TESOL (English Teaching) Summer Internship

General Overview

Through this internship, interns get hands-on experience teaching and interacting with students studying English as a foreign language in Japan. The internship is with the Department of Contemporary English at Ibaraki Christian University, so most of the tutoring experience will be done with university students. That said, there are also opportunities to teach and share culture at the campus kindergarten, local elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools. In addition to holding “Chat Hours,” where students come to practice speaking English outside of classes, interns act as teaching assistants in classes and organize fun English events. We are looking for a diverse team of talented individuals who can work together to provide a unique international experience on campus. No previous experience of specific qualifications are required.

Hours and Duration

This internship is generally a 90-day post working 30 to 40 hours per week. Working days are somewhat flexible, so interns may ask time off for a long weekend to travel around Japan. Interns may also request a 4-day work week.

Learning Objectives

The objective of this internship is to teach interns how to interact with other cultures, how to teach language, how to lead groups of people, how to organize and run events for large groups of people. Learning and practicing public speaking skills also plays a part in many of these objectives.

Required Skills

There are no required skills to participate in the internship. We are looking for diligent, young people who want to learn and interact with people from other cultures.

Evaluation

Interns meet weekly with designated Intern Coordinators (teachers in the Department of Contemporary English at Ibaraki Christian University) for updates on plans and goals, feedback on performance and to generally check in on how life in Japan is going. For students who are participating in the internship for university credit, Intern Coordinators are can fill out evaluation forms from the universities. Otherwise, the feedback about performance in various respects of the internship are done verbally either on the spot or in the weekly meetings.

Compensation

Upon completing the internship, interns receive a certificate of completion outlining the total number of hours tutoring, working as teaching assistants and doing culture-related activities. This experience along with letters of recommendation from coordinators, help former interns get jobs as ALTs or enter the JET program in Japan. Interns also receive free Japanese lessons each week while working and a monthly stipend for meals on campus.

Compliance 

The TESOL (English Teaching) Internship is in compliance with all United States internship Guidelines.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/71-flsa-internships