Hello, everyone! : )

My name is Thomas and I'd like your help if possible. I feel almost rude asking such amatuerish questions, but there is such a wealth of information on this fine forum I am almost sure it would take me quite a bit of time to study it all. I hope you will entertain my questions even if you've heard it all a thousand times before. ; )

I am about to finish my second year of college as a biology major. While I enjoy science (my real passion is zoology and to get even more specific, herpatology) I don't think it's what I want to do as a career, at least not right away.

I've visited Japan twice before in my life (vacations) and have a strong admiration of the people and culture. Over the past few years and of course charged by the recent disaster, I have become sincerely interested in the idea of teaching english in Japan, and would like any and all advice I can get on the subject. Not to toot my own horn, but I have a above-average handle on the language (and pronunciation, which I'm sure dominates any class) as a native speaker, but in my teen years my family worked for a local college and housed several foreign students - most of which were Japanese or Korean. I really enjoyed accompanying them around town as the guide/translator and trying to crack that "R/L" or "V/B" verbal issue. So, chances are I won't be thrown off by the confusion of strong accents ; )

My question is since I have approximately two years until I recieve my bachelors in science, what should I do to prepare and or stack the deck in my favor when applying for a job such as this? General guidance like 'learn Japanese' is welcome - I know only the most rudimentary Japanese - things like Hello, goodbye, I'm sorry (always handy, I've learned) and where is _____, not that I'd really do all that well recieving an answer. <: ) - but I'd also appreciate little things, like apply often versus just once, or take X class during school because they look for this type of experience, etc.

Again, if all this comes off as having obvious answers, I apologize and hope you will point me to where they've been covered. Thank you in advance for any help you might provide,

Thomas