Can You Speak Japanese

SPEAK promotes the emergence of communities where locals and newcomers meet to share their culture and develop meaningful bonds by providing a web platform for individuals to facilitate informal language learning environments and community events. From this simple service, SPEAK is fostering the creation of spaces where newcomers have the opportunity to share the value they bring and develop meaningful relationships with locals as equals, not feeling they are disempowered receivers as in most integration initiatives. The informal environment and methodology used allow participants to learn with each other, while at the same time breaking barriers and creating meaningful relationships, creating a multicultural community where cultural heritage is cherished. This network has created...  [Read more]

Hoàng Minh Huy Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In recent years, the number of people learning English has significantly increased due to its importance. It offers various benefits, such as career opportunities, financial stability, and studying abroad. English comprises four essential skills, with speaking being a crucial step in mastering any language. This article outlines strategies to speak English fluently like a native.Table of Contents Leveraging Technological Advancements Engaging with Native Speakers Immersing in an English-Speaking Environment Conclusion: Diverse Paths to English Mastery Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! First and foremost, technology's rapid...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Having been an English teacher of high school students in Japan for the past 2 years, I have noticed that motivation in the classroom is as much dependent on the students as it is on me as the teacher. There are three aspects that I have identified and used in my environment to get the student motivated and engaged. The Japanese culture is largely conservative and group orientated and those are crucial to take into account if one is to succeed in their teaching career in Japan. The following plays a big role in setting a tone whereby students are motivated and engaged. Those aspects are culture, societal pressure, and peer pressure.Table of Contents Culture Societal perception Peer pressure Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In the four skills, speaking is usually the poorest for the students learning English as L2. This results from lack of speaking practice, thus, students tend to be reluctantly speaking English in class as well as after class. It is important for teachers to encourage and motivate them to speak English, especially in class. Based on some knowledge gained through this course and my experience as a teacher, I have tried to build a language speaking environment, adopt many ways and encourage students to open their mouths to speak and they made a lot of progress in speaking English. The ideas below are mostly for pre-intermediate students and as for young learners, one can adopt different methods to make them speak.Table of Contents Environment is essential...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Throughout high school and college, I mainly focused on learning how to speak Japanese as my second language. Unlike English, Japanese is a fairly phonetic language. Two of its three writing systems, hiragana and katakana, are phonetic. This makes it easy for foreigners to learn because each syllable, also known as sound clusters in some circles, is almost always said exactly how it is spelled. The third writing system, kanji, is not and, as such, is much more difficult for foreigners to learn because kanji are essentially pictures that describe their meaning. They are much more difficult to learn and use in everyday speech.Table of Contents Differences in Syllable Pronunciation Consonant Clusters Sound /L/ Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a...  [Read more]

Date posted:2009-03-10 | Writer: Active English School | Email: [email protected] Active English School in Shiojiri city, Nagano prefecture, Japan is looking for an energetic, versatile, and professional native English teacher to begin working in April, 2009. Our school is small, friendly and family-owned. Students range from 4 to 73 years of age. Working with us is a great opportunity to get to know students on a personal level and participate in cultural exchange. Nagano prefecture is centrally located with great access to hiking, skiing or snowboarding, and hot springs. Shiojiri is a small, quiet city about 20minutes from Matsumoto and 2 1/2 hours from Tokyo and Kyoto by train. Salary is 260.000 yen per month. Bachelor's degree and international driver's license...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Expressing ourselves in a language that it is not our native language could be for most students frustrating and intimidating, especially when they are in a room full of people and there is a fear to be judged by peers and their teacher who is carefully listening to them; these feelings are the ones that stress out and hold down students, preventing them from participating in class, and as a consequence they do not practice and learn English efficiently. There could be many reasons for students to stress in the classroom, some students may simply be shy, some may be afraid to make mistakes and others may just lack English knowledge and vocabulary to express their ideas.Table of Contents Ways to relief stressful situations 1. Motivate 2. Build self-esteem...  [Read more]

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Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas To keep the Activate Stage more fun and lively, offer your students one of these cool speaking activities. They will definitely enjoy the conversation and get creative with the tasks. Remember that any of these exercises can be easily used online.Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: 1. Teacher For a Day 2. Describe a Picture 3. Redo Your Talk 4. TripAdvisor 5. Communal Story Do you want to teach English abroad or online? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Students share their ideas on how to make class more interesting and engaging. Let them discuss an ideal day in your ESL class and then propose their ideas to you. Give each student an unusual photograph...  [Read more]

  So, we'll focus first of all on a speaking skills lesson and perhaps a starting point for this would be to ask a question which is: Why do we speak to each other? The reason that it's important to ask ourselves this question is that whatever answers there are to this should be present in our lessons. So, why do we speak to each other? Well, there are a multitude of answers to that but when you boil them all down to their essence, they probably actually come down to one or two things. We communicate to each other by speaking because of either a need. We need something. We want something or a desire to achieve something. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into...  [Read more]

To teach English effectively without speaking the student's language, focus on using methods and techniques that promote language learning through immersion and communication. Here are some key strategies to consider: Yes, you can effectively teach English to non-native speakers without knowing their language. Teaching English to speakers of other languages, also known as TESOL or TEFL, is a specialized skill that focuses on using English as the medium of instruction. Here are some reasons why knowing the students' language is not a requirement for effective English language teaching: Understanding of language learning principles: TEFL/TESOL training equips teachers with knowledge of language learning theories, teaching methodologies, and classroom management techniques that are applicable...  [Read more]

SOURCE: www . businessinsider . com/japanese-customs-that-are-shocking-to-foreigners-2015-7?utm_content=buffer4f24d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook . com&utm_campaign=buffer Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Japan is a country continuously changing at a rapid pace largely due to globalization and marketing. With its growing popularity and necessity, difficulties are sure to arise for people learning English and specifically, in Japan. To fully understand all the problems learners face in Japan, it is important to realize why English is so widely being studied in the first place. Firstly, students must study English for 6 years throughout primary and high school. As well as being part of the Japanese schooling system, the advantages of being able to speak English are endless. The benefits of finding a job or being able to communicate whilst abroad are common motives. However in Japan specifically, more so than western countries, the education and pressure put...  [Read more]

Date posted:2022-12-04 | Writer: Active English School | Email: [email protected] Active English School in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan is looking for an energetic, versatile and professional native English teacher to begin working in the beginning of February or April, 2023. Position available:- Conversation Teachers at the private English schoolOur school is small, friendly and family-owned.Students range from 2 to 70 years of age.  Working with us is a great opportunity to get to know students on a personal level and participate in cultural exchange.Nagano prefecture is centrally located with great access to hiking, skiing or snowboarding, and hot springs.  Shiojiri is a small, quiet city about 20 minutes from Matsumoto and 2.5 hours from Tokyo and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English is causing many problems in Asian countries which can be seen just by the high demand for English teachers - including ESL teachers. One of the countries is Japan, a country with a good economy and a society well known for their kindness and politeness, but unfortunately also for the low number of English speakers. There are many reasons why English is likely to pose problems in Japan but there are many possibilities to improve the English lessons to offer lessons that help Japanese students to achieve a higher English level.Table of Contents 1. English is only written during lessons (Student Talk time is too low) 2. Students are not asked to express their thoughts in words (Spoken and written) 3. The contact to English speakers is not common...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In the wake of the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Japan, there has been an increase in elementary school level English classes. As an assistant language teacher half into my fourth year, I have had the rare chance to work the entirety of my time in one elementary school where I have had many great memories. However, being present every day I began to notice that some students were struggling or in some cases, not even trying when it came to English class. Talking with my peers and colleagues from other elementary schools as well as my own, there are some common problems that many students seem to experience in an English class. These problems include learning in a counter-productive environment, inconsistent exposure to the language, and a lack of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas According to a study by scholars and experts in the field of linguistics, more specifically in the article of Riney & Anderson-Hsieh from International Christian University, the native language (L1) is a good predictor of pronunciation accuracy in English as researched by Suter in 1976. In the same article, it was mentioned that a subsequent study by Purcell and Suter in 1980, found that non-native speakers who are most likely to pronounce English (L2) poorly, fit the profile in Japanese ESL students.Table of Contents 1. /L/ and /R/ sound 2. /ng/ sound 3. /th/ Fricatives Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Cherryl T. Please note that this blog post...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Learning a second language can be difficult and depending on the learner's mother tongue, it can present challenges unique to a certain group of people. More specifically, there are several unique challenges for Japanese native speakers who are learning English and vice versa. English can be difficult for Japanese native speakers for various reasons such as difficulty distinguishing certain sounds, the use of katakana to teach English words, and drastically different sentence structure.Table of Contents Difficult Sounds Vocabulary Typical to Japanese Only Sentence Structure Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Justin W. Please note that this blog post might not...  [Read more]

One of the most effective ways to encourage students to speak confidently in English is by creating a supportive and inclusive classroom environment. This can be achieved by fostering a sense of community where students feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment. Encourage open communication, active listening, and mutual respect among students. Additionally, use positive reinforcement to acknowledge and praise students' efforts in speaking English, regardless of their proficiency level. By creating a safe space for language practice, students will feel more confident to engage in conversations and express their thoughts. Engaging activities play a crucial role in boosting students' confidence in speaking English. Incorporate interactive and communicative tasks that...  [Read more]

1. Benefits of Teaching English in a Country Where You Do Not Speak the Language 2. Challenges of Teaching English in a Country Where You Do Not Speak the Language Teaching English in a country where you do not speak the language can be a rewarding and enriching experience. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in the local culture, learn a new language, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that your students face when learning English as a foreign language. Additionally, it can help you develop your communication skills, adaptability, and cultural awareness. Challenges of Teaching English in a Country Where You Do Not Speak the Language While teaching English in a country where you do not speak the language can be a valuable experience, it also comes with its...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I think teaching is very rewarding, but teaching children are even more rewarding.Table of Contents Cultural Sensitivity Teaching Children and Adults Lesson Planning Teaching Pronunciation Challenges of Teaching Youngsters Teaching Teenagers and Adults Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: I don't think there's anything more beautiful in being able to be part of a child's growth by following the development of his mind and his abilities. The fact that our students are young do n' t mean at all that the teacher should underestimate or overlook something, rather it is one more reason to give the best of yourself. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Desiree I. Please note that this blog post...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences My experience in teaching English to young learners is based in Japan. At the start of my time teaching, my student group consisted of two children of the same family. The siblings are a boy, age five, and a girl, age three, who participate equally in the English conversation sessions. Three main factors of this situation present difficult walls, preventing forward progress. Those three factors are distracting objects, counter-productive classroom philosophies, and personality conflicts.Table of Contents Lesson Duration Considering the Age Parents' Expectations Classroom Communication Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Brandon F. Please note that...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English is called the global language because it is used as an official language throughout the world. People from different countries and cultures, who speak various languages, communicate with each other using English. It is the first language in use in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and New Zealand. English is the official language of the United Nations and is used to communicate with leaders of different cultures and nationalities.Table of Contents Reasons for English Global Status Convenience Online Communication Business and Career Tourism Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jim M. Please note that this blog...  [Read more]

Teaching English in a country where you do not speak the local language is indeed possible and quite common. It is essential to understand the local context, including the English proficiency level of your students, the cultural norms, and the educational system. Many schools and language centers in non-English-speaking countries hire English teachers specifically for their language expertise, regardless of their proficiency in the local language. Therefore, it is crucial to be adaptable, open-minded, and willing to learn about the local culture to be successful in this endeavor. One effective approach when teaching English in a foreign country where you do not speak the local language is to use English-only teaching methods. This immersive technique forces both you and your students to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Many challenges come with teaching English in Japan that is unique and not innately obvious to some people. In addition to the more universal challenges of learning a new language, there are inherent cultural obstacles that English learners must overcome in Japan as well as several problems with the current course of study that is being taught. However, English teachers should do their best to work within the limits of the system to foster an interest and passion for language that lives on outside the classroom and beyond the school years of learners.Table of Contents Vastly different language system The history of Japanese isolation Japanese Olympics and the 2020 English curriculum changes Giving Japanese learners of English the tools to succeed Do...  [Read more]

Teaching English in a country where you do not speak the local language can present challenges, but it is definitely possible with the right strategies in place. While knowing the local language can be helpful, it is not a requirement for teaching English as a foreign language. Many TEFL teachers successfully navigate this obstacle by relying on other communication tools and methods to effectively teach English to their students. One key strategy for teaching English in a non-English speaking country is to immerse yourself in the language learning process alongside your students. By demonstrating a willingness to learn and make mistakes, you create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Additionally, utilizing visual aids, gestures, and real-life examples can help bridge the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I work in two schools. I am an assistant language teacher at one commercial (low-level English) high school, and an integrated (high-level English) academic junior high and high school. I have had experiences with different kinds of students, Japanese-English teachers, and classroom atmospheres. In Japan, students take an entrance exam to get into high school. If they scored low on the entrance exam, then they are placed in the lowest ranking class. Each school has a certain number of classrooms for each grade. Both of my high schools have six classes total for each grade. There are usually around forty to forty-two students in each class as well. Teaching forty plus students in a crowded classroom is difficult. And unlike many stereotypes of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences During my stay in Japan, Japanese people often told me how they can't communicate in English despite studying the language for six or more years in school. In Japan, students in junior and senior high learn English grammar and vocabulary in compulsory formal English classes. English is also taught in elementary school as foreign language activities. Yet despite spending several hours in English classes, many Japanese people graduate high school with poor English communication skills.Table of Contents Education system Class culture Learning goals Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rachel M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I have been teaching in Japan for over 12 years in three different locations ranging from the southernmost part of Hokkaido to the southern island of Kyushu, where I presently reside. The youngest students I have had were children not even two years of age, whereas my older students were in their seventies. This is a very common situation for those who teach here in Japan; a country where the English boom occurred not too long after they rebuilt their nation following the Second World War.Table of Contents Interest Popular Culture Influence Pronunciation Difficulties Language Systems Confidence Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Andrew W. Please note that...  [Read more]