"Display Name" <mmiklas@nyc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:SaPMa.2281$Aw.931@twister.nyc.rr.com...
>
> >
> 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.
>

I guess because  I have one I'm in the same camp as Ryan, in that having
some sort of TEFL qualification is probably better than nothing - and I'll
add - ESPECIALLY - if your after work at any private eikaiwa schools (not
the big chain schools) and the owner/manager/manager's wife has a notion as
to what a TEFL certificate is.  Furthermore, if you plan to take your
English teaching experience in Japan and then head off to more cosmopolitan
lands, such as in Europe, then a TEFL is essential.

Though it's only a very small straw poll - at the 5 schools of which I
personally know the owner - you could only get work at one of them without a
TEFL (bearing in mind that the teachers at that particular establishment
don't even have work visas I think it should be excluded from the poll!)

jonathan