I Need Japanese

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 Laura Payne Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Differences in Teaching Monolingual and Multilingual EFL Groups I am currently working as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan. Before I began this job I assumed that because Japan has a largely homogeneous population, all of my classes would be monolingual. However, I was wrong in this assumption. In addition to my Japanese students, I have many students who are Brazilian or Filipino. These students largely do not use Japanese as their mother tongue and have to learn both English and Japanese as a second language. This diverse student population, in addition to my work experiences and studies, has taught me a lot about working with both monolingual and multilingual classes. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post:...  [Read more]

Class Location TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Class Location TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts W.P. - U.S.A. said: Pronunciation Problems in JapanEnglish pronunciation for japanese learners is very difficult compared to many other languages such as the Romantic ones. Not only does Japan have a different style of writing (non-Roman alphabet) but it has rules of speaking that limit how words are pronounced. They also add items to a word such as extra syllables or letters so that the English spoken word fits in with their known, existing japanese rules of speech. Since the...  [Read more]

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Problems Japan Faces in Developing English as a Second Language There are several challenges Japan faces when it comes to learning English as a second language. Japanese culture is a bubble. Everything, including their ad signs, TV, games, government, studies, work and even the internet is filled with one language; Japanese. In a world of globalization, where your goods and services can come from literally any part of the globe. Japan is one of the few remaining homogenous cultures where English is still seen as an optional language. As the global economy becomes more global, the English language will likely become less optional, but essential. In addition to the cultural issues, Japan's English curriculum in the school is...  [Read more]

Class TESOL TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Class TESOL TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts Y.I. - U.S.A. said: Non-native monolingual class Studying English is a heated topic in Japan these days. We used to start studying English when we were at junior high, and most of the classes were taught by japanese teachers. We studied mainly English grammar for a long time, however recently the preference has shifted to conversation skills. And the starting age of studying English is getting younger and more native English speaking teachers are needed right now. I believe that the...  [Read more]

Mon, 04 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences An Overview of Common Challenges of ESL Students from Japan Japan is a nation that has tried to increase its citizens' English ability, especially with the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games being held in their country. However, progress has been slow and not fruitful. There are various reasons for this slow stagnation of the nation's English abilities such as the larger academic system and access to proper education in rural areas. However, I will focus on three main hurdles that Japanese learners of English must face that can impede their English education. Table of Contents Japanese vs. English Phonetics Alphabet Japanese English Class Style Problems Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This...  [Read more]

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Struggle of Teaching English in Rural Japan Perhaps one of the most commonly used justifications for widespread English language education is "English is the global lingua franca." This statement seems to encapsulate the general sentiment towards the importance of English. With the recent advancements in technology, geographical and temporal barriers have greatly lessened and international relations are no longer restricted to certain fields such as politics and media. The average citizen can now commence personal and economic relationships with the world via the internet. And this, of course, highlights the need for a common language that will facilitate effective intercultural communication. In highly urbanized and...  [Read more]

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Most Common Issues Faced by English Learners in Japan Given the increase in globalization during the late 20th and early 21st centuries and the growing inter-dependencies of domestic economies within the international marketplace, English, as a primary language medium for conducting international business arrangements, has become an increased priority both socially and within the business environment. However, notwithstanding the importance of English fluency within contemporary society, Japan and Japanese English learners face difficulties when trying to achieve competency. These difficulties and issues can be shown by the 2018 EF English Proficiency Index which ranked the English level of Japanese learners as rank 49 out of 88...  [Read more]

Tue, 14 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences What You Need to Know About Japanese Students' Challenges Before Teaching in Japan Japan is a country with a long history, deep tradition, and vibrant culture. Within this culture sits the Japanese language. At first, being a spoken language and then adopting the Chinese Writing System, Japanese has grown and changed into what it is today. If you look at all languages, most Western languages originate from a set family, such as Romance Languages (which became today's Spanish, French, Italian, etc). But Japanese (as most Asian languages) was formed from entirely different roots. These fundamental differences mean that the method of learning these languages has a lot to do with memorization and repetitive practice of the Chinese...  [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]

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching English to Beginners in Japan Japanese is certainly one of the most interesting languages in the world thanks to its three types of writing (hiragana, katakana and kanji). Table of Contents International Links Main Challenges: Phonetic System Main Challenges: Exposure to English Main Challenges: Grammar Main Challenges: Beginners Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Desiree I. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. International Links After the outbreak of intercontinental travel (therefore with the appearance of commercialization and missionaries around the world) many...  [Read more]

Mon, 25 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas What are The Challenges for English Learners in Japan? I have taught in a Japanese high school for the past four years as an assistant language teacher, which gives me a particular insight into the problems and advantages of EFL in that area. This will naturally require some generalizations. Individuals have very different problems from one another, but broader shared issues do crop up. Table of Contents My experience Japanese average Gap between two languages Japanese culture can also make teaching difficult Another aspect of the culture that can make things difficult is the island mentality of Japan Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Problems for the English Language Learner in Japan Japan is well known for its unique culture, and history. As an island nation, it was isolated from the rest of the world until the mid-19th century when the country had to open itself to trade with western powers of the time. It was then when the English language made its way into the Japanese educational system. English spread quite rapidly, as the government saw the new language a way to catch up with the west. And, in 1873 English became the language of instruction in universities. However, due to various political reasons including the establishment of a standardized Japanese language system the urge to learn English had declined. Today in modern Japan, English is widely...  [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]

Centre Internet TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Centre Internet TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts A.J. - Japan said: Problems for Learners in JapanEnglish is a compulsory subject in all japanese schools and is studied for a minimum of seven years if not longer. Very few of these students, however, will become proficient enough to be considered at an advanced and in many cases not even an intermediate level. Those few that do excel at English are students that are motivated from outside of the classroom and/or have spent time abroad in a country where English is commonly...  [Read more]

Tue, 14 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How to Get Ready for Unforeseen Circumstances in The Classroom? There can be a lot of difficulties a teacher might face in the future lesson. You might have to manage a class without any help or you might have students from different nationalities, ages, interests or so on. I believe, however, that most of the problems you might have would be solved if you planned the lessons carefully in advance. There are some reasons to support my idea. Table of Contents What's your lesson goal? You can manage your class anyways Know your students Are you ready to teach ESL classes? Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Eri S. What's your lesson goal? First, you can find what you should exactly do in a...  [Read more]

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching in Japan: Problems of Local Learners In this essay I will be discussing the problems for young Japanese learners of English, and what problems Japanese learners often encounter as well as explaining some of the reasons why teachers can run into problems while teaching in Japan. I will be referring to the book "The Smart Guide to Teaching English in Japan' by Charlie Moritz and Martin Bragalone, as well as drawing from my knowledge and experiences of studying and volunteering in Japan. Japan can be a challenging but rewarding country to work in, despite stereotypes of Japanese people being polite and studious so it is important to consider that reality can be different when teaching in Japan. Table of Contents Eikaiwa...  [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]

How do I get a job teaching English in Japan? Japan has been a popular destination amongst English language teachers for many years due to its widespread job opportunities, good salaries and fascinating culture. Whilst there are other countries in the region where the cost of living may be lower and the wages a little higher, nowhere provides such an incredible mix of modern development and ancient traditions as you will find in this extraordinary country. If you are looking for excitement and adventure, look no further than Japan. What are the requirements for teaching English in Japan? In order to work legally you will need to be eligible for a work visa. The good news is the criteria is not as tough as many other countries as you simply need to possess a degree in any subject. The...  [Read more]

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Several Pronunciations Troubles Faced by The Japanese Native Speakers The differences between many Asiatic languages' pronunciation and that of English form the basis for a multitude of miscommunications between international interlocutors. My experience living in Japan provides plentiful evidence to support this assertion. When my Japanese associates and I communicate in English, I notice three significant pronunciation struggles for my conversation partners. For the Japanese who are learning English, the clear enunciation of the /th/ sound, the fricative quality of the /v/ consonant, and the distinction of /l/ versus /r/ formation of the tongue. Table of Contents Language Structure Difficult sounds Do you want to teach English...  [Read more]

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences The 3 Most Important Parts of Classroom Management for ESL Teachers Classroom management is one of the most important aspects of teaching and is the key to students' successful learning. Consequently, how to effectively manage and run classroom becomes the central theme and sometimes the biggest concern for English teachers, especially when facing young learners. There are a variety of settings with different scenarios but since I currently teach in Japan, here I would like to focus on the class setting in which all students are Japanese, i.e., of a single nationality who learn English as a foreign language. Table of Contents The classroom environment Student behavior The importance of building trust in the classroom Are you ready to...  [Read more]

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Easy Solutions for Problems Faced by Japanese Students in English 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...  [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]

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Classroom Activities for Various Groups of Students I love the use of games for learning. I have utilized board games, card games, and role-playing games in teaching for the past 3 years. I am currently using them to connect with students at the high school, to talk about some important and serious issues, with the pretense of game mechanics. I use games as a warmer for a Bible study I conduct with other students before school. Using the game as the introduction to the lesson we will learn about that morning, to try to get them to relate the game, in a simplified way, to real-world lessons. I have also, since having children, always been on the lookout for short games, that do require long term strategies or hours of gameplay,...  [Read more]

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 Amanda Stern Destinations Alumni Experiences Tips for Getting Involved in the EFL Community Abroad Are you planning on teaching abroad, but worrying about how you can get involved in the community and leave a memorable impression on the locals? Language barriers may make this seem like a harrowing task, but fear not, the following is a list of a few jumping-off points for those planning to take the plunge into their new community. Table of Contents International Events Sports Teams Culture Classes Holiday Festivals Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: International Events Celebrating multiculturalism in a community is a worldwide phenomenon, even for unassuming towns. In our rural port-town in Japan, we have multiple...  [Read more]

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why Are Teachers Considered to Have Many Roles in the Classroom? I chose to write about this subject because I feel that the role of the teacher is a really important part of the classroom and also in the student's life. Table of Contents The most common role of a teacher in class is to teach some knowledge to their students. Teacher as a Parent The Japanese culture views the school as a basic training ground. The teacher needs to be able to read their students. Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tabitha B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The most common role of a...  [Read more]

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Story of Becoming an ESL Teacher Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. You have to deal with different personalities inside the classroom and somehow, you need to work things out for the class to have an atmosphere that is conducive to learning. You have to prepare yourself both mentally and emotionally to be an effective teacher. It is not a cakewalk and you need to have the drive and work ethics to succeed in this profession. Table of Contents Childhood Dreams First Teaching Job Working on Teaching Skills Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Fitz B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent...  [Read more]

TEFL Certificate Japan Capital city Tokyo Language Japanese Currency Yen Typical TEFL teacher salary 250,000 – 300,000 yen / month Major TEFL locations Tokyo Yokohama Osaka Sapporo Kyoto Sendai   The Country Opportunities for teaching English in Japan are excellent for anyone who holds internationally accredited and recognized TEFL/TESOL certificates such as those offered by ITTT and TEFL International. In Tokyo and other cities, there are usually more English teaching positions than there are teachers, while all over Japan employment prospects remain favorable. With the help of our lifetime assistance finding jobs, the chances of getting hired as a TEFL teacher in Japan are terrific. Teachers are highly respected throughout Japanese society, and students are generally...  [Read more]

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 Laura Payne Destinations TEFL Information The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program: All You Need to Know and How to Apply The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is not the only means to teach English in Japan, but it is one of the most popular programs out there both for aspiring teachers and those who wish to pursue other fields. I first joined this program a little over a year ago. In the short time since then, I've gained incredibly valuable experiences through my work as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT). Table of Contents The History of JET Duties of an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) How to Apply for the JET Program Remuneration and Living Rewards of JET Common Challenges for ALTs The JET Community Listen to this blog post What are you waiting...  [Read more]

Agency Inexpensive TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Agency Inexpensive TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts T.P. - Japan said: Pronunciation problems in JapanJapan has cultivated a reputation for being a country that is rich in history, culture and resources. Within the global sphere Japan has also seen the impact of English language in transforming the way in which countries relate. In an effort to avoid being on the periphery of the development enabled by globalization, the Ministry of Education, Sports, Culture and technology (also referred to as MEXT) has made providing...  [Read more]

How do I get a job teaching English in Japan? To secure a position teaching English in Japan, a bachelor's degree and a TEFL certification with at least 120 hours are essential for obtaining a work visa. However, in certain circumstances, such as having a working holiday visa, student visa, spouse visa, or specific Japanese visas, teaching opportunities may still be accessible even without a degree. Japan remains a prime choice for English educators, not only for its attractive salary packages but also for its unique blend of cutting-edge progress and rich historical traditions. If a blend of professional growth and cultural exploration is what you are after, Japan stands out as an ideal destination. Table of Contents What are the requirements for teaching English in Japan? What kind...  [Read more]