Michael in Japan
Michael is one of many people whose TEFL Scotland certificate took them on an exciting journey to the other side of the world. Here is his story:
"I worked as an architect for two years before I was made redundant as one of the many victims of the recession. I knew there wouldn’t be any meaningful jobs here in the UK so I decided to go to Japan and spend a year or two there doing something useful rather than hopelessly waiting in the UK for the recession to end.
I took a 20-hour weekend TEFL course with TEFL Scotland. I had never taught before so wasn’t sure what to expect, but the course was so full-on and fun that the time flew by and before I knew it I was delivering mini-lessons to others in the group. I met loads of others from the course, from quite a wide background and I am still in touch with some of them nearly 2 years on. I learnt loads about how to teach and what to teach in such a short space of time and by the end of it I was sure I actually wanted to go to Japan to teach English and more to the point I felt that I could do it.
Having done a bit of grammar on the course, I felt I had to do more so I signed up for the online grammar course, I did it in my own time (which I had loads of) and had it finished pretty quickly. Knowing the grammar was really useful, because the students all knew it! And my confidence in the grammar really grew during my first year of teaching.
Getting the job in Japan was the next step and TEFL Scotland helped me out with the application to Japan. There was a bit of paper work and the odd trip to an embassy and an interview of course, but the whole process was done in about two months and then I was off. I am now in my second year of teaching English in Japan!
I never expected to like teaching so much, but the skills I learnt on the course have really allowed me to develop over the year or so I have been in Japan. I can see myself staying longer in Japan, perhaps as a teacher or even to continue my career as an architect. I’m studying the language a lot now compared to last year, and it really helps. It’s so much more fun to have Japanese friends here. Teaching has given me an excellent base to move forward and explore new avenues."
Michael has also appeared in the press
Scotland on Sunday
Inverness Courier
