensively honing my English grammar skills. Is there any more that I can do in preparation aside from traveling to Japan? (as I do not currently have the funds).

Actually I was thinking more about targets you'll need to set yourself once you get to japan in terms of language learning and building up sufficient experience on your resume to give you a chance of moving on from English teaching. In terms of actually getting an english teaching job, the things you've listed will help, but none of them are essential or even that important (well actually the B.A. is pretty much essential). How you come across in an interview will be just as important. If English teaching is just a stepping stone to something else which you plan to do for a couple of years, then it's not really worth wasting your time on trying to become a better teacher as it probably won't really lead to any benefits apart from making your job slightly more enjoyable. Instead focus completely on what it is you need to do to get your next job.

While I was working as an ALT I made an effort to at least do my job properly, but I didn't waste any time trying to improve my english teaching skills by doing courses or anything like that because I knew that it was never going to be a career for me.

If you think you're going to need to be teaching long-term then as vix suggested, you are better off trying to get some real experience or qualifications before heading to Japan, as it's a lot easier to do while you are at home rather than once you are in Japan.

vix86 Wrote:You'll have more leeway in the Elementary Schools to do actual teaching, but that is kids and the 'teaching' tends to border on "Let's play games!!"

You'd be surprised at how effective learning through playing games can be....

Xanpakuto Wrote:Anyone know anything about engineering jobs in Japan for foreigners?

Jobs "for foreigners" (apart from English teaching, etc.) don't really exist, it's always a matter of what skills you provide and your ability to communicate in the workplace.

ktcgx Wrote:You'd be surprised at how effective learning through playing games can be....

I don't mean to demean the technique of teaching through games. I've just heard other teachers talk about how the homeroom teachers were like "Can't you just play a few more games instead of using the board?" There are many homeroom teachers that see no value in teaching English. The teachers that can actually run a class and teach material while making the whole process seem like a game, are some of the best. But it really depends on the class and it takes experience to pull off. In my experience, games, or the illusion of a game, ARE the best methods for teaching.

I just have a thorn in my side because of the fact that whole Elementary period, 6 years, is nothing but speech. No reading or writing ANYWHERE, and some places will chew you out for putting writing on the board.

vix86 Wrote:

ktcgx Wrote:You'd be surprised at how effective learning through playing games can be....

I don't mean to demean the technique of teaching through games. I've just heard other teachers talk about how the homeroom teachers were like "Can't you just play a few more games instead of using the board?" There are many homeroom teachers that see no value in teaching English. The teachers that can actually run a class and teach material while making the whole process seem like a game, are some of the best. But it really depends on the class and it takes experience to pull off. In my experience, games, or the illusion of a game, ARE the best methods for teaching.

I just have a thorn in my side because of the fact that whole Elementary period, 6 years, is nothing but speech. No reading or writing ANYWHERE, and some places will chew you out for putting writing on the board.

I've not been chewed out so far for writing on the board, hurrah^^ I guess I'll let you know in a week if the BoE has told me off for introducing phonics this year...

If they're insisting on "just play another game", there are quite a few out there you could use. If you're not allowed to write on the board/ the kids can't read anyway, put your target English question or answer into a beat and it helps the kids remember it much better...

ktcgx Wrote:If they're insisting on "just play another game", there are quite a few out there you could use. If you're not allowed to write on the board/ the kids can't read anyway, put your target English question or answer into a beat and it helps the kids remember it much better...

The point isn't that you need to write on the board, the point is that reading/writing are such a crucial part of the language, and to have MEXT sitting there going "Nope. We'll make them learn it like you are suppose to learn a language. Speaking first and then letters." That mentallity is ridiculous and it only hurts the kids because they get to JHS and have to learn to read and write in 2 weeks.

Just put them in front of some English translated VNs to play. 8-)

vix86 Wrote:To get the job and make it to Japan:
>> Passport
>> 1-way plane ticket
>> About 2000USD - 5000USD

A small number of companies might be willing to advance you a loan to cover set up costs. Most of that money is for setting up an apartment here which can be very pricey. Plus some furnishings and waiting till you get your first pay check.

This is the one part that I was most curious about.

Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions. I still have a good 2 years until I get my B.A., so I don't need to worry too much about preparing quite yet, but it doesn't hurt to receive some knowledgeable advice beforehand on both the job and living in Japan.

I will definitely make my long-term goal my top priority instead of learning things related to teaching, seeing how the requirements for the entry-level teaching jobs are minimal. And, of course, I'm going to be working on my Japanese on the side as well, so as to not seem like a complete 外国人.