Teach English in Japan: TESOL

(Picture of downtown Shizuoka by Paul Canosa)

"The organization was created out of professional concern over the lack of a single, all-inclusive professional organization that might bring together teachers and administrators at all educational levels with an interest in teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL)."

--from the TESOL Homepage

Visit TESOL`s homepage.

(Picture: Why we are needed in Japan!--by Paul Canosa)

TESOL places teachers in Japan. They have a lot of employment information and offer courses to make you a better teacher.

For a small fee you can list your name in their database for jobs.

You can sign up for their bulletin and receive information about job openings around the world as well as Japan.

At TESOL conventions you can learn more about teaching abroad and employment oppotunities as well.

TESOL`s Annual Job MarketPlace

Teach English in Japan: If You Find Yourself in a Bad Situation

(Photo by Paul Canosa, come and help us teach the Japanese, English!)

Some teachers find themselves in a bad situation and get down about teaching English in Japan. I too have found myself in some institutions that just don`t suit me. I feel that I don`t fit in.

Everyone is different, but for me it is really important that the teachers have a relaxed atmosphere and we feel we have enough time, and enjoy exchanging teaching ideas. I am a very social person. One friend nicknamed me the fly as I fly and land where different people are and talk with them.

I really see your place of work as a chance to get to know, become friends with, and exchange ideas with your colleagues. If that doesn`t happen as people are under too much stress,or we just don`t click--people want to keep to themselves;I will be gone after completing my contract. I don`twant to waste my time, and truly life is too short!

Also if the institution in question, for whatever reason, doesn`t seem to care about its employees. That is another reason for me to leave. Even if it is just an oversight that someone with seven years at the school in question, finds out she is no longer wanted by not seeing her name on the listof teachers for the next year--o me that is not a mere oversight,that indicates the coldness of the institution. Something is wrong that, that can happen in the first place.

I left one teaching job because the teachers were too stressed to exchange ideas. They were under so much pressure that they were often bitchy with each other. When being bitchy with your colleagues is okay or tolerated, that is an indication for me at least to move on. I know you can argue that people feel close when they can be bitchy with colleagues. Perhaps;though that kind of affinity I can do without!

That said, a lot of teachers stay there for years and seem okay with that. To each their own.

But don`t let an institution get the better of you. Give each one some time as it takes time to figure out if you fit in or not, but after a year you should know if things are going to work out.

Knowing that I probably wouldn`t stay didn`t give me an excuse to let my guard down. I still did my best to teach the students well and in fact I was offered another contract by the institution in question, however I turned it down. I strove to get offered a new contract. I wanted to leave on a good note--knowing that I did well enough to be asked back.

Maybe that sounds strange but what I was trying to do was teach well. I have pride, and I also don`t want anyone saying thatCanadian teacher wasn`t very good. There will be others coming after me.

Bottom line: make sure YOU are happy! Then your students and employer will be too. If you cannot change things, get out! Go to ESL News

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