Hi! I?m a girl from Sweden and I?m currently studying jurisprudence in high school. It has been a dream of mine to become an English teacher in a Japanese school for many years now. From what I?ve heard you can?t become an English teacher unless you?re a native speaker?(The English level in Swedish schools is very high and taken seriously) I can probably get other jobs maybe, but I really want to be a teacher and work in a school, I don?t really care about the salary. So is there no chance for me to become an English teacher at all because I?m Swedish?

Tjena Mai

From what i've seen native speakers are desired, though in some cases not mandatory.

Greetings.

I have a question regarding teaching English in Japan. I realize this has been asked in this topic, but I'd like to hear the firsthand opinions of some.

I'm from Turkey and I'm currently studying BA Dutch Language and Culture & Japanese Language and Culture in the Netherlands. I'm not a native speaker of English, however I'm fluent at it and I have experience in teaching languages.

What's the current opinion in Japan about foreign language teachers? Are native speakers preferred over non-native speakers, and If so (which I expect) to what extend? Do people like multi-cultural background (like me) have a chance in English teaching, If they are not native speakers?

In Europe the numbers of non-native teachers is raising. The reason for that being is that non-natives can offer another perspective to the language that a native-speaker cannot bring. However, I'm afraid that in Japan this may not be the case.

I'd like to hear the opinions of teachers on this topic, especially from Japan.

Best regards,
Kedi.

Yes.. the answer to this question is usually the same..
native teachers are preferred but non-native speakers have some opportunities..
it varies from school/company to school/company.
Apply for some jobs (from your country) and see what happens.

.

Although for clarification. To be eligible for a CIR position you must possess functional knowledge of Japanese language.

Also there are only 7 places a year for the SEA position, and one must have high experience of either being a National Athlete recognised abilities & recommendations nationally in their own country and should also have either a certificate in coaching from a recognised college or at least 3 years coaching experience.

The ALT positions are more straight forward in terms of requirements compared to the CIR & SEA though. All you need is to have a Bachelors Degree in anything and be enthusiastic (also do not need to know the Japanese language)