Planning to teach English in Japan, what should I major in during college?

Most non-Japanese teaching in Japan teach English as a Second Language (ESL), so generally you don't need to have a specific degree, although it would be best if you had an undergraduate degree in teaching or English. At minimum, you should have an TESL/TEFL certificate of some sort from a reputable institution. I don't know of anyone teaching specialized courses in Japan (engineering, science, etc.) in English, except perhaps foreign university professors (visiting) or on research or long-term assignment. In that case, you would need at least a PhD, if not post-grad.

you actually dont have to have any degree or formal training or even speak japanese. however i intend to do the same thing and im getting an asian studies degree with an emphasis on japan.

Why do you want to TEACH English in Japan despite the fact that 1) most Japanese are looking down on "English teachers" from foreign countries who cannot get decent jobs back home 2) majority of the serious students in Japan don't want to learn it from them at those English conversation schools as Geos, Aeon and Ecc that are doing the same monkey business as Nova 3) you cannot keep this least respected job in Japan for more than 2 years in most cases 4) you cannot expect to get a decent job in Japan unless you have a native-level language proficiency in addition to a special skill or talent that no Japanese have (otherwise, there is no merit for Japanese companies to hire you) Please keep in mind that the Japanese are not xenophobia. In fact, we welcome tourists from all over the world We are very kind and friendly to them. But when they try to live in our country by taking advantage of our system, including those language schools run by filthy money mongers, we get furious. When Nova went out of business a few years ago, we were exited to know that 5,000-8,000 foreign "English teachers" would be kicked out of our country. You can make it sure by checking the media reports back then and on-going trial of Nozomu Sahashi, former president of Nova. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_(eikaiwa) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomu_Sahashi Do you really want to TEACH English in Japan? You'd better get a decent job in your country, and come to Japan as a tourist. We will welcome you. To Shiori-san, Yes, it's up to your definition of xenophobia. If you say "Japan has a huge xenophobic streak," you need to define it "from a foreigner's perspective." I want to hear it. But let me add "Try seeing (your) life from Japanese perspective and you might understand" what I mean, hopefully.

If you're going with something like JET or Aeon you don't need a specific degree, any four-year degree will do. I'm here on JET and I know JETs with degrees in all kind of fields, like Asian studies, computer science, anthropology...the specific degree really isn't important, so you should choose something that interests you and that would help you have the life you want when you're finished teaching. After all, JET/AEON/etc. is not meant to be a permanent job. If you want to teach as a regular teacher you will probably need degrees in English and/or TESL, as well as the appropriate teacher certifications for wherever you want to teach. Area52, I don't know how you define xenophobia, but anyone who welcomes foreigners as tourists but otherwise cheers when foreigners get sent home is far from welcoming to foreigners. Japan has a huge xenophobic streak whether you want to admit it or not. Try seeing life here from a foreigner's perspective and you might understand.

My only guess is take as many classes in foreign culture and foreign language as possible (japanes preferably).

Short answer is major in what ever you want as long as it's a full bachelor's degree. Don't be fooled into thinking you're being hired for your education/qualifications; the stipulation that you must have a degree comes from the Japanese immigration department and is there to ensure the big conversation schools don't just bring over any bum to teach English.. which they would if they had the chance as they could pay them less. Fact is AEON, GEOS etc don't give a flying f*** what your degree is, whether you've had teaching experience/training or whether you can speak Japanese. In fact the latter two may even count against you as you're more likely to search for a better job once you get to Japan. The JET program is *slightly* more discerning when it hires people, but only because the number of places is limited compared to the number of applicants, so they can afford to be picky. Rest assured that if they suddenly found a lack of good candidates they would start taking any old joe. I would suggest *strongly* that you base your degree on what you intend to do for a living after teaching English. As another person said, while teaching English is a great experience, it's not a job for life.. when you finish you'll need your qualifications to fall back on. GEOS, AEON, JET are not careers. If you want to be an ESL teacher as a career I think there are better ways of going about it. (Side note about Japanese as a minor: you can if you really want, but my experience with people who minored in Japanese is that they achieve so little for the effort and time (and money!) they had to put in that it would have been better for them to have self-studied. I have heard several people wish this themselves after arriving in Japan and realizing what their actual level of Japanese was.)

It doesnt matter what your major is. They only require that you have a 4 year degree. People come here all the time with degrees in management, science, literature, economics and easily get teaching jobs.

Your major does not matter. I think most have it in Liberal Arts. I would get a degree that you can fall back on in case you do not like teaching english. There is no exact answer and you will never find one. The Japanese immigration system is vague so that the rules can be changed when needed to favor Japan. Some of the schools really prefer you do not speak Japanese as your job is to promote English conversation only. Learning Japanese will help you with daily life but some English schools prefer that you are more skilled in English and not Japanese. After all, your job is to teach English. You are not teaching culture or history so your knowledge of it is really not relevant. The Japanese prize and value education. However being an english teacher socially is the bottom of the food chain for foreigners so if you are trying to make a good impression major in something else that you can do in Japan after you teach English. In many conversation I have had about teaching English in Japan I have never heard WOW or GREAT. It is more like THAT IS IT? As in, is that all you can do. A lot of the teachers there work for a couple of years and then move or move on with their career. I do not know what your goal is in going to Japan but if it is to live there long term i would look at what other jobs accept foreigners (there are not so many) that are proficient in Japanese and the demand rate. You cannot really just go and own a business in Japan or be an engineer so I would think of something else as a back up plan. Generally you will need a good connection to get another type of job and that is where knowledge of Japanese language will do you the best.