From what I know about teaching English is that you do not have to be a native speaker. It varies from country to country and company to company but if you are a non-native english speaker then you can still apply but you have to have certificates to prove your level and fluency. Of course if you have live in an English speaking country or been in a job where you use English a lot then this also helps...most require 10years or more experience but some places are a bit more flexible and normal make a decision through interviews.

Doing one-on-one teaching will be more suited although if french is your native tongue and you speak english as well it might also be worth considering teaching french to english people too

best of luck

Hi eric,
I need more info on JET Program. What do I need to qualify?
thanks, Sal(Canada)

Here it is from the source

1. Be interested in Japan, and be willing to deepen their knowledge of Japan and participate in international exchange activities within the community after their arrival.

2. Be both mentally and physically healthy.

3. Have the ability to adapt to life and work in Japan.

4. Obey all Japanese laws.

5. Applicants with a suspended jail term must have finished their period of probation by the time they submit their application form.

6. Be a citizen (not just a permanent resident) of the country where the recruitment and selection procedures take place. (Those who possess dual citizenship with Japan must renounce their Japanese citizenship before the date for submission of the JET Programme Reply Form.) Applicants who have dual citizenship with countries other than Japan may only apply in ONE country.

7. In principle, be forty (40) years of age or less (as of April 1st, 2010). One of the main purposes of the Programme is to foster exchange between Japanese youth and young professionals from the countries participating in the Programme.

8. Have excellent pronunciation, rhythm, intonation and voice projection skills in the designated language (See Note 1), in addition to other standard language skills. Have good writing skills and grammar usage.

9. Not have participated on the JET Programme since 2007. Also, not have been a participant on the Programme for more than a total of five years (See Note 2).

10. Not have declined a position on the JET Programme after receiving notification of placement in the last JET Programme year. However, exceptions to this rule may be made in cases where it is determined that the participant has a valid, unavoidable reason for withdrawing.

11. Not have lived in Japan for six or more years in total since 2000 (See Note 2).

12. In the case of entry into Japan for the participation in the JET Programme, agree to reside in Japan under the status of residence stipulated in Article 2-2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.

13. Be interested in the Japanese educational system and particularly in the Japanese way of teaching foreign languages.

14. Be interested in actively working with students.

15. Hold at least a Bachelor?s degree or obtain one by the departure date of Group A participants (See Note 3), or hold a qualification of three years of more in a training course in teaching at elementary or secondary schools or be able to obtain such qualifications by the departure date of Group A participants.

16. Be qualified as a language teacher or be strongly motivated to take part in the teaching of foreign languages (See Note 1).

17. Successful applicants are expected to make an effort to study or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan.

18. In addition to the above, applicants from non-English speaking countries must:
Have a functional command of the English or Japanese language.

Wow that's good news, till recently the age limit was 35! (I'm 32 )

petina wrote:

QUOTE:
Here it is from the source :)
15. Hold at least a Bachelor?s degree or obtain one by the departure date of Group A participants (See Note 3), or hold a qualification of three years of more in a training course in teaching at elementary or secondary schools or be able to obtain such qualifications by the departure date of Group A participants.

What worries me most about these requirements is the "three years of more in a training course in teaching at elementary or secondary schools".

Is this strictly necessary, or does it just mean that you'd have a better chance of getting a job if you had this experience?

According to the quote, I would put my finger at "Bachelor Degree preferred, however a 3-year English teaching experience as alternative qualification accepted when no Bachelor Degree available".


Remixer