10 Interesting Facts About Japan

Jon ITTT Destinations Teaching English in China is as popular as ever and is one of the best places to put your TEFL certificate to use. In 2014, 7.26 million students graduated with Bachelor's and Master's degrees and the numbers were expected to rise in 2015. There are over 30,000 organizations or companies offering private English classes, with the Chinese market having nearly doubled in size in the last five years and is now worth around $3.1 billion. Money in China is good for English teachers Head away from the famous cities to save money China is increasingly diverse in its metropolitan areas There is an excellent transport network The country is ideally situated for exploring the wider region Chinese food in China is even more delicious than back home Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Budget and Salary Destinations Japan has been a popular destination for teaching English abroad for many years. This is mainly due to the country's vibrant culture, the great food and friendly locals. Japan has a lot to offer and it can be overwhelming to find the ideal city to move to. This post looks at the 10 best cities in Japan for teaching English abroad. All cities are listed in no particular order. 1. Tokyo 2. Yokohama 3. Kyoto 4. Osaka 5. Nagoya 6. Hiroshima 7. Fukuoka 8. Kobe 9. Sapporo 10. Takayama Are you ready for your teaching adventure in Japan? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Also check out our other related Japan content:* Step-By-Step Guide To Legally Teaching English in Japan* Teaching English In...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences 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 largely unchanged from the '60s according to my Japanese cousins and uncles still living in...  [Read more]

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Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences There are several pronunciation problems that students of English will face in Japan; however, I will focus on two. 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. 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 does. For example, Japanese does not have a hard R sound; instead, it has a sound that is a mix of R and L. So, when students from Japan go to say rice, for many...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Teaching Ideas Japan is a country facing rapid change. Due to an aging population and a scarcity of workers, Japan is opening its borders to foreigners, many of whom speak English. This, along with the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, has led to an increase in demand for English teachers. I currently work in Japan, and have had the experience of teaching English to high school Japanese students for the past year. Over the course of this year, I've learned of many problems that students in Japan face when learning English. Of those, the top three problems for students in Japan are pronunciation, shyness, and large class sizes. Listen to this blog post: Differences in Phonology Students' Reluctance to Speak Class Size in Japanese Schools Are you ready to teach English...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences British English (BrE) and American English (AmE) are two of the main varieties of the English language. There are other different varieties of English that exist such as Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, South Asian and African English. Language Structure 1. Vocabulary and Spelling 2. Grammar Historical Prerequisits Diplomatic Relationships Globalization Do you want to teach English in Japan? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: Although English was introduced to America through the colonization period by the British, the two varieties of English have evolved to be quite different from each other in certain areas. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Shanique H. Please note that this blog post might...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences 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. Eikaiwa Juku ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) Kindergarten/International preschool Do you want...  [Read more]

Laura Payne Destinations TEFL Information 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). 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 for? Related Articles: Local prefectural governments and larger government bodies, including Japan's Ministry of Foreign...  [Read more]

Laura Payne Destinations Tokyo is a dream city for many people who aspire to live abroad. It is modern yet traditional, and a vibrant culture of food, fashion, and popular media among other things ensures that it has something for everyone. For all its excitement, however, Tokyo is only one part of Japan as a whole. Each area of the island nation holds a distinct culture of its own, offering a myriad of experiences for travelers. Luckily, those who teach English in Japan have easy access to the country's major airports and extensive bullet train lines, meaning they can access almost anywhere else in Japan within a few hours. While living in Tokyo make the most of your experience abroad, and try checking out some of these must-see destinations. Soak in the hot springs at Hakone...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Alumni Experiences Hungarian What is your nationality? What city and state are you from? How old are you? What is your education level and background? Have you traveled abroad in the past? If so, where have you been? Where did you study? What made you interested in going to teach English abroad? What were some of your concerns before teaching abroad? Why did you decide to get TEFL certified and choose ITTT? Which TEFL certification course did you take? How did you like the course? How has your TEFL training helped you in your current teaching position? Which city and country did you decide to teach English in and why? How long have you been in this country and how long do you plan to stay? How did you secure your English teaching job? What school, company, or...  [Read more]

Lydia Pincott Destinations Alumni Experiences "But...why are you here?" It's a phrase often uttered by Japanese, confused about what your reason could be for straying from the usual temples of Kyoto, shops of Shinjuku, and street-food of Osaka. Itoshima Peninsula, Fukuoka Sado Island, Niigata Kurashiki, Okayama Are you ready to explore Japan? Related Articles: The beaten path in Japan is pretty great and worth exploring thoroughly, but if you've done it, or feel like you've done it from seeing other people's pictures, these 3 destinations are for you. Take a 4-week in-class TEFL/TESOL course in Japan and get a headstart in your teaching career! Picture this: Sandy beaches with perfectly turquoise waters stretching out as far as the eye can see, cafes with fresh, flavorful food just...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Spring is the perfect time of the year to get out there and explore the world! These are the top 10 places to take your TEFL certification course in the springtime. 1. Tokyo, Japan 2. Rome, Italy 3. Shanghai, China 4. Kathmandu, Nepal 5. Limerick, Ireland 6. Cusco, Peru 7. Florence, Italy 8. Athens, Greece 9. Phuket, Thailand 10. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica Listen to this blog post Are You Ready to Teach English as a Foreign Language? Related Articles: What better place to experience spring than in beautiful Japan? During the spring season, the entire country is painted in pastel pink cherry blossoms and the capital of Tokyo is an especially great place to see them. Take a boat ride on a blossom-lined stream in a traditional Japanese boat or hike up to see...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences 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. The classroom environment Student behavior The importance of building trust in the classroom Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Japanese is certainly one of the most interesting languages in the world thanks to its three types of writing (hiragana, katakana and kanji). 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. After the outbreak of intercontinental travel (therefore with the appearance of commercialization and missionaries around the world) many terms of different languages, including English ones, also became part of the language of Japan....  [Read more]

hi everyone hello here's linda again from itt and today we're talking about something really really interesting and exciting teaching english in asia and all you need to know how to get to asia the best countries in asia where to teach with the highest demand and also the best sort of recruiters and teaching job platforms where you can find the best jobs for teaching english in asia and i'm super excited about this topic today um i myself i've been uh pretty much based in asia since 2012 2013-ish and um i spent some time in china and um i also and now i'm actually in south korea and i've been here already for a while so it's gonna be six years soon and um so i'm so excited to share my experience with you guys and hopefully maybe some of you can also share your experience if you have...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations TEFL Information Welcome to another live session. My name is Linda from ITTT and you can find me on social media at @lindagoeseast. Thanks for tuning in, let me just see that everything's working. If you can see me and if you can hear me, please leave a comment as always. Watch the live session here Let's get right into it: The best countries for teaching English in 2021. The demand for English language instruction. 300 million people are learning and speaking English and China alone. 50% of teachers teaching abroad stay a second year. Why should you go to teach in China? Does our nationality affect our chances of working in China? So, this is a question that we always get a lot: Do you need to know the language of the country that you want to go to and teach...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas Looking to embark on an adventure abroad while making a positive impact as an English teacher? Government-run TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) programs offer an incredible opportunity to do just that. These well-organized initiatives, often backed by various countries' governments, provide aspiring educators with a unique chance to teach English in foreign lands, all while gaining an unforgettable cross-cultural experience. 1. FEI/TAPIF — France: International/USA Applications and Eligibility 2. NET Scheme in Hong Kong How to Qualify for the HK NET Scheme Category One requires: 3. CETP Hungary Application Process 4. JET Japan Application process Eligibility Duties 6. North American Language and Culture Assistants Program...  [Read more]

Tokyo is a truly wonderful city in which to complete your TEFL training. This endlessly exciting city has welcoming and friendly people, world class bars and restaurants, a vibrant and varied nightlife and streets that constantly bustle with energy. You will also find the city has very little crime, a variety of public transport options that run like clockwork, convenience stores in the form of 24-hour shops and vending machines that cater to every imaginable need, as well as numerous cultural attractions such as museums, theatres and art galleries. On top of these attractions, you will also find plenty of post-TEFL course opportunities for teaching English right across Japan as the job market is very healthy year round. A wide variety of employers all seek the services of a qualified EFL...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences During my stay in Japan, Japanese people often told me how they can't communicate in English despite studying the language for six or more years in school. In Japan, students in junior and senior high learn English grammar and vocabulary in compulsory formal English classes. English is also taught in elementary school as foreign language activities. Yet despite spending several hours in English classes, many Japanese people graduate high school with poor English communication skills. Education system Class culture Learning goals Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rachel M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or...  [Read more]

  In this video Linda breaks down the difference between "in time" and "on time". Due to the fact that both expressions revolve around time, they can be quite difficult to distinguish. However, this video provides helpful examples and explanations that will help EFL teachers and students alike to grasp the difference. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This unit was actually fun because it was...  [Read more]

The highest TEFL salaries are offered in countries aiming to attract the most qualified teachers. While 'the best' can vary by country, high-paying TEFL jobs typically require advanced qualifications, such as a degree in education and a TEFL certification, as well as considerable teaching experience. Countries known for offering competitive TEFL salaries include the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, and China. These nations often also provide additional benefits like housing, flights, and health insurance, which contribute to the overall financial package for English teachers. Top ten paying countries for EFL teachers Figures taken from a range of teaching positions posted on a number of EFL job sites. 1. The United Arab Emirates, sometimes simply called the...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations Just as there are many countries around the world where you can choose to live and work as an EFL teacher, there are also many different reasons that motivate people to actually want to teach English abroad. For some, it is to explore new cultures or to leave behind the predictable 9 to 5 existence, while for others it is simply a great way of earning money for travel or to pay off student loans. "Earning big money is not that important. I prefer natural beauty and fascinating culture, particularly if it's a little off the beaten track." "I'm looking for my first EFL teaching job, but I still want to earn a good salary that also comes with extra benefits." "I'm not keen on roughing it. I want to live in a modern, fast-paced environment that's bursting with...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In Japan, elementary schools typically employ an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) to provide support to homeroom teachers during English classes. I have been working in such a capacity for the past two and a half years, first through an international program and currently as a direct-hire via my local city hall. Until recently, mandatory English classes at the elementary school level have been limited to the fifth and sixth grades, but new national requirements are being rolled out that will require mandatory English classes as early as third grade while doubling English classroom hours for the fifth and sixth grades. English Language Tests Designing Activities Team Building Group Lesson Planning Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL...  [Read more]

Absolutely. Language is deeply intertwined with culture, serving as its vocal representation. While mastering vocabulary and grammar is crucial, to fully understand the essence of English, EFL students should immerse themselves in the culture of English-speaking nations. This entails exploring cultural facets like music, films, literature, culinary traditions, and even fashion. Incorporating cultural elements not only enriches EFL lessons but also resonates with students, making the learning process more engaging and comprehensive. Use authentic materials Compare two cultures Introduce live native speakers Use food as a tool Use songs as a tool Use Online Resources Authentic materials can be anything that native English speakers might use that can be adapted for use in an EFL classroom....  [Read more]

  Whereas stress is typically concerned with one individual word, intonation is generally concerned with the variation in volume and pitch throughout an entire sentence. Intonation carries the message of a sentence. It's particularly important when questioning or agreeing, disagreeing and confirming statements. It's also very important when expressing emotions and feelings. The normal pattern for intonation is the rise-fall. Few examples would be ?I haven't seen him for a week,? or a simple word as ?okay?. With the falling intonation, we?re indicating that we're finished speaking. Again, ?I haven't seen him for a week? and ?okay?. A few more examples would be ?I'll see you at six then,? or a question of information ?How do you spell rough?? These are straightforward statements that...  [Read more]

Georgia Payne Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences The unofficial motto of the JET Programme is 'every situation is different (ESID).' This is completely true, and every JET's day looks different depending on whether they work in a public or private school, whether they have co-JETs or are solo, their teaching partner's style, and the school's schedule. I teach in a private junior and senior high school in central Tokyo, where students are aged 12-18. The following is my own experience, but every ALT's (assistant language teacher) experience on the JET Programme is vastly different. Wake up, get ready for school and commute to school 6:30 - 7:50 Home room: 8:10 - 8:30 Periods 1-4 Lunch time 12:30 - 13:10 Periods 5-7 After school 16:00 - 16:30 Saturdays Are you ready to teach...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences 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 cared about me becoming skillful in a foreign language. The most...  [Read more]

  The teaching ideas in these ITTT videos are intended to be used in the Activate stage of a lesson. During this stage students are encouraged to use the language as freely and communicatively as possible. The focus is more on the fluency than on the accuracy of the language. When selecting any activity it is important to ensure that the timing is appropriate and that the activity is appropriate for the students' age, language levels, class size, interests and culture. The video looks at one of three teaching ideas for Present Simple. The activity is called "Find someone who...." Each student will be given a sheet with a number of facts/habits/routines. For example ...plays a musical instrument,.....does a lot of sport, ....has a brother and a sister. The students then mill around...  [Read more]

hello hello hello and welcome to another live session my name is linda from itt and you can find me on social media at linda ghost east um yeah thanks for tuning in let me just see that everything's working if you can see me and if you can hear me please um leave a comment as always you know the drill and yeah this is actually our last um live session or my last live session we have another one on tuesday from my colleague lisa but me it's my last live session before christmas and so um i wanted to get a little festive this is my attempt at being festive so um yeah that's what we're working with today um yeah if you can see me and hear me please leave a comment that would be really really awesome yay awesome it starts yeah hi thanks for tuning in hi maggie cool all right so looks like you...  [Read more]