Teacher Spotlight: Tiffany Barber’s Journey Teaching English in Japan

A Journey of Teaching and Learning

Tiffany Barber shares her enriching experience as a first-time Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Japan. From adjusting to a new culture to embracing the Japanese way of life, Tiffany’s journey is inspiring for aspiring educators and travellers alike.

Discovering Japan

My first time in Japan has been a great experience. I am grateful for this opportunity to live and work in a different country. I have been adjusting well. The first 2 weeks I was very busy with company training, moving into my new apartment, and establishing residency. It has been lovely to travel around Japan so easily due to the wonderful public transit. I am enjoying my neighborhood and school placement very much. I have signed up for community classes to learn more Japanese and practice Tai Chi. It is the primary language I use now when I am not around other English speakers.

Teaching English in Japan

The first term of teaching English is going well. The teaching staff and administration are very friendly and helpful. They are trying their best to welcome me by showing me around, giving me snacks on my desk, inviting me to school meetings/ceremonies and sharing their experiences too. In the classroom, students are trying their best and participating, typical class management is used. Overall, it is nice. The Japanese public school system is very different from where I am from in a good way. Outside the classroom, I play outside most days at break times, chat in the halls, and help every day during cleaning time. I say hello to everyone. I feel like a celebrity. I play dodgeball with the kids. I see students on my way to the bus stop after school and sometimes when I go to the library. School lunch is the best and I am glad I eat it every day.

From Outdoor Educator to Classroom Teacher

This is my first time teaching in a classroom. In America, I was an outdoor educator. My goal for the first teaching term work-wise is to get to know what students see as relevant and cater to their needs. Team teaching or co-teaching I think is best. I also wish to continue learning people’s names and learning more classroom games. I am at a school in the countryside and next term I will be at a different school.

About Frances Mignonne Weiner

Franci, our Graphic Designer and Social Media Manager, brings a unique blend of creativity to TravelBud. She holds a degree in Humanities from Stellenbosch University and is currently completing her postgraduate studies in Sustainable Development. Born and raised in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa—a beautiful coastal town nestled in the heart of the Garden Route—Franci is an ocean and mountain lover at heart. When she's not crafting captivating visuals and managing the social media accounts for TravelBud, you can find Franci frolicking in the mountains, trail running, or swimming in the ocean.

Filed under Japan • Teacher Diaries

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It has special reduced pricing without the certificate and the package includes all the pre-departure support before you leave your home country, guaranteed job placement at one of our partner schools, 24/7 in-country support and the Lifetime Placement Guarantee.
Placement Program

Since you already have a TESOL/TEFL certificate we have a special offering program just for you!

As long as your certificate is at least 120 hours and accredited, you would qualify to apply for the Placement Program.

It includes all the services of TravelBud but without the obligation of doing our in-class course in Hua Hin.

It has special reduced pricing without the certificate and the package includes all the pre-departure support before you leave your home country, guaranteed job placement at one of our partner schools, 24/7 in-country support and the Lifetime Placement Guarantee.

You follow the same start dates listed for the in-class course to start the 1st week of Cultural immersive orientation with activities that include:
- About 8 hours of basic Thai language lessons
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- Temple excursion and afternoon class with a Buddhist monk who will explain the origins and philosophies of the Buddhist faith and how it comes into play in Thailand overall and in the classroom specifically
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- Please click here to see a video on the cultural orientation
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Since you already have a TESOL/TEFL certificate we have a special offering program just for you!

As long as your certificate is at least 120 hours and accredited, you would qualify to apply for the Placement Program.

For Vietnam you need to sign at least a 6 month contract.

It includes all the services of TravelBud but without the obligation of doing our in-class course in Ho Chi Minh City.

It has special reduced pricing without the certificate and the package includes all the pre-departure support before you leave your home country, guaranteed job placement at one of our partner schools, 24/7 in-country support and the Lifetime Placement Guarantee.

You follow the same start dates listed for the in-class course to start the 1st week of Cultural immersive orientation with activities that include:
- Vietnamese Language Lessons
- A cooking class
- Excursions to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum
- Cultural etiquette classes
- A welcome dinner
- Set up a SIM card and other logistics
- Martial Arts Classes
- History Lessons
- Politics Classes
Placement Program

Since you already have a TESOL/TEFL certificate we have a special offering program just for you!

Since you already have a TESOL/TEFL already we have a special offering program just for you! As long as your certificate is atleast 120 hours and accredited and you hold a Bachelor’s degree, you would qualify to apply for the Placement Program.

If you do not hold a bachelor’s degree but hold a TEFL, the final decision of the Placement program being an option for you would be up to the discretion of our Placement and Admissions team once you have applied.

It includes all the services of TravelBud but without the obligation of doing our in-class course in Yangon.

It has special reduced pricing without the certificate and the package includes all the pre-departure support before you leave your home country, guaranteed job placement at one of our partner schools, 24/7 in-country support and the Lifetime Placement Guarantee.

You follow the same start dates listed for the in-class course to start the 1st week of Cultural immersive orientation with activities that include:
- Burmese Language Lessons
- A cooking class
- Excursions to the Shwedagon Pagoda
- Cultural etiquette classes
- A welcome dinner
- Set up a SIM card and other logistics
- Martial Arts Classes
- History Lessons
- Politics Classes
Placement Program

Since you already have a TESOL/TEFL certificate we have a special offering program just for you!

As long as your certificate is at least 120 hours and accredited, you would qualify to apply for the Placement Program.
It includes all the services of TravelBud but without the obligation of doing our in-class course in Seoul.

It has special reduced pricing without the certificate and the package includes: all the pre-departure support before you leave your home country, guaranteed job placement at one of our partner schools, 24/7 in-country support and the Lifetime Placement Guarantee.

It also includes 3 weekends of our cultural immersive orientation in Seoul once you arrive that includes activities such as:
- Korean Language Lessons
- A cooking class
- Excursions to the the Gyeongbuk Palace
- A traditional tea tasting in Insadong
- Cultural etiquette classes
- Set up a SIM card and other logistics
- Martial Arts Classes
- History Lessons
- Politics Classes
Placement Program

Since you already have a TESOL/TEFL certificate we have a special offering program just for you!

As long as your certificate is at least 120 hours and accredited, you would qualify to apply for the Placement Program.

It includes all the services of TravelBud but without the obligation of doing our in-class course.

It has special reduced pricing without the certificate and the package includes: all the pre-departure support before you leave your home country, guaranteed job placement at one of our partner schools, 24/7 in-country support and the Lifetime Placement Guarantee. It also includes a 40 hour immersive cultural integration certificate online before your departure.
Placement Program

Since you already have a TESOL/TEFL certificate we have a special offering program just for you!

As long as your certificate is at least 120 hours and accredited, you would qualify to apply for the Placement Program.

It includes all the services of TravelBud but without the obligation of doing our in-class course.

It has special reduced pricing without the certificate and the package includes: all the pre-departure support before you leave your home country, guaranteed job placement at one of our partner schools, 24/7 in-country support and the Lifetime Placement Guarantee.
Placement Program

Since you already have a TESOL/TEFL certificate we have a special offering program just for you!

As long as your certificate is at least 120 hours and accredited, you would qualify to apply for the Placement Program.

It includes all the services of TravelBud but without the obligation of doing our online TEFL course.

It has special reduced pricing without the certificate and the package includes: all the pre-departure support before you leave your home country, guaranteed job placement at one of our partner schools and language centers, 24/7 in-country support and the Lifetime Placement Guarantee.

It also includes the week long cultural orientation once you arrive!
Please Note

At this time we unfortunately do not have a Placement Only Program for our new Costa Rica Program for those that already hold a TEFL certification.

Those with a TEFL certification are more than welcome to complete the in-country course with us in San Ramon and head to guaranteed placement thereafter.

For options that facilitate those that already hold a TEFL and are looking to secure the guaranteed teaching placement and in-country immersive course, please feel free to enquire about Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. We will be expanding the program in the future to accommodate a Placement Program but for now we offer the full in-class TTESOL and placement option.
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← Teaching Abroad in Tokyo: Lilah's Journey Begins!

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Teacher Spotlight: Tiffany Barber’s Journey Teaching English in Japan

A Journey of Teaching and Learning

About Frances Mignonne Weiner

Free Enrolment Consultation

TEFL Extension Program

Placement Only Program

Placement Program

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Teacher Spotlight: Tiffany Barber’s Journey Teaching English in Japan

A Journey of Teaching and Learning

About Frances Mignonne Weiner

Free Enrolment Consultation

Free Enrolment Consultation

Nationality SA hide all fields within section

TEFL Extension Program

Placement Only Program

Placement Program

Placement Program

Placement Program

Placement Program

Placement Program

Placement Program

Placement Program

We want to hear your story.

We want to hear your story.

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