[Teacher Recruitment Exam Pass Roundtable] With friends who share the same dream

Three fourth-year students in 2025 passed the difficult public junior high school teacher recruitment exam!
We asked them about their desire to become teachers, exam preparation, and messages for their juniors.

-Congratulations on passing the teacher recruitment exam. What made you want to become a teacher?

It all started when I was in Nao High School and found the modern Japanese classes I taught extremely interesting. I was deeply impressed by the young female teacher who taught Japanese language with such genuine enjoyment. I particularly fell in love with Natsume Soseki's Kokoro, which deepened my interest in literature. I wanted to become a teacher who could convey the charm of Japanese language to my students, so I enrolled at Otemae University, where I could obtain a Japanese language teaching license.

The teachers who taught me in the upper grades of Waka Elementary School and in junior high school always paid serious attention to each and every student. I still remember them fondly, and they made me want to become a teacher who could help children. Although my hopes were not fulfilled in the university entrance exams, I enrolled in Faculty of Modern Social Studies at Otemae University. However, I was not ready to give up on my dream, so I decided to transfer to Faculty of Intercultural Japanese Studies Studies, where I could obtain a teaching license, and aim to become a Japanese language teacher.

It all started with my middle school teacher, who was also the advisor for Keita's club activities. For three years, he listened to me with compassion and earned the trust of my classmates, so I naturally began to think, "I want to be a teacher like that." I've always loved social studies, so I went on to my first choice Otemae University, with the goal of becoming a social studies teacher.

-What did you work particularly hard on in preparation for the teacher recruitment exam?

Nao: Of course I focused on acquiring knowledge, but I also put a lot of effort into self-analysis to clarify what kind of teacher I wanted to be. I started studying with Waka about a year before the exam, exchanging opinions with her, and often went to the teacher study room.

Waka: First, I increased the amount of reading I did, even going so far as to read and memorize reference books over and over again. My parents told me that it's tough to get hired as a teacher, so "wouldn't it be better for you to start job hunting and apply to regular companies as well?" However, when I told them that I wanted to focus on teaching, they encouraged me, saying, "Your efforts won't be in vain." There were times when I was worried about the amount of studying I had to do, but I went back to basics and, with Nao's support, I was able to see it through to the end.

-So you two always studied together.

I think Waka was able to overcome it because she wasn't alone!

Nao: You would come to the university after class, during your free time, and even on days when there were no classes and study until late at night.

-What did you think, Keita?

I was not good at any subjects other than social studies, so I started over from the basics in subjects like math. I was shocked that I didn't get the results I wanted in the exam for third-year students, but that experience motivated me to study harder. It was difficult while I was also looking for a job, but once I decided to focus on teaching, I was able to concentrate, and I especially put effort into preparing for the mock lessons in the second exam. I also used my classmates' mock lessons as a reference.

How was your teaching internship?

I was put in charge of teaching from the afternoon of my first day at Keita, and I was very anxious (laughs). I was busy preparing for geography classes, making handouts, etc., but as the classes continued, I had more time to be creative and realized the importance of putting things into practice.

Waka: I felt the difficulty of dealing with the individuality of each student, but I also felt the rewarding nature of being a teacher through casual conversations and questions in my daily life. It was also a great experience to be able to put into practice the lesson planning I learned at university.

Nao: I realized that Japanese is a subject whose enjoyment can change dramatically depending on how it is taught. I was impressed by how the students' approach changed when I incorporated group reading aloud and focused on creating lessons where students could actively learn from each other. I was able to interact with the students after school, and this strengthened my desire to become a teacher.

-What classes were particularly useful after you entered Otemae University?

This is a class called "Japanese Language Teaching Methods" that Nao took in her third year. It was a great opportunity for her to specifically learn "how to teach Japanese" and shift her mindset from being a listener to a teacher. She learned a lot that she can use in her teaching practice and future practice, not only in how to plan lessons but also in how to use her voice and how to talk to students.

Waka: Me too! Not only did I receive support with my classes, but I also received generous support with my teaching practice and preparation for the teacher recruitment exam interview.

Keita: The class on "Social Studies Teaching Methods" left a lasting impression on me. Through the mock lesson, I learned how to structure a lesson, and my goals for my teaching practice became clear. The teacher also gave me detailed advice on how to prepare for the interview, which allowed me to respond calmly during the actual interview. I will always remember how warmly the teacher spoke to me during the exam period and celebrated with me when I passed.

-So, what's good about coming to Otemae University?

The support from the faculty and staff at Nao was truly generous! The encouragement from everyone around me was encouraging and gave me confidence. To be honest, before I enrolled, I only thought, "Even though it's not an education department, I can still get a license," but in reality, I received more support than I expected, and I think this is something you can only get at Otemae University. I think that's why I was able to pass.

The information sharing in the Waka group chat was also amazing (laughs).

The staff at Keita's Academic Affairs Division contacted me several times a day (laughs). I received frequent information about volunteering and employment exams from various local governments, which was very reassuring.

The lessons taught by Professor Furuta, who is in charge of Nao's teaching qualifications, were also very memorable. He corrected my self-promotion sheet many times, and his use of ICT in creating lessons was useful for my teaching practice and employment exams. Professor Tsujimura, who teaches my seminar, also gave me advice on the direction of my research and even came to see my teaching practice. His praise for my mock lesson gave me a great boost of confidence.

I think one of the attractions of Otemae Otemae University is that you can study across faculties. Studying a wide range of fields, such as educational Psychology, helped me prepare for the recruitment exam, and taking a variety of classes in my first and second years allowed me to think deeply about my interests and future.

My experience as a member of the Keita School Festival Executive Committee was also a big help. I was originally not good at speaking in front of people, but I was able to overcome this by serving as a host and leader, and that experience came in handy during my teaching practice and interview. I believe that the experience of creating something together with my friends was what led to my success.

-Please give a message to those who want to become teachers or who are undecided!

Nao: I recommend starting preparation as early as possible, from your first or second year. The time you spend preparing will directly lead to confidence, and depending on your grades, it may even open the door to university recommendations. I especially recommend starting preparation for the written exam at least a year in advance. Firmly solidify your educational philosophy through self-analysis, including essays and interviews. Everyone experiences anxiety at times, but your accumulated efforts will surely support you.

Waka: The most important thing is to rely on those around you. The professors and staff at the university were more kind and supportive than I could have ever imagined. Don't try to handle everything on your own, but be proactive in asking for help if you have any questions or concerns. Also, by being clear about why you want to be a teacher and what kind of teacher you want to be, I think you'll be able to pull yourself together even when you're unsure.

Keita: I hope that you will take on any challenge during your time as a student. And once you have decided to do something, see it through to the end. That experience will be a strength that you can talk about in an interview. Believe in your efforts and keep working hard without giving up.

Waka: I started volunteering in February of my third year. It was a lot of fun from the very first day, and I was able to learn practical ways to interact with children and how to talk to them. I was also able to learn from the way the other volunteer staff interacted, and it was good that I was able to talk about this experience with confidence during my interview.

Nao: I also participated in the volunteer work together with Waka. This was also based on information I received through chat with the teacher support team. Learning how to interact with children while having fun was a great experience, and I think there is a lot to be learned by actually taking action.

-Finally, please tell us your future goals.

Waka: My goal is to become a teacher who can broaden the options available to children. I want to be someone who can recognize and bring out the potential in each individual. Specializing in subjects such as classics and classical Chinese, I still have a lot to learn, so I want to continue learning even after graduation. The other day, I met up with my elementary school teacher, whom I admired, and was able to tell him directly that it was his influence that made me want to become a teacher. I want to become more like that teacher, who always put children first.

Nao will be teaching at a junior high school from next year, and I aim to be a teacher that students will think, "I'm glad I met this teacher" and "I'm glad she's my homeroom teacher." I want to convey the joy of Japanese language, improve my expertise, and think about what I can do while facing the challenges of the educational field. I've been exchanging opinions with my fellow teachers, and I'm thinking about first acquiring a solid foundation as a teacher in Ehime, with the possibility of returning to Hyogo Prefecture in the future.

Keita's goal is to become a teacher that students can trust. I would be happy if I could become someone who makes students think, "I want to become a teacher after seeing this teacher," by making it a point to talk to them and listen to them on a daily basis. I am really looking forward to the day when I will stand in front of the classroom.