A Personal View of Living in Japan

Is it Hard to Adapt to Living in Japan?

The idea of moving to Japan for school or for work has become extremely popular in recent times. The country offers many great opportunities for people who are not native to the country. The thrill of learning a new culture is another reason why living in Japan is an exciting prospect for many people. The thrill of learning the Japanese language and being immersed in the culture is very exciting for many.

Living in a different country can be a challenge for anyone, so realizing that the Japanese are very particular about their customs and correct manners is very important. As a foreigner it is important that you become familiar with the basic rules of Japanese society.

While many of their people will cut a foreigner some slack on incorrect etiquette, if one performs something that is extremely disrespectful, then it might not be overlooked. Additionally, it is in your best interest as well to learn a little bit about the rules of a country that you are visiting or planning to live in.

An example of a Japanese culture difference involves entering a home. In Japan it is expected that outside shoes will be removed. The host then provides slippers for the guests to wear. Many people are aware of this custom of theirs; however, there are other shoe etiquette customs that are required in Japan that are not as widely known. For example, another Japanese society custom requires that any room with a tatami floor is to only be stepped on with socks or bare feet. Additionally, there are special slippers that are to be worn exclusively in the bathroom.

While it is important to try and learn as much about a new culture as you can, it would be impossible to think that you could learn everything about a totally new culture right away. This is true for anyone trying to integrate into Japanese society as well. If you have had extra time or exposure to a particular way of life, then it might make it easier for you.

For someone who is transplanting from a western country to Japan some customs will seem more foreign and some might seem more familiar. For example, in western culture it is considered bad manners to blow your nose at the dinner table, and this is indeed true in Japan as well. As time goes by it will become easier and easier to integrate into the new culture and you will no doubt find that living in Japan is easy.

While many westerners are making the decision to move to Japan for either school or work, they are also taking on the challenge of learning a new culture. There are many aspects to the Japanese culture that are extremely different from western culture and can take some getting used to, yet as time goes on it will become easier to integrate into the new culture. Once a person has gotten to this stage, then living in Japan will be much easier for them.

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The TEFL Life: An English Teacher in Shanghai

CELTA Courses - FAQs

If you're interested in teaching English as a second language to adults, you'll probably have heard of CELTA as you've been researching, but what is it and is it for you? These FAQs should answer some of the common questions about CELTA.

What is CELTA?

CELTA stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. The Certificate is an internationally recognised qualification which will help you to get an English-teaching job either in England or Wales or abroad.

Why do I need a CELTA qualification?

In actual fact you don't necessarily need a CELTA qualification; there are some places you can teach without one. However, having the qualification will give you far greater access to higher paying jobs and much more choice about where you teach.

Additionally, studying for a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults will help you be a better teacher, especially if you have no previous experience. You'll feel more confident planning and delivering lessons after the in-depth training.

How long will a CELTA course take?

A full-time course will normally take around four weeks. There are also some courses where you can study the qualification part-time. In order to achieve the qualification you need to complete 120 hours of study/teaching.

The courses are intensive and you should be prepared for that. Even studying part-time will require a lot of hard work.

How much will it cost?

A four-week CELTA course usually costs in the region on £1,000. This is considered an investment because the qualification enables access to higher paying teaching jobs.

What will I learn?

On a CELTA course you will:
o Learn about the principles of effective teaching
o Develop practical planning and classroom skills for teaching English to adult learners
o Gain hands-on teaching experience
o Gain confidence about your teaching skills

Will I need to sit an exam?

There is no sit-down exam as such but you will be assessed through monitored teaching practice and written assignments. External assessors appointed by Cambridge ESOL moderate each course.

Who can apply?

In order to qualify for a place on a CELTA course, ideally you should:
o Be educated to the level required for entry to higher education, for example A-level or equivalent
o Be aged 20 or over
o Be fluent in English - you should be a native English speaker or be able to use English to that standard.

Where could I teach with a CELTA qualification?

The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults is the most widely recognised and accepted qualification throughout the world by organisations which employ English Language teachers. You can also use it to teach English as a second language in England and Wales.

Concorde International is a Canterbury-based organisation offering Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults courses. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Cornish

Teaching ESL in Japan, Information on Teaching English Overseas