"Jason Cormier" <fjlij@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:BB28AF07.4FAFB%fjlij@hotmail.com...
> On 7/2/03 14:52, in article 9ca6gv0d4e3soig94684d4vb27ftp1rik2@4ax.com,
> "Michael Cash" <mikecash@sunfield.ne.jp> wrote:
>
>
> >>> Considering teaching english in Japan, currently living in NYC.
Reading a
> >>> lot of good things about AEON (at least compared to other eikaiwa) and
I've
> >>> also seen one excellent post for ECC. my goals - learn to teach
english,
> >>> DEFINITELY learn japanese, have the flexibility to socialize
w/whomever i
> >>> please as i hear plenty about stipulations in some teaching contracts
where
> >>> you can't interact w/ students, sample some martial arts & continue
> >>> expanding photography interest. Am I unrealistic in hoping that I can
> >>> EVENTUALLY (I'm sure getting settled takes a few months) get my arms
around
> >>> the whole day-to-day of teaching english there to the pt. of being
able to
> >>> pursue most or all of these things?
> >>>
> >>> Any updated advice (everything I see is from 2002 or earlier) on who's
best
> >>> to apply to here and now, what to expect, etcetera
> >>> oh and my stats: 30y.o. white guy, no TEFL training but a BA in
English.
> >>> Thanks in advance,
> >>> Matt
> >>
> >> You are already fully qualified to teach at a Japanese eikaiwa. You'll
have
> >> no problem finding a job and pursuing your interests.
> >
> > It isn't like you to be so imprecise with language, Jason. I know
> > you'll forgive me if I rewrite that first sentence for you:
> >
> > "You are already as qualified as any of the other unqualified yahoos
> > who work at an eikaiwa and pretend to teach English to people who, by
> > and large, are only pretending to learn it."
>
> Imprecise? I was being succinct. The fact that finding employment at an
> eikaiwai requires no teacher training or experience is inconsequential. He
> meets the qualifications: he speaks English and has a B.A.
>
Ok, thanks to both of you for the info. If I quickly grab a TEFL
certification here in NY (open to recommendations as to where it's best), is
that going to put me in any better a position in terms of canvassing NYC for
an english teaching job in Japan with optimal pay, time off, choice of
location, etc.? or putting me in a program that is, i guess, at least a
little more respected among English teachers abroad than the eikeiwa
programs? Would such a program allow me the aforementioned lifestyle i'm
seeking in japan that you say would in fact be afforded me by eikaiwa?
Or, more simply put (and I'm asking both of you this) - if you were me -
what would you do?
I get the idea from other postings that eikaiwa are at least a way to get a
foot in the door of the world in which you guys work. Thanks again.