What Language Do They Speak In Japan

ITTT Alumni Interview with Patrick @thepaperpat   Patrick is best known as @thepaperpat on social media, where he has become a TikTok star with nearly 1 million followers. On his channel, he shares what it's like teaching English in Japan among many other interesting topics. He completed his TEFL course with ITTT and has been teaching English in Japan for the past 6 years. In this fun live session, we speak with Patrick about his career in Japan and on TikTok! #TEFL#BestTEFL #TeachinginJapan Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: https://bit.ly/37gs5vO What is TEFL Certification? Where is it valid: https://bit.ly/36ma2Fg Check out our wide range of TEFL Courses: https://bit.ly/3ltqt73 Teach English online from anywhere you want:...  [Read more]

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The 2 Pronunciation Problems ESL Students Suffer From in Japan There are several pronunciation problems that students of English will face in Japan; however, I will focus on two. Table of Contents 1. Differences in the phonetic systems of two languages 2. Lack of exposure to authentic English resources Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Brandie K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. 1. Differences in the phonetic systems of two languages The first of these problems they face is the fact that Japanese doesn't have some of the same sounds in its' alphabet as English...  [Read more]

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]

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Main Problems of ESL Learners From Japan Regardless of the Japanese government's efforts to increase the number of foreign tourists to be a tourism-oriented country and to have been retaining compulsory English education for decades, Japanese people still have a reputation of being bad at English. The average TOEIC and TOEFL scores for Japanese are one of the worst among advanced nations. South Korea was also one of the worst in the past, but they are getting better and better these days. However, there are still some obstacles for many Japanese English learners to get over. Table of Contents 1. First, there are very few teachers in Japan who can teach students how to speak and write English with confidence. 2. Secondly, the...  [Read more]

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Challenges of EFL Teaching in Barbados and Japan This essay will be a comparison of my personal experience teaching English in Barbados, a country whose main language is English versus teaching English in a rural area in Japan, a country whose main language is Japanese (not English). Firstly, I will briefly discuss the definitions of teaching. Secondly, I will summarize English education for young learners in each country. Finally, I will compare and contrasts my personal experience in both countries and the valuable lessons I have learned. To protect the anonymity of the schools, the specific areas and any other identifying information will be excluded from this essay. Table of Contents What is Teaching? My International...  [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]

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]

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 Federico Riva Alumni Experiences TEFL Reviews & TESOL Reviews TEFL Alumni Interview with Regan McAllister For ITTT, our community of students and alumni is the most important to us. That's why we'd love to share what our course grads have to say! This will not only have others make a better decision in whether TEFL/TESOL is for them, but it will also help the ITTT community grow bigger and stronger! Table of Contents 1. What's your name? 2. Where are you from? Where do you currently live? 3. Which ITTT course(s) did you take? 4. Why did you take a TEFL/TESOL course from ITTT? 5. What was your favorite part about the course? 6. You've finished your TEFL/TESOL course - now what? What are your plans and goals? 7. What's your no. 1 tip for other TEFL/TESOL course...  [Read more]

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Struggles for Japanese Students When Learning English 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...  [Read more]

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences What Helped Me in Building Relationships With English Learners in Japan From both taking this course and my experience in teaching Japanese children English, I have seen the importance and impact of establishing rapport with students right at the start of the class. Starting from the first lesson, a teacher must establish what kind of relationship they desire to have with the students. That relationship must often be with a relaxed atmosphere where the students can feel that they are supported by the teacher. Thus from the very first lesson, the teacher must get to work on getting to know basic information about the students. What kind of interests do they have? Why are they learning English? At what level are they currently in...  [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]

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 Linda Dunsmore Destinations TEFL Information Step-By-Step Guide to Legally Teaching English in Japan Japan has been a popular destination for English teachers from all over the world for decades. Year after year, thousands of teachers come to Japan attracted by the country's fascinating culture and the lucrative salaries, as well as the government-funded JET program that places qualified teachers into public schools across the country. Teaching English in Japan is an exciting adventure and offers you the opportunity to experience a unique culture like a local. However, it is important to be aware of the local job market and regulations before heading off on your adventure of teaching English in Japan. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Step 1: Understanding...  [Read more]

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Сan We Decrease Teacher Talking Time and Why Should We? Have you ever had the experience of saying a fictional character's name out loud to someone for the first time and they don't know whom you are talking about even though you're reading the same book? I have and it was a confusing feeling. The thing I have learned about English is that to truly learn it, you need to speak it. When we learn English by speaking it out loud we can avoid the mistakes of mispronouncing words that we have only ever read in our heads. This is the primary reason I think we need to decrease teacher speaking time in class and dramatically increase student speaking time when we are teaching our students English. Table of Contents Anticipated Challenges...  [Read more]

TEFL in Japan - Kumano Date posted:2003-11-25 | Writer: KICC English School | Email: [email protected] Positions: Rural Japan ENTHUSIASTIC AND ENERGETIC TEACHERS WANTED KICC English School, located in the spectacular rural region of Kumano, is seeking to fill two full time positions. Starting date will be February 23, 2004 with a contract length of one year, renewable with the agreement of both parties. Though not a requirement, special consideration will be given to teachers who have an education background, especially those with experience teaching in Japan. Basic computer skills are required. We have furnished houses and provide sponsorship so that you can obtain a working visa or extend your existing working visa. Numerous teaching resources and materials are available....  [Read more]

Thu, 30 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Many Sides of The Teaching Job in Japan What do you think of when I say the word "teacher"? When I think of this word, I think of the "teacher when I was a child. The person who talked and I listened. The person who gave me instructions and I followed. I think in today's environment this word has changed. What does the word "teacher" mean today? We'll look at what the roles of a teacher are in today's ESL world in Japan, where I've taught for over 14 years. Table of Contents Types of Teachers in Japan Responsibilities Are you ready to teach English all over the world? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post We use many synonyms for the term "teacher". In elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools in Japan...  [Read more]

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Most Common Obstacles for Japanese Learners of English Formal English education first took root in Japan with the creation of the first English schools in 1865 and has since steamrolled into an aggressive effort by the government to produce an English-proficient population. The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) was established to introduce native speakers into English classrooms, and English instruction continues to become mandatory for increasingly younger students in primary schools. Despite these efforts, an English Proficiency Index conducted by the organization English First gave Japan a "low proficiency" score, with the island country lagging not just the multicultural countries of Singapore and Malaysia but...  [Read more]

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 Maddy Payne Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences 5 Benefits of Sharing a 17sq-meter Apartment in Tokyo on the JET Program In 2019, my sister and I received the exciting news that we had been accepted into the JET Program to live and teach English in Japan! If you have ever looked at teaching in Japan, or even Asia in general, you have probably come across the JET Program before. JET allows you to live and work in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) while earning one of the highest wages you can get as an ALT. Table of Contents 1. The freedom of choice 2. Everything becomes cheaper 3. What household chores? 4. A tiny apartment makes you leave said tiny apartment 5. A minimalist dream Are you ready to teach English in Japan? Related Articles:...  [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, 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]

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Anticipated Problems: Japanese Speakers and Their Issues in ESL I have been living in Japan for the past one and a half years. Needless to say, the experience has been enthralling. This country would have never been my first choice for a country to relocate to, from my home country, India. But if my stay has taught me anything, it is that never judge a book by its cover. When we think of Japan, the first thing that pops up is that it is a country of workaholics; it has zero English presence, and the people are highly prejudiced against foreigners and foreign culture. I was proven wrong. Japan is a beautiful country. It is culturally so rich, it makes me want to live here forever. The people, though tend to be a little distant...  [Read more]

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Global Rise of the English Language - How Far Will it Go? Whether you like English or despise it, the English language is here to stay. There is no stronger contender right now as a global language, other than English. But how did this happen, why is English now the dominant language in Education, Business and the Media. Table of Contents Personal Experience English in My Family Influence on Other Countries Modern Situation Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Iain Hamilton-G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Personal Experience Well in this essay I am not going to...  [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]

TEFL in Kumano, Japan Date posted:2004-04-29 | Writer: KICC English School | Email: [email protected] KICC English School, located in the spectacular rural region of Kumano, is seeking to fill a full time position. Starting date will be in July, 2004 with a contract length of one year, renewable with the agreement of both parties. Though not a requirement, special consideration will be given to teachers who have an education background, especially those with experience teaching in Japan. Basic computer skills are required. We have furnished houses and provide sponsorship so that you can obtain a working visa or extend your existing working visa. Numerous teaching resources and materials are available. There are weekly brain-storming meetings which can help you adjust to your new...  [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, 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, 11 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Several Problems Japanese Students Face When Learning English and Ways to Solve Them Japan is a developed country, with well above 126 million inhabitants, that during the past decade has been gaining more and more popularity as a destination for travelers and as a residence for people from all kinds of countries. Yet its inhabitants often seem to struggle with gaining English language proficiency. In this essay, I'll try to resolve the question, which problems students in Japan typically encounter when attempting to learn English. Table of Contents Grammar Phonology Culture Methodology Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Philipp S....  [Read more]

Mon, 11 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Moving Forward: My Personal Teaching Experience, Changing Careers I've always wanted to be a teacher. In high school, I was inspired by my English teachers and the way they were able to make material interesting and motivating. I remember telling myself that I would not be the person who changes the world, but perhaps as a teacher, I would be able to inspire the person who would. From the beginning, my motivation was to help others in a meaningful way. My goal was to improve the lives of others. When I entered university, I found myself studying philosophy to become a professor in the future. However, the reality of being a university professor was a lot of presenting and publishing, with very little teaching. Because teaching...  [Read more]

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 Linda Dunsmore Budget and Salary Destinations Teaching English in Japan - The Salary and Budget Guide The following guide will help you answer the question: How much can I earn (and save) while teaching English in Japan? You will also find information on the local cost of living in order to figure out how much to budget for when moving to Japan. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: The Typical Salary for English Teachers in Japan Other Benefits to Expect When Teaching English in Japan How to Earn Extra Cash While Teaching English in Japan The Cost of Living in Japan Cost of Living in Japan: Food Cost of Living in Japan: Leisure Activities Cost of Living in Japan: Transportation Cost of Living in Japan: Travel in Japan and Beyond Sample Monthly Teacher Budget...  [Read more]

Class For TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Class For 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.L. - Australia said: English as a global languageEnglish is currently the global language. It is the official language of United Nations and many International organizations such as The International Olympic Committee and FIFA. The main reason for this is the emergence of the British Empire. It was said the sun never set on the British empire. They owned colonies on every continent on earth. Thus they were able to spread the English language far and wide. The second reason why English...  [Read more]