1. My Career Compass to Becoming an E.S.L Teacher in Japan
By: Chanelle Bentley

2. Why Be an E.S.L Teacher?
Ever since I was very young; I always had a strong passion for teaching. I enjoy helping my international friends and helping prepare them for upcoming English tests.
My biggest dream is to live in Japan. The high demand for English teachers internationally is constantly growing. I also have the amazing benefit to be able to teach elsewhere around the world.

3. Short Term Goals
Achieve at least 86% - 90% in all of my academic courses
Take all the Japanese courses offered at my school. Attend after school private Japanese classes when I am in Grade 12.
Graduate with a high school diploma from Riverside Secondary
In Grade 12 take peer tutoring for English

4. Long Term Goals Speak Japanese at a native speaking level.
Move to Japan
Teach at a boys and girls public high school
Graduate from SFU University with my Bachelors degree in the Education Faculty.

5. Skills, Attributes and Characteristics
Skills and Attributions:
Excellent communication skills, having a flexible attitude, being able to create both enjoyable and educational lessons. Lastly being well adjustable and aware of the many cultural differences.
Characteristics:
Being comfortable in speaking in front of a crowd or class. The ability to have genuine relationships between others. Have an encouraging attitude.
Typical Modern-Day Japanese Classroom

6. Education Requirements and Salary
The minimum degree that I need to achieve is the “bachelors degree.”
A bachelors degree takes four years to complete.
The salary of an E.S.L teacher in Japan ranges between 2238$ – 6583$ a month
Teaching in Japan comes with many benefits such as having my apartment paid for, having my flights be reimbursed, and given training.
Typical Modern Day Japanese Apartment
Bachelor’s Degree

7. Job Description
E.S.L teachers can work at an elementary, secondary or post-secondary level institution.
Certain tasks involve teaching students basic English skills, such as listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Classroom work can consist of pronunciation practice quizzes, textbooks, videos and or computer lessons.
Most ESL teachers are required to be fluent in another language besides English so that they can communicate with their students.
I think this job is very well suited for me because I have always dreamed about teaching others. I also really love learning languages! Teaching abroad gives me so many opportunities to learn many languages and learn more about other cultures.

8. My Post-Secondary Plan
Institution’s name: Simon Fraser University
Program title: The Bachelor of Education (BEd) program
Length of Program: 4 year program
Admission Requirements and Courses:
English 11, Language 11, Science 11, Foundations of Math 11 with a minimum grade of 60%, English 12 with a minimum final blended grade of 60%.
To be graduated from high school.
Average admission ranges between 80% to 90%.
Tuition Fees: An application fee is 75$. All new domestic students must also pay an acceptance offer of 250$. Normal and course challenges are $ (basic-per unit). The co-operative Education Practicum is $ (per term).

9. Potential Hurdles and Struggles
There are many struggles that can come along with any job. But one of the biggest hurdles I am worried about is not getting accepted into S.F.U University.
I need to ensure that I will always complete my homework correctly and on time. If ever I have questions I must ask the teacher or a classmate. I will make sure that I am always well-prepared for all of my tests achieving a mark of at least 86% and higher. And that I am on time and attend all of my classes.
Learning languages are quite difficult especially Japanese.
In order to have a better future I will have to study Japanese at least 30 minutes everyday and I must also attend Japanese lessons on the weekends.
“You don’t get what you wish for, you get what you work for” - Kushandwizdom

10. Timeline of My Life
Travel to Osaka, Japan during the Spring Break (2017)
Peer Tutoring for E.S.L students ( )
Graduate from Riverside Secondary (2019)
Attend Simon Fraser University. ( )
Know fluent to native level Japanese (2025)
Move to Japan (2026)
Teach as an E.S.L teacher in a Japanese public high school. (2026)