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AdvantageEnglish · Wed 16-Jan-08, 03:23 AM

WOW...this is a first... I'm Speechless...

I was going to rattle off my suggestions, but it seems that GFELL and EnglishFirst have pretty much hit my nail on the head...

I definitely agree with EnglishFirst...
Japan is very different to western countries on so many levels and they probably want to know that you have an interest and at least a slight understanding of or a great curiosity to experience that culture and lifestyle.

Japanese ability is very rarely a benefit in the Big 4 (or is it now the Big 3 ??) but if you have it, it shows an interest in the country and will help you communicate with staff. If you don't have it... you don't need it.

If you've lived or even travelled overseas before - mention it... The longer the better because it shows that you're not going to get homesick and walk out on them.

They want to know that you'll be punctual, polite, well groomed and professional... Japanese labour (labor) laws are different to those you're used to. They can ask for a photo, your age, your gender, religious affiliation if they wanted to... (and any of those can be used as criteria for employment) Adding a photo of yourself wearing a suit and tie with neat hair and a big goofy smile can help push your case.

But the bottom line - the essay should show that you have a sincere desire to live and work in Japan for a number of years; an interest in the culture and lifestyle and a desire to learn more about it and experience it to the fullest; a love of travel and the ability to live away from home; perfect native English skills - demonstrated by way of a well written yet down to Earth essay; and finally, a desire to communicate with Japanese people and to help them improve their English skills - because nothing makes you happier than the look of absolute appreciation and awakening on a Japanese person's face when they finally understand that idiom, phrase or vocabulary item you just explained to them ! If you haven't experienced that for yourself - you've read about it or heard about and can't wait to be a part of it.

Good luck...
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AdvantageEnglish
MA (TESOL/JAPANESE), BA (ASIAN STUDIES/JAPANESE)
Get my free 30 page Ebook :
IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS (Click for link)
Click English Weekly on left, then Get Ebook Now on right.

Wed 16-Jan-08, 03:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
AdvantageEnglish ESL Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Nationality: Australian Occupation: English Teacher / Director Location: Posts: 28	Re: "Why you want to teach" Essay WOW...this is a first... I'm Speechless... I was going to rattle off my suggestions, but it seems that GFELL and EnglishFirst have pretty much hit my nail on the head... I definitely agree with EnglishFirst... Japan is very different to western countries on so many levels and they probably want to know that you have an interest and at least a slight understanding of or a great curiosity to experience that culture and lifestyle. Japanese ability is very rarely a benefit in the Big 4 (or is it now the Big 3 ??) but if you have it, it shows an interest in the country and will help you communicate with staff. If you don't have it... you don't need it. If you've lived or even travelled overseas before - mention it... The longer the better because it shows that you're not going to get homesick and walk out on them. They want to know that you'll be punctual, polite, well groomed and professional... Japanese labour (labor) laws are different to those you're used to. They can ask for a photo, your age, your gender, religious affiliation if they wanted to... (and any of those can be used as criteria for employment) Adding a photo of yourself wearing a suit and tie with neat hair and a big goofy smile can help push your case. But the bottom line - the essay should show that you have a sincere desire to live and work in Japan for a number of years; an interest in the culture and lifestyle and a desire to learn more about it and experience it to the fullest; a love of travel and the ability to live away from home; perfect native English skills - demonstrated by way of a well written yet down to Earth essay; and finally, a desire to communicate with Japanese people and to help them improve their English skills - because nothing makes you happier than the look of absolute appreciation and awakening on a Japanese person's face when they finally understand that idiom, phrase or vocabulary item you just explained to them ! If you haven't experienced that for yourself - you've read about it or heard about and can't wait to be a part of it. Good luck... ================================================== == AdvantageEnglish MA (TESOL/JAPANESE), BA (ASIAN STUDIES/JAPANESE) Get my free 30 page Ebook : IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS (Click for link) Click English Weekly on left, then Get Ebook Now on right.