Did you ever feel a calling? Or dare to dream?

[Tama]

It started with me wanting to learn Japanese so I could buy my games early.

Then it just stuck around. I still haven't learned Japanese (my learning game broke. Note: If you routinely carry jewelry or loose gemstones in your pocket, your DS game IS NOT SAFE! The back liney things WILL break apart.) but I'm going to start.

Then the crap happened and I gave up on everything.

Now, although I've been warned against it by my family ("they have plenty of English teachers in Japan [ie the Japanese people are teaching the kids themselves]" ) I keep getting the "get your English bachelors (and possibly a teaching minor to get licensed?) and go teach English in Japan." mood settling on me.

It's like...I keep getting a feeling that something is WAITING there for me, which I know makes no goddamn sense at all.

I was reading that they give preference to those with teaching licensure, and that obviously you need a bachelors of some kind. English is my best subject.


My family's telling me that an English degree is worthless. But thing is...I can't do math. Anything else I might want to do requires Calculus or other such higher maths, and I struggled through DEVELOPMENTAL Algebra, passing only because of a large and pushy teacher (who I am thankful for ). Forensic Science is simply not happening.


So I guess what I'm asking is...is this a pipe dream? Should I just give up and try to do Biology or something?

[Seshat]

Dream. It's good for you.

Read the experiences of people who have gone to Japan to teach English. Some have loved it. Some have had their dreams crushed by the reality of it. Once you have a better idea of the reality of it, if the dream still interests you, go ahead and go for it: IMO. It's your life, live it.

Also: once you have English teaching credentials, you can go all over the world to teach. Ever wanted to visit India? Teach English. Wanted to help a Medicins Sans Frontiers group? Might help to know some French, but hey, they also need English teachers. Since English is the world's lingua franca.


As for an English degree being worthless: well, that depends on what you want to get out of it. It's not the best for getting lucrative job offers; but it can provide an opportunity to live comfortably - and to follow dreams.

[AnaKhouri]

Definitely look into what you need to do to become certified. Then do all your research into the companies that hire English teachers. Then look into what is required of you to live in a foreign country, and what living in Japan will be like.

I know a married couple who are currently in the Osaka area, teaching English. They, however, are hardcore Japanophiles who knew exactly what living there would be like. I have been to Japan but think living there, especially in a large city, would not be my cup of cha, so to speak. Even then, these placements are not permanent so if you find you want to come back, the job will not last forever.

If it still sounds like something you want to do, go for it. My motto has always been, "Do what makes you happy (as long as it's safe and legal) and fuck the haters." It has worked well so far.

[dalesys]

... English is the world's lingua franca.

Snerk.
French: How American restaurants get fools to eat the inedible.

[Pimento]

I have a good friend that went to teach English in Japan. It's a learning curve but you can do it if you put your mind to it

[Eireann]

I say, go for it. Follow your passion. If it proves overwhelming, at least you've done your best. Get your degree, if you still want to, and find a job in Japan. As others have said, you can teach English around the world. Remember, other people who are warning you against it are usually warning you because, although their intentions may be good, it's not the sort of thing they would do, so they can't understand why you'd be drawn to it. Travel is immensely important to a broader life; learning new languages, experiencing new cultures, and having invaluable experiences. You may end up loving Japan, and settling there. You may end up leaving after a year. Either way, it'll look great on a resume, and could well open doors to something bigger and better.

[Marmalady]

Go for it. If teaching English in Japan doesn't work out, there are people all over the world who want to learn it. Even in primarily English-speaking countries, there will be immigrant populations who want to either learn it or improve their knowledge of it (there is a small but growing community of Portuguese in my nearest town, for example)

It's your dream, and you're hurting nobody by following it.

[MoonCat]

Never let other people decide if your dreams should be followed, that's all I can add.

[Fudgethatkay]

When I was 8, I felt an odd compulsion to learn Japanese so I could communicate with my neighbors.


Now I go at least once every year and a half, met Japanese royalty, met up with sports teams from Japan and interpreted, and was part of the welcome committee to the city and schools' representatives from our sister city in Kochi. (Hint to where I live)

I also study Korean, Mandarin, Gaelic, American Sign Language, and have dabbled in French and Hmong.

Learning Japanese was my open door to my biggest talent and passion.


And yet, like some of you, I can barely add two plus two (it equals fish right?)

Dream. Dream. DREAM AND THEN CHASE IT. -ahem-

I won't teach English. If I can't be an interpreter for a company, I just may start my own language school because my hometown is DRY for those who have the talent but no resources.

[Gravekeeper]

It's like...I keep getting a feeling that something is WAITING there for me, which I know makes no goddamn sense at all.

"Nuclear earthquakes" >.>

There's a lot you can do with an English teaching degree though. Especially if you live in a big immigrant city. As for teaching in Japan, it would be an experience to say the least. I think you would have more trouble trying to adapt to living there than you would actually teaching. It is one hell of a culture shock for a westerner. But you could do one of the annual type programs where you only go to teach for a year or two.

Just brace yourself for earthquakes and ridiculously crowded living conditions. Also, gaijin smash.

[protege]

There's a lot you can do with an English teaching degree though. Especially if you live in a big immigrant city.

When my dad was still teaching, he'd head over to China to teach English. From what he said, they are slowly moving away from communism, and becoming more and more like us. As a result, they're very curious about Americans and what things are really like over here. They were interested in what kind of house he lived in, what type of car he drove, his family, etc. Remember, over there, many Chinese cites are crowded, and even now, many people don't own cars. Plus, that whole "one child" thing too. Many of his students were very interested to know what it was really like, and not the "truth" told to them by their officials.

Anyway, many Chinese people want to learn English. A lot of it is because many firms are setting up shop over there. But, for them, there's nobody really to practice their English skills with--I'm sure everyone's familiar with the stereotype of Asians speaking broken English.

Dad went over a few times, for a month or two at a time...before the cooperative was discontinued.

[Gravekeeper]

I couldn't do China. The smog alone would take a decade off your life. -.-

[dalesys]

My dad learned Chinese (Mandarin) in his 70's (he just turned 87 this month).

[Tama]

Wow, who says languages are impossible to learn as you get older. That's awesome.

[Barracuda]

I have a friend who went to Taiwan to teach English. He loved it.