How To Ask Do You Speak English In Japanese

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Common Problems Japanese Learners of English Experience Japan is an island nation and is a recognized homogenous society with a very small percentage of foreign permanent residence and more than half of the adult population lacks the necessary skills to speak English proficiently. Because of this, English as a Second Language is in high demand with young learners being a focus group in Japan. English is taught in the school environment during nearly all of a child's primary education years, but this, unfortunately, doesn't translate to a proficient English-speaking Japanese population. Table of Contents Global Opportunities Differences in Language Structure Cultural Challenges Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!...  [Read more]

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences There Is No L (And Other Differences Between Japanese and English) 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...  [Read more]

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Establishing Rapport in Rural Japan I first decided to take this TEFL course because I am currently teaching English in rural Japan. I plan and execute English lessons for Junior High School students, as well as serve as a cultural representative of my country and foster cultural exchange. Here's the catch though - I don't speak Japanese. Table of Contents Setting up good relationships Beginning of the study Inspiring students Rewarding system Role model English only Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Gwendolen J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Setting up good...  [Read more]

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Why Is English Challenging to Learn for Japanese Students? Japanese are known for being disciplined, dedicated, and hardworking individuals not only in their work but also in other aspects of their life like hobbies and studies. But why is it difficult for them to learn English despite their strong dedication, patience, efforts, and determination? Table of Contents My Teaching Experience But still, the Japanese cannot speak English, why is that? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Princess D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. My Teaching Experience I've been teaching English...  [Read more]

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 Asia Ridley TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Contributing to the Classroom as an ALT in Japan English education in Japan has been prominent for decades and starts in elementary schools. It is in high demand as the relationship between the U.S. and Japan as well as the abundant amount of tourism. Last year straight after graduating from university in the United States, I moved to Japan and began teaching English. I was fortunate to pass the interviews and become part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme {JET}. Being an assistant language teacher {ALT} in the Japanese education system versus a conversation school has its differences. Therefore I will be diving into how one can contribute to the classroom as an ALT. Table of Contents Japanese Elementary...  [Read more]

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences From Student to Teacher - My Language Journey It was the last day of Japanese class and my teacher's last day of teaching at our school. We were all standing up getting ready to bow him one last time. It was dead quiet but I could still hear sniffles around me and felt the sadness of the moment. I never thought I would care so much about a teacher leaving. To this day, the words and wisdom my Japanese teacher taught me still ring in my head. Flash forward to a few years ago, I went to Japan for the first time, after a hiatus of not studying Japanese, but amazingly I still had all the skills my teacher had taught me in high school. How did this person have such an impact on me? The answer I have come to realize is that because he truly...  [Read more]

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Can Teachers Develop the Productive Skills of Japanese Junior High School Students Change is coming to the way that English is taught in Japanese public schools. The changes to the curriculum by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) increase the teaching of English at all levels of schooling. The goal of this change is, in the words of Ikuko Tsuboya-Newel, founder and chair of Tokyo International School, "The government has decided that beginning in 2020 all high school graduates must achieve a level of English equivalent to B1" ("Why do Japanese have trouble learning English?", The Japan Times, October 29, 2017). To achieve that goal, high school entrance exams are expected to include more...  [Read more]

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences What is Challenging in English Pronunciation for Japanese Native Speakers? What's the most difficult part of learning a new language? Is it writing? Perhaps it's the reading or memorizing new vocabulary? Well for some it's speaking the new language, specifically when it comes to pronunciation. Every language has its unique ways or pronouncing their vowels and constants as well as how they form their sentence structure. Especially this write up will focus on Japanese English as a Second Language (ESL) students and the difficulties they face while learning English and its pronunciation. Table of Contents Japanese Writing Teaching Approach Pronunciation Differences Further Steps Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL...  [Read more]

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Cultural Sensitivity In Japan So, you've just finished a delicious meal of sushi at your favorite sushi restaurant in Tokyo. The waitress comes by and leaves the check at your table, you place your money inside, hand it back, and she shortly returns with the receipt. You proceed to place a generous tip on the table to thank her for her wonderful service, and you show yourself out of the restraint, back to the busy streets of Tokyo. Can you spot something that you shouldn't have done in this scenario? Table of Contents Foreign point of view Behavior Other Cultural Symbols Presents Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zachary B. Please note...  [Read more]

Thu, 07 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How do Japanese Students Respond to Some Common Challenges in English? 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....  [Read more]

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Alumna Experience: ✅How My Teaching Skills Improved Throughout The Teaching Career For the past four years, I have worked in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) of English. Before this, I had limited experience operating in a conventional classroom, teaching young learners. I trained adults who were self-motivated and designed curricula for vocation institutions. Now, outside of my expertise, here I am teaching at a junior high school – my base school and an elementary school. Table of Contents My Role as an Assistant Language Teacher of English Students' Motivation Classroom Culture Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads...  [Read more]

Sat, 25 May 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Teaching ESL vs. EFL - What’s the difference? ESL is English which is usually taught to students in an English speaking country. EFL is English which is taught to students in a foreign, non-English speaking country. As it is true of many European countries, where is common to learn to speak more than one foreign language. For these reasons ESL is typically the term used in the United States, an English-speaking nation, whereas EFL is more often the term of choice in countries where English is not the native language. Table of Contents What's ESL? What's EFL? Teaching ESL versus teaching EFL ESL Students Need... 1. Hands-on English lessons suitable for their immediate needs. 2. Explicit cultural instruction. 3....  [Read more]

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why do Japanese Learners Face Difficulties when Studying English? 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...  [Read more]

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences 4 Reasons Why Japanese Students Are Often Lacking Motivation Japanese learners of English face challenges which are based on background and cultural aspects, racial barriers, perception of the English language, as well the lack of freedom of expression. This becomes the basis on which their motivation, or lack thereof, to study English is built. Coming from a motivational background, I was self-assured that my plans to get my low-level High School students motivated about learning English would be less challenging to implement. Reality proved otherwise as this process has required the breaking of certain barriers in order for me to be successful in my endeavors. Following is a further explanation on each of the different...  [Read more]

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching Grammar Through Student-Centered Games As a new teacher, grammar was initially very difficult for me to teach. It was difficult to demonstrate grammar patterns succinctly. Luckily, the school that I work for has provided help by having an established curriculum. The key to teaching grammar, however, has been teaching variable inputs in otherwise unchanging structures as part of student-centered games. Table of Contents Strategies on how to teach positive patterns How to teach negative patterns? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Stephen W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of...  [Read more]

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Reading Influences English Language Acquisition Reading is important. It is an important tool that aids in language acquisition whether the language is native or foreign. Unfortunately, it is sometimes neglected, especially as the students move up in their studies. Table of Contents My Childhood Case One Case Two Case Three Case Four Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Wesley J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. My Childhood Having been raised without television until I was in junior high school, I would read books, magazines, and the Sunday newspaper. At an early age, my...  [Read more]

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Challenges of a Teacher Based on My Experience I have been working as an English instructor for 8 years at an academy that caters to foreign students such as Koreans, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese, to name a few, who want to learn and improve their English skills and land a good job in the future. To me, my first year at work was the hardest. At first, I did not have any idea of how to handle students from different cultural backgrounds. I encountered numerous challenges no matter how much I was prepared. Thanks to my perseverance and dedication, fortunately, I was able to overcome the hurdles. I would like to talk about some of the major difficulties I dealt with and how I was able to surpass them. Table of Contents On top of...  [Read more]

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences How Important are Phonology and Pronunciation in the English Language Classroom? As a speaker of 5 languages (French being my native one), I've been exposed to different ways of teaching how one particular language sounds and why it sounds that way, what kind of meaning is conveyed using what sounds in what order, and so on. Quite often, I've noticed that in the school system, not enough emphasis is put on studying the sounds that pertain to the language itself. Table of Contents Learning English in a French Environment The Importance of Intonation Other Common Pronunciation Mistakes in English One Innovative Way I Tried to Help My Students In Conclusion Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post...  [Read more]

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 Georgia Payne Destinations Alumni Experiences Accommodation Options in Tokyo for English Teachers in Japan Moving to one of the largest cities in the world is quite a daunting task, particularly when you have to find your own accommodation using another language. Table of Contents What are Tokyo apartments like? Where to get an apartment A few things to note Accommodation Options Option #1: Apartment - using a rental company Option #2: Sharehouse Option #3: Airbnb/business hotel Final Piece of Advice The Gist Are you ready to teach English in Japan? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! On the JET Programme, ALTs (assistant language teachers) are, in every prefecture except Tokyo, provided with accommodation by the...  [Read more]

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How to Approach Teaching Students of Different Nationalities and the Problems that May Arise Becoming an English teacher can present many great opportunities, among such may be learning the skill of navigating issues and culturally sensitive situations unique to instructing students with a wide array of nationalities. Much of this skill comes from learned experience but a teacher who has had proper training and time for adequate research can steer though these issues with greater ease. Table of Contents Linguistic Issues Cultural Signs Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Brynn G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Alumni TEFL Chat with Maddy & Georgia - Two Aussie Sisters Teaching English in Japan 07/08/2021 all right hi hey everyone hi as you can see it's not only me this week welcome to our live stream we have guests today i'm super happy about it hi maddie hi georgia hello hey so yeah back here another for another week and i'm live on a different day i usually go live on fridays so today is very special and also because we have guests so i'm super happy about that and yeah if you are watching if you can see us if you can hear us please just leave a high in the comments that would be really cool and where you're watching from i'm always really curious about where people are watching from and um yeah i'm in south korea my name is linda from itt if you don't know me and i'm yeah about an hour...  [Read more]

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How to Adjust Your Teaching Style to Multilingual and Monolingual Students Multilingual classes are most commonly found in English speaking countries where students of diverse nationalities live. For example, some schools in the U.S require students of a different nationality to take ESL classes. Multilingual classes can be a great advantage for students and teachers alike because the students' only means of communicating with each other is likely through the English language. Table of Contents Multilingual Learners' Experience Anticipated Problems Ways to Solve Problems Monolingual Learners' Experience Anticipated Problems Ways to Solve Problems Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This...  [Read more]

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 Maddy Payne Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences An Australian Amongst American Textbooks in Japan: ✅ Teaching in a Country that Values American English Assistant Language Teachers in Japan come from different countries worldwide, bringing different kinds of English with them. In my experience, American English is often the most sought-after version of English. Some countries highly value Language Teachers from the USA, which often matches their American-style textbooks and resources. Sometimes people are even overlooked for job opportunities due to their Australian accent and British English background. Well, Japan is no different in this regard. Many Japanese schools hold American English in high regard, so what is it like being an Australian-English...  [Read more]

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Reasons Why English is Considered a World Language The native language -or L1-, is the language a person has been exposed to from birth. It can also be called the first language and it is usually referred to as the language one learned as a child. It is part of the cultural identity of a person. The second language -or L2-, is the language that is not the native language and it is learned later, usually as a foreign language. Table of Contents Language Structure Language of Business Communication Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Natália S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions...  [Read more]

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences From Taxi Driver to International Teacher - a Graduate’s Story Many people may think that the worst part of being an Uber driver are the belligerent midnight trips from downtown to the suburbs or the aggressive pre-coffee commuters or the fact that a five-minute drive can take thirty minutes because of gridlock. However, as an Uber driver of one year, I believe that the worst part about the job are trips to the airport. When I interacted with passengers going to the airport, I would think of all the new things they would get to try and the different cultures they would learn about. The problem with these trips was they were a constant reminder that the world is just waiting for us to explore it, but I was stuck leading a...  [Read more]

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Important is the Difference Between American English and British English for EFL Learners? This summative essay will exam the importance of teaching the differences between American English and British English for EFL learners. I will examine the intention behind teaching these differences, and when these teachings should be applied, and to what effect and purpose. This essay will focus primarily on the problems of pronunciation and spelling, which are the two main differences. I am a British citizen, born and raised in London, England, and currently teach at a public high school in Tokyo. Table of Contents Spelling Challenges for Beginners and Intermediate Learners What do Students Think? Grammar Interesting Experience for...  [Read more]

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 Lydia Pincott Destinations Alumni Experiences How to Travel Japan on a Teacher’s Budget For being a fairly small country, Japan sure packs a punch for the endless amount of things to see, do, and eat! As teachers though, we aren't living that high roller, bullet train life, yet we usually have enough days off for a decent holiday. So how do you get out and see Japan, while still having a few yennies left over for fried chicken at Family Mart? Table of Contents Use the Seishun 18 Kippu Transport Pass (and region-specific passes) Make Use of Tourist Information Centers Stay at hostels with kitchens - but be sure to check the facilities! Be loyal - to bus service, booking website, etc. Choose the lowest cost option on Google Maps for getting around. Are you ready to...  [Read more]

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Common Problems for English Learners in Nigeria Although the English language has been the official language in Nigeria for decades, there are a good number of challenges that learners of English language continuously encounter. These problems are not only peculiar to learners but may also be existent in so-called fluent speakers. One of the most basic problems is mother tongue interference. Table of Contents 1. Mother Tongue Interference 2. Phonological Interference 3. Code-switching and code-mixing 4. Other problems learners in Nigeria encounter include: Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Awazie T. Please note that this blog post...  [Read more]

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Personal Teaching Experience Through Teaching Programs My first experience working as a professional was when I worked as an instructor with the Human Employment And Resource Training (HEART) agency, teaching Front Office Supervision. With the academic and overall development I witnessed in my students, I was eager to embark on this challenging new career. Since then I am convinced that teaching is a career I wanted to pursue. However, due to the unavailability of jobs, I was forced to consider other options. Table of Contents Au Pair Experience Teaching in Japan Working Schedule Demand in Employers Students' Peculiarities Favorite Activities Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was...  [Read more]

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Game as a Learning Tool in Education I will start by saying that, as a Primary school teacher, I am writing this essay from teaching young learners perspective, but it's true that playing in class is also helpful and very important when teaching adults or older students than the young ones. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Games as a learning tool Games for children Lesson flow My teaching experience Points to consider Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Blanco S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Listen to this blog post: Games as a learning tool Games have a...  [Read more]