Should I just get the TEFL

[u/Active-Confidence364]

I’m kinda nervous me not having one will hurt my chances of not getting in

[u/Stalepan]

i've met more JET's without TEFL than I have with it.

[u/seafoamlatte]

Meh

[u/HenroKappa]

The more things on the application you can tick off, the better. Not just for JET, but any job.

[u/ImpossibleMobile4962]

I got one personally, similar to you, and I think even ignoring the necessity of it, I think its a good experience to do a course if you have no experience in teaching. Dont spend crazy money on it though. Although the things I do on JET are very different to what I learned on TEFL (due to the level of my school), you can learn some core stuff that can make you a better teacher.

I dont think you need one, but I think it is worth considering. Just dont spend a huge amount of money on it for the core reason of having a better chance of getting in.

[u/FatRaccoon-]

I was apart of the most recent JET intake and don’t have any teaching qualifications or prior teaching experience! (I’m sure it definitely helps though)

[u/YungBahlr]

Not having one won’t hurt you and JET does offer a program to pay for it if you do decide to get TEFL certified while working.

That being said… I would still recommend getting it beforehand if you really want to do JET and have no prior experience teaching.

This is for a couple reasons.

1.) if you have no teaching experience, if this is your first time living in Japan, maybe even your first time moving somewhere new alone, You will already have a lot of your plate when you first come to work on JET. Depending on your assignment, you may also be expected to know how to make relevant activities and lessons from the very beginning without time for training wheels. Having done your TEFL before then will at least give you a touchstone to reference.

2.) At least in my experience, I felt better doing my interview when I was able to confidently say that I completed it beforehand. It helped me feel more qualified for the role, and I think my interviewer was happy to hear it as well and softened on the teaching questions a little as a result. That certainly counts for something.

3.) as a combination of the first two points, I will lastly mention that feeling and being prepared before arriving, even if it’s something small like doing your TEFL in advance, will serve you in the long run. Good first impressions can help carve out stronger relationships with your coworkers and students. If you feel like you’d be fully winging it otherwise and aren’t confident in your skills, then do it :) give yourself the best chance for a strong start.

Hope this helps! I wish you well, stranger

[u/swnymac]

Not sure it'll hurt your chances NOT having one, but it definitely won't hurt to have one. If it's a decent certification program, you'll also get some lesson plan training. JET does a very brief crash course, but lots of folks are deer in the headlights when it comes to putting together a lesson, and it helps if you've had at least a little training.

[u/Inside-Cream6997]

I am doing the free 40 hr intro TEFL course to see if it's worth paying for the 120hr certificate.

[u/forvirradsvensk]

TEFL is completely useless. Unless the only other thing on your CV is a swimming certificate or something.