Spend 4 weeks getting TEFL certified in the world-class cultural hub of Tokyo. Stay in Japan to teach English with job placement assistance throughout Japan.
Questions or concerns about the coronavirus? Please read our blog about it here!
Experience Japan in the best way possible in the bustling city of Tokyo while you get TEFL certified. After graduation, whether you want to stay in Japan to teach or go to another country, you’ll receive lifetime job placement worldwide!
*Please note that the program is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the TEFL world or simply, gain more experience and knowledge about teaching in general. Eligibility requirements for the TEFL course are different than the requirements needed to teach English in Japan. Please reach out to travelapplications@greenheart.org for more information on eligibility requirements for teaching in Japan.
For those planning to work in Japan after the course, you will start the job search process during your course with assistance from the staff in Japan.
Start Date-End Date
2024
July Cohort:
July 1st – July 26th
August Cohort:
August 12th – August 30th*
September Cohort:
September 2nd – September 27th
October Cohort:
October 7th – November 1st
November Cohort:
November 4th – November 29th
2025
January Cohort:
January 6th – January 31st
February Cohort:
February 3rd – February 28th
March Cohort:
March 3rd – March 28th
April Cohort:
March 31st – April 25th
May Cohort:
May 5th – May 30th
June Cohort:
June 2nd – June 27th
July Cohort:
June 30th – July 25th
August Cohort: (Intensive Course)
August 11th – August 29th
September Cohort:
September 1st – September 26th
October Cohort:
October 6th – October 31st
November Cohort:
November 3rd – November 28th
*The August 12th course will be a more intensive course and will be more condensed than the other courses. Don’t worry though! You still receive the same certificate. You will just complete the course in a shorter time than the others. A typical day for the August 12th course starts at 7:00am and ends at 3:30pm.
This program is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the TEFL world or simply, gain more experience and knowledge about teaching in general. Eligibility requirements for the TEFL course are different than the requirements needed to teach English in Japan. Please note that many countries have age, degree, and language requirements for their teaching positions and work permits. Greenheart Travel is happy to talk with anyone planning to take a TEFL course about realistic teaching opportunities abroad.
*Native English speakers with a high school diploma are academically eligible to join the course. Non-native speakers are also eligible but must submit a written essay and engage in an interview to assess their level of English proficiency.
All students must also show a serious commitment to learning and a willingness to plan and teach in groups and to work reflectively. In order to make sure you gain all of the tools and practice you need to teach English; the course is intensive and involves long days in the classroom, plus homework on nights and weekends.
Course Price: $2,390 USD
A $600 USD payment is required to register and reserve your spot on the course; the remaining tuition balance is due 60 days before your course and will be paid directly to the school.
Accommodation is not included in your tuition; however, you will receive assistance in setting up a place to stay prior to your arrival. The school owns a house with private rooms in east Tokyo that teachers stay in each month – there are limited rooms, so they are rented on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The shared house will be equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, air conditioning and heating. There is not a cleaning service, so teachers are expected to keep the house in order. You will have access to shared living areas where you can study, read and hang out, as well as a kitchen. Laundry may be available at your accommodation; but if not, there are inexpensive laundromats nearby.
If this house is full, the staff have other housing recommendations, or you are free to find your own monthly rental. The school is less than a 10-minute walk from the Kanamachi train station, so you can either find something in the neighborhood or near a train station.
Throughout the 4 weeks, teachers should expect to be at school for the majority of the day, Monday – Friday, and to complete homework assignments every night. Hours at the school are typically 8:00am – 3:00pm. You will usually do your student teaching during school hours, unless you arrange to do them outside of normal class hours.
Here is a typical daily schedule:
| 6:30 AM | Wake up |
| 6:30 – 7:00 | Get ready, eat breakfast |
| 7:00 – 7:30 | Make sure you are prepared for today’s class |
| 730 – 8:00 | Commute to school |
| 8:00 – 12:00 | Morning session, with breaks |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 – 3:00 | Afternoon session |
| 3:00 – 4:00 | Commute home, take a break |
| 4:00 – 5:30 | Start homework and lesson plans |
| 5:30 – 8:30 | Eat dinner, hang out with friends |
| 8:30 – 10:00 | Finish homework, prepare for tomorrow’s class |
Although this course should not be taken lightly, as long as you go to class and get your homework done each night, you will do great! It is rare for students to fail this course, but you should be prepared for an intensive four weeks of classes, teaching practice and homework.
Accreditation ensures that your certification course meets quality standards in the level of instruction, the quality of the curriculum, inclusion of a practicum, extent of training and other areas. It ensures that the course’s quality and ethical standards are maintained, and to recognize professional acceptance and recognition in the international job market.
This course is internationally accredited by the BOAA (Board of Academic Advisors) and meets international TESOL/TEFL course standards.
International Standards
Most schools, language institutes and Ministries of Education recognize TESOL/TEFL certifications that meet certain basic standards that are also recommended by leading bodies in the field, including the British Council. These standards reflect those incorporated into a standard, accredited intensive four-week TESOL/TEFL class and include:
Greenheart Travel has been working in Japan for many years, and there are advantages of applying for this program through us:
We also have some unique offerings to our Greenheart Travel teachers and alumni!
Greenheart Grants
Greenheart Grants are funds awarded to Greenheart Travel participants to use for community development projects in their host or home country. A Greenheart Grant is the opportunity to create, improve, or maintain an impactful, community-focused project abroad or at home. Grant funds could be applied to supporting women’s cooperatives, schools, community centers, or health clinics, for example. Grant winners will be featured on our website, social media, and blog. You can see our past winners on our blog here.
Greenheart Alumni Program
We created the Greenheart Travel Alumni Program to provide resources and a community to support alumni in their advancement as global leaders, and a way to celebrate and reward our participants for being ambitious, inspiring catalysts of cultural exchange!
Greenheart Global Leaders Conference
Each August Greenheart offers full ride scholarships to over 40 alumni to attend our annual conference in Washington, DC. Participants even get a chance to advocate for cultural exchange in a presentation to the US Department of State. You can see more about what GGLC is and what you could do at the conference here.
1. Start Your Application Here. You will be sent more information as well as the link to our application portal to begin your formal application.
2. Submit Basic Program Information: The first step in our application portal will be basic things like your chosen start date, etc.
3. Submit your $600 Payment: A payment is required in order to apply for the program and is subtracted from your total program fee. After you submit your payment, we will start to arrange your arrival details!
4. Schedule your Video Interview! Once you have submitted your online application and paid your application fee, you will be asked to schedule a video interview with a Greenheart Travel representative.
5. You’re Accepted! Woohoo! We are usually able to accept people within 1-2 weeks of their interviews.
6. Submit your Placement Documents: We’ll need a short video and a new resume in our defined format after you’re accepted, and we’ll send you the instructions on completing them after you’re accepted.
6. Balance: Your remaining tuition balance will be due 60 days prior to your course start date.
Have questions or want to speak to a staff member? Set up an information phone call here.