This is my goal also. I'm in NYC, I have many Japanese study partners from Craigslist, even if I don't need it, I want to speak Japanese. I tried TEFL, they said I need a degree. Don't have one. What are the avenues for this? I'm perusing the internet daily. Limited finances, just got back from Hawaii, where I got the Japanese bug, so to speak. I'm also older, many organizations want younger people for language exchange, etc. That seemed to be another block, so my goal as of late is just to learn the language as well as possible.

I do have a question about Tenrikyo. They offer language classes here in NYC. Does anyone have any personal experience with Tenrikyo. I can't find any "opinions" on the internet, but one Japanese language partner said they were a "cult". Any info on their track record?

Please let me know and Arigato.