If you are someone with an itch for travel and are looking for an opportunity to change your life, earning a TEFL certificate can open the door to countless impactful experiences around the world. With a TEFL teaching certificate, you will be able to receive your English teaching certificate on your own time and at your own convenience. It gives you not only the opportunity to escape feeling tied down to one place but it also gives you the chance to learn more about yourself and explore places you never thought possible.
Teaching provides so many educators with feelings of purpose and satisfaction. One TEFL alum remarked, “teaching abroad has got to be the most limitless career choice you can take and altogether a great option if you are feeling stuck in your current lifestyle. I recommend it to anyone needing a change and a rewarding job!”
TEFL in Japan
If you are in need of change and also love Japanese culture, TEFL has the perfect teaching opportunity for you in Mito, Japan. Posted by the Heart Corporation, this full-time job has a salary ranging from 9,000-12,000 JPY a day, and also has Visas available for prospective candidates. The requirements include a Level 5 TEFL certificate, a work visa, a Bachelor’s degree or above, and native-level English speaking skills.
The Heart Corporation is a human dispatching company for all educational fields, and they are specifically looking for candidates who can teach English for public elementary schools in Japan to assist Japanese teachers. Some of the main places that The Heart Corporation sends teachers to include the Board of Education offices at Hitachi Co. in Hitachinaka, Tsuchiura, Hitachi Kasei Co. in Shimodate, Tsukuba, and Hitachi Densen Co. in Hitachi, Tsuchiura. What better way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and grow your teaching and public speaking skills than in a foreign country?
Teaching Benefits
As a teacher, you will be working with fellow Japanese educators to create fun and effective English lessons and will be responsible for motivating students to learn English. It is crucial to create a positive attitude in and out of the classroom in order to increase students’ engagement. This experience allows you to become teacher and student simultaneously, learning from both your own students and those around you. Japan is a country rich in culture and long-lasting traditions. As a result, it can definitely take a bit of time to get yourself settled and comfortable. There are countless cities bustling with crazy trends, ranging from quirky cat cafes to real-life Mario Karts. It truly is a country that effortlessly combines respect for ancient culture and innovative modern technology.
Some other major benefits of teaching in Japan include the ability to learn more about your own language through the questions students ask you. Teachers are able to see your language and culture through a brand new lens. If you are hesitant about the struggle to understand your colleagues and students, your ability to be fully immersed in the language will force you to pick up Japanese expressions and slang.
Additional Benefits
The language barrier may be difficult in the beginning, but as you break it down it will allow you to effectively communicate with others and simplify your own speech and expressions. Additionally, the English teaching job market in Japan is extremely popular due to their great salaries, support systems, and excellent jobs. It is a comfort to know that there are many opportunities for higher salaries and bonuses the longer you work at a company/school.
No matter where you are in Japan, transportation is always readily available. Getting around the country by express trains is most efficient. Not to mention you can count on Japanese transportation almost always being on time, and bike travel is frequently used. Mito is only a three-hour train ride from Japan or about two hours by car. Another great quality about Japan is the superb quality and effort local chefs put into their food. It is truly a craft that consists of simple and delicious meals. Your palate will thank you for introducing it to a plethora of new and indescribable flavours.
Why Mito?
With all of this in mind, how will you go about choosing the right city to teach in? Mito Japan, although not as globally well-known, is the capital city of Ibaraki Prefecture in the Kanto region of Honshu. It is located on Japan’s eastern pacific coast northeast of Tokyo. Mito is best known for its fermented soybeans, called natto. It is also known for being the home of Kairakuen Garden, one of the three best landscape gardens in Japan. This city combines activities for both the adventurer and the urbanite.
In addition to Kairakuen Garden, Mito is also home to Hitachi Seaside Park. This park is known for its large flower fields bursting with colour. Mito is also known for Kodokan, the former school of the feudal Mito Clan. It is amazing to see when a city is able to balance modern technology and cultural history with such grace, and Mito is no exception. Spend your weekends off exploring the beautiful gardens. Or even take a quick train ride towards the coast to one of the beautiful beaches in Hitachinaka.
Mito is just one of the many beautiful cities that Japan has to offer, so you really can’t go wrong with where you choose to begin your teaching journey. A TEFL certificate opens you up to so many opportunities for personal and social growth. It is up to you to choose which path you wish to take. Rich with Japanese culture and history, you are bound to fall in love with Mito. We don’t doubt that you will be able to call it home in no time.
The post Why You Should Teach Abroad in Mito, Japan appeared first on The TEFL Academy Blog.
