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From Sumo wrestling, the most authentic Japanese cuisine you’ve ever tasted, ancient castles and Pagodas, skiing in the mountainous north and beach hopping in the tropical south, ancient and bustling cities like Tokyo and Osaka, Japan caters for every type of traveller.

Japan is unlike any country you’ve ever been to with the most bizarre but fascinating experiences available throughout the country, and a scenery like no other. A distinct balance between ancient and modern- Japan opens up a whole new world.

Nagoya is an ideal destination for an in-class, immersive TESOL course experience in Japan. It is the fourth largest city in Japan, which means that as a TESOL student, you get the full experience of high paced life in Japan, but at a much lower cost than bigger cities like the capital, Tokyo. It offers teachers an affordable base to spend a full month in Japan getting certified to teach- in Japan, or anywhere around the world.

Nagoya also offers unique tourist attractions that combine ancient and modern worlds, from the ultra-modern illuminated Ferris wheel to the ancient Nagoya castle. Nagoya boasts a rich history; the seat of the Takagawa clan and it is where the most famous Samurai battles took place. It has an airport into which participants can fly directly and offers an excellent geographical location to travel around the rest of Japan at weekends.

The School

The Nogoya TEFL training centre is in the Imaike area. Imaike is a pleasant entertainment district with cinemas and live music venues hosting jazz and blues bands. The area hosts concerts and art shows, and independent galleries and craft shops provide a lively creative scene. Chikusa Park blooms with lilies in summer and draws locals to play tennis and baseball. There are quiet Zen temples and Shinto shrines dotted around the area.

We offer a full 120-hour in-class TESOL course starting on select start dates for a whole month in Nagoya. Applicants arrive up to two days prior to the start date and are expected to arrive by the latest on the morning of the day before. The course is broken down into four weeks:

The first week is a cultural orientation week designed to immerse you in the culture through important and fun activities such as:

• Japanese Language Lessons
• A cooking class
• Excursions to the Tokugawa Art Museum and Nagoya Castle
• Cultural etiquette classes
• A welcome dinner
• Set up a SIM card and other logistics 
• Martial Arts Classes or Sumo wrestling match if in season
• History Lessons
• Politics Classes

The second and third week is dedicated to classes around the content and methodologies of teaching English as a foreign language. It will include lesson planning for both the receptive and productive skills of students such as speaking, reading, writing, and listening. As well as classroom management techniques and the principles of ESL. This will be held in a classroom with an experienced TESOL instructor, with classes from 8 am-4 pm with a lunch break in between. 

The final week of the in-class course is practical training in a Japanese classroom. You are paired with another TESOL participant to plan a number of lessons for different types of lessons, age levels, and proficiency levels of students. You plan and deliver the lesson, and then get feedback from your instructor who is in the classroom with you. 

You then write your final TESOL exam and graduate on the final Saturday at the graduation ceremony with the 120-hour in-class TESOL. It never expires and can be used around the world. 

The accredited course in Nagoya is operated by an independent organisation that issues its own certificate on completion of the course.

Accommodation

At present we are in a transitional process for the course, where the accommodation we are using will likely not be the same long-term, but a typical accommodation option would be at Koma Hills. This is a large, shared house fully renovated into a cafe style, with a capacity of 40 people. As it’s a Kariteco bike installation property, you can easily move around on a rental electric bicycle; riding it and coming back, or you can return it at any other Kariteco bike port.

The house has a good view, excellent surroundings, a spacious living room and a theater room. There is also ample kitchen space, so you can cook a meal with your sharemates and enjoy a meal together in the spacious living room. There is a "library space" and a "terrace space" in the common area on the 1st floor, so you can read or study on your days off, enjoy a relaxing cafe atmosphere by drinking coffee on the terrace, or have some time to yourself.

This share house is a fully renovated former dormitory, located seven minutes’ walk from Higashiyama Koen Station on the Higashiyama Line, a popular subway line. The Higashiyama Subway Line is the most branded line in Nagoya City, and it is convenient as you can access Sakae Station, Fushimi Station, and Nagoya Station without changing trains.

The Higashiyama Park area is one of the most popular residential areas in Nagoya. There is a running/walking path called ``Higashiyama 10,000 Steps'' in the mountains near Higashiyama Koen Station, where you can run or take a leisurely walk on your days off, and truly experience nature.

In addition, as the name of the station suggests, there are not only Higashiyama Zoological and Botanical Gardens, but also a supermarket and convenience stores around the station, making it a perfect living environment.

Course dates

Course fees

The total price is divided into: deposit and balance.

The deposit may be paid via a) credit card b) Paypal c) wire transfer d) Western Union.

The balance of the course fee must be paid by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the training center on the first day of the course.

Accomodation Fees

The accommodation fees are not part of the course price and you are free to choose whichever accommodation option you prefer.

If you choose to use our accommodation, it should be paid for either by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the school at the start of the course.

Share accommodation for four weeks

Single accommodation for four weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are my payment options?

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  The initial deposit is due as a lump sum in order to secure your spot in the program. The final program fee is due 12 weeks prior to your selected departure date. You can speak to our team about breaking this down into smaller payment amounts leading up to the 12 week prior deadline.

• What are my accommodation options?

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  Accommodation is pre-booked so that all participants stay together for the duration of the course. The accommodation is a single room in an apartment, with shared common areas and bathrooms. If you prefer to look at independent accommodation options, you can speak to our team about that. We do advise staying in the pre-booked accommodation as it allows you to interact with other participants and is situated conveniently in proximity to the classroom and activities.

• Do I need a degree to teach in Japan?

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  Yes. In order to get the legal working permit, a Bachelor’s degree is required.

  
  

• Is there a dress code?

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  During the theory and orientation of the TESOL course itself, there is no particular dress code. However, during the practical teaching element in the classroom, teachers will need to adhere to the cultural and professional requirements of the Japanese classroom. Business professional is expected in Japan. Packing lists and examples of classroom attire will be provided in an information pack prior to departure, so that you can pack accordingly.

  
  

• What is the course schedule?

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  The course runs over 4 weeks. Week 1 is the cultural orientation, which includes activities such as language lessons, a cooking class, visit to the Takagawa art museum, tour of the Nagoya castle, a welcome dinner and cultural etiquette, history and politics lectures. The itinerary will be provided in advance. Week 2 and 3 are classroom based lectures on the theoretical information. Classes start at 8AM and run to 4PM in the afternoon, with a lunch break in between. The fourth and final week is your teaching practical week, which will include practical classroom experience where you’ll teach alongside another TESOL participant. The classes you’ll be teaching and more information about the preparation of those classes will be provided in advance. In the final week, you also write the TESOL examination. Graduation happens on the final Friday of the course.

  
  

• What do I need for the course?

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  Participants will need a laptop/tablet for the course. Notebooks, pens and some classroom supplies are also advisable (but can be purchased in country).

  
  

• When can I arrive in Nagoya?

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  The TESOL course start dates always fall on a Monday. We would like all participants to have arrived at the latest by the Sunday morning prior. At the earliest (for the inclusion of airport pick-up and pre-booked accommodation), participants can arrive on the Saturday prior. Participants can arrive earlier than the Saturday, but they will then have to make their own arrangements for airport pick up and accommodation prior to the Saturday early check in.

  
  

• What travel documents will I need before I travel to Japan?

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  You’ll need your valid passport (with more than 6 blank visa pages, and an expiration date exceeding 6 months from your arrival date) and travel insurance for the duration of your time in Japan.

  
  

• How many people are generally on the course?

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  The course is capped at 15 participants to ensure that each participant gets equal attention, but still has the opportunity to be part of a group and make friends.

  
  

• What are my options if I’d like to stay in Japan and teach after the course?

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  Provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you can speak to your Support Coordinator about applying for the Guaranteed Placement option. If your application is approved, the additional amount is payable. You’ll then complete the course and go directly to your paid teaching position thereafter. You’ll need additional documents if you’re planning on teaching in Japan, so you’ll need to prepare those prior to departure with the help of our support team.

  
  

• What documents will I need if I choose to do the guaranteed placement after the course?

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  Your original Bachelor’s degree diploma, a clean and clear criminal background check from your home country and a copy of your university trasncripts.

  
  

• How does teaching practical work?

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  In the fourth and final week of the course, yourself and another TESOL participant will be grouped together to plan, prepare and execute lessons in real life classroom situations in a Thai school. You’ll be assigned a number of classes to prepare for and your instructor will be in the classroom with you when you give the lesson. The aim of the observed practical, is to ensure that you are exposed to a number of different age groups, proficiency levels and types of lessons. For example, on the Monday of the final week, you may have Grade 11’s that are intermediate and you’ll be doing a speaking lesson. On Wednesday, you may have Grade 1’s that are beginner level and you’ll be doing a listening lesson.

  
  

• Can I use the certificate for teaching outside of Japan?

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  Yes. The certification is internationally accredited and does not expire. It can be used around the world.