How do I go about getting to Japan?

[bloodmoon0011]

Well, here's my situation. I'm in college right now, and this is my first semester ever. I'm 18 and will be 19 in February. Right now, I'm studying Japanese on my own, and it's going well so far. I'm a fluent English speaker and the University does not offer so much as a single course in Japanese language. I want to be an English as a second language teacher in Japan, or some kind of translator. My question is: Where do I go? Who do I talk to? What do I need to go there? Please help me, I'm very confused.

Thanks.

[prep_girl_Nessa]

Wow, that's kind of creepy, me and you are like the same person... same birth month and everything o.O

Um... there's the JET program, where you can be an English teacher in Japan for a few years. You have to have a degree in something, though (I don't think it has to be anything to do with Japanese or teaching, just any degree). And I think you don't really have to speak Japanese too well for that. I'm not really sure about the exact requirements and stuff, I was thinking about doing that for a few years before going to graduate school, but that's after I graduate from Undergrad. stuff, so it's a while off.

[keatonatron]

How do I go about getting to Japan?

Take the 305 into the Pacific Ocean, turn right at Hawaii. Head for the second star to the left and straight on till morning.

[Mike Cash]

bloodmoon0011 wrote:
Well, here's my situation. I'm in college right now, and this is my first semester ever. I'm 18 and will be 19 in February. Right now, I'm studying Japanese on my own, and it's going well so far. I'm a fluent English speaker and the University does not offer so much as a single course in Japanese language. I want to be an English as a second language teacher in Japan, or some kind of translator. My question is: Where do I go? Who do I talk to? What do I need to go there? Please help me, I'm very confused.

Thanks.

Please keep in mind that for the bulk of the English teachers in Japan, the job is a job, not a career, and is somewhat on a parallel with working at McDonalds. If you want to pursue it as a serious career, working at a serious institution, you will want to obtain professional certifications for the field and a Masters degree would be very highly recommended.

If you want to be a translator, I would recommend transferring to a college with a very good Japanese program and majoring in it.

[Chris Hart]

keatonatron wrote:

How do I go about getting to Japan?

Take the 305 into the Pacific Ocean, turn right at Hawaii. Head for the second star to the left and straight on till morning.

Keep in mind that these directions work best when you are driving a boat

[keatonatron]

Or Peter Pan.

[Mike Cash]

One helpful reply. One close-to-helpful reply. Three smart-assed replies.

And I'm the one who gets singled out for hazing people and not being helpful. Go figure.

[two_heads_talking]

maybe it's the delivery..

[Dehitay]

Mike Cash wrote:
One helpful reply. One close-to-helpful reply. Three smart-assed replies.

And I'm the one who gets singled out for hazing people and not being helpful. Go figure.

You're the one that keeps making them cry >=P

[Chris Hart]

Mike Cash wrote:
One helpful reply. One close-to-helpful reply. Three smart-assed replies.

And I'm the one who gets singled out for hazing people and not being helpful. Go figure.

At least the joking replies came last.

[Tesu]

Mike Cash wrote:
Please keep in mind that for the bulk of the English teachers in Japan, the job is a job, not a career, and is somewhat on a parallel with working at McDonalds.

Quoted for truth. I'm "teaching" english for another 5 days, then I'm finished for good. When people ask me what I do here, I've always felt a little embarassed to say "English Teacher". Maybe thats a stupid thing to feel (and maybe Japanese people are a little more impressed than I'd give credit for) but very few people here look at english teaching as a full life long career.

To answer your question though, if you want to teach english and have a degree in anything then getting over here is *very* easy indeed. If you want to pursue english teaching as a career, as Mike said, I would consider pursueing other qualifications.

[bloodmoon0011]

I think you should do what the nice people say. And I'm DEFINITELY not talking to myself on a forum.

[Mike Cash]

bloodmoon0011 wrote:
I think you should do what the nice people say. And I'm DEFINITELY not talking to myself on a forum.

Maybe I'm just tired after a 15 hour workday, but I can't figure out what the hell you're talking about. Clarification, please.

[tanuki]

Mike Cash wrote:

bloodmoon0011 wrote:
I think you should do what the nice people say. And I'm DEFINITELY not talking to myself on a forum.

Maybe I'm just tired after a 15 hour workday, but I can't figure out what the hell you're talking about. Clarification, please.

He was talking to himself.

[Tesu]

Mike Cash wrote:

bloodmoon0011 wrote:
I think you should do what the nice people say. And I'm DEFINITELY not talking to myself on a forum.

Maybe I'm just tired after a 15 hour workday, but I can't figure out what the hell you're talking about. Clarification, please.

Yeah this one confused me for a while too. I *think* that it is a second person using the account, replying to his friend on his on account, and then trying to somehow point out that he is infact a different person.

It's obvious! :P:P