New aspiring teacher

Hey there. I've been taking Japanese for about 2 months now (although we've been progressing very rapidly). I plan to go to Japan someday soon in order to teach English with one of the private programs that do that kind of thing. I'm also involved with some ESL non-profits in order to gain teaching experience before my travels begin.

I just have to say that now that I found this forum, I wish I had found it sooner. There are so many people willing to devote time and energy to answer questions here that it would have proven to be a valuable resource. I look forward to asking a lot of questions!

Im sure we all look forward to answering them.

Well welcome hope I can be of assistance at some point for you, but for now theres tequila to be drank =D so ill catch you around.

Are you thinking of making teaching in Japan your career? If so, I suspect it'll be quite a bit more difficult than simply using it as an excuse to get to Japan for a year or two (as most people seem to do), but there are folks out there and here on this board that have successfully made it their livelihood.

If not, you really don't need any experience to become a teacher in Japan.

Thanks for the welcome Zaff!

And Nice Gaijin, I'm sure you're right about it not being too difficult to get an entry levelish teaching job in Japan without having any experience, but I want to be prepared. I would hate to go to Japan without any clue as to anything going on around me. I also want to have a good idea of how to teach effectively before I take the plunge. And as for a career, who knows? But I'm not shooting for a major job at a university or anything like that just yet. Gotta start low and aim high!

From the roof of Japan, WELCOME to JREF !! Sounds like you are interested in doing a good job, and I welcome that as well.

Check out the whole forum, and make yourself at home. See you 'round !! MM